The Blog/ Cyberpunk 2077: A Game that Defined [and Redefined] a Genre

Cyberpunk 2077 Collectible Figure Toy

From high-end figure toys to Japanese-made Nextflix series, the world of Cyberpunk 2077 has redefined markets ranging from fashion to gaming. The newly released Phantom Liberty and Ver. 2.0 combined in a physical edition for PS5 and Xbox consolidate the franchise's relevance in today's mindshare, especially within lovers of sci-fi and futuristic perspectives.

Going back, Cyberpunk has always been a genre of science fiction that explores the dark and dystopian aspects of technology, society, and human nature. It often features themes such as cybernetics, hacking, artificial intelligence, megacorporations, social inequality, and rebellion. Cyberpunk has been a popular and influential genre since the 1980s, with classic works such as Blade Runner, Neuromancer, Akira, and Ghost in the Shell.

However, in recent years, cyberpunk culture has gained traction, evolved and diversified, reflecting the [new] changing realities and challenges of the modern world. New creators in various media have explored new issues such as biotechnology, climate change, identity, and globalization, while also paying homage to the classic tropes and aesthetics of the genre. One of the most prominent and ambitious examples of this new wave of cyberpunk is the video game Cyberpunk 2077, developed by CD Projekt Red, the studio behind the critically acclaimed The Witcher series.

Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world role-playing game that takes place in Night City, a sprawling metropolis in a dystopian future. The player can create and customize their own character, known as V, and choose from various skills, cyberware, weapons, and factions. The game offers a rich and immersive story, with multiple branching paths and endings, as well as a vast and diverse world to explore, full of quests, activities, and secrets. The game also features a stunning and detailed graphics, a dynamic and reactive environment, and a vibrant and eclectic soundtrack.

Cyberpunk 2077 is not only a game, but also a cultural phenomenon. It is a game that draws inspiration from the history and legacy of cyberpunk, while also contributing to its development and innovation. It is a game that pays tribute to the pioneers and icons of the genre, while also creating its own original and memorable characters and stories. It is a game that reflects the hopes and fears of the present, while also imagining the possibilities and challenges of the future.

In a quasi-dualistic love/hate reception at birth, the game has faced many difficulties and controversies, both before and after its release. The saga was first announced in 2012, and underwent a long and complex development process, with multiple delays, high expectations, and intense pressure.


A thermal katana in the gameplay The initial game was released in December 2020, and received mixed reviews, with praise for its story, world, and gameplay, but also criticism for its technical issues, bugs, and glitches, especially on the previous generation consoles. The game also sparked debates and discussions about various topics, such as representation, censorship, violence, and ethics.

The game features a vast open world that can be explored on foot or by using various vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, and bikes, but one of the most distinctive aspects of Cyberpunk 2077 is the variety of in-game NFT style consumables such as accessories, weapons and cyberware that the player can use to enhance their abilities and combat effectiveness.

The game offers a wide range of firearms, melee weapons, grenades, and cybernetic implants that can be modified and upgraded. Some of the most iconic weapons in the game are the Thermal Katanas, which are blades that can heat up to cut through enemies and deflect bullets. The Thermal Katanas are inspired by the weapon used by the character Johnny Silverhand, a legendary rockerboy and rebel leader who is played by Keanu Reeves in the game.

Another notable feature of Cyberpunk 2077 is customization. The player can choose from different models of bikes, each with its own speed, handling, and design. The player can also modify their bike with various parts, colors, and decals to create their own unique ride. The bikes are not only a means of transportation, but also a way of expressing the player's personality and style in the game.

Impact on Fashion and Photography

But the relevance and impact of Cyberpunk 2077 spreads way beyond gaming consoles and virtual worlds. The game aesthetics also had a profound impact in today's fashion and design language in general.

You probably have noticed youtubers, photographers and video markers adopting a blueish/purplish ambient lighting used as backdrop or as a painting effect that enhances silhouettes and contours.

These neon-inspired color grading, popularized in movies like Blade Runner are taken from popular urbanscapes found in asian cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong or Bangkok. They're the result of street neon signs – popularly found in Asia – illuminating a person or subject in dark alleys and rainy visions or a somewhat-cliché image of what Asian cities look like - at least, nearby massage parlors, gambling dens and other Yakuza-controlled areas.

Like photography and filmmaking, fashion is another segment that has been strongly impacted by the influence and design of movies like Blade Runner and games like Cyberpunk 2077.

What used to be made for movie screens and consumed by very few, like artists and celebrities, is now becoming mainstream and normalized on the streets. Fashion labels and retailers have seen a strong growth and increasing demand for cyberpunk clothing, footwear and accessories.

From Nike to Balenciaga, big brands are diving deep into the world of cyberpunk, its subgenres and nuances. Along with them, newcomers and lesser known names are also innovating within this niche-gone-mainstream genre, and metaverse-born RTFKT is a great example.

The studio has designed and released a series of futuristic and cyberpunk-inspired products for both virtual and physical consumption. Before, such products could only be seen in flicks like Back to the Future and the likes.

Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition

Despite its initial development challenges, Cyberpunk 2077 reigns as a iconic game that has captivated and inspired millions of players and fans around the world. It is a game that has generated a passionate and creative community, that has produced fan art, cosplay, mods, and more. It is a game that has received continuous support and improvement from its developers, who have released patches, updates, and free downloadable content.


A thermal katana sword replica

One of the most recent and exciting announcements from CD Projekt Red is the release of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, scheduled for December 5, 2023.

This edition is a comprehensive and definitive version of the game, that includes the base game, the Phantom Liberty expansion, and all the post-release updates and additional downloadable content. The Phantom Liberty expansion is the first premium expansion for the game, that adds a new spy-thriller story, set in the walled-off district of Dogtown, where the player can infiltrate, sabotage, and fight against a mysterious and powerful enemy.

The Ultimate Edition also features Patch 2.0, which is the most extensive and significant overhaul for the entire game, that fixes most issues and completes the game.

The Ultimate Edition will be available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC platforms, both in digital and physical form. The physical copies will include discs, codes, and other goodies, depending on the platform. The Ultimate Edition will also be compatible with the previous generation consoles, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, through backward compatibility, but with some limitations and compromises. The Ultimate Edition will cost $80, which is a reasonable price considering the amount and quality of the content included.

Along with the release of Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition, a series of products, toys and collectibles are in the pipeline, starting with the cyberpunk statues and figures made by PureArts, a toy design studio specialized in premium quality collectible figurines for the video game and the movie industries including Ubisoft, Warner Bros, Riot Games, Assassin's Creed, BAYC, DC, League of Legends, Lord of the Rings, Michael Jackson and Ultraman.

In addition to ¼ scale highly-detailed statues of Johnny Silverhand and Solomon Reed, new 1/6 articulated figures created by PureArts include both the V male and female game characters, and the beautiful Yaiba Kusanagi motorbike.

Falling within the "kidult" segment, these collectibles are high-end (premium) toys that usually sell for 3 digits and can easily pass the US$1,000 price range.

The figures are all highly-detailed and ultra realistic. The attention to details go as far as including dust and dirt on the motorbike's tires and wear & tear details on the models' clothing, shoes and accessories. Such level of details isn't something that can be easily found on regular or entry-level collectibles.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition is a game that deserves attention and appreciation from both new and existing players and fans of the genre. It is a game that offers a unique and immersive experience, that combines gameplay, story, and world.

It is a game that showcases the best and the worst of cyberpunk, that challenges and entertains, that provokes and inspires. It is a game that defines and redefines a genre.

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