How to Play Cyberpunk 2077 Before the Live Action Project

This guide will help you experience the key storylines, mechanics, and lore of Cyberpunk 2077 efficiently before the upcoming live-action project. You’ll get a clear path through the main campaign, essential side content, and the Phantom Liberty expansion, so you’re fully prepared for what’s coming.

What You’ll Need

• A copy of Cyberpunk 2077 (base game is enough, but the Phantom Liberty expansion is highly recommended for full lore).
• A platform that runs the game (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, or a cloud gaming service).
• Approximately 30–60 hours of playtime depending on how much side content you want to complete.
• Optional: a guide or wiki for lore refreshers if you want to catch every reference.

Step-by-Step

1. Start a new game and choose your lifepath. The lifepath (Nomad, Street Kid, or Corpo) affects your intro and some dialogue options, but the main story converges quickly. Pick the one that feels most interesting to you.
2. Play through the prologue and the first act. This includes the intro missions, meeting Jackie Welles, and the heist at Konpeki Plaza. This sets up the core conflict and introduces the major characters.
3. Complete the main story missions until you unlock the open world. After the heist, you’ll get the Relic chip in your head and the world opens up. This is where you can start doing side content.
4. Focus on the main story quests (marked with a yellow icon). The main story is about 20–25 hours. Follow the main quests to see the primary narrative, but don’t ignore side content that directly ties into the main characters (Johnny Silverhand, Panam, Judy, River, Kerry).
5. Complete the companion side quests. These are the quests that unlock after you meet each major character. They are essential for character development and often have choices that affect the ending.
6. Play the Phantom Liberty expansion (if you have it). This expansion adds a new district (Dogtown), a new storyline with Idris Elba’s character Solomon Reed, and a new ending option. It’s a self-contained story that also ties into the main narrative.
7. Do the “Tapeworm� and “Nocturne Op55N1� missions to reach the point of no return. This is the final main story mission. Before you start it, make sure you’ve done all the side content you want, because the game will warn you that you can’t go back.
8. Choose an ending. The ending you get depends on choices you made throughout the game (especially with Johnny and the companions). There are multiple endings, including the one added by Phantom Liberty. You can reload a save to see others.
9. After the credits, continue playing. The game will let you return to the open world to finish any remaining side content or explore.
10. Optionally, read the lore codex entries and watch the “Cyberpunk Edgerunners� anime. The anime is set in the same universe and adds context to the setting, though it’s not required.

Common Mistakes

• Rushing the main story too fast. You’ll miss out on character development and the best side quests, which are crucial for understanding the world.
• Ignoring side quests that are time-sensitive. Some quests fail if you progress too far in the main story. For example, certain companion quests can be missed if you don’t do them before the point of no return.
• Not upgrading your cyberware or weapons. The game expects you to improve your gear. If you don’t, you’ll struggle in combat.
• Making choices without saving. Some choices have long-term consequences. Save often so you can go back if you don’t like the outcome.
• Forgetting to use the “skip time� feature. Some missions require waiting, but you can also just fast-forward time from the menu.

Tips

• Set the difficulty to “Normal� or “Easy� if you’re here for the story. Combat can be challenging, but you can adjust difficulty at any time.
• Invest in the “Cool� attribute for stealth and the “Technical Ability� for crafting. These are versatile and help in many situations.
• Use the “Quickhacks� system if you’re playing a netrunner build. It’s one of the most fun and powerful playstyles.
• Take time to explore Night City. The world is dense with lore, hidden gigs, and environmental storytelling that will enrich your understanding of the setting.
• Watch the “Cyberpunk Edgerunners� anime between acts. It’s short (10 episodes) and gives you a different perspective on the city and the tech.
• If you want to see all endings, make a manual save before the “Nocturne Op55N1� mission. That way you can reload and choose different paths.

Troubleshooting

• Game crashes or performance issues. Update your graphics drivers, lower the graphics settings, and disable ray tracing if needed. On PC, verify the game files via Steam/GOG.
• Quests not triggering. Some quests require you to be at a certain level or to have completed previous quests. Check your journal and make sure you’ve done the prerequisites.
• Can’t find a mission marker. The map can be cluttered. Use the “Track� option in the journal to highlight the correct path.
• Character stuck or glitched. Load a previous save. The game autosaves frequently, so you shouldn’t lose much progress.
• Lost save data. If you’re on console, make sure you have cloud saves enabled. On PC, back up your save folder (usually in the user directory).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to play the original Cyberpunk 2020 tabletop game first?

No. Cyberpunk 2077 is a standalone story. The tabletop game provides background lore, but the video game explains everything you need to know.

Is the Phantom Liberty expansion essential?

Not essential, but highly recommended. It adds a major storyline, a new area, and a new ending that ties into the main narrative. If you have time, play it.

How long does it take to beat the main story?

About 20–25 hours if you focus only on main quests. With side content and expansion, expect 50–60 hours.

Can I play the game after the ending?

Yes. After the credits, you’ll be placed back in the world before the final mission, so you can continue exploring and completing side content.

What’s the best order for side quests?

Do companion quests as soon as they become available. Also, do the “Panam� and “Judy� questlines before the final mission, as they affect endings.

Will the live action project follow the game’s story?

It’s not confirmed. The project might be a new story in the same universe, so playing the game will give you the context to understand the world and characters.

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