Cyberpunk 2077 has no shortage of popular and rewarding mods. Community patches, improved ray-tracing, deeper customization options, and even a third-person mode are all among the biggest changes brought to Cyberpunk 2077 courtesy of its community, and with the REDmod modding tool being released back in 2022, audiences can expect this list to grow over time.
But even as dedicated modders chip away at Cyberpunk 2077, augmenting, polishing, and tweaking it to their hearts’ content, CD Projekt Red’s sci-fi opus is still outdone by some of its biggest inspirations. Indeed, Skyrim and the first-person Fallout games, which definitely share a good amount of DNA with Cyberpunk 2077, have played host to some of the most ambitious, mind-blowing mods the gaming community has ever seen, with the likes of Skyblivion and Fallout London effectively being standalone games in their own right. Naturally, there are a lot of technical factors that go into making these sorts of dramatic overhauls possible, but if modders have proven anything, it’s that they shouldn’t be underestimated, and it’s about time Cyberpunk‘s modding scene went head-to-head with Skyrim‘s and Fallout‘s.
Related
Cyberpunk 2077’s Sequel Could Share the Love with the Best Feature of Smart Weapons
Cyberpunk 2077 adds interest and depth to smart weapons that isn’t reflected in other weapon types, and Project Orion could change that.
Ambitious, Game-Changing Cyberpunk 2077 Mods Could Be Incredible
Comparing Skyrim and Cyberpunk 2077, it’s clear which is the more polished product. That’s not meant to be a knock against Skyrim—it’s a solid nine years older than Cyberpunk—but even the most ambitious mods can’t fix Bethesda’s Creation Engine. It shouldn’t be controversial to say that, as far as things like character animations, voice acting, and attention to detail go, CD Projekt Red has Bethesda beat by leaps and bounds.
Of course, this disparity in complexity is a big reason why players haven’t seen the likes of Skyrim‘s Forgotten City mod in Cyberpunk. But while it may be more difficult to create mods on such a scale in this newer game, the results have the potential to be far more impressive, as the assets available to modders are of a higher quality. Skyrim and Fallout, specifically Fallout 4, have both received mods that are on-par with DLC, complete with voice-acting, fleshed-out narratives, and even new mechanics, and applying this sort of ambition to vanilla Cyberpunk 2077 could yield experiences few could have dreamed of a few years ago.
Compensation for modders is a tricky legal area, but many dedicated, high-profile modders have been supported through donations in the past. That is to say that, if Cyberpunk 2077 fans want to see mods on the level of Fallout London, they’ll have to come together to support talented creators.
Cyberpunk 2077’s Potential for Mod-Based Storytelling Is Limitless
Taking some inspiration from the ambitious minds of the Skyrim and Fallout modding scenes, Cyberpunk 2077 modders could create some truly astonishing works of art. New stories from underexplored corners of Night City, prequel adventures centered on characters like Johnny Silverhand and Solomon Reed, and experimental science-fiction narratives are just some of the possibilities that could be realized through such ambitious mods, which would greatly expand the burgeoning Cyberpunk universe. And while CD Projekt Red boasts some of the best writers in the business, letting other, independent storytellers lend their talents to the iconic high-tech, low-life setting could lead to more diverse, intriguing stories for everyone to enjoy.
A deeper, more intimate view of cyberpsychosis, a day in the life of a middling corpo-rat, the life and death of a Tyger Claws operative—all of these stories are waiting to be told, and it’s impossible for CD Projekt Red to tell them all. But fans with the right passion, know-how, and dedication could come together to craft these stories, making Cyberpunk 2077 a rich and vibrant hub for creative expression.
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action-adventure from the creators of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red.
Set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour and body modification, you play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality.
Upgraded with next-gen in mind and featuring free additional content, customize your character and playstyle as you take on jobs, build a reputation, and unlock upgrades.
The relationships you forge and the choices you make will shape the story and the world around you. Legends are made here. What will yours be?
- Franchise
-
Cyberpunk
- Released
-
December 10, 2020
- Engine
-
REDengine 4
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- How Long To Beat
-
25 Hours
- Steam Deck Compatibility
-
yes
- X|S Optimized
-
Xbox Series X|S players can also download Update 2.1 and enjoy all the new content available in the game
- PS Plus Availability
-
N/A
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Strong
- Cross Save
-
yes
- Cross-Platform Play
-
ps, xbox, pc
