Reviewed Base Game Only, No DLC/Mods
This game is an exceptional, single player RPG primarily focused on gun combat in a futuristic world.
Pros:
World/Environment - Night City is a living, breathing atmosphere where there's constantly something happening regardless of what you're doing. Every avenue, street corner, and hood are different which makes strolling through the different neighborhoods an amazing and explorative everchanging experience.
Characters - You actually care about these characters. Every character feels unique and has a story arc which makes their quests/romances/calls/ etc. feel great. You're itching to spend time with them and catch up. You might gravitate towards certain characters in the game but each one is interesting in their own right.
Side Content - Whether it's completing gigs, hunting down cyberpsychos, reading lore, or spending time with your boo, the side content is vast and makes up a majority of what you'll do in the game. You can bum rush the main story in 20-30 hours but there's at least another 100 hours available in side content alone. The side content facilitates exploration through the world and ties everything together.
Mixed:
Main Story - For how big the world is the main story feels rushed. I've only completed the game once and it seems like there's multiple endings based on the path that you choose which you may or may not like. Some gamers relish in the idea of starting over to complete the game a different way and others don't.
Romance Limitations - Romance options are limited based on the character that you create in the beginning. I'm usually a completionist and like to do everything in one go so forcing me to restart just to romance other characters isn't great. However, this game is enjoyable enough and has different talents/playstyles to choose from which allows for easy replay value.
Cons:
Romance Options - The romance options provided during key storylines are solid but once you've completed their story arcs there's a lot to be desired. You're able to invite them to your crib and do very basic things but nothing else. With how much depth, complexity, and interest that each character hooked me in with it was disappointing knowing that it ended with the quest completion. I'm not sure if this changes with the DLC but this was the only real gripe I had with the game.
Closing Thoughts:
Overall, I had a great time with this game. The world was compelling and there are many avenues for you to express yourself through narrative decisions, clothing, talents you select, cyberwear upgrades, etc that allow you to play how you like. The base game is worth every penny and CDPR created something special here.
I'll be waiting for the DLC to become on sale before I dive into my next playthrough as a different gender, under a harder difficulty, utilizing different weapons/talents to keep the game fresh. Maybe then I'll complete all of the side content and fully finish the game for good.
