The release of Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020 was heavily criticized for its technical issues, but its storyline was widely praised. One aspect of its narrative, particularly in Act 1, has sparked considerable debate. The half-year montage in this act, which rapidly advances protagonist V to the top of Night City’s mercenary world, has been a focal point of controversy.
The Controversial Act 1 Montage
Many believed that the half-year montage in Act 1 was a result of cut content, but reports suggest it was intentionally designed this way to avoid an unfocused game experience. Extending Act 1, according to the creative team, would not have improved the game. Cyberpunk 2077‘s sequel creative director, Igor Sarzynski, compared the decision to not extending Act 1 to the time spent on Tatooine in the original Star Wars trilogy.
Sarzynski explained that even if Act 1 were extended, the open-world nature of the game allows players to set their own pace, meaning longer gameplay wouldn’t necessarily result. He emphasized that the act’s goal of “getting to the top” lacked a specific, engaging motivation that would have made the experience clearer for players.
Sarzynski’s Insight and Player Reactions
Sarzynski detailed that their telemetry, UX lab, and survey data supported the decision to use the half-year montage. He stressed that building reputation isn’t a concrete goal and doesn’t provide a measurable target for players. Despite some players suggesting a more tangible goal, like reaching a certain reputation level, Sarzynski noted that the narrative wasn’t designed for that kind of storytelling.
While some players wished for more narrative time with characters like Jackie, Sarzynski argued that the limited time with him made the heist more impactful. The team aimed for a tighter narrative that allowed for meaningful content within Night City.
Looking to the Future
Although some players were disappointed by the pacing of Act 1, the creative decisions made were intentional and aligned with the original vision of the game. As the community continues to discuss these narrative choices, it will be intriguing to see if this feedback will influence the development of the anticipated sequel, which is expected to be an even more expansive game.