How Long Does It Take to Beat Cyberpunk 2077 – Cyberpunk 2077, developed by CD Projekt Red, is one of the most anticipated and talked-about games in recent years. Set in a sprawling open-world environment known as Night City, the game offers a rich narrative, deep character customization, and a variety of gameplay experiences. But one question many players have before diving into this vast dystopian world is, “How long does it take to beat Cyberpunk 2077?”
In this guide, we’ll break down the estimated playtime for different aspects of the game, including the main story, side quests, and additional content. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a completionist aiming to see everything the game has to offer, this guide will help you plan your journey through Night City.
How Long Does It Take to Beat Cyberpunk 2077
1. Main Story: The Core Experience
The main storyline of Cyberpunk 2077 follows the journey of V, a mercenary with cybernetic enhancements navigating the treacherous streets of Night City. The story is filled with twists, complex characters, and moral choices that can impact the game’s outcome.
Estimated Time to Beat the Main Story: 20 to 30 hours
If you focus primarily on the main story, without getting too distracted by side quests or exploration, you can expect to complete Cyberpunk 2077 in about 20 to 30 hours. This timeframe will vary depending on your playstyle, how much you explore the open world, and the difficulty level you choose. Players who rush through the game, skipping dialogue and cutscenes, might finish closer to the 20-hour mark, while those who take their time to engage with the narrative and explore will lean towards the 30-hour range.
2. Side Quests and Gigs: Expanding Your Playtime
Night City is teeming with side quests, known as “gigs,” that offer additional stories, challenges, and rewards. These side activities often delve deeper into the lives of the city’s inhabitants and the lore of the Cyberpunk universe.
Estimated Time to Complete Side Quests: 30 to 50 hours
Engaging with side quests can significantly extend your playtime in Cyberpunk 2077. The game features a wide variety of these quests, ranging from short, simple tasks to multi-part storylines that rival the main plot in depth. Completing all the side quests and gigs can take an additional 30 to 50 hours, depending on how thorough you are in seeking out and finishing these activities.
3. Exploring Night City: Discovering Secrets and Hidden Content
Night City is a massive, open-world environment filled with secrets, collectibles, and hidden locations. Exploration plays a crucial role in Cyberpunk 2077, and many players find themselves wandering the streets, discovering new areas, and uncovering hidden content.
Estimated Time for Exploration: 10 to 20 hours
If you enjoy exploring every corner of a game world, Cyberpunk 2077 offers plenty of opportunities to get lost in Night City. From finding hidden weapons and upgrades to discovering secret quests and Easter eggs, exploration can add an additional 10 to 20 hours to your total playtime. Players who thoroughly explore the city and interact with its inhabitants will find their playtime extended even further.
4. Total Playtime: A Comprehensive Playthrough
For players looking to experience everything Cyberpunk 2077 has to offer, including the main story, side quests, and thorough exploration, the total playtime can vary widely.
Estimated Total Playtime for a Comprehensive Playthrough: 60 to 100 hours
A comprehensive playthrough of Cyberpunk 2077 that includes completing the main story, all side quests, and extensive exploration of Night City will likely take between 60 to 100 hours. This estimate will vary based on your playstyle, the difficulty level, and how much time you spend on additional activities like crafting, upgrading your character, and customizing your vehicles.
5. Replayability: Multiple Endings and Different Playstyles
Cyberpunk 2077 is designed with replayability in mind, offering multiple endings and different playstyles based on the choices you make throughout the game. These choices can impact everything from the storyline to character relationships and even the final outcome of the game.
Estimated Time for a Second Playthrough: 30 to 50 hours
If you decide to replay Cyberpunk 2077 to see different endings or try a different character build, your second playthrough will likely take 30 to 50 hours. This estimate assumes you focus on the main story and key side quests while making different choices to experience new content. For those who want to explore all possible outcomes, multiple playthroughs can significantly extend your overall playtime.
6. Expansions and DLC: Additional Content
CD Projekt Red has released and plans to release more expansions and downloadable content (DLC) for Cyberpunk 2077. These expansions add new storylines, characters, and missions to the game, providing even more content for players to enjoy.
Estimated Time for Expansions and DLC: 5 to 15 hours per expansion
Each expansion or DLC pack for Cyberpunk 2077 can add anywhere from 5 to 15 hours of additional gameplay. These expansions often introduce new areas of Night City or new characters to interact with, making them a great way to extend your time in the game.
7. Difficulty Level and Playstyle: Factors Affecting Playtime
Your chosen difficulty level and playstyle can significantly impact how long it takes to beat Cyberpunk 2077. Players who select higher difficulty settings will face tougher enemies and may spend more time planning their approach to combat and missions. On the other hand, those who choose a lower difficulty may find themselves breezing through encounters more quickly.
Harder Difficulties: More strategic gameplay, longer encounters
Easier Difficulties: Faster progression, less time in combat
Additionally, your playstyle—whether you prefer stealth, hacking, or direct combat—can affect how long it takes to complete missions and explore the world. A stealth-focused playthrough might take longer as you carefully plan your moves and avoid detection, while a more aggressive approach could lead to quicker, but more chaotic, missions.
Conclusion
The time it takes to beat Cyberpunk 2077 can vary widely depending on how you choose to play the game. For a straightforward run through the main story, you’re looking at around 20 to 30 hours. However, if you dive into side quests, explore every inch of Night City, and take on additional content like expansions and DLC, you could easily spend 60 to 100 hours or more in the game.
Whether you’re a completionist aiming to experience every aspect of the game or a casual player looking to enjoy the story, Cyberpunk 2077 offers a vast and immersive world that’s sure to keep you engaged for hours on end. So gear up, choose your path, and get ready to explore the neon-lit streets of Night City!