Cyberpunk 2077 Players Embrace No-Cyberware Challenge

Cyberpunk 2077, the sprawling open-world RPG from CD Projekt Red, has captivated players with its futuristic setting and deep customization options. However, one player has taken the game’s challenge to a new level by completing a playthrough without using any cyberware enhancements, aside from the mandatory Optics implant.

Reddit user MathematicianOk8469 recently shared their experience of tackling the game on Hard difficulty while avoiding all cybernetic upgrades. This self-imposed restriction transforms the game into a grueling survival experience, as enemies in Night City often rely on advanced cyberware to gain an edge in combat. The player described the challenge as ‘practically a death sentence,’ highlighting the difficulty of navigating a world where cybernetic enhancements are the norm.

The decision to forgo cyberware has sparked lively discussions among the game’s community. One Reddit commenter humorously noted that the player was ‘just playing Punk’ by removing the ‘cyber’ from Cyberpunk. Another praised the concept, calling it ‘MC material’ and applauding the idea of a ‘regular guy making his way up in the world.’

This unique playthrough also raises intriguing narrative possibilities. Without spoiling the game’s multiple endings, the absence of cyberware could significantly alter the player’s interpretation of the story, particularly in relation to the game’s themes of identity and technological dependence. Some players speculate that a no-cyberware run could provide a fresh perspective on the moral dilemmas and existential questions posed by the game.

Meanwhile, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles is exploring the broader cultural impact of cyberpunk with its exhibition, ‘Cyberpunk: Envisioning Possible Futures Through Cinema.’ Running through April 12, 2026, the exhibition delves into the genre’s roots and its relevance in today’s world. Curated by Doris Berger, Nicholas Barlow, and Emily Rauber Rodriguez, the showcase features a 15-minute video montage narrated by director Alex Rivera, blending clips from classic films like Blade Runner and The Matrix with lesser-known works such as Neptune Frost and Sleep Dealer.

The exhibition emphasizes the genre’s focus on the intersection of technology, capitalism, and marginalized communities. By highlighting the real-world origins of cyberpunk—such as the coltan mines of Congo and the factories of Tijuana—the curators ground the genre in contemporary issues of exploitation and inequality. The montage’s nonchronological structure further underscores the enduring relevance of cyberpunk, presenting a dialogue between past and present works rather than a linear progression.

For fans of Cyberpunk 2077 and the broader genre, both the game’s no-cyberware challenge and the Academy Museum’s exhibition offer fresh ways to engage with the themes of cyberpunk. Whether through gameplay or cinematic exploration, these experiences invite audiences to reflect on the implications of a world increasingly shaped by technology.