I've seen a lot of criticisms from review outlets and players who dismiss the game for having "nothing to say" and isn't that...fine? Yes, I realize you can quote William Gibson, cool. But, I don't need or want every piece of media I consume to "have something to say." Sometimes, I just want a compelling story with great characters, which CP2077 delivers. A CDPR joint has never been about some grand statement related to real world issues dressed up in fantasy clothing. They've always put all their energy into the story and the characters. The Bloody Baron is a benchmark because it felt real, real drama people might have experienced on some level and completely unexpected in a fantasy rpg video game. Expecting different content from a studio that made its name in other areas of writing seems a little misguided and dishonest.
I've no idea where people are coming up with this..did they even play the same game?
Recently, a mission where Takemura and V had to do some reconaissance for upcoming mission, from the rooftops on one of the major buildings. So after this was done, I expected the game to go the same route, as nearly all games go:
Ok, we're done, quest log updated, see you at location X.
Instead, I don't know how ( I guess it happened
very spontaneously), V and him started having a very "earnest" talk, just two people from very different/opposite walks of life, that circumstances forced to work together, talking about the world, it's state, where it's heading, his background, how he was rescued from the streets by Arasaka, who gave him purpose and stability in life, how he admired Saburo, shortsightedness of people like V, etc.
It was a very natural, down to earth, conversation that offered refreshing perspective compared to what you usually get in Cyberpunk/sci fi genre ( "the Mwahahaha villain who does evil deeds as means to bring order to chaotic world, and then the protagonist comes up and say: But what about FREEDOM and the right to chose Ourselves!").
Really memorable scene: the dialogue, the visuals, music, background, it was almost poetic in a sense ( "Tears in the rain").
This game doesn't preach and has a lot to say on a very personal level, without trying to change world around you.