Let's be real for a second. If you fire up Cyberpunk 2077 today in 2026, the game staring back at you is practically a different beast compared to the one that stumbled out the gate back in 2020. CD Projekt Red spent years in the trenches, pouring their hearts into updates and fixes, and honestly? They pulled off one of the most impressive redemption arcs in gaming history. A huge part of that comeback story was the massive, free 2.0 update. It didn't just polish the game; it fundamentally rewired entire systems. And for me, one of the absolute coolest parts of that rewire was finally, finally letting us unleash chaos from behind the wheel. Proper vehicle combat wasn't just an add-on; it was the missing piece that made Night City's streets truly feel alive—and deadly.
I still remember booting up 2.0 for the first time. That September 2023 patch was a landmark moment. It felt like the game had finally caught up to the hype we all felt before the original launch. Remember the infamous police system? The one where cops would basically teleport behind you? Gone. 2.0 gave them a proper brain, making chases and wanted levels actually matter. They revamped cyberware, overhauled the skill trees... but my eyes were glued to the road. Because let's face it, in a world dripping with chrome and neon, where style is everything, the cars and bikes of Cyberpunk are more than just transport—they're a core part of the fantasy. CDPR nailed that feeling, collaborating with real car makers to dream up over 60 wild rides, from rugged off-roaders to sleek, neon-drenched supercars.
⚡ How 2.0 Transformed Night City's Traffic into a Warzone ⚡
So, what did 2.0 actually do? It turned every car chase into a potential action movie set piece. Here’s the breakdown:
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Shootouts on the Move: Before, you had to awkwardly stop, get out, and fight. Now? You can lean out the window of your Caliburn or hang off the side of your Kusanagi and let bullets fly while doing 150 mph down the freeway. Pure, unadulterated chaos.
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Tactical Targeting: Vehicles aren't just bullet sponges anymore. They have weak points! Aiming for tires, engines, or fuel tanks actually makes a difference. It adds a layer of strategy to what used to be just mindless spraying.
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Netrunning Mayhem: This was the game-changer for me. Why just shoot when you can hack? The update let you use quickhacks on enemy vehicles. Imagine overloading an enemy car's systems as it tries to ram you, or causing a massive chain explosion by hitting a fuel tanker in the middle of a chase. The possibilities for creative carnage went through the roof.
It just fit. Suddenly, the chaotic energy of Night City's streets was something you could actively participate in, not just watch from the sidelines.
🔮 Project Orion: The Next Evolution of Vehicular Violence 🔮
Fast forward to now. We've had the incredible Phantom Liberty expansion, and while we're all hungry for more, CDPR has confirmed the sequel, Project Orion, is cooking. Details are scarce, but one thing is crystal clear in my mind: they cannot drop the ball on vehicle combat. 2.0 built an amazing foundation; Orion needs to build a skyscraper on top of it.
Think about it. The 2.0 systems were brilliant, but they still felt like a first draft of something truly revolutionary. Here’s my wishlist for what Orion could—and should—do:
| What 2.0 Gave Us | How Project Orion Could Level It Up |
|---|---|
| Shooting from vehicles | Physical Vehicle Hijacking. Why just shoot the driver? Let me use my Gorilla Arms to rip the door off and yank them out while moving! Or use a hacking skill to remotely override control. |
| Quickhacks on vehicles | Advanced Netrunning Warfare. Summon AI-controlled drone vehicles to swarm enemies. Launch a hack that makes every car in a three-block radius lose control. Turn the city's entire infrastructure against a target. |
| Vehicle weak points | Fully Destructible & Modular Vehicles. Imagine blowing the doors off, shredding the bodywork piece by piece, or disabling specific systems (turret, boost, cloaking) through targeted damage. |
| Basic police chases | Dynamic Faction Warfare on Wheels. Get caught in a firefight between MaxTac and Maelstrom, with fully drivable and destructible combat vehicles like APCs or technicals. Make car chases a core part of major story missions. |
The potential is insane! The tech-saturated world of Cyberpunk is the perfect playground for this. Vehicle combat shouldn't be a side feature; it should be as deep and customizable as your character build. Can you imagine building a netrunner who specializes in vehicular ambushes, or a solo whose entire kit revolves around a heavily modified, weaponized tank of a car?
🚀 The Road Ahead for Cyberpunk's Future 🚀
CD Projekt Red proved with 2.0 that they listen and that they can execute ambitious overhauls. The vehicle combat they introduced wasn't just a patch; it was a statement of intent. It showed they understood what makes the cyberpunk genre tick: high-tech, high-stakes chaos in a world that's always moving.
So, as we look toward Project Orion, the message is simple: Don't slow down. Hit the nitro. Take the incredible momentum from 2077's late-game improvements, especially the vehicle combat, and run with it all the way to the next level. If they can make driving and fighting feel as integral and polished as the first-person gunplay, then the streets of the next Cyberpunk city won't just be a backdrop—they'll be the main stage. And honestly? I can't wait to crash the party.