The neon-drenched streets of Night City just got a fresh coat of digital paint and a handful of secrets tucked into its darkest corners. Developer CD Projekt RED's latest 2.2 update for Cyberpunk 2077, launched in late 2024, has been celebrated for its massive expansion of player expression through customization. But as 2026 rolls on, the community's chatter has shifted—it turns out this update was hiding some seriously cool gameplay nuggets all along, proving there's always more lurking beneath the surface of this sprawling metropolis. The team had coyly hinted at having "cool stuff in the oven," and boy, were they right.
A Secret Hunt Inspired by Balatro
The juiciest discovery, which players are still buzzing about, is a full-blown secret quest inspired by the wildly popular card game Balatro. I mean, who saw that coming? CDPR teased that secrets were waiting, and the gaming community, never one to sit still, quickly unearthed this gem. The mission tasks players with becoming urban treasure hunters, scouring every district of Night City to find all the hidden "Jokers" scattered about. It's a city-wide scavenger hunt that really makes you look at those familiar alleyways in a new light. Complete the challenge, and you're rewarded with a slick new Joker-themed shirt and a unique trophy to proudly display in V's apartment—a permanent badge of honor for your detective work. The devs said they were excited to see what players would find, and this secret has certainly delivered. They even dropped a tantalizing reminder that not all secrets from the previous 2.1 update have been found yet. Talk about leaving breadcrumbs...
Double the Options, Double the Style
While the secrets are the talk of the town, the headline act of Update 2.2 remains its staggering expansion of personalization. CD Projekt RED essentially handed players the keys to the visual identity kingdom.
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Character Creation 2.0: The character creator received a monumental overhaul, with 112 new options added. That's more than double the previous amount! Whether you're crafting a netrunner with intricate facial cyberware or a street samurai with a unique vibe, the tools are now infinitely more versatile.
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Vehicle Customization Revolution: Your wheels are now a true extension of your style. The popular Crystalcoat feature is now available for all cars, not just a select few. But the real showstopper is the new Twintone option. See a stunning car cruising through Heywood? Just scan it! You can then apply its unique paint job, patterns, and colors to your own favorite ride. Rumor has it some enterprising edgerunners even use this feature for quick visual changes to throw the NCPD off their tail during a chase. Clever, huh?
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Auto Fixer Missions: New missions for the Auto Fixer service have been added, finally granting access to previously unattainable, fan-favorite vehicles. It's a car collector's dream update.
Picture-Perfect Night City
For the photographers and screenshot artists out there, the photo mode received equally impressive upgrades. CD Projekt RED's goal was clear: let players create stunning, professional-looking images entirely within the game, no need to export to external programs like Photoshop. The expanded toolset offers more control over lighting, filters, poses, and frames, making every corner of Night City a potential masterpiece. From the misty docks of Pacifica to the towering megabuildings of City Center, capturing the city's brutal beauty has never been easier or more rewarding.
The Legacy Continues
As we look at Cyberpunk 2077 in 2026, Update 2.2 stands as a testament to CD Projekt RED's enduring commitment to the game and its community. It wasn't just a patch; it was a love letter to player agency, filled with both bold, announced features and delightful, hidden surprises. The update, available on all platforms, successfully blended style and substance. It answered the call for more expressive tools while secretly weaving in new reasons to explore and engage with the world. So, whether you're meticulously designing your V's next tattoo, painting your Caliburn a shocking shade of pink, or hunting for those last elusive Jokers, Night City in 2026 remains a place where every detail—and every secret—counts. Who knows what else is still out there, waiting in the digital rain?