Cyberpunk 2077’s Creepy New Mod: A Story-Driven Rental System with Landlord Selfies Injects Genuine Horror into the Game

Everybody stay calm. You’re about to read about landlords and the prospect of paying rent. Don’t worry, there probably aren’t any landlords in the room right now. There are, however, new landlords in Cyberpunk 2077should you choose to install this mod that introduces a whole bunch of expanded mechanics and details when it comes to cyberflats.

It’s called Eviction Notice, and it’s a substantial overhaul of how housing works in the futuristic RPG. Gone are the days of just living for free in Megabuilding H10, or walking up to one of the newer pads added in by the 1.5 update and paying a one-time fee for permanent access. Clearly these options are too idealistic, and your merc with a toaster transplanted into their face needs to battle their most terrifing foe yet: fiscal responsibility.

Enter this “story-driven rent system” that modder DarkFortuneTeller has put together. Once it’s installed, the five main apartments you can live in across Night City require regular rent payments if you want to avoid being evicted. All of this is communicated and maintained by “an eclectic cast of real estate agents, chat bots, and landlords” that the mod establishes as characters via a series of over 450 new text messages they’ll send you at various points.

When you lay down that initial payment on a flat, which the mod treats as a security deposit, you’ll get a message from your soulless chatbot or soulless human landlord introducing themselves. I assume it feels like the opening to a Souls boss fight, except this time with a selfie that wouldn’t feel out of place on your aunt or uncle’s Facebook profile. “They each have a unique personality (and a few surprises) that I hope you enjoy discovering,” DarkFortuneTeller writes of these leech-like Lichdragon Fortissaxes.

One of them even has a loyalty quest you can complete to earn a discount on your rent and the option to buy the Glen apartment outright. The modder plans to add more of these quests via future updates, as well as extra “special requests” that look to work like hotel room service for the swankier digs. You’ll be glad to learn they’ve already implemented the ability for toffs who buy the Corpo Plaza flat to order flowers delivered to their pad, I assume in case their mum visits.

Image credit: DarkFortuneTeller on Nexus Mods

“The goal was to add an additional layer of storytelling and difficulty, without dominating the entire gameplay experience,” DarkFortuneTeller wrote of their work, “In the early game, you should feel the added pressure of making sure you have enough to cover the rent at the end of the week. You may even decide to downsize by moving out of Megabuilding H10 to save a few eddies. You’ll also need to make choices about how many apartments you should rent at once.”

In line with that, the game’s first act doesn’t require you to pay any rent. Then, once V’s found their feet and gained a certain brain passenger, they’re introduced via text to an estate agent called Bob. Bob can help you do things like move in and out of different flats, with those you’ve moved out of no longer requiring rent payments. How often rent must be paid, and several other aspects of the mod’s systems, can be tweaked via an in-game menu that uses Mod Settings.

Impressively detailed realism-themed mods like this one are usually a bit hit-or-miss for me, but I reckon this might well be one I give a go, having fairly easily afforded nearly all of the game’s flats only a bit of the way into Act 2 of the post-2.3 update Cyberpunk playthrough I started a couple of weeks ago. After all, there’s nothing like having to pay tribute to wrathful deities who can chuck you onto the streets at a whim to really make those side-gigs feel more meaningful. If you fancy giving it a go, you’ll also need Cyberpunk load order staples ArchiveXL, Codeware, RED4ext, redscriptand Tweakxl.

What specific gameplay mechanics does the mod alter, and how does it affect player behavior?

The Tenant’s Nightmare: Exploring the New Rental Mod

Cyberpunk 2077 continues to evolve, and the modding community is at the forefront, pushing the boundaries of immersion and horror. the latest chilling addition is a story-driven rental system that introduces a whole new level of dread into the neon-soaked streets of Night City. This article delves into the details of this unsettling mod, exploring its features, impact, and why it’s causing players to sleep with the lights on-or at least, in-game lights.

what Makes This Mod So Terrifying? Unpacking the Features

This isn’t your average housing mod. It’s a fully-fledged system that transforms the seemingly mundane act of renting an apartment into a psychological thriller.

The Landlord’s Gaze: Forget pleasant landlords. This mod introduces a complex AI-driven landlord character who monitors your every move.

monthly Rent & Missed Payments: Manage your finances because you must pay rent. Late payments trigger increasingly threatening responses from the landlord.

Landlord Selfies: The feature that truly sets this mod apart: the landlord periodically requests selfies to ensure you’re “properly” using the apartment.Failure to comply results in unpleasant consequences.

Story-Driven Evolving narrative: The rental experience unfolds through immersive interactions, building suspense and fear. Your choices influence the landlord’s behavior and the narrative’s trajectory.

Environmental Storytelling: Discover clues about the landlord’s background and intentions through environmental details in your apartment and around Night City.

Why the Horror Works: Building Atmosphere and Tension

The mod doesn’t rely on cheap jump scares. Rather, it masterfully builds suspense using psychological horror.

Paranoia and Distrust: The landlord’s constant surveillance and demands create a sense of paranoia, amplified by the game’s gritty setting.

Power Dynamics: The mod exploits the power imbalance inherent in tenant-landlord relationships, turning the player into a vulnerable target.

Atmospheric Sound design: The developers of the mod likely leveraged the game’s sound design to create a chilling ambiance.

Choice and Consequence: Decisions matter. Every choice, from paying rent to taking a selfie, determines the fate of the player character, making the experience engaging and immersive.

Impact on gameplay and Player Experience: Beyond the Jump Scare

This mod fundamentally alters gameplay mechanics and encourages players to think differently about their actions within Night City.

Resource Management: You’ll need to meticulously manage your in-game finances to keep up with rent.

Immersion: This mod enhances the player’s emotional investment in the game world, forging stronger connections with NPCs.

Roleplaying: The mod provides fresh roleplaying opportunities. Players can make choices based on morality, fear, and survival.

Increased Difficulty: beyond financial strain,players must contend with the added burden of the landlord’s scrutiny.

New Gameplay Loop: This mod creates a compelling feedback loop, forcing payers to prioritize rent and making the game more challenging.

Tips for Surviving the Landlord: Navigating the Underworld

How can you survive the horrors of this Cyberpunk 2077 mod?

Prioritize rent: Always pay on time. Late payments are the fastest route to disaster.

Comply with Requests: Take those selfies. It might be creepy, but it could save your life.

Explore: Invest time in exploring your apartment and the surrounding area. Digging deeper can help your understanding of the landlord.

Make Smart Choices: Think before you act. Careful decisions are key to navigating the landlord’s complex web.

Conclusion: The Future of Horror in Cyberpunk 2077

This landlord mod proves the potential of game modding as well as the enduring appeal of Cyberpunk 2077. Modders can refine game features and inject new life into a title. As the community continues to innovate, we can expect even more terrifying, engaging experiences in Night City, ensuring that the future of the game is anything but boring.