The highly anticipated Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition has arrived on the Nintendo Switch 2, garnering significant attention for its impressive port of the expansive open-world RPG. Alongside discussions of performance and visual fidelity, a recent conversation with the game’s director has resurfaced a key design decision made early in development: the deliberate choice to exclude a traditional third-person perspective. This decision, initially made during the game’s original development, continues to shape the player experience and the director recently explained the reasoning behind it.
Cyberpunk 2077, released initially on December 10, 2020, as a role-playing game (RPG) for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, with subsequent releases for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, has always been primarily a first-person experience. The new Switch 2 version, the Ultimate Edition, maintains this core gameplay element. The director’s explanation centers on maintaining immersion and a specific narrative focus within Night City. The game’s story and character development were intentionally crafted around the player embodying the protagonist, V, directly, rather than observing them from a distance.
The Immersive Design Philosophy
According to the director, the first-person perspective was crucial for achieving the desired level of immersion in Cyberpunk 2077. The team wanted players to perceive directly connected to V’s experiences, vulnerabilities, and choices. A third-person view, they argued, would create a disconnect, turning V into a more abstract avatar rather than a fully realized character. This design choice is particularly evident in the game’s emphasis on cybernetic enhancements and body modification, where the first-person view allows players to directly experience the impact of these changes on V’s perception and abilities.
The director explained that early experiments with a third-person camera revealed issues with animation and visual fidelity. Creating convincing animations for a character viewed from all angles proved to be a significant technical challenge, especially given the game’s complex combat system and detailed environments. Maintaining the quality and responsiveness required for a satisfying gameplay experience in third-person would have demanded substantial resources and potentially compromised other aspects of the game’s development.
Narrative and Character Connection
Beyond technical considerations, the narrative structure of Cyberpunk 2077 heavily influenced the decision. The story is deeply personal, focusing on V’s internal struggles, relationships, and the consequences of their actions. The first-person perspective allows for a more intimate connection with V’s thoughts and emotions, enhancing the emotional impact of key story moments.
The director emphasized that the game’s writing and character interactions were specifically tailored for a first-person experience. Dialogue options, facial animations, and environmental storytelling were all designed to be most effective when experienced directly through V’s eyes. Switching to a third-person perspective would have required significant revisions to these elements, potentially diluting the narrative’s emotional resonance.
Reception of the Switch 2 Port
Despite the continued focus on the first-person perspective, the Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition for the Nintendo Switch 2 has been receiving positive reviews. Critics have praised the port’s impressive performance and visual quality, particularly considering the limitations of the handheld console. [Nintendo World Report](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimwFBVV95cUxPMDJHNHg2NUhTQy1DRUpGSjNTTnJSeGF2d2dYcG0yYzdhNk9ENElhMW5wS25rUUR3aHZBc2wwSHcxOW1JY25uT3FwLUpPbVptOTVpNVIwX2h0N0VSRlhZWjNaTmw3cndaTXdFQnNHMUt1ZFRibUc5aXVWVngzZGJQZnpIS0tDekd0aE9reTlDeWZFMVpSdUprQkpoTQ?oc=5) notes the game’s successful translation to the Switch 2, while [GamingTrend](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitAFBVV95cUxPMEd5U3BrOEJrMmVEOGZzMkdEd2lzYjJqZ1hpSkgtamI4VV9JTWM4aFdRRUg2WnNUSnhrdHlHc1JYYjg5b0hPaEJiRHlGdmtlRW5qd1EtWTI1NEVET1RrNG1rYlJFMW41T3p0aGpWS1lyNmhFZXRlN3lxb2N3MjhPMEx2TDNlVDNrSUxMY1lQcjBzVVpsWjcydkVObU1MOGRqalFCNU1udG0tdHd6YloyNE1JTk4?oc=5) highlights the ability to experience Night City “on the proceed.” [RPG Site](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivAFBVV95cUxQUXEtMjFUd0tOSU5ncFRqUG5SX0lDaktEVUM0bERsR20tM0JmUDA4UHp3MmhJdkdVZTNxM0RwTVBBbVQ5bTk5LXpac2Rkb0h1MEFkTkFxWlUxWE5uQ3pOdWR6RHBWa0t4YlhKckNuNTZhdTF4djRWN2k3aDgzdTdZcUlDMEJ3MkpMWmdYZGdCd3Zkc2NwVDNDZjZ2VlVUTFNvSjI3RTlUWldrX21uQm9raVQyX0tHS21FOWNvMQ?oc=5) even suggests the Switch 2 port is “more impressive” than The Witcher 3 was on the original Switch.
The decision to maintain the first-person perspective in Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition underscores the importance of consistent artistic vision and the interplay between gameplay, narrative, and technical constraints. As the game continues to evolve and reach new audiences, the director’s explanation provides valuable insight into the core design principles that have shaped this ambitious RPG.
Looking ahead, the success of Cyberpunk 2077 on the Switch 2 could pave the way for further high-profile ports of demanding titles to Nintendo’s platform. The continued support for the game, including updates and potential DLC, will be closely watched by fans eager to see how CD Projekt Red expands upon the world of Night City. What are your thoughts on the first-person perspective in Cyberpunk 2077? Share your opinions in the comments below.
