A Missed Opportunity: Why Cyberpunk 2077 Needs a Third-Person Mode

The journey of Cyberpunk 2077 has been a long and dramatic one. From its disastrous launch to its phenomenal comeback with the 2.0 update and the Phantom Liberty expansion, CD Projekt RED has performed one of the most impressive redemption arcs in gaming history. The game is now a polished, engaging, and atmospheric masterpiece that truly fulfills its original promise. However, a significant number of players still feel that one key feature is missing—a feature that was intentionally sidelined early in development and continues to be a point of contention for many fans: a third-person camera perspective.

The game’s developers, CD Projekt RED, made the deliberate choice to make Cyberpunk 2077 a first-person-only experience, arguing that it was essential for immersion and for telling the story from V’s perspective. While this design philosophy has its merits, it also created an unexpected problem: it severely limited the player’s ability to truly connect with their character. In a game with a deep and intricate character creator, extensive clothing customization, and a vast array of cyberware, it’s frustrating to only see your creations in mirrors, cutscenes, and the photo mode. This creative decision, while understandable from a narrative standpoint, inadvertently “shot itself in the foot” by devaluing one of the game’s most robust features: character customization.

The clamor for a third-person mode has been a constant since the game’s release. The modding community, in its incredible ingenuity, has already provided functional third-person mods that prove the technical feasibility and popular demand for such a feature. These mods, while not perfect, allow players to finally see their V in action, appreciating the intricate clothing and cyberware designs they’ve spent hours curating. The existence and popularity of these mods are a clear indicator that players want to be able to see their character beyond the confines of a menu or a scripted moment. While the recent 2.3 patch introduced new vehicles and an “AutoDrive” feature, allowing players to sit back and enjoy a cinematic view of Night City, it still fell short of providing a true third-person camera for exploration.

The Argument for Third-Person: From Immersion to Role-Playing

The core argument against a third-person view is that it would break the immersion of being V. The game’s combat, dialogue, and exploration are all designed around a first-person viewpoint. However, a third-person perspective doesn’t have to be the primary way to play. It could be an optional feature, much like in many other open-world RPGs, that players can toggle on and off. The benefit would be immense, offering a new way to experience Night City and the character you’ve built.

Consider the role-playing aspect. In a game about forging your own legend in a dystopian city, being able to see your character in the world is a powerful tool for role-playing. Seeing V’s cybernetic arm gleam in the neon lights, or watching their custom-tailored jacket ripple as they walk through a crowded street, adds a layer of depth that the first-person perspective simply cannot provide. This is especially true given the extensive cosmetic options available. Many of these items—such as unique jackets, chrome implants, or intricate tattoos—are meant to be seen and appreciated. A third-person mode would finally make these customization choices feel meaningful and impactful beyond the occasional glimpse in a photo.

Furthermore, a third-person camera would completely revitalize the gameplay experience for many players. Walking through the city, riding a motorcycle, or even engaging in non-combat exploration would feel fresh and new. The world of Night City, which has been meticulously crafted by the developers, deserves to be seen from every possible angle. It would offer a sense of scale and a different visual perspective that could be incredibly rewarding for players returning to the game or starting a new playthrough.

Hope for the Future: Could Patch 2.4 Deliver?

With CD Projekt RED continuing to release updates for Cyberpunk 2077, despite the company’s main team now shifting focus to other projects like the next Witcher game and the Cyberpunk 2 sequel, there is still a glimmer of hope. The recently released 2.3 patch, while focused on new vehicles and graphical enhancements like FSR 4 support, shows that the company is still committed to improving the game. The “AutoDrive” feature and its cinematic camera, which essentially puts the player in a third-person view while traveling, feels like a tantalizingly close step towards a full-fledged third-person mode.

While a full-scale, combat-ready third-person mode would likely be a massive undertaking, a non-combat third-person camera for walking and exploration could be a more feasible addition. The work of the modding community proves that the underlying assets and animations for such a feature already exist to a certain extent. A toggleable, non-combat third-person view would be a game-changer for many players, allowing them to finally appreciate their character’s appearance in the sprawling, beautiful world of Night City. It would be a feature that provides immense value without requiring a complete overhaul of the game’s core systems.

As the community looks ahead to future updates, with whispers of a potential 2.4 patch, the hope for a third-person camera remains. It’s a feature that would not only satisfy a large portion of the player base but would also correct a significant oversight from the game’s initial design. By adding this one crucial feature, CD Projekt RED could fully realize the potential of its extensive character customization system and provide a definitive, all-encompassing experience of what it truly means to be a merc in Night City. It would be a final, triumphant step in the game’s redemption arc, cementing its place as one of the greatest and most complete open-world RPGs of our time.