While CD Project Red. Much like other RPGs, Cyberpunk offers quite a bit of customization in building a character. From the smallest details like who the character looked up to up to more residual things like the player's chosen life path.
Throughout the various episodes of Night City Wire, there are several things players can infer to build up their character. Outside of just dealing with stats and background files, there are three life paths. These life paths include the Nomad, Street Kid, and Corpo.
The Three Life Paths & What They Mean in Cyberpunk 2077
Nomad
The Nomad life path is one that revolves around family. This life path means that in the past, the player character lived outside of the city within a sort of clan family that took care of each other in the badlands. Most of what has been displayed of these families are their vehicles. Outside of this life path giving direction to the beginning of the game, will also play a role throughout, affecting what dialogue options might present themselves, unlocking new ways to deal with specific problems.
Going with any of the backgrounds will likely also affect the players starting stats. The Nomad would likely gain a boost in the Tech, Cool, and Body stats, as they are known for stealing high-tech equipment and building on their vehicles to survive. This also means they'll be more knowledgeable in these areas affecting their dialogue with different problem-solving methods. Phillip, one of the Quest writers who was interviewed on the subject stated that in the mission where players are requested to steal the flathead robot from the Maelstrom gang, a Nomad's would be able to tell the corporate agent, Meredith Stout, how they were able to steal the robot in the first place.
Street Kid
The Street Kid is someone who grew up in the slums of Night City and was told they couldn't dream for better. This life path makes the character more d with gangs and better able to read into situations with them. It also means the player character is more streetwise and can sense situations that are likely scams out in the slums.
Street Kids are likely to gain a boost in Reflex, Cool, and Body due to their upbringing. They are also much less likely to catch on to things happening in the Corporate world of big wigs and won't be as trusted by them either. While all Mercenaries are distrusted by the bigger groups that pay them, gangers are the most likely to get along with a street kid. In the mission previously stated with the flathead robot, the street kid wouldn't get very many good options when interacting with Meredith Stout but would have better options smoothing things over when talking with the Maelstrom gangers.
Corpo
The Corpo is someone who made their way up the corporate ladder at Arasaka. This is a background full of lies, deceit, and keeping cool. While this character is home in a board room defending and pitching ideas for the next big thing, they aren't very street smart. They are also likely to be fairly tech-savvy as they work at a sort of desk job. If any stats were to be boosted, they'd likely be the Tech, Intelligence, and Cool stats.
Corpos can read people much better in situations where they are dealing with the dark powers of the city. They can read between the lines in these interactions giving them the ability to see what is going on in Night City. While this may be the case, they also haven't been outside doing any sort of real physical labor and may find themselves naturally more diminished in that area. However, having the Corpo background makes others of that background like Meredith Stout trust the player character more, gaining them further interactions, quests, and even romance.
Background File Customization in Cyberpunk 2077
Beyond picking a life path there are three main things that players can pick for V in their Backstory records. Of these are the Childhood Hero, a Key Life Event, and the question of Why Night City? While the answer options may change dependent on V's life path, here are the options we have seen.
Under the Childhood Hero, the three current options shown are Samurai Rockerboy: Johnny Silverhand, Solo of Fortune: Morgan Blackhand, and Corporate God: Saburo Arasaka. While there is no current confirmation on if this choice will affect in-game situations it likely will affect the player character's interactions with Johnny Silverhand in their head or what their original dream career was. Beyond this, it might also affect what the player character might think or say about certain ideals.
Under the Key Life Event, the three available options are the death of a sibling, ran away from home, and the first big kill. These will likely impact the reasoning for V separating from their background. In the situation of a Nomad, maybe this caused them to distance themselves from their family clan. It is also likely to affect future dialogue with V's future romance.
Under Why Night City? the three options are unfinished business, an ex-lover in town, and something to prove. These options will affect the reason for choosing Night City over other locations. Maybe the ex-lover option will allow the player to even craft their ex.
Attributes & Their Effects in Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk has the same attributes that the original pen and paper version, Cyberpunk 2020, and Cyberpunk Red. These attributes are called Body, Reflexes, Cool, Intelligence, and Technical.
Body is sort of a mixture of strength and constitution. It affects V's ability with heavier weapons like shotguns, two weapon handling, melee weapons, and athletics. Body will likely affect the character's health pool and general damage dealing. Reflexes affect V's ability to use handguns, rifles, and blades. Cool affects their ability to assassinate, their nerve, and their use with sniper rifles. It's not very clear as to whether Reflexes or Cool will affect stealth more, however, Cool will likely affect more of the dialogue and whether the options work or not.
The last two, Intelligence and Technical are also very similar. Intelligence affects more of the player's ability to hack, how many skills they can invest in. Technical is more about fixing up mechs. Tech affects Engineering in particular. It will also likely affect V's knowledge of breaking down and reusing items or upgrading weapons.
Cyberpunk 2077 will be out December 10th 2020 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
