The discussion about CD Projekt Red’s choice to limit Cyberpunk 2077 to a first-person perspective has resurfaced after a popular comparison to Ubisoft’s Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. While the developer remains committed to this approach, many players argue that the game’s detailed character customization feels wasted since they rarely see their avatar outside of menus and on motorcycles.
Critics point to the long time players spend in the character creator as a major source of frustration. In a genre focused on role-playing and visual expression, many believe a third-person camera would strengthen the connection between the player and their version of V. This view has gained support as fans look at other open-world games that effectively blend first-person action with the cinematic style of a third-person perspective.
On the other hand, those in favor of maintaining the current setup argue it aligns with the game’s design goals. CD Projekt Red has consistently stated that Night City is meant to be experienced through V’s eyes to enhance the sense of verticality and claustrophobia that characterize the environment. Supporters of the first-person view contend that personal interactions, like those with Johnny Silverhand, would feel less impactful if the camera were pulled back, turning an intimate narrative into a more distant one.
In the end, the debate underscores a key conflict in modern RPG design: the balance between the vision of the developers and the desires of players. While third-person mods have been available on PC for years, they often expose the technical challenges of such a change, including character animations that were never meant for public display. For now, it appears the “Play or Pass” debate will keep dividing the community, even as the studio shifts its main focus to the franchise’s upcoming sequel.
