The game's quests and storytelling are absolutely insane - true masterpieces. Even the side quests are engaging and feel complete, with rich narratives that rival the main questline. One of the most fascinating mechanics is the BrainDance investigations. They make you feel like a real detective digging into the smallest details. However, I always wondered if all the BrainDances are recorded by someone's chrome, so why my Kiroshi optics can't switch to sonic and thermal vision? Why is this an exclusive BD feature to see them?

I also love the way the developers implemented their own slang into the world: "to delta," "netrunner," "ripper," "choomba," etc. These terms give Night City a unique flavor and immerse you deeper into the cyberpunk culture.

However, despite these strengths, the game’s approach to romance and representation feels overly heterocentric. According to my research, CD Projekt Red created four romanceable characters representing different orientations, but the main questline clearly favors pushing players toward Panam Palmer. There is a lesbian romance path with Judy Alvarez that is similarly easy to access through the main storyline.

On the other hand, pursuing a straight romance as a female V with River Ward is noticeably harder, it requires building a relationship with a side quest cop through intense, dark investigations involving heavy themes such as child abuse. The gay romance route, with Kerry Eurodyne, is the most hidden of all; it requires completing Johnny Silverhand’s side quests presented in forms of "do it if you please", which are optional and not particularly well signposted, making it easy for many players to overlook.

So, while multiple romance options do exist, they are not equally visible or accessible. Lesbian and straight romance paths are far more prominent and straightforward, which gives the impression that the game was designed by a straight man accepting lesbian relationships, who doesn't like to see men in the frame.

Finally, I must also mention how the game portrays the queer ripperdoc Finn Gerstatt, who is cast in a decidedly negative light. It feels as though this character was deliberately created to demonize queer people, which is a deeply disappointing choice.

The game's quests and storytelling are absolutely insane - true masterpieces. Even the side quests are engaging and feel complete, with rich narratives that rival the main questline. One of the most fascinating mechanics is the BrainDance investigations. They make you feel like a real detective digging into the smallest details. However, I always wondered if all the BrainDances are recorded by someone's chrome, so why my Kiroshi optics can't switch to sonic and thermal vision? Why is this an exclusive BD feature to see them? I also love the way the developers implemented their own slang into the world: "to delta," "netrunner," "ripper," "choomba," etc. These terms give Night City a unique flavor and immerse you deeper into the cyberpunk culture. However, despite these strengths, the game’s approach to romance and representation feels overly heterocentric. According to my research, CD Projekt Red created four romanceable characters representing different orientations, but the main questline clearly favors pushing players toward Panam Palmer. There is a lesbian romance path with Judy Alvarez that is similarly easy to access through the main storyline. On the other hand, pursuing a straight romance as a female V with River Ward is noticeably harder, it requires building a relationship with a side quest cop through intense, dark investigations involving heavy themes such as child abuse. The gay romance route, with Kerry Eurodyne, is the most hidden of all; it requires completing Johnny Silverhand’s side quests presented in forms of "do it if you please", which are optional and not particularly well signposted, making it easy for many players to overlook. So, while multiple romance options do exist, they are not equally visible or accessible. Lesbian and straight romance paths are far more prominent and straightforward, which gives the impression that the game was designed by a straight man accepting lesbian relationships, who doesn't like to see men in the frame. Finally, I must also mention how the game portrays the queer ripperdoc Finn Gerstatt, who is cast in a decidedly negative light. It feels as though this character was deliberately created to demonize queer people, which is a deeply disappointing choice.