As a hardcore Cyberpunk 2077 player who's spent countless hours jacked into Night City since the game's redemption arc, I've seen too many chooms make rookie mistakes that totally tank their experience. Now that we're in 2025 and the game has reached its final form with all updates and expansions, let me break down the cardinal sins you absolutely need to avoid if you want to get the most out of your cyberpunk journey.

night-city-sins-what-every-cyberpunk-2077-player-should-avoid-in-2025-image-0

Rushing Through the Main Story

Listen up, samurai! The biggest mistake I see newbies make is treating Cyberpunk like a sprint rather than a marathon. I get it - the urgent calls from Hanako and the ticking time bomb in your head make it feel like you need to hurry, but that's just clever narrative design.

Take it from someone who's completed the game 7 times: those side quests aren't optional content. They're the heart and soul of Night City. Blowing through the main story is like going to a five-star restaurant and only eating the appetizer. You're missing out on:

  • Character-defining moments with Judy, Panam, River, and Kerry

  • Some of the most preem gear in the game

  • Entire ending options that get locked if you skip certain side gigs

  • The true essence of what makes Night City tick

The 2025 Ultimate Edition even added more side content that connects previously standalone stories. So slow down, choom. Night City isn't going anywhere.

Treating Cyberware as an Afterthought

OMG, this drives me absolutely bonkers! Cyberware isn't just some cool aesthetic choice - it's literally THE defining gameplay mechanic that separates Cyberpunk from other RPGs.

I've watched streamers play through half the game with basic Kiroshi optics and stock reflexes, then complain that combat feels clunky. No shit, Sherlock! That's like trying to win Formula 1 in a Honda Civic!

Some game-changing cyberware you should prioritize:

  • Sandevistan operating system (time-slowing is OP AF)

  • Mantis Blades or Monowire for close combat

  • Double Jump or Charge Jump legs

  • Subdermal Armor for survivability

The 2025 Neural Interface update even lets you hot-swap certain cyberware loadouts on the fly now, so there's zero excuse not to experiment!

Spreading Attribute Points Too Thin

This might be the most common mistake I see among first-timers. They try to create a character who's good at everything, and end up with someone who excels at nothing.

The harsh truth is that Cyberpunk rewards specialization. If you're going for a netrunner build, you need to pump Intelligence to at least 18 to get the best quickhacks. If you want to be a melee beast, Body and Reflexes need serious investment.

I made this mistake on my first playthrough back in the day - had a character with 10 in every stat who couldn't hack difficult systems, couldn't use the best weapons, and couldn't even open certain doors. Talk about a walking L!

Fast Traveling Everywhere

I know we're all busy in 2025 with our hectic lives, but if you're fast traveling everywhere in Night City, you're playing the game wrong. Straight facts, no cap.

Night City is a vibe that needs to be experienced through its streets. When you fast travel, you miss:

  • Random encounters and hidden gems

  • Breathtaking photo opportunities

  • Street stories that only trigger when you're in the vicinity

  • The incredible atmosphere and environmental storytelling

Plus, with the 2025 Traffic System Overhaul, driving through the city is way more immersive now. The AI actually reacts realistically to your driving style!

Skipping Through Dialogue

This sin makes me want to throw my controller through the wall. Cyberpunk 2077 isn't just about the shooty-shooty bang-bang - it's about the characters, the world, and the philosophical questions it poses.

When you mash through dialogue just to get to the next objective, you're missing:

  • Critical story nuances and lore

  • Hidden choices that affect outcomes

  • Character development that makes the endings hit harder

  • Johnny Silverhand's complex evolution

I've had friends who skipped dialogue then complained that they didn't understand the ending. Like, duh? You can't skip chapters in a book and expect to follow the plot!

Ignoring the Badlands

The final sin is staying cooped up in Night City proper and never exploring the Badlands. The desert outskirts might look empty at first glance, but they're packed with unique content:

  • The entire Aldecaldos storyline

  • Hidden bunkers and military compounds

  • Some of the game's most powerful vehicles

  • Unique photo mode opportunities with those gorgeous sunsets

The 2025 Wasteland Expansion added even more content to the Badlands, including new nomad clans and a whole underground racing circuit. It's basically a whole other game out there!

Wrapping Up

Look, at the end of the day, there's no 'wrong' way to play any game. But if you want to experience Cyberpunk 2077 at its absolute best in 2025, avoiding these sins will take you from being a basic gonk to a true Night City legend.

What about you? Have you been guilty of any of these Cyberpunk sins? Drop a comment below with your biggest regret or best tip for new players! And if you're just starting your journey in Night City, hit that subscribe button for more Cyberpunk content coming your way. Stay preem, chooms! 🤘