Netrunning is one of the most fascinating parts of the Cyberpunk 2077 universe. Netrunners, otherwise known as dwellers, are digital assassins and thieves, swiping valuable information from the depths of the Net and often eliminating anyone who gets in their way. They are implied to be some of the most influential people in Night City through frequent references, and some players may be interested in becoming one in their own playthroughs. However, disappointingly, players can't actually do any Netrunning in Cyberpunk 2077.
There are small hacks that players can perform in their Cyberpunk 2077 runs. Quickhacks are equippable items that can give V a major advantage in combat, ranging from distracting enemies to making them go cyberpsycho. V can also hack into access points and breach data networks across the map, which will reward the player with information, upgrade parts, and eurodollars, the currency of Night City. However, contrary to popular belief, neither of these actually involves proper Netrunning.
The Net Is Off-Limits To V In Cyberpunk 2077
As the name implies, the most significant element of Netrunning is being able to enter the Net. Cyberspace - though it's fragmented and overrun by rogue AIs, thanks to Rache Bartmoss - is where Netrunners are able to infiltrate Data Fortresses and retrieve encrypted information. But in Cyberpunk 2077, it's largely inaccessible to players. There is only one instance throughout the entire game in which V can visit the Net. During the quest "Transmisison," the player gets an exciting glimpse into the space, even crossing the Blackwall and speaking to the digital construct of legendary Night City Netrunner, Alt Cunningham. But unfortunately, it is nothing more than a short, linear preview, and it leaves much to be desired for fans of this class.
It doesn't help that many characters can be seen engaging in Netrunning throughout Cyberpunk 2077. For example, in Kabuki's Dewdrop Inn, the player can plainly see two NPCs sitting in Netrunning chairs, connected to the Net via personal links. These characters serve no importance in V's story - and the player can't even interact with them - and thus, they seemingly do little but flaunt their ability to enter cyberspace. So not only is a portion of the Net already in the game, but its associated assets are usable only by NPCs. This makes it doubly surprising (and frustrating) that the player can't partake in the practice.
Although it would ittedly be quite difficult to create an accurately sized Net complete with the massive barriers of ICE in Cyberpunk 2077, excluding it from the game entirely is a disappointing decision on CD Projekt Red's part. There are plenty of workarounds to this issue that are both development and lore-friendly. Perhaps the most obvious would be to confine players to a small section of the Net, and then blame it on Bartmoss and DataKrash. At least giving players the access to cyberspace - even if it was limited - would have allowed for this fan-favorite role to become tangible within the game. With the sequel Project Orion announced and set to release within the next few years, all players can do now is cross their fingers and wait, but one thing is clear: Netrunners deserved more in Cyberpunk 2077.
