CD Projekt Red Expands Cyberpunk 2077’s World with Fully Functional Metro System

Last week, CD Projekt Red fulfilled a five-year promise by adding a fully operational metro system to Cyberpunk 2077, enhancing the game’s immersive experience. The addition of the Night City Area Rapid Transit (NCART) rail lines with 19 stations allows players to visually explore Night City and engage with its diverse population during real-time travel.

Sticking to the speed limit

Despite the enhanced transportation infrastructure, I was surprised to find that the speed of the trains seemed rather slow, with a consistent speed of 43 mph. This seemed counterintuitive in a futuristic alternate-reality setting, especially when considering the high-speed maglev trains mentioned in the game’s lore.

Reflecting Reality in Fiction

Cyberpunk’s first rulebook from 1988 predicted that future transportation would not see any revolutionary changes due to economic struggle, civil unrest, and limited research. This is reflected in the game’s portrayal of the consequences of the Fourth Corporate War, which debilitated the entire maglev system, leading to the current state of public transportation in Night City.

Parallels with Reality

The difficulties facing the fictional California depicted in Cyberpunk 2077 reflect real-world challenges in the state, particularly in creating a public transportation system on par with other global cities. This mirrors the hesitation and challenges faced by the real California in implementing high-speed rail projects due to political and financial concerns.

Developer’s Intent

Despite the discrepancy with established Cyberpunk lore, the decision to limit the speed of the metro system in the game was intentional. This limitation allows players to fully experience and immerse themselves in the visual splendor and over-the-top aesthetics of Night City, providing new opportunities for role-playing within the game’s setting.