Cyberpunk 2 Director Believes First-Person Perspective Suited Cyberpunk 2077 Better, While Third-Person Fits Stronger Character Narratives Like Geralt and Kratos

The first-person perspective in Cyberpunk 2077 is a strong fit, and according to creative director Igor Sarzyński, this choice is deeply tied to the game’s narrative design.

Transitioning from a third-person view, like in The Witcher 3, can be a challenge, but Sarzyński believes it was the right call for Cyberpunk 2077. “From a narrative design standpoint, I think the subjective first-person perspective aligns perfectly with the story, genre, and world of ’77,” he shared in a post. This perspective enhances the experience of being V, especially with the unique element of having a digital ghost in your head that only you can perceive, rather than both characters being visible through an external camera.

“You’re a mind trapped in a decaying body, with your only escape being through technological consciousness processing,” Sarzyński explains. “Also, there’s a digital ghost in your head that only you can see; a thing existing only in your subjective perception – rather than both of you being seen equally by an external, objective camera.”

That said, third-person perspectives definitely have their place. Sarzyński points out that many games and characters thrive in that format, citing titles like The Witcher 3, God of War, and The Last of Us. “In general, I believe third-person is better for more defined characters – Geralt, Kratos, Ellie – where you’re playing through someone else’s story. First-person works better for more avatar-like player characters.” He describes V as “somewhere in the middle of this spectrum.”

For anyone looking to twist this into a headline: this discussion is strictly about the narrative setup of Cyberpunk 2077 and not a hint about Cyberpunk 2. “This is about a specific narrative setup of Cyberpunk 2077,” Sarzyński emphasizes. “Not in any way a statement or suggestion regarding Cyberpunk 2. It might be a Play-Doh stop-motion RTS for all we know.” Now that would be an interesting twist!

While you await more updates on Cyberpunk 2, dive into the latest roundup of exciting new games coming this year and beyond.