Introduction to Cyberpunk 2077 Playtime

How long is Cyberpunk 2077? Learn the exact game length for the main story, side quests, 100% completion, and Phantom Liberty DLC playtime

If you’ve ever hovered over the “Buy” button or stared at your game library wondering whether Cyberpunk 2077 is worth your time, you’re probably asking one simple but important question: how long is Cyberpunk 2077? And honestly, that’s a fair question. Time is precious, and open-world RPGs have a reputation for either being gloriously deep or painfully bloated. Cyberpunk 2077 sits somewhere interestingly in between, depending entirely on how you choose to play.

At its core, Cyberpunk 2077 isn’t a game that forces you down a single path. It hands you Night City—a massive, neon-soaked urban jungle—and says, “Do what you want.” That freedom is exactly why playtime varies so wildly from one player to another. Some players blaze through the main story in a weekend, while others spend months soaking up side quests, character arcs, gigs, and hidden secrets.

Another reason this question keeps popping up is the game’s evolution. Since launch, Cyberpunk 2077 has grown significantly, especially with updates and the Phantom Liberty expansion. The experience today is far richer and more stable than it was at release, which means more players are finally diving in—and staying longer.

So whether you’re a story-focused player, a completionist, or someone who just loves getting lost in open worlds, this guide breaks down exactly how long Cyberpunk 2077 takes to beat, explore, and master. Let’s jack in.

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Understanding Cyberpunk 2077 as an Open-World RPG

To understand how long Cyberpunk 2077 is, you first need to understand what kind of game it is. This isn’t a linear action game where you move from mission to mission until the credits roll. Cyberpunk 2077 is a full-fledged open-world RPG, built around player choice, exploration, and narrative depth.

Night City itself plays a massive role in determining playtime. The city isn’t just wide—it’s vertical. You’ve got towering megabuildings, back alleys, rooftops, underground clubs, and hidden rooms that don’t appear on the map unless you actively look for them. Simply moving through the world can take time, especially if you’re the type of player who stops to admire the environment or follow random NPC conversations.

Then there’s the RPG side of things. You choose a Lifepath, build your character with perks and cyberware, and make decisions that affect relationships, missions, and endings. Dialogue choices aren’t just flavor—they can open or close entire questlines. That alone encourages slower, more thoughtful play.

Compared to other open-world RPGs, Cyberpunk 2077 is more narrative-driven than sandbox-focused. It doesn’t overwhelm you with endless filler, but the content it does offer is dense and meaningful. Side quests often feel like main missions, complete with voice acting, moral dilemmas, and long-term consequences.

All of this means one thing: Cyberpunk 2077’s length isn’t fixed. It stretches or shrinks depending on how deeply you engage with what Night City has to offer.

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Main Story Length of Cyberpunk 2077

If you’re only interested in the main storyline, you might be surprised by how concise Cyberpunk 2077 actually is. Compared to many modern RPGs, the critical path is relatively short—but intentionally so. The story is tight, emotionally driven, and designed to maintain urgency.

On average, the main story of Cyberpunk 2077 takes 20 to 25 hours to complete. This estimate assumes you’re focusing primarily on main missions, with minimal detours into side content. You’ll still encounter some optional objectives, but you won’t be diving deep into Night City’s many distractions.

The pacing of the story plays a big role here. From the moment the central conflict is introduced, the game constantly reminds you that time is ticking. That narrative pressure naturally pushes players forward, making it easy to prioritize main missions over exploration.

However, the main story isn’t just a straight line. Your choices during key missions can subtly alter how events unfold, even if the overall length stays similar. Some dialogue-heavy missions may take longer if you explore every option, while combat-focused players might move through faster.

It’s also worth noting that while 20–25 hours sounds short for an RPG, the emotional weight packed into those hours is significant. Cyberpunk 2077’s main story feels more like a prestige TV series than a traditional game campaign—focused, intense, and memorable.

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Rushing the Main Story

Some players just want to see how the story ends—and that’s perfectly valid. If you’re the type who skips optional dialogue, avoids side quests, and fast-travels everywhere, Cyberpunk 2077 can be beaten surprisingly quickly.

A rushed playthrough of the main story can take 15 to 18 hours. This involves:

• Ignoring most side quests and gigs
• Choosing direct dialogue options
• Using fast travel extensively
• Avoiding exploration unless required

While this approach gets you to the credits fast, it comes at a cost. You’ll miss out on character development, world-building, and some of the game’s best writing. Certain endings and character arcs may also be locked out entirely.

Still, for players short on time or replaying the game, rushing the main story is absolutely possible.

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Playing the Main Story at a Normal Pace

Most players fall somewhere in the middle—not rushing, but not obsessively completing everything either. This “normal” playstyle involves doing main missions while occasionally dipping into side content that feels interesting or relevant.

With this approach, the main story usually takes 25 to 30 hours. You might complete a few character side quests, experiment with builds, or explore a district before moving on. This is often considered the ideal way to experience Cyberpunk 2077 for first-time players.

You get the emotional payoff, stronger relationships with characters, and a better understanding of Night City without feeling overwhelmed.

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Side Quests and Gigs: How Much Extra Time Do They Add?

If the main story is the spine of Cyberpunk 2077, then side quests and gigs are the muscles, nerves, and heartbeat. This is where the game truly earns its reputation. Side content in Cyberpunk 2077 isn’t filler—it’s rich, story-driven, and often just as compelling as the main plot. Naturally, this content significantly increases the total playtime.

On average, completing a good portion of side quests alongside the main story adds 15 to 25 extra hours to your playthrough. That means a “main + sides” run typically lands between 40 and 60 hours. But that number can climb even higher depending on how thorough you are.

For players who enjoy storytelling and immersion, side quests are not optional. They are essential. And yes, they will dramatically increase how long Cyberpunk 2077 takes to beat—but in the best way possible.

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Fixer Gigs and NCPD Scanner Hustles

Fixer gigs and NCPD scanner hustles are Cyberpunk 2077’s bite-sized activities, designed for quick bursts of gameplay. But don’t let their size fool you—there are a lot of them, and they add up fast.

Fixer Gigs

Fixer gigs are short missions given by local fixers in each district. These usually involve:

• Assassinations
• Data theft
• Rescue missions
• Stealth infiltrations

Each gig takes around 10 to 20 minutes, depending on your approach. There are dozens spread across Night City, and completing all of them can add 10 to 15 hours to your playtime.

NCPD Scanner Hustles

These are even shorter, often lasting 5 to 10 minutes. Think of them as combat-focused micro-missions. Individually, they’re quick. Collectively, they can consume 8 to 12 hours if you clear the map.

Together, gigs and hustles can add 20+ hours for players who enjoy cleaning up the city or leveling efficiently. Completionists almost always tackle these, pushing total playtime even higher.

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Character Side Stories (Panam, Judy, River, Kerry)

If you ask veteran players what the best content in Cyberpunk 2077 is, many will point straight to the character-driven side stories. These questlines focus on major companions like Panam, Judy, River, and Kerry—and they are absolutely worth your time.

Each character arc unfolds over multiple missions, spaced throughout the game. You don’t just help them once; you build a relationship over time. These stories explore themes like loyalty, love, identity, and freedom, often hitting harder emotionally than the main plot.

On average:

• Each character arc takes 3 to 5 hours
• Completing all major companion quests adds 12 to 20 hours

These quests also unlock:

• Exclusive endings
• Romance options
• Unique gear and abilities

Skipping them not only shortens your playtime but limits your ending options. For many players, these stories are the soul of Cyberpunk 2077—and a major reason the game stretches well beyond its main story length.

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Open-World Exploration Time

Night City isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a character in itself. Exploring it can consume hours without you even realizing it. You might head out to do one mission and end up distracted by a random alley, a rooftop path, or an unexpected encounter.

Exploration time varies wildly, but on average:

• Casual exploration adds 5 to 10 hours
• Deep exploration can add 15 to 25 hours

Factors that increase exploration time include:

• Reading shards and lore
• Discovering hidden locations
• Experimenting with vertical traversal
• Engaging in random events

Players who love immersion, photo mode, or environmental storytelling often spend far longer just wandering Night City. This isn’t time the game forces on you—it’s time you choose to spend because the world feels alive.

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Completionist Playthrough: 100% Completion Time

Now let’s talk about the big one: how long is Cyberpunk 2077 if you aim for 100% completion?

A completionist run includes:

• Main story
• All side quests
• All gigs and hustles
• All character arcs
• All endings
• Full map clearance
• Achievements and collectibles

This level of dedication typically takes 90 to 120 hours. Some players even exceed that, especially if they experiment with builds or replay missions for different outcomes.

This isn’t a grind-heavy completion like some open-world games. It’s more about time investment and attention to detail. You’re not repeating the same task endlessly—you’re uncovering everything Night City has to offer.

If you enjoy fully finishing games, Cyberpunk 2077 provides a long, satisfying journey that rewards patience and curiosity.

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Multiple Endings and Replayability

Cyberpunk 2077 features multiple endings, influenced by your choices, relationships, and side quest completion. Experiencing all endings adds even more time.

• One ending: no extra time
• All endings via reloads: 3 to 5 hours
• Full replays for role-play: 20+ hours per run

Many players replay the game with different builds—netrunner, stealth assassin, or full combat tank. Each playstyle changes how missions feel, increasing replay value significantly.

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DLC Impact on Total Playtime

The Phantom Liberty expansion adds a substantial chunk of content.

• Main DLC story: 12 to 15 hours
• Side content: 5 to 10 hours

With DLC included, total playtime becomes:

• Main story + DLC: 35 to 40 hours
• Completionist with DLC: 110 to 150 hours

The DLC is tightly integrated and feels like a natural extension of the base game rather than optional fluff.

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Playtime Differences by Difficulty Level

Difficulty doesn’t massively alter story length, but it does affect pacing.

• Easy/Normal: Faster combat, fewer retries
• Hard/Very Hard: Slower encounters, more planning

Higher difficulties can add 5 to 10 extra hours, especially for combat-heavy players.

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How Playstyle Affects Cyberpunk 2077 Length

Your approach matters more than anything else.

Playstyle	Estimated Time
Main story rush	15–18 hours
Main story only	20–25 hours
Main + sides	40–60 hours
Completionist	90–120 hours
Completionist + DLC	110–150 hours

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Is Cyberpunk 2077 Worth the Time Investment?

Absolutely—if you value story, immersion, and meaningful choices. Cyberpunk 2077 doesn’t waste your time; it rewards it. Whether you spend 20 hours or 120, the experience feels intentional.

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Conclusion

So, how long is Cyberpunk 2077? The honest answer is: as long as you want it to be. From a tight 20-hour narrative to a 150-hour deep dive into Night City, the game adapts to your style. If you rush, it respects your time. If you linger, it rewards your curiosity. Few games balance length and depth this well.

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FAQs

How long is Cyberpunk 2077 main story?
Around 20–25 hours for most players.

How long to beat Cyberpunk 2077 100%?
Between 90 and 120 hours, or more with DLC.

Is Cyberpunk 2077 longer with Phantom Liberty?
Yes, the DLC adds 15–25 hours of content.

Can you finish Cyberpunk 2077 quickly?
Yes, rushing the main story can take under 18 hours.

Is Cyberpunk 2077 replayable?
Very. Multiple endings, builds, and choices encourage replays.

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Last modified: January 7, 2026