Lex Fridman plays Cyberpunk 2077

All right, welcome to game time with Grandpa Lex. I'm not sure if it's of use of anyone, but this is a record of my brief travels to the year 2077 in the cyberpunk universe. I sadly don't have time to play games these days, but they've been a source of a lot of pleasure throughout my life, so life's too short, might as well enjoy it every once in a while. I try to do this once or twice a month, but if we're being honest, 2021 is looking quite insane. The next one I want to try is Stanley Parable, which is the opposite of Cyberpunk. It's only like a 15 minute game that you play through several times. I think Cyberpunk 2077 is supposed to be a game you could play. If you do all the side quests, you should be able to play for at least 100 hours. So I'm only gonna do about two, three, maybe four hours a day and that's it. I'm gonna walk away. Nobody walks away from good rpg. Well, I'm gonna walk away. Friends, it's called discipline. Alright, here we go. Oh, and please check out our sponsors in the description, theragun and Grammarly. So one is for your muscles and the other is for your grammar. The choice is yours. My friends choose wisely. Please check them out in the description to get a discount and to support the podcast that I host. Alright, here we go. New game, Cyberpunk 2077, released just like a couple hours ago. Let's go. Select difficulty level. Most things in life I would go very hard. For me, normal is probably the equivalent of what very hard is for most gamers. I really haven't played video games in a long, long time. Alright, normal is Enemies will have all the tools at their disposal to take V on. V is the name of the character, I suppose, but primarily only enemies at a higher level would prove a challenge. Easy as the right choice for players who just want to sit back and enjoy the story. Combat will not pose a challenge. Ooh. As you get older, you learn to appreciate the story, not the combat. What would David Goggins do? David Goggins probably go very hard and lose within five minutes and then go run. Okay, let's go normal. Nomad, street kid or Corpo. So many decisions. Select these life path. Some events and dialogue options in the game will be different depending on your choice. Nomad is roaming the badlands, looting, scrape yards, roiding fuel depots. Life on the road wasn't easy, but growing up in Nomad. Clan has its perks. Honesty, integrity, and a love of freedom. Qualities that few in Night City possess and no amount of money can buy. I like these guys. Nomads. Street kids. They say if you want to understand the streets, you gotta live them. Gangs, fixtures, dolls, small time pushers. You were raised by them all. Down here, the law of the jungle dictates the weak serve the strong. The only law in Night City you have yet to break. The weak serve the strong. I think we're gonna need a couple hours to think about that one. Okay. Corpo Corporate comes with a marketing team and hr. Few leave the corporate world with their lives. Fewer still with their souls intact. Amen. You've been there. You've bent the rules, exploited secrets and weaponized information. There's no such thing as a fair game, only winners and losers. I'm pretty sure Nomad is basically where it's at. I wish you could wear a suit and tie as a Nomad. Let's see if. Let's see if you can dress yourself. Let's go, Nomad. Oh, boy. Select V's. Body type. V's appearance may sometimes affect the behavior or other characters. Appearance doesn't matter. It's all about the inside. I feel very uncomfortable with the selection. So there's this guy with a shortcut and some red hair. Guys with some scars. Scars are always good. Means you've lived. This guy's too good looking. Oh, this is random generation. All right, let's just keep generating random ones until we get close to what we're looking for. We want gritty, but not too pretty. Disturb the comfortable. Nice tattoo. I think the random generation is really off. I think this is actually pretty close to what I'm looking for. Voice tone. Masculine. Feminine. This. Pronouns. I'm gonna go with he himself. Skin type. That's so cool. I love video games so much. You can define so much about the characters. Hairstyles. Oh, man. Let's go with the basics. I'm a big fan of eyes, so I think eyes truly are the window to the soul. So let's see. Oh, it's like, interesting. It's more like the entirety of the structure of the. Okay, cool. I like the intensity of the original guy. Eyebrows. Whatever. This is good enough. This is starting to get uncomfortable. Nose. That's good enough. Mouth. Yep. Ears. Can do cauliflower ears. This guy been in a fight. Come on, give me some. Is this. Is that. Is that a little co far? Do we really need 21 ear types? Beard. Beard is fine. Maybe Clean shaven? Nah. Cyberware. I don't know, can you go. No. Cyberware. It's kind of old school with this. Yeah, a little subtlety. Yeah, just off. Okay. Yeah, off on the cyberware we go old school. We like cyber, but let's keep it off the face. Not the face. Facial scars. Yeah, you gotta have facial scars. Each one of them has a. Whoa, that's. That's intense. That's like a tire been driven over him. I like, I like, I like this one. It's got hit in the head with something. Facial tattoos? Nah. Piercings? Nah. Teeth? Yes, please. Oh yeah, I'll go with the white ones. Oh, right, yeah. Basic teeth, eye makeup, color. Lip makeup, cheek makeup. Blemishes. Nails, Short nipples. On or off? You can turn off the nipples. Let's keep the nipples. Body, tattoos. Bodies. No tattoos. Scars. Yes. Let's go with the Bruce Lee. The three. The three scratch marks. That's either a cat or overly friendly girlfriend. Genitals. I'll probably edit that part out. But you can actually select the genitals. So like penis or vagina. And then you can select the penis size. The pubic hairstyle. It's kind of fascinating. It's an interesting design choice, but since I'm thinking of uploading this video, I'll keep it family friendly. But in case you're wondering, this character is packing some heat. Customize attributes. Choose the core attributes you want to begin with. Each attribute contains a set of skills. Both attributes and skills provide different bonuses depending on your style of play. Skill levels increase as you perform activities associated with them. The maximum level of a skill is limited by the level of the attribute that it belongs to. Interesting. Body determines your raw physical power. Okay. Intelligence determines your net running proficiency. Every level of intelligence will increase. Cyberdeck ram capacity, increase quick hack damage. So basically hacking ability. So computer skills like Napoleon Dynamite nunchuck skills. Reflexes determine your maneuverability. Technical ability represents your technical know how it allows you to unlock doors and use tech weapons. Cool determines your resilience, composure and effectiveness in operating from stealth. So like a stealthy type of thing. So intelligence is like the. That's the mage, the wizard bodies like the warrior reflexes. Yeah, that's like agility. Technical ability, that's pick lock picking. And then cool is like stealth like in the lurking in the shadow. Probably. I probably go body and intelligence. Probably emphasizing intelligence. So I gotta be honest with you. I'm not into lock baking or sneaking around. I'm slow, hit hard, but also have reasonably okay programming ability. So probably gonna put everything into body and intelligence. Wow. Irl. And since it looks like I can't spend everything on body and intelligence. Ain't that the truth. I'll go one in reflexes. So begins your story. Night City. Alias V. Backstory. Nomad attributes. We know what the attributes are. There's the scan code for the biometric data. Let's go. User unknown. Patch F. Remove patch. Backers.

Nothing serious. When I came in, you said you were sure.

Move with WSAD and look around with the mouse. That mechanic looks like a punk. Maybe I should look in the mirror. So how do I actually engage with him? You can cycle through dialogue choices, I guess. With the mouse wheel. Or up. Up and down. Calm down, brother. Okay, so now in square brackets, this check engine. And I can tell them to step aside. I'll handle it. Or I'm going to pay you what we agreed. I'm gonna pay you what we agreed.

I'm gonna pay you what we agreed. Not one anymore, huh?

For that, you can borrow my tools and fix it yourself.

All right, that's fine.

Step aside.

Side.

What? You heard me. I think I'll bypass the coupling.

I'm gonna bypass the coupling and rig a hot wire.

Compressor will run on and on.

I know what I'm doing. Today. I ask your opinion. I like this guy.

Opinion.

Satan. Maids of Satan. So the exclamation point says get in the car. So those are the things, like, those are like quests or instructions. Get in F. Cool. Let's go.

Okay. Let's see what happens.

Start engine. Love the sound of this car.

That'll get me to Night City. I figure something else out there.

Connect a radio station? Yes, please.

Antenna on this heap don't seem like it. Packs a punch. Not liable to him much.

You don't say.

Hey, Mike. Didn't know you had a customer. Rolled in a few hours past. I, I, I thought he'd at least called into. Don't you sweat him, Mike. We're gonna hash it out.

I like this town.

Don't you know you owe the sheriff a word when you pay his town a visit to tell him what's brought you here?

Hey, big guy.

Over a cup of coffee?

I'm just passing through.

No need to worry. I won't be staying long.

Didn't answer my question, now, did you?

I'm here alone. I travel alone.

There is no clan, There is. Is no camp. I'm here alone.

Closed door. I don't want any trouble. I don't think I want any trouble. Not afraid of it. Just don't want trouble with this guy. He seems like a small fish.

Made it clear. I don't want any trouble.

Then stop looking for and hit the road. All right.

Calm down, buddy. Drive out the garage. W. Okay, Vehicle steering A and D. Accelerator W. Brake with S. Cool. And where do I go? Go to the telecom tower. Okay, gotcha. Such a boomer. Active job objectives are. Mark with the exclamation on the hud. Okay. Go to the telecom tower. Oh, man. Video games are so fun. You drunk legs go home. So bad at this. Sorry, I'm. I'm paying attention to a million things. I'm not paying attention to the road. Exit vehicle. To exit vehicle. Hold F. This game is so beautiful. I want to go hiking out there. Can we just go that? Is that a side quest? Just go hiking. Oh, this is nice. It's freezing in Boston right now. This would be nice. Just run up that mountain. You see, like, David Goggins running along those mountains. Look how beautiful that is. That's when you know you're getting old. You don't want to shoot anything. You just want to enjoy walking around looking at the beautiful scenery. All right, F Enter. What do you want from me? Kick it in. You gotta kick it in. Climb the telecom tower and locate the control box. Hopefully this is not nauseating to. To watch. Let's see. How do you. Oh, cool. Very rusty with this whole video game thing open. Oh, that's not the button. I'm also using a Kinesis keyboard, which is really hard to press. Stuff with connect to radio. This is ground control to Major Tom. Come in.

Come in.

Ah, praised you Finally, Willie McCoy. It's good to hear your voice, Fee.

Wish I could say the same. I need your help.

I need your help.

Look at that. Last time. Look at that. Car driving one last time again.

Yes, I had to find the client with my payload, but I don't know where he is.

H, Right place, right time. You were there, of course.

Of course I was. Maybe the client left a message. Could you check for me?

H. Sure. Last time, though. I mean it. Client's name?

Jackie Wells.

Actually left a message. He's waiting on a farm. Clicking you the geo data. Cool.

Thanks, Willie. I owe you one.

This. This is the Keanu Reeves character, I think. Don't get yourself killed. Don't get yourself killed. Don't call again. Wow. That sounds like Every time I talk to my parents. I'm. I'm terrified of heights, even in the video game. So this is very stressful. Look at this Thing. Definitely not a Tesla. Maybe a cyber truck? Like a really beat up cyber truck. I love that sound. Head to the meeting place. Wow. What? What? How. How old are you that you're driving like this? It's hard with the Kinesis keyboard. That's my excuse. Plus, I don't want to go slowly. You want to go fast. Oh, so soon? This is Jacques Valjean. I. All I was doing is driving, sir. Okay, police introduction. Any illegal activity, such as theft or attacking civilians, will result in an NCPD placing a bounty on you. The police will send a patrol to the crime scene, and the strength of the response will be proportional to the size of the bounty. To lose, the police move away from the crime scene and lay low for a while. So it's kind of like GTA Grand Theft Auto. I'm really sorry. I'm really sorry. I was just driving, sir. They're shooting at me. I should have gone with the easy level. I just wanted to go hiking. This is so bad. It's really sensitive. Okay? In meatspace, I'm used to the car not being so sensitive to my keyboard. No matter. Head to the meeting place. I don't know any of the keyboard shortcuts of how to, like, look behind me. Get out of the car. This is very stressful. F. I'm getting out of the car. You told me to get out of the car. I'm getting out of the car. Are you? Oh, you have to hold F. Cool me. Jackie Wells. All right, Kiana, let's go. Where you at?

Oh, I was worried I'd have to turn to farming.

Okay, I guess this is not the. The Canary character. Are you Jackie Wells?

Are you Wells, Jackie?

I'm V. Seems you have cargo that needs to be moved.

Oh, where I'm from, you share a bit about your soul before you talk Biz.

Right?

Good man.

It's kind of like a custom.

Let's do a podcast.

Just good manners, you know?

Let's start with you, then.

Why don't we start with you, then?

NC native right here. Got Haywood in my blood.

I've never been to nc. That doesn't mean much to me.

So imagine a place where everyone's like your bro or sis or family. Cousin at least.

I think I understand. You don't have to like each other, but it's family.

That's. He would that. And everyone's back in iron.

It's like the futuristic version of Godfather.

You could say I'm from my own Haywood.

You and me, mysterious.

We're gonna get along.

Fine. What's with the cargo? The haircut choice. I'm questioning it. What's inside? Don't ask questions. Let's just load it up.

Let's load it in the car.

Oh, it will.

Follow.

Jackie, how much you think this guy can bench?

I got held up. And you weren't exactly easy to find.

Probably does lay low, you know. 315 reps of 10.

Grouchy.

That's not nice. No swearing please. Open the trunk.

What a fat ass.

I should have passed. What's in there? I'm starting to regret these decisions. Here we go again. I'm just gonna go the speed limit this time. Can you get made fun of? So much for this dream. Back in my day we used to play Prince of Persia. You had to just exist in a two dimensional world. I was just scrolling from left to right.

Listen friend. We're more professionals, ain't we?

This is such a beautiful game. Look at the city in the background.

Sure you've moved contraband before? Why you turn me?

Look at this world. It feels like a coronavirus. Time too deserted. The wind is blowing. I love this drive to the border games are so amazing.

What now? Nothing.

They'll scan us and check our papers.

The police officers. They're always nice.

You talking?

Please direct your vehicle to the inspection area. I think that was. Just remain in your vehicle. The security check will begin shortly.

I got a real bad feeling about this.

Take document. Hand me the f. Hand me the manifest.

Don't need to see it.

Grab these.

Let me see. It's marked loa. Perfect.

What's that mean?

Lost on arrival. It means the cargo is flagged as to be lost as soon as across the border.

Whoa.

So they know we're smuggling?

They're about to find out.

Look at the dog bobblehead. The owner of the vehicle in the inspection area will report for further questioning. Yeah. Brad Money.

Customs officer. To turn a blind eye to our dubious docus. Need a sweetener? Do you have the credit chip with the bribe?

Oh yeah. Forgot about that.

Oh, interesting. Is it Bitcoin or is it Ethereum? Take money and get out.

Right. You forgot.

Welcome to the. Place your weapon here. Cool. Cool. Deposit weapon at the front desk. I don't know if I'm armed. Place weapon now. I know. Wow. That thing looks good.

Now please report to room number two.

Two. One of my favorite numbers. Keep pressing the wrong key. Please sit. Happy? Funny if he was wearing a Make America Great Again hat. Papers. Is this routine?

This routine?

It might be. We'll see.

I Like the depth of conversation here. What are you transporting?

I don't know.

In there.

Ah, yes.

Remind me.

You drive for which nomad clan? I don't drive for any clan.

None. No clan. I drive for myself.

Bold and none too wise. You know, one man wolf pack. Someone like you.

I'm oh so grateful not to be on that side of the table.

I feel the same way. Go on now. Your associates waiting for you in the car. Collect your weapon at the front desk. I apologize if I'm moving really slowly here. I'm just enjoying this. This is super fun for me, just walking around like each of these people have a life story. Probably.

And welcome to Night City.

Thank you. Those little shits. Imagine Night City is some kind of paradise. Turn to the car. Oh, he's driving. I guess soon we need to get out of here.

Yeah, okay.

For a guy that looks like that on a first appearance, he seems awfully nervous.

Smelling trouble around the bend.

Drive, Jackie. Just drive.

Seem nervous. I bet he.

Someone's coming our way.

Sensitive soul.

This does not look good.

Tough exterior, sensitive soul.

Stop your vehicle immediately.

Let's get out of here.

On it. You are transporting contraband that is corporate property.

Given how bad I was at driving, I'm probably even worse at shooting. Draw. Weapon is alt. Oh, Kinesis keyboard man. Wow, this is fun to shoot. Okay, got actually, Am I trying to hit them or the car? I see the car. God, I thought I hit him in the head and he's still okay. I guess this is a game where you hit the person that doesn't kill them. It's very stressful. I don't like shooting at the police at this difficult, difficult, tense time in 2020. I'm a huge supporter of the police. One of the hardest jobs. I apologize for shooting at them in this artificially destructive world of 2077. I'm also realizing my mouth.

We lost them.

Cool.

Not sure my nerves can handle this.

Keep driving. You can't stop here.

Oh, there's some cool drones in the air. Very interesting place.

Looks deserted. Gonna stop here. Need to sort out a few things before we go home.

On. Nice. My palms are wet. Get out of the car. Let's go.

I almost tagged our asses. That what you call smuggling, Godo? Supposed to go smooth, no problems.

Temper. Calm down. Things like this happen.

Sometimes these things happen.

Actually, I wasn't gonna pay you at all. Just gonna bust ass and disappear as soon as we crossed over. But you're all right.

I appreciate the honesty.

Appreciate the honesty.

Thanks.

What? No.

What's next.

Now we take a peek inside.

Please don't be a body. Please don't be a body. All right, let's look.

Oh, it says Arasaka on the crate. We are robbing some heavy hitters.

Maybe we'll make some heavy money.

Fish.

A real iguana.

I think. Let's talk about some guanas. Until.

What?

Yeah, I watched the thing on TV about him. Went extinct, like 30 years ago from the Lesser Antilles. You come a long way, Jamie.

Pull it up. Oh, that thing looks beautiful.

Sure think it'll make us happy.

No plans?

I don't have any plans. I spent the last years traveling between states with my nomad family.

I'll probably be waiting for you somewhere, eh?

No. We decided to go our separate ways.

That must be tough, huh? No one to go back to. But don't you worry. Let me help you find Diggs. You gotta live somewhere. It's important to have people you can turn to, you know, like family. Maybe you'll find your own down in Night City.

Thanks much, you. Appreciate it.

Hey, come on. It's nothing. It got chemistry.

You and me.

Be a crying shame to waste it.

Hope this guy's not trying to trick me. Oh. Oh, that thing's cute. Look at that. All right, let's shake hands.

Okay, partner, time to grab.

Man to man.

Scurry out of here.

Chick, we're looking for somewhere in this building. Probably crawling with the Penos that kidnapped her.

Japan town, half a year later.

Speaking of which, got you a little something. Militech training shard. In case you need to brush up on your dance moves.

All right, let's do a little tutorial. Let's do a little shooting practice. I guess it is. Wait, where am I plugging that in? What? Where did I just plug that in? This is Neuralink. Step attack.

Hope you're ready to bust ass through this fascist playground.

Yellow gun. Not my style, but have to do. What am I doing? Shoot all the targets. Okay.

Yeah, I didn't think you'd find that too tough. Okay, what do you say we crank.

It up a notch with the next round of targets? That's terrible. Take. Press C to crouch and hide behind cover. Cover can protect you from enemy fire. And then undo. Oh. Headshot does matter. Got it.

Use a reanimator to patch yourself up.

How do you do that? You're injured. If your health falls to zero, you die. Use the inhaler to regain health. When you pick up a consumable, it will automatically be added to the consumable. Quick slot in your inventory. If empty, press X now to use one of the regain. Come on.

Don't need you hurt.

Okay, cool.

Head to the training area. When you're good to go.

Where's the health? Switching weapons. Press 1, 2, 3, or 4 or the switch weapons. Cool. I should also say that I haven't played shooters very much, so I'm really terrible with shooters. Okay, cool. So maybe me.

Stand on the platform and we'll move. Hacking's the next item on the menu.

Oh boy. I like this lady hacking. Cool. Let's begin training. I wonder if she's a robot. Scanning highlights objects of interest in your surroundings and provides valuable information about them. Cool. Hazards are highlighted in red. Hackable objects are highlighted in green. Objects useful in other ways are highlighted in blue. Release tab to exit the scanner. Cool.

Work a little hack magic on the.

Screen to distract the guard with the cyber attack installed. Your scanner provides an additional interface for selecting quick hacks and their targets. Use distract enemies to distract the guard. Navigate the list of available quick hacks with the mouse wheel. Duration 30 seconds. Cooldown 0 seconds Upload time 1.434 seconds Causes a device to malfunction, resulting in erratic behavior that will distract nearby people. Wow, so hacking is a big part of this game. That's interesting. And intelligence is a part of hacking, so I'm glad I invested in intelligence. Not all about brute force, I guess. The body helped with the kicking down the door. This game is cool. Probably way too complicated. Okay. Sneak up to the guard. Got it. Good.

Now take him out quietly.

All right.

All yours. Take them out.

Kill. Of course.

Never smart to leave behind.

This is an alternate reality where murder is supposedly allowed.

Now pick up the body and hide it somewhere.

Pick up the body, approach it closer, look at it, and hold are. Sometimes a dirty deed must be done. You can hide dead and unconscious enemies in certain places. Doing so will help you avoid detection by other enemies. Got it. Up off in the dumpster you go. I'm sorry, friend, but this is just virtual reality.

Now try to take him down in one slick move.

I want to see what technique he used.

Time to get down and dirty in close quarter combat.

Tap to perform a fast attack. Hit the enemy three times with fast attacks. Got it. To perform a fast attack combo, press the left mouse button while the previous fast attack is executed. Hold the left mouse button to charge a strong attack. Then release it to perform it.

Cool.

Let's go. There you go. Use the techniques you've learned so far to defeat the enemy.

I can Teach you no more. This is the part where you face your final test.

And here I am using none of the techniques. Nice. The melee combat techniques you've learned can also be used with melee weapons such as a katana. Okay, so I can block. Cool. Cool. Very easy.

Good stuff. Looks like you're cruising already.

She looks proud of me.

Now we can get down to biz.

Time to work.

Let's do this.

This is such a fun escape from the real world. Unfortunately I probably only got an hour, maybe two most. I guess there's a lot of pre story to get through here. I may not even get much at all into the main quest. Yes. Hi. What are you looking at?

Dance Sandra. Dorid targets. Biomon went mute a couple hours back. Suspected abduction.

Jack is right. Calm the hell down.

Bug could at least try to be nice.

You want nice supportive? Call a damn helpline.

Why can't. Why can't we all just get along?

Looking for 1237.

He's this yoga working his posture.

But I got zero eyes on her biomass. Fingers crossed it's not too late. Is that you?

I hate this.

Life or death. Hurry. Hacking the door. Think you can drip it on your own V?

Huh? That seemed like a nice lady. I know you're a sweetheart inside that tough exterior. Need to calm down. My man Jackie hacked the door to begin hacking. Look at a device and scan it by holding tab. Cool. Open remote deactivation. Cool. It's a hostile area. A bunch of stuff. What's happening? That's how I feel. Like every time I go to the dentist.

Take one down. Just real quiet. Hey, grab the one closest. Let's take over. All down. Let me. Probably not the last of them.

Anti camst fabric tank top. All right. He'll take everything. I'm sorry, buddy. Yeah, let's take the guns.

Get him off me.

Oh, this thing is.

Don't see any movement on the sensors. Looks like you got him.

You're clear to go Find Sandra Dorset. What's up, Jackie? How you doing, brother? We should do a podcast after this. Oh, there's two of them. Well.

Landing stand clear. Initiating security critical. Follow all instructions.

They don't look too friendly.

Stimulus being administered. 70 milligrams dopamine. 110 norepinephrine.

800 for Brin.

Listen, mano, I got this thing. Mind if I borrow your wheels?

Yeah, let's go.

I got a day with Misty but I can't take the metro. How's it gonna look for me?

She sounds like a nice lady.

Don't get used to it.

How about I drive you home, huh?

She's all yours. I'm beat as it is.

Ah, these cars are badass. Reminds me back to the future. Even though this is the future, it sure looks like the 80s. Good music, beautiful graphics, ultra realistic. Like I guess I could tell I could probably spend like a hundred plus hours here just exploring the city.

Legends are born here.

There's a mix of la, there's a mix of Vegas. Jackie's deserted.

Lock and down Watson.

Come on.

This game so far is a lot more shooting than rpg. It really gives me the Grand Theft Auto vibe. You know, it's fun, but like I said, I'm much more Elder Scrolls kind of guy. I guess it's a good little experiment about what it's like to play games, to comment and so on.

What's it that makes him so special?

Heart of gold. Cuz only somebody with a heart of gold can understand just how much I need to get back to my girl.

Your girl? I told you. Jackie's a sweetheart. Romantic, I mean. Probably cries during Notebook. Let us through, please. Let's see if kindness gets us through. Okay, on your way. She's nice. Can we just ride with Jackie? Let's to Led Zeppelin and not shoot anybody. Can we do that so you can be nice? Amen. It's pretty good dialogue, pretty good conversation. I like this place. Like this game. It's gonna be sad to say goodbye. All right. Nice handshake. Go home. Ah, it's good to be home. This is my apartment. This is. This is the opposite of what my apartment looks like. This is way too nice. So I can sleep. Check your weapon stash and then go to bed. All right. Where's the computer? How are you supposed to do any kind of programming? It's just guns. Go to bed. Let's go to bed. Okay. It's actually currently 3am in Boston, so it's actually getting about that time. Close to bed, act one. Okay. Maybe I'll do one quest and then that'll be it for this game. It'll be time to say goodbye. The graphics, the. The characters. I could tell I would love this game. It's a beautiful place to visit. Part of me is actually really enjoying the fact that I can just see people. They're not wearing masks. We're in proximity. We can just explore the depth that is each other's weirdness. Oh, man. This feels surprisingly good just to be among people, even if it's in a virtual world. These people are awesome. Oh, man, I can't wait till things open back up and you could just meet people and talk to people. Look at this. Look at the city.

Wow.

Wow.

Man of the hour. Took you long enough. Worked up an appetite just waiting.

This is very Grand Theft Auto is. What's the job exactly?

We meant to come out in one piece.

Our Lord and savior wants to tell you everything himself, face to face.

No pressure, but system malfunction. Are these part of the game or is this like the bugs that everyone's talking about? All right, I'll. Let's do it.

Let's see what old Dex has to say. Set it up.

God, the graphics. Even at this level, I don't have it on ultra. I have it on high. And this is 1080p, I think, still. So awesome. Look at it. You can see, like, the freckles on his face. So awesome. You have to stop for pedestrians. Oh, man. Can you just walk off already? That's not very nice. I'm not very good at any of this. I apologize. This car is pretty badass. That I know for sure. This is it. Hey, V. Dr. Vector will see you now. Victor's clinic. Vicky.

Surprise. Every.

Though a common practice, cyberware installations are still a dangerous and invasive procedure which can only be performed by qualified specialists. Ripper docs. Those are the future versions of neurosurgeons, I suppose. There are several Ripper Docs operating through Night City who offer a variety of different cyberware upgrades. Select your desired cybernetic upgrade from the list and enjoy your new abilities. This is awesome. This is. This is where the surgery happens. All right. What's up, buddy?

To what do I owe the pleasure?

Today, last gig, had to jack into a client's neuro socket.

Neuro gotten spiked.

Experiencing migraines? Nausea? Hypersensitivity to bright lights?

Oh, kid.

And caboodle.

All right, kid, we'll sort you out in a flash. Besides that, how are things?

Ooh. Looking to upgrade. Looking to upgrade. Do I want to upgrade?

Chair, please. Sit down.

Relax.

Gonna keep me waiting all day.

Let's go back to standing desk. All right. As I sit down in the game, I stand up in real life. It keeps saying system malfunction. I wonder if that's the bugs that we're talking about.

Karoshi optics. Best I've got and should be about right under the circumstances.

So cool. He's gonna upgrade the eyes. That is awesome.

Now jack in.

I got Lasik surgery, by the way. Best thing I've ever done. All right, let's put it in. Although I don't really trust a neurosurgeon with rolled up sleeve and sleeve tattoos.

You peruse and choose while I scan see what's going on inside.

I wonder if the folks in your link any of them play this game and what they think this is funny? Cybernetic implants are mechanical replacements for the organic parts of your body. They can give you superhuman like abilities which can improve your combat capability and help you survive in hazardous conditions. Although common practice in 2077, the installation of Cyberware is still an invasive and sometimes dangerous medical procedure. Only specialists known as Ripper docs are trusted to install Cyberware safely. Let's continue. Ocular Systems Operating Systems God. Imagine this is the future. This is what upgrades look like. Of course if it in fact costs money, then of course the elite people that inherit money will be able to upgrade themselves and thereby increasing the gap between the have and have nots. And there'll be a Bernie Sanders type of character who tries to fight that. Maybe the future looks a lot like the present. Ocular systems let's go with ocular Systems. Kashuri Optics. $0. Cool. I just installed some new eyes hands. Is this free? Yeah, it's free. Cool. Ballistic coprocessor Increase the chance to ricochet shots with power weapons Directly links the user's optical implant to the weapon system. Offering real time data tracking. Interesting links the eye or like directly to the weapon.

Wow.

Links the weapon to your eye skipping the entirety of the rest of the mess of the human biology. Cool. I love it. All right. Mark one.

Like I said, decent enough scanner.

This is cool. This gives me a little preview of this world on the tops of built.

In external lens disruptor If I didn't.

Have a million things going on, I'd stay here for a few more hours.

But capture your face is a blur.

Nope.

Just remember your body will still show up as crystal clear.

Good to know.

This should do the trick. Talks to Karoshi Tech too.

I'm ready. Carve away.

Excellent. Let's do this.

I wonder if they'll show something. Show the the neurosurgery that major league.

Arm of yours right here.

Just like that. Thanks. Look how crappy the equipment is.

I can start carrying. Ready?

Oh man. They're going to show it, aren't they? Play by play though.

Really, Doc. Makes you sound like a dentist. Always going on and on.

Lights out for a minute.

All right. That's what Lasik felt like. It's like these things are going after your eye. But you got to trust the robotics there. You Gotta trust the equipment. And it worked out beautifully for me. I think it works out really well for most people.

See the magic in action linking you in. You might feel a little discomfort at first version of contrast glitches. Well, how's it look? Feel all right to you?

Yeah, better than ever.

Oh, this is fantastic, Vic.

Oh, beautiful.

Scanning people with your optical cyber work can provide you with a lot of useful information, such as how strong an enemy might be. Cool. So this, like, gave me extra ability to scan. As a skilled netrunner, you can see a list of quick hacks which you can use against your enemies. Okay, well, this is all stuff I already know.

It might take you a few seconds to adjust, but first time's rarely the charm with anything really. Scanner should eventually sync with your thought processes and read your intentions. I also inject an NCPD file search run into any nar do wells. You know exactly what they near did. Well.

Okay. A database of individuals with bounties assigned to them is now available to use. You can identify these wanted persons with your scanner. Since all are wanted dead or alive, the method you use to claim your reward are entirely up to you. This is a pretty violent world, isn't it? I'm not gonna ask what it is.

Thanks again, Vic. You're the best. I owe you.

Go on, kid. Show them what you're made of. And once you hit the big leagues, don't forget where you came from.

Jackie Wells. Your heart chakra looks a little out of whack, babe.

I can release it for you, but you'd have to watch out for negative energy.

Back to Jackie.

And avoid mean reds.

Yo, listen up. I talked to Dex while you were in with the doc.

Hard chalkers for you.

Ain't but a hop to where he's parked next to Gram She Burgers.

Okay, do my best to talk us up.

Regina Jones. See, listen, I've got this delicate matter. It's why I called you. The number of cyberpsycho attacks in the city is on the rise. Now, that's probably not news to you, but this issue matters to me for a few reasons. There are people who say cyberpsychosis can be treated. Cyberpsychosis. And I know exactly. Imagine all the psychological disorders therapy is still better than a bullet. Side effects of implants. Getting this car. Let's get the job done. Oh, is that Dex?

Yo, Mr. V. A pleasure.

Dexter Deshawn, in the flesh.

Mind if I ask you something right off the bat?

Nice hand.

Would you rather live in peace as Mr. Nobody die ripe old and Smelling slightly of urine. Or go down for all times in a blaze of glory. Smelling near like posies without seeing your 30th.

This guy's a philosopher. How they remember you. That's all that counts.

Classic. I'd expect nothing less from eager supple youth. Respect.

Let me hear it. What's the job?

There's this prototype tape that apply ship to be precise, jobs to grab it. Simple.

Cigar? Not at all. Let's get it done.

You ain't playing around. Got a feeling this could be a start of a beautiful friendship built on heaps of eddies.

You work this out. Got a plan?

Two things. First, a conundrum with the male strike Maelstrom boys needs active resolving that. Second, to rendezvous simple client who brought us the jobs. Anxious she wants to parlay with one of the team.

What's the issue? Needs resolving with Maelstrom.

Got a beef slot in the shark?

The shard thing? I wish. Sure I had a little bit more science. About bought it. Protein processing plant.

Got away with the gear. Don't even know.

Alpha Fold Seven.

Now see, Convoy was carrying the Flathead. A little combat bot. A prototype. And I need me that bit of high grade military tech. Because if we don't get that bot, we don't get no soccer chip. And we sure as hell don't get no happily ever after. But don't get excited. It's a single use toy. Now, I flat out purchased the damn thing from Maelstrom. Problem is I did so from a gent went by the name of Brick. I say when because Brick was the leader. Three days after we'd sealed our deal, his friend and gang mate one Simon Randall, AKA Royce Plane dropped his ass. Royce's in charge now. And I got no way of knowing if he aims to honor his predecessor's word. To add to the system one merit out of Militech has developed an interest in said con.

Think I got everything. Time I got to work.

Well, that's just music to my ears.

That's a friendly fella.

One more thing.

Mr.

Quiet life or Blaze of Glory?

Blaze of glory later.

Now.

I like that guy. I like the characters this game creates. I'm not so much for the shooting and the Grand Theft Auto style quests, but I like. I like the city. I like the people. Any rogue AI activity? If you suspect any rogue AI activity, call the hotline immediately. Oh my God. I love this world.

Hey, so how you want to play this? Maelstrom or Parker was first.

Let's visit Maelstrom.

We knock On Maelstrom's door first. Hound.

Actually, we'll take care of that situation in that case. And then call in a reps to the ground. As I'm playing this now, I'm realizing how much I've changed relative to my ability to appreciate a Grand Theft Auto style game. Not loving it.

Let me hear what you squared away?

Let's meet him.

Dex already paid the Maelstrom for the corporal bot. Thing is, can't be sure the Gangons are still willing to hand it over.

He paid up front. Well, whatever. Let's go get this tech. Don't know.

You.

Want to talk to Royce? Dex sent us.

Main room. We've been waiting.

I've ever seen security like this in the shower factory.

Lots of books just laying around.

Call them special.

All right, let's meet this fella.

Stay cool. They're just trying to spook. Remember we're on their turf. So what do you want?

You got a bot model MT0D12. The flathead.

This is going to be a lot of combat.

The hell you care?

Guy I represent already paid Brick for it. I'm just here for the pickup. I can talk direct to Roy if necessary.

Nah, you talk to me. Name's Dum Dum now. Couch Planet.

I like these couches. They got character. Reminds me of true romance. That scene with Drexel for you too. I'll stand.

They're so hard ass on the couch. Make me thought you'd never ask. Sit your ass down for a planet Bulletin. You skull jack.

Sit down.

This ain't gonna end well, but.

Well.

All right. Come on. Got lighten up. Take a hit.

I'll pass.

I'm good.

Yeah, you gotta wonder with all that neurotypical heck what kind of drugs they do. What is with this guy?

Here we go.

Need to see it. Watch this is. This is like a spot. What's the dynamic spot? Robot. Oh, it's a robot dog, ain't it? This is awesome.

Dynamic thermal optic camel armor.

Yes.

Full cognitive immersion with a Raven controller. Pimped out prototype actuators made of titanium vanadium Kevlar composite. And watch this. Fully integrated link 2 to when the spider starts crawling up walls dangling from ceilings.

Could lose your lunch.

Where am I supposed to look? We'll take it.

Yep, we'll take it.

Pre. Sure.

Yeah.

Let's see a cr.

Brick.

Got it.

It's all paid up.

Brick.

Got it.

I don't see any brick around here, do you?

There's a lot of swearing in this game.

Never did say who you're working for Dexter Deshawn. That's Dexter Deshawn, the hard ass who.

Punching animal half of Pacifica.

All right.

Nope, he's alive. Well, and kicking. He said disregard.

Oh, it's not gonna end well. Ah, boy. Let's shoot him. Oh, gotta grab the robot. Almost forgot.

Got set. Bot and controller.

All right, looking at the time. I gotta escape this place. I'm sure that would be very much fun, but I gotta get back to work at about an hour more before I head to bed. So this is really fun to escape, but mostly was fun just to play games again. I would say this is kind of like a Grand Theft Auto with an RPG flavor to it. I think a lot of people would really enjoy this game. It's not really my thing. I'd love to explore this world in a different kind of context. There's a little bit too much shooting for my tastes. If I'm gonna do shooting, I'd rather do just a straight up shoot. Like, I like Call of Duty, all that kind of stuff. This was a cool game, but I'm gonna walk away with a smile and some good memories. Sadly, I didn't get to meet Keanu Reeves's character, but life is full of disappointments. As David Goggins said recently on his Instagram, when life gives you lemons, just eat the mother effing lemons. So I hope there wasn't too much swearing or nudity in this game. That was kind of a shock to me a little bit. Definitely haven't played a game like it before. Maybe like, Duke Nukem was the last game that had that kind of flavor to it. Anyway, this is a first time I played a video game in quite a long time and definitely obviously the first time I've ever recorded myself playing a video game. So this is just one giant experiment. Let me know what you think. If it's of interest to anyone, I'll play another video game, maybe close to New Year's, and try to do it once a month. But like I said, 2021 is going to be a hell of a crazy year. This was a lot of fun. If you have time on your hands, you should definitely play this game. If not, then you should get your butt back to work. And again, thanks to our two sponsors, theragun and Grammarly. Like I said once for the muscles, one for your grammar. Pick the one you want to work on most or do both and check them out in the description to get a discount and to support the podcast I host. Hope this was at all enjoyable. Let me know what other games you'd like to see me play in the distant future. And I encourage all of you to play this or other video games if it's a source of joy. Life's too short not to do all these kinds of fun little detours. Love you all. Happy holidays.