Cyberpunk 2077 isn't an RPG in fact they even actively dumped the label after launch, it's a cyberpunk action game with a basic stat and perks system. I don't think the writing was every particularly good myself but you should understand a major thing in this setting in particular is that almost nobody makes it out and often gets fucked hard. In fact a major reason you see such actions is between sociopaths and folks that barely survived a betrayal, people are poised to strike first in most situations. This is also a setting that had a gang of modded clowns that tortured people to death or insanity that was dominant for like almost three decades, so stop overthinking it. It's not a serious setting. If you want more significant choices just play the tabletop with friends, though also there you should realize in setting your group is merely the protagonists not the main characters.
Maybe a hybrid-RPG? Like Deus Ex. It does have a lot of ImmSim elements too. I'm curious how you define RPGs, because Cyberpunk has most of the essential elements we see in other games of the genre. (especially old CRPGs based on tabletops - where a "basic stat and perks system" was the sum of role-playing - except in those you didn't always have a predefined character so it was more your creation) Personally I doubt CDPR wiped the "RPG" label from all advertising in some attempt to avoid false advertising charges, or because people were complaining about them taking out RPG features. It was a cynical ploy by marketing execs (dumb women) to appeal to mainstream console gamers and make us imagine an epic cinematic action experience with Keanu Reeves, instead of a game for "nerdy" tabletop role-players.
I also like to send this long-ass essay to people who make this argument and ask their opinion on the guy's points. You're probably not all that interested but maybe someone else here will take me up on the offer. I think he made a compelling case that Cyberpunk is actually more of an RPG than the Witcher. (can't totally speak to the accuracy because I only played parts of Witcher 1 and 3 long ago, and he could be downplaying strengths of those games, but apparently he's a fan)
One person in the comments made a good counterpoint though: that how well an RPG with a fixed story is received depends on how connected people felt to the character they were forced to play as. It was hard for most people to connect to V, for the reasons u/Lethn identified. Though unlike Lethn I'm pretty sure the impression of V as "a miserable, greedy fuck who wanted to have it all" is exactly what the writers intended. At least in the beginning. Through your choices you can redeem him somewhat and get "slightly less bad" endings.
Cyberpunk 2077 isn't an RPG in fact they even actively dumped the label after launch, it's a cyberpunk action game with a basic stat and perks system. I don't think the writing was every particularly good myself but you should understand a major thing in this setting in particular is that almost nobody makes it out and often gets fucked hard. In fact a major reason you see such actions is between sociopaths and folks that barely survived a betrayal, people are poised to strike first in most situations. This is also a setting that had a gang of modded clowns that tortured people to death or insanity that was dominant for like almost three decades, so stop overthinking it. It's not a serious setting. If you want more significant choices just play the tabletop with friends, though also there you should realize in setting your group is merely the protagonists not the main characters.
Maybe a hybrid-RPG? Like Deus Ex. It does have a lot of ImmSim elements too. I'm curious how you define RPGs, because Cyberpunk has most of the essential elements we see in other games of the genre. (especially old CRPGs based on tabletops - where a "basic stat and perks system" was the sum of role-playing - except in those you didn't always have a predefined character so it was more your creation) Personally I doubt CDPR wiped the "RPG" label from all advertising in some attempt to avoid false advertising charges, or because people were complaining about them taking out RPG features. It was a cynical ploy by marketing execs (dumb women) to appeal to mainstream console gamers and make us imagine an epic cinematic action experience with Keanu Reeves, instead of a game for "nerdy" tabletop role-players.
I also like to send this long-ass essay to people who make this argument and ask their opinion on the guy's points. You're probably not all that interested but maybe someone else here will take me up on the offer. I think he made a compelling case that Cyberpunk is actually more of an RPG than the Witcher. (can't totally speak to the accuracy because I only played parts of Witcher 1 and 3 long ago, and he could be downplaying strengths of those games, but apparently he's a fan)
One person in the comments made a good counterpoint though: that how well an RPG with a fixed story is received depends on how connected people felt to the character they were forced to play as. It was hard for most people to connect to V, for the reasons u/Lethn identified. Though unlike Lethn I'm pretty sure the impression of V as "a miserable, greedy fuck who wanted to have it all" is exactly what the writers intended. At least in the beginning. Through your choices you can redeem him somewhat and get "slightly less bad" endings.