Ahhh, Cyberpunk 2077 has been such a hit. First was the critically acclaimed video game, then the comic books came along, and the award-winning animated series on Netflix made sure everyone knew about 2077.So, of course, it was just a question of time before people started to rush and buy the Cyberpunk TTRPG but many were disappointed to find only products for the RED (2045) era and nothing for the 2077 one.
R.Talsorian and CD Projekt Red had no choice. Hence the Cyberpunk Edgerunners Mission kit box we have here.
What is physically inside?
There’s actually quite a lot in there, so let’s take a quick look before we go into detail. Once you’ve opened the box, you’ll find:
- An introduction sheet: a generic introduction to the game with TTRPG keywords and a few other bits
- The edgerunner’s handbook: the lore book about Night City and the world in 2077
- The rule book: the rules to play the game
- The jacket: a full length mission
- The edgerunner sheets: seven pre-generated edgerunners ready to fire up
- Six dice: four six sided ones and two ten sided ones
- Maps: 3 double sided maps for the Jacket adventure and a generic map of Night City itself
- A token sheet: some cardboard standees to represent the PCs and NPCs on the maps and some circular regular ones
- Plastic feet: for the standees
The edgerunner’s handbook
This is a forty-page book comprising five main sections: first, a brief introduction to each playable role, followed by a detailed, year-by-year account of the history of Cyberpunk in the second chapter.
The third section deals with technology in 2077, offering a general introduction to cyber-implants, supplemented by explanations of cyberpsychosis, the evolution of the Net and other technologies (AVs, braindance, etc.). It also provides an initial overview of the weapons’ classification (power weapons, smart weapons and tech weapons).
The fourth section is devoted to Night City itself, first covering its history, then presenting each district (including notable locations) and finally, a brief overview of the main megacorporations, gangs and a few other key players (Fixers, Nomads, etc.). This is very useful if you haven’t played the video game or aren’t familiar with the universe.
The fifth section introduces us to daily life in 2077 (food, transport, leisure, etc.).
Lastly, there’s the surprise chapter which gives us the descriptions and backstories of the main characters from the anime ‘Cyberpunk Edgerunners’ (yes, including David Martinez and Adam Smasher).
The book is well written, easy to read, and Mike Pondsmith has done an excellent job here.
The rule book
This book is also a forty page book, this time divided in three chapters. The first one gathers all the main rules you will need to play the game (skill resolution, combat, injuries, netrunning) and how to read the character sheets. So no, you don’t need the Cyberpunk RED rulebook. Everything is clear and concise but it’s important to know that only the Quickhacks for the Netrunning are explained, not the NET architectures nor the Deep dives.
In the second part can be found different tables to create the lifepath of the characters, meaning basically their backstory.
The last part is a bit different as it is called ‘The 2070s in Cyberpunk RED’ and basically explains the differences between the RED and 2077 eras in terms of game mechanics approach. It’s especially useful if you are used to RED but will be applicable too if you are new to the game, if only for humanity losses and gains. The subpart detailing edgerunners armory will also delight each GM with weapons, ammunitions, street drugs and cyberwave. Yes, before you ask, David’s Sandevistan is detailed there.
This booklet also runs to forty pages, divided this time into three chapters. The first one brings together all the essential rules you’ll need to play (resolving actions, combat, injuries, netrunning) and explains how to read the character sheets. You therefore do not need the Cyberpunk RED rulebook. Everything is clear and concise, but it is important to note that only the Quickhacks for Netrunning are explained, not the NET architectures or Deep Dives.
In the second section, there are various tables for creating the characters’ backstories (essentially their personal histories).
The final section is a little different, as it is titled ‘The 2070s in Cyberpunk RED’ and essentially explains the differences between the RED and 2077 eras in terms of their approach to game mechanics. This is particularly useful if you’re familiar with RED, but it will also apply if you’re new to the game, if only for the gains and losses in terms of humanity. The sub-section detailing the edgerunners’ arsenal will also delight any GM with weapons, ammunition, street drugs and cyberwaves. Yes, before you ask, David’s Sandevistan is covered in detail.
The mission book - Spoiler alert here!
Right, you’ve watched the anime and you know it doesn’t exactly end well, does it? And that’s got you feeling a bit down. It’s understandable, but what if I told you there’s a way to extend David’s story? Want to know more? You’re intrigued, aren’t you? OK, OK, see, one of the characters who escapes the massacre in the anime is none other than Falco, and he needs a team to recover certain ‘artifacts’. These artifacts include David’s jacket (yes, the yellow one), but also one of Rebecca’s pistols and one of Maine’s. The story will introduce you to characters and locations featured not only in the anime, but also in the video game. Last but not least, you’ll be able to face the bogeyman himself. Yes, you heard right, Adam Smasher can be deployed against the PCs. TPK, you say? I won’t argue with you on that point.
Character sheets
“The Magnificent Seven,” some might say. All the character sheets are four pages long: the first page features the character’s stats and illustrations by Hiroyuki Imaishi, which capture the spirit of the anime (he was, after all, the lead illustrator). Next, on the second page, is a list of each character’s cyber-implants, whilst the final two pages contain each PC’s equipment and some very useful reminders of the rules.
Dice, maps and tokens
Let’s start with the dice. In Cyberpunk, you only need ten-sided and six-sided dice. These are yellow, with green numbers and ‘patterns’. The design is nice, but the contrast between the yellow background and the green isn’t sharp enough for my liking, and it’s hard to see the results clearly if there isn’t enough light.
The three double-sided A3 maps are from Loke Battlemaps. They’re handy for depicting certain situations during the game, but like all maps, they can be limiting during actions where characters leave their area.
The map of Nicht City is clear and useful for showing the different districts and part of the megalopolis.
As for the tokens, they are pre-cut from thick, rigid cardboard, making them quite durable. The standees (those mounted on plastic bases) represent the various pre-generated characters and two important NPCs (featured in the mission), whilst the basic tokens are used to represent gang members and other generic adversaries.
None of these accessories are essential, but they prove very handy when running the game, so who would complain?
Overall, is it worth it?
Without a doubt, the answer is yes. At first, I was sceptical, because I’m so used to the RED era that 2077 seemed very ‘artificial’ to me (which is a bit of a joke when you think about it), very much with a Japanese teenagers’ tone. And that may well be the case, but that would be reducing an entire universe to a single aspect. So what made me change my mind? The fluidity and the enthusiasm. The fluidity of seeing just how much fun the Quickhack rules are, and the enthusiasm of finally seeing technologies come into play that are still far beyond our everyday reality. 2077 remains dystopian and will certainly go further with the upcoming content for this era, whatever that may be. What’s more, the fans are here and can’t wait for more.
The only downside for me? All the artwork (apart from the characters) comes from the anime. I would have liked them to offer us some new pieces to continue enriching the universe.
But that wasn’t the end, and it still isn’t, because…
What’s next?
At the moment (june 2026) two more DLC have been released by R.Talsorian. You can find them here:
According to what was announced by R.Talsorian, the end of 2026 should also see the arrival of a big campaign book for 2077. Maybe at the same time as the second season of Cyberpunk Edgerunners, who knows.
Anyhow, count on me to be there and review it all, choombatta!
