Disclosure: WigSec purchased this game for review purposes. The developer and publisher have no editorial input on this content.
The Basics
Game: Cyberpunk 2077 Platform: PC (Steam, GOG), PlayStation, Xbox ESRB Rating: M for Mature 17+ (blood and gore, intense violence, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content, use of drugs and alcohol) Price Model: One-time purchase; Phantom Liberty expansion sold separately Online Features: Minimal (single-player focused)
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world RPG set in Night City, a dystopian megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour, and body modification. Players control V, a mercenary caught up in a conspiracy involving a digital construct of a deceased rock star. After a troubled launch, the game has been substantially improved and is now considered one of the best RPGs available.
Content Considerations
This game earns every letter of its M rating—it’s genuinely adult content.
Strong sexual content: This is the most significant consideration for parents. The game includes:
- Full nudity (customizable in character creation, including genitalia)
- Explicit sexual encounters (player-initiated, not forced)
- Sex workers and “braindances” (virtual reality experiences) with sexual content
- Sexual themes permeating the world—advertisements, conversations, environments
Intense violence: Combat is brutal. Players use guns, melee weapons, and cybernetic enhancements to kill. Gore is present—dismemberment, headshots, and graphic wound details.
Drug and alcohol use: Substance use is common in Night City. Players can consume various drugs with gameplay effects.
Strong language: Constant profanity throughout.
Mature themes: Corporate exploitation, economic inequality, transhumanism, mortality, identity, and what it means to be human. The story is philosophically ambitious and emotionally engaging.
The key distinction: Unlike some M-rated games where mature content is background flavor, Cyberpunk 2077’s adult content is woven throughout the experience. You cannot meaningfully avoid the sexual content, violence, and drug use—they’re part of the world.
Online and Privacy Exposure
Low privacy exposure—primarily single-player.
No multiplayer: Despite early plans, Cyberpunk 2077 has no online multiplayer mode.
Optional accounts: CD Projekt Red offers optional REDmod account integration, but it’s not required.
GOG vs. Steam: If purchased on GOG (CD Projekt’s own store), no third-party launcher is required. Steam version requires Steam.
Telemetry: Standard analytics. CD Projekt Red’s privacy practices are generally considered reasonable by industry standards.
Privacy Settings to Configure
Steam Level (if applicable)
- Profile to Private or Friends Only
- Game activity to Friends Only
In-Game Settings
- Nudity censor: Options → Gameplay → Nudity. Can be set to “Off” to reduce explicit content (doesn’t eliminate it, but helps)
- Skip optional content: Romantic and sexual encounters are optional. Players can avoid triggering them.
Account Considerations
- REDmod account is optional—skip if not using modding features
- If using mods: Nexus Mods is the primary source; standard account safety applies
Talk to Your Kid About
If they’re under 18: This game is genuinely intended for adults. The sexual content alone exceeds what most parents would consider appropriate for minors. I’d recommend waiting.
If they’re 18+:
- The sexual content: It’s there and it’s explicit. If they’re uncomfortable, the nudity toggle helps but doesn’t eliminate it.
- The corporate dystopia: Night City is a cautionary tale. The game critiques unchecked capitalism, corporate power, and technological exploitation. These themes are worth discussing.
- Transhumanism questions: The game asks what makes someone human when bodies can be modified endlessly. It’s philosophically interesting content.
- The time investment: This is a 60-100 hour game. Set expectations about other obligations.
Bottom Line
Cyberpunk 2077 is an excellent game for adults that should not be played by children or teenagers. The sexual content is explicit, the violence is intense, and the themes are genuinely mature. The M rating undersells it—this is closer to an AO (Adults Only) game in practice.
From a privacy standpoint, it’s remarkably safe. Single-player only, no required accounts beyond Steam, no microtransactions, no always-online requirements. CD Projekt Red’s approach is more privacy-friendly than most major publishers.
If you’re an adult who enjoys complex RPGs with philosophical depth, Cyberpunk 2077 is excellent—especially after the updates and Phantom Liberty expansion. If you’re evaluating it for a teenager, the answer is almost certainly “not yet.” The content is genuinely adult, not “M-rated action game” adult.