How to get a refund for Cyberpunk 2077

(CNN) –

Cyberpunk 2077 is finally here after years of anticipation, and, well… it’s quite a mess. CD Projekt Red’s highly anticipated sci-fi roleplaying game gives players a litany of problems, including serious performance issues on the older PS4 and Xbox One consoles and numerous crashes and strange bugs on just about every platform it’s on.

If you’ve already deposited $ 60 on Cyberpunk 2077 and are experiencing these issues, you may be eligible for a refund depending on where you play it. And if you’ve decided to wait, there are tons of great Cyberpunk 2077 alternatives that will scratch that dystopian sci-fi itch without having to deal with game-breaking bugs (or any errant car crash down on you from heaven).

Here’s how to get a refund for Cyberpunk 2077, plus our pick of the best futuristic action and adventure games to play instead.

In a Twitter statement Released this week, developer CD Projekt Red advised players who purchased Cyberpunk 2077 and are dissatisfied with the refund programs in the PlayStation and Xbox stores for digital copies, or to go to their store of choice for a refund of a physical copy. You can also contact the developer at [email protected] until December 21 for assistance with getting your money back.

There are some caveats to CD Projekt’s advice, though, not to mention some specific rules you should know about paying back your game in any major market. Here’s a quick overview.

Play stationPS4 and PS5 players can request refunds for PlayStation digital games here, but be warned, you may not get your money back on Cyberpunk. According to Sony, refunds must be requested within 14 days of game purchase, and those who “started downloading or streaming the purchased content are not eligible for a refund unless the content is faulty.”

While “defective” certainly applies to the current state of Cyberpunk on PlayStation, players are having trouble getting their money back from Sony. Some clients, including CNBCs Steve Kovach, a refund was denied from PlayStation, who simply noted that CD Projekt Red is currently in the process of fixing the game’s problems. CD Projekt itself has reversed its statement on Sony refunds, suggesting a fix is ​​underway.

Xbox: Those who purchased Cyberpunk digitally on Xbox One, Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S can request a digital refund here. Xbox digital games are only eligible for a refund within 14 days of purchase, and Microsoft notes that submitting a refund request does not guarantee a refund.

Steam: If you bought Cyberpunk 2077 on PC through the Steam marketplace, you can request a refund here. According to Steam’s refund policy, you must request a refund within 14 days of purchasing the game, and only if you’ve played the game for less than two hours. However, the company notes that it will still consider requests that fall outside of these parameters (which will likely be the case for many Cyberpunk players).

GameStop: According to GameStop’s return policy, shoppers can return a game within 30 days of purchase and receive a full refund if it is in its original packaging. Once you have opened the game, you have 7 days to return online or in person.

AmazonAmazon notes that video games can be returned for a full refund within 30 days of purchase, but notes that games that have been opened or used may incur a restocking fee.

Whether you’re returning your copy of Cyberpunk 2077 or just want to wait for the game to be in a working condition, there are tons of great titles that will let you shoot, hack, and just look cool in a series of neon-infused dystopias. Here are our recommendations:

Cloudpunk ($ 29.99; amazon.com)

Similar to Cyberpunk 2077 in aesthetics and even in name, Cloudpunk is a neo-noir adventure game tasked with making dangerous deliveries in the town of Nivalis. Cloudpunk offers a beautiful sci-fi world to explore with tons of interesting characters to meet and, unlike Cyberpunk 2077, you can drive a floating car.

Final Fantasy VII Remake ($ 30, was $ 59.99; amazon.com)

Final Fantasy games have delivered immersive cyberpunk worlds for decades, and the new Final Fantasy VII Remake realizes that that setting is better than any game in the series. A wonderful retelling of the 1997 classic, Final Fantasy VII Remake immerses players in the futuristic city of Midgar, where they face off in thrilling battles against the nefarious Shinra Inc. while experiencing a fresh take on Cloud Strife’s story. and company.

Deus Ex ($ 6.99; steampowered.com)

Deus Ex essentially set the template for the type of game that Cyberpunk 2077 is, and is largely considered one of the greatest games of all time. This immersive first-person role-playing game plunges you into a war-torn dystopia set in the year 2052, with incredibly dynamic gameplay that lets you shape the story and approach each battle scenario as you see fit. The original Deus Ex is still loved, but you can also check out Deus Ex: Mankind Divided for a more modern experience.

Shadowrun Returns ($ 14.99; steampowered.com)

Shadowrun Returns is a great choice for anyone looking for a more old-school role-playing game that still has a modern cyberpunk vibe, complete with some old fantasy magic. Set in the futuristic slums of Seattle, this tactical RPG sees you meet a memorable cast of characters and face off against enemies in satisfying strategic turn-based combat.

Astral Chain ($ 41.99, was $ 59.99; amazon.com)

If you like cyberpunk games with a hefty helping of stylish anime influence, Astral Chain is for you. This Nintendo Switch exclusive is set in 2078 (one year after 2077, which clearly means it is better) in a sprawling metropolis known as The Ark, where you will investigate mysterious interdimensional threats. Astral Chain blends noir-esque detective scenes with thrilling hack-and-slash gameplay, making it a must-have for cyberpunk fans and anyone just looking for a great action RPG on Switch.

Ghostrunner ($ 22.49, was $ 24.99; steampowered.com)

Looking for a little more octane than Cyberpunk 2077? Ghostrunner will satisfy your virtual bloodlust and then some. This first-person slash-em-up delivers brutally relentless and fast-paced melee action as you run across walls, dodge bullets and take down enemies with your katana in a captivatingly grim post-apocalyptic world.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt ($ 19.99, was $ 39.99; bestbuy.com)

If you want to revisit a time when CD Projekt Red was universally loved by gamers (or just wondering why there is so much hype surrounding Cyberpunk 2077) check out The Witcher 3. Although it is by no means a cyberpunk game is, this high-fantasy epic has made CD Projekt a household name thanks to a truly vast open world full of memorable characters to meet and unforgettable story missions to take on. Hopefully, Cyberpunk 2077 can eventually reach a state where it’s just as loved as its predecessor, but in the meantime, The Witcher 3 is well worth playing – be it for the first, second, or tenth time.

Those who haven’t been completely turned off by the launch controversy may be wondering if Cyberpunk 2077 is worth buying. Despite the bugs and performance issues, the game continues to garner a lot of acclaim, with the PC version currently at 87 on Metacritic, thanks to those praising its impressive visuals, intriguing setting, and dynamic open-ended gameplay.

Judging by most reviews and user accounts (like those of the tech wizards at Digital Foundry), you’ll have the best Cyberpunk 2077 experience on a powerful gaming PC. The game seems to run quite a bit on PS5 and Xbox Series X, and even the cloud-based Google Stadia, which might be a good option for those without access to powerful hardware. But if you’re still on a PS4 or Xbox One you’ll want to wait for CD Projekt Red to roll out all its scheduled performance patches in the next months.

But no version of Cyberpunk 2077 seems to be running to its fullest potential so far, and those who are patient enough not to join the conversation at this point will only get a better game. And as we outlined above, in the meantime there are plenty of great dystopian sci-fi games to play – even if they don’t have Keanu Reeves in them.