Neon Grime and Shattered Reflections | The Nightmare of Cyberpunk

[@andreagrant8726]

Honestly, this is a lovely video essay about humanity and what makes us somewhat different then machines and animals.

[@battledroid6172]

I do remember when I first played Cyberpunk, I had this distant thought in the back of my mind that, despite all: despite my struggles, my tries, my actions, it was all for naught. Nothing specifically made sense, nor did it change it. It was somewhat of a neon nihilism, if one can call it that. Sure, each quest made the world a bit safer, the gangs stopped acting up, the psychos were tamed, even quest lines finished, with people either wait is fired or dissatisfied. Still, everyone moved on, and we were simply stuck there, being this pushing stone for everyone else, who we meet. And it was all leading us to only one moment, when we ACTUALLY managed to make something for ourselves. And even this was only when V managed to agree on something with Johnny. To go out and start hell in Arasaka. So, while things haven't moved for us, and put autonomy practically stayed at zero, out actions helped to move others. It wasn't MY progression that mattered, it was EVERYONE else's one. The autonomy of all the people we met was progressed, to create something greater and safer. And we were something much greater than ourselves - we were the catalyst. Plus, you know, hacking others on the streets so casually seems absolutely ridiculous but so was the fact that police would carry a gun about 100 years ago, as it was unspeakable to take someone's life so casually, even if it was about dire situations. Cyberpunk simply exacerbates on the already existing concepts. P.S.: love your content! As usual, had a blast watching it! Thank you!

[@ArchivistShepard]

Real talk, I love this take. I can absolutely see how V and Johnny (in my run) are absolutely in it for themselves, just trying to garner enough notoriety and/or goodwill to be able to cash their chips and Fix Their Problem, but I really appreciate the more "nothing matters" take, because, then, why keep trying to help people (whether by mercing gang members, subduing cyberpsychos, etc.) if it's all for naught? Because it matters to others, it makes a difference for others, even (or especially) in a world designed to be so insular. I also keep meaning to do a final run with Johnny and V; just the two of them, as it's felt for so long, but finally on the same page. As long as the genre giving a moment for the good with the bad, I think that will always be cyberpunk's greatest asset. 💜 Glad you enjoyed it!

[@joshholden9360]

Like the creator of this particular Cyberpunk universe, Mike Pondsmith, said, "Cyberpunk isn't about saving the world, it's about saving yourself." Also, I don't know where you're from, but in past America, it was considered justifiable homicide to shoot down someone for calling you a liar, so I'm not sure where you're getting the idea that life was more precious in the past. Heck, 100 years ago, it was 1924. WWI was a recent memory, and at least in America, we had the rise of gangsters during prohibition.

[@WryngGames]

This is a great video, soon, it will be blessed by the algorithm Keep up the good work

[@ArchivistShepard]

Blessed may it be in the sea of ones and ohs. 🙌

[@weensalsa4170]

Really good take on the game and the genre, hope this video gets as much attention as it deserves :)

[@ArchivistShepard]

I appreciate it! Thanks for watching! 🧡

[@noahmcalister]

Yo banger vid! This was thought provoking, really just a phenomenal video. You touched on many things I've thought a lot about, though certainly not in the exact way you've discussed them here. For instance, the draft has always scared the crap out of me (and both of my Signalis videos started off as being about that), and I think it was brilliant to pull that into this. The thought of medicine as a business is a terrifying thing to me as well. Really, I don't have much to say besides good work. Seriously impressive. Hope you're doing well, man! (I do need to play Cyberpunk though; I've owned it since launch but haven't put more than a few hours into it)

[@ArchivistShepard]

I appreciate it, sir! Sorry such a downer of a video resonated with you, but if it gets more folk thinking about things, then it'll be worth it for the long-run. 💜Solidarity and empathy are sometimes all we have. And now that we're several years out of release, you absolutely should hunker down into Cyberpunk for a while. It was a smooth ride when I went through a couple years ago, and between slam-dunking it with Phantom Liberty AND the noticeable shifts experience between PS4 and 5 (a free upgrade), there's no better time than yesterday to get in there. I think there'd be plenty for you to consider in your own videos; very wide range of dystopic nonsense going down that I didn't even mention.

[@Saandy_]

Can't wait to become a cyberpunk

[@kaipotato6199]

feel like there's alot of interesting things to draw from phantom liberty and especially songbird in regards to bodily autonomy, maybe a good basis for a similar video if this does well

[@DJspidey100]

Good video. Cyberpunk, both as a genre and this particular series (2077 and its ttrpg roots), means a great deal to me - and has for years. For as grim and horrific as parts of its style and world can be, there is a multifaceted quality to the genre, a nuance beyond just the viciousness of capital and systemic decay. It is as much a reassurance to me as it is a cautionary tale. There are moments of perseverance and progress, love and community. the importance of technology and the need for personal growth. Cyberpunk shows us a world where despite it all, people continue to carry on - people keep fighting; sometimes for better ideals, arguing over what that is, and some fight to simply live in peace, and the power of this genre and the story therein is that both methods are not only okay, but are sympathetic and understandable. We are at constant war with our own contradictions and that of the larger world - the burden of when to accept the complications and when to try and change them. All we can control in the end are ourselves, against all futility and hope, and holding onto that autonomy is going to become more important than ever. Death is certain. How we live and who we choose to die as are what matters.

[@honkeykong4049]

You know, if Jackie hadn't passed the relic on to V - Jackie would have been resurrected and would be the one coping with Johnny.

[@thecatster4373]

W video

[@DeanoOG]

I like the video but the font of the thumbnail is too hard to to read man

[@ArchivistShepard]

-I'm glad you liked the video! Especially compared to my first attempt, I'm very proud of this one, and glad people are digging it, too! -Sorry about the thumbnail font; I absolutely went for it from a stylistic perspective and recognize, in hindsight, how "blind" I can get after I've been looking at something for so long (Like, of course it says these things, how can they say anything else after I've stared at them for 73 minutes? kind of deal). I have a friend that I lean on with accessibility questions, and since that didn't ping, I made the call that it was all good. Again, sorry the fonting didn't vibe with you, but I'm glad everything else in the video was alright!