CD Projekt RED have mentioned in the past how hacking will be one of three core pillars of Cyberpunk 2077, with Netrunner being one of its three main classes. Recently, in response to question by a fan on their Facebook page (posted on Reddit), CD Projekt RED reiterated that hacking will be a vital part of the game.
Using Netrunner skills and abilities, players will not only be to do things like hack systems and distract enemies (or even hack into enemies’ brains), it will also help players gain new knowledge that they can use to their benefit, such as learning about new locations that they may not have previously known about.
“Netrunning will definitely be an important part of the game, but I can’t tell you much about it,” CDPR said via Facebook messages. “What I can say is that, gameplay-wise, you’ll be able to hack systems to help you during missions, open doors, distract enemies etc. You’ll also be able to gain knowledge that you will use to your advantage- locations of interesting places and so on.”
That sounds like the approach Deus Ex games take to hacking, and would be far from the only similarity it shares with those games (though it makes complete sense, given both of their settings). The true test of their implementation will lie in whether or not they can provide valid solutions to problems that don’t force players into a particular kind of playing style.
Recently, CD Projekt RED also gave more details on the game’s multi-layered progression mechanics, as well as the variety of melee weapons that players will be able to use. Read more on that through here.