Cyberpunk 2077 Patch 2.2 Added Hidden Features

Cyberpunk 2077's Patch 2.2 brought a variety of new features along with some features that CDPR didn't mention in the Patch release note. The most interesting feature of Cyberpunk 2077 Patch 2.2 is the involvement of Virtuos Games, an outsourcing studio that worked on this Patch alongside CDPR. This is notable because CDPR previously announced that major patches for Cyberpunk 2077 were completed after Patch 2.1.

However, with Patch 2.2, it seems something has changed internally. Virtuos Games helped develop this Patch, raising questions about why CDPR would hire an external studio for an update nobody expected. This is particularly interesting given that CDPR has two major Cyberpunk projects coming: a live-action series and another Netflix anime. The Patch might signal that CDPR is planning to continue supporting Cyberpunk 2077 in the lead-up to these new projects despite earlier statements about stopping major updates.

During their stream, CDPR mentioned that there might still be surprises to come, leaving fans hopeful for more content in the future. Virtuos Games also worked on a leak about a potential Oblivion remaster/remake, and their involvement with Cyberpunk could hint at more collaborations with CDPR. The involvement of new leadership at CDPR after the CEO stepped down in 2023 could also explain this unexpected Patch.

One of the interesting secret highlights of Patch 2.2 is a street race encounter in Watson. To find it, head to the NID docks fast travel point and look for a crowd and flares. The race involves two cars driving at each other until one turns away, but in this case, one car crashes into the water. If you dive in, you'll find a case containing cyberpsychosis meds, blue glass alcohol, 1,750 Eddies (likely from betting), and a shard detailing the tragic story of Needles, the driver. Despite his partner Jen warning him, Needles raced for money, which ultimately led to his death. It's a sad story with possible movie references, though it's not clear which film.

Another secret encounter is at Tom's Diner, where you'll find NCPD and MaxTac officers. The diner is guarded, and you can fight the officers, which will raise your wanted level to five stars. This encounter is a nice touch, as it shows the police just living their lives in Night City, not just responding to crime. A new cat named "Cat" can be found near City Center. When you interact with it, it sits on your lap and falls asleep. Some fans are speculating about the deeper meaning of this interaction, but it seems to be a simple, fun addition.

The Cyberpunk 2077 Patch 2.2 also brought new car skins, which are also available on Phantom Liberty DLC, including a cool chameleon skin that changes color depending on your viewing angle. These skins can be found in several locations, with Gold Beach Marina being a prime spot where you can farm higher-end cars with unique skins. The skins reset after a while, allowing for easy farming. Many other locations don't have this reset feature, so Gold Beach is particularly useful.

Photo mode in Patch 2.2 received a big overhaul. You can now spawn NPCs around you, and some, like Adam Smasher, have unique pose options. However, there's a bug limiting other NPCs to just one action pose, which can be fixed with a mod that unlocks more. Along with this, smart frames were introduced, allowing you to display custom photos in your apartment. You can upload your pictures by renaming them and placing them in the game's subfolder on PC. These smart frames add a fun new way to personalize your in-game space.

Patch 2.2 also includes a scavenger hunt quest. After downloading the Patch, you'll receive a text from someone named Jim B, showing a Joker image and hinting at a gang of rogue Jokers scattered around Night City. You'll need to find all ten Joker cards, which are hidden throughout the city. This quest references the popular game Battra, with a cross-promotion between Cyberpunk and Battra. You'll receive clues via texts and must solve puzzles to find the Joker cards. Completing this quest rewards you with a Joker t-shirt and three cards that can be displayed in your apartment.

The character creator also saw updates in Patch 2.2. A new face scar, Face Scar 10, has been added, which is a bullet scar to the center of the head. This is a reference to the prologue, where V is shot in the head by Dexter DeShawn. In addition, Rebecca's eyes from the Edgerunners anime are now available for customization, adding another layer of immersion for fans of the show.

Finally, the Cyberpunk 2077 Patch 2.2 is filled with new secrets and features, from the street race encounter and Joker scavenger hunt to the improvements in photo mode and character customization. It also hints at the possibility of continued support for Cyberpunk 2077, especially with new projects on the horizon apart from The Witcher 4. Fans are excited to see what else may be coming in the future.