One Cyberpunk 2077 player has managed to accomplish what many fans consider one of the toughest challenges in the game—beating the story without using any cyberware upgrades. What makes this case even more fascinating is that the player didn’t plan this run at all, effectively turning their entire playthrough into an accidental ultra-hardcore challenge.
The Accidental “All-Natural” Run
The “all-natural” playstyle in Cyberpunk 2077, which involves rejecting cyberware enhancements entirely, has gained attention within the fanbase for offering a brutally difficult way to experience Night City. Normally, it’s embraced by players seeking an extra layer of difficulty or role-playing as a V determined to maintain their humanity. In this case, however, the player unintentionally locked themselves into this run by simply ignoring the game’s upgrade systems.
According to Reddit user Anxious_Singer_4823, their younger brother unknowingly embarked on this difficult path. After witnessing him struggle against the infamous boss Adam Smasher, they noticed that the fight took six grueling attempts. Only later did they discover the reason: aside from the default Kiroshi Optics implant, the player had equipped absolutely no cyberware throughout the entire game.
Zero Attribute Points Spent
What made the run even more shocking was that the player hadn’t distributed a single attribute point either. Despite Cyberpunk 2077 offering multiple progression paths through stats like Body, Reflexes, and Technical Ability, the accidental challenger left all points unspent, effectively completing the game with a base-level V. When asked why, he admitted he simply “didn’t know how it worked.”
Despite these self-imposed restrictions, the player managed to finish the main story in roughly 20 hours, reaching level 27 by the time of completion. By comparison, most players who explore side missions and invest in upgrades can easily exceed level 40 before wrapping up the main quest.
Why the Main Quest Path Helped
Interestingly, the choice to focus almost exclusively on the main questline may have unintentionally made the run slightly more manageable. Cyberpunk 2077’s boss scaling ensures that enemies like Adam Smasher adjust to V’s level. Because the player was relatively under-leveled compared to most endgame builds, the fight wasn’t quite as punishing as it could have been—though still brutal without cyberware or attribute boosts.
The community response was overwhelmingly positive, with the story quickly gaining traction on Reddit and amassing more than 24,000 upvotes. Fans joked about how the player’s “Afterlife drink” would simply be a glass of Diet NiCola, while another quipped that the run should be called “Punk 2077” instead.
A Testament to Cyberpunk 2077’s Flexibility
This unusual case serves as a reminder of just how flexible CD Projekt Red’s RPG systems can be. While the game offers players countless builds that rely on advanced cyberware, hacking, or brute force, it never forces any particular path. Even without enhancements or attribute growth, it’s still possible—though extremely difficult—to see the credits roll.
With Phantom Liberty expanding Night City and Cyberpunk 2077 continuing to evolve, stories like this show that players are still finding new ways to push the limits of the game. Whether deliberate or accidental, ultra-hardcore runs like these highlight the creativity of the community and the surprising adaptability of the game’s design.
