But it was never meant to be. I don't get the obsession CP2077 detractors have with wanting it to be like GTA. Yes it's open world, yes it has similar elements with GTA but that doesn't mean it is or must be a GTA clone. Pastas aren't failed pizzas because they're made with wheat based dough, and seasoned with tomatoe sauce and cheese. Similar ingredients, different things....
Could the police integration have been better ? Yes.
Is it a necessary or an important gameplay element like in GTA ? No.
I think the expectation is fair, because they essentially sold gamers on the type of living and breathing world we expect from an open-world game.
I think part of the desire for a police system also comes from people actually wanting some type of gameplay that takes advantage of the open-world they’ve designed.
It looks amazing but it’s not really good for anything.
I never felt like any of the missions took great advantage of the level design.
Ideally, police chases would have you taking full advantage of the awesome architecture and highway system to engage in combat with police and drones.
I can’t really think of any content in the game that took full advantage of the open world. Maybe I’m missing something but generally speaking, it doesn’t seem to.
All in all, I just think that type of expectation is fair, based on the way they talked this game up. The world should react to you in a believable manner, with atmosphere and gameplay being such important pillars of the game.
Plus, it’s like all the elements are just sitting there, waiting to be combined. It’s painful. You have all these awesome body-mods and futuristic highway structures, but nothing forcing you to engage with them.
How awesome would be to find yourself at a police roadblock, hit the handbrake, hop out the car, fire a few homing bullets, while using it as cover - but “oh no”, the police are coming from behind now.
Quick, use your pogo-stick legs to hop onto the highway above, steal another car, and jet out. You’ll survive if you can escape the drones still on your trail. Maybe try shooting from the driver seat.
This is the type of shit we all dreamt of, if you ask me.