SAMPLING JUST ONE LITTLE UPGRADE IN CYBERPUNK 2077

They say when you can't beat them, you should join them by undergoing extensive cybernetic surgery. That is the popular old saying, right?

- By James Nouch

The Basilisk shudders as its high-caliber cannon unleashes yet another explosive round. Somewhere, through the heat haze of the badlands, Vincent can see yet another squad of Militech goons engulfed in a wash of fire and smoke and erupting sand. From her position in the copilot's chair, Panam alerts us to a fresh swarm of armored drones hurtling into view. With a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth, Vincent takes aim with the cannon and opens fire.

So far, our daring assault on the Arasaka Corporation's fortified headquarters is going about as well as you could hope for, considering that it's being led by a man with all the technological know-how of a 19th century molasses baron. Aided by Panam and her clanmates from the Aldecaldos gang of nomadic road warriors, Vincent has fought off waves of contract guards, gun-studded combat drones, and towering weaponized mechs. None have been able to stand against the withering firepower of Vincent and Panam's hovering panzer. Yep, everything is looking peachy.

And then the Basilisk grinds to a halt. Whether this malfunction is the result of a stray Militech bullet or Vincent's steadfast insistence on eating nothing but the sloppiest meatball subs while at the wheel, it's clear that it won't be fixed anytime soon. As Panam gets to work on repairs, Vincent wipes his marinara-drenched hands on the pleather seats and clambers out of the cockpit.

It takes a moment for Vincent's un-augmented eyes to adjust to the glare of the ferocious desert sun. He looks around, finds his bearings and readies his newest, shiniest, lowest-tech weapon. Previously, he's wielded a baseball bat and a kanabo with the kind of relish that makes you really worry about a person. Now, he employs a crowbar, charging headlong into the fray and twirling this length of steel like a majorette with a dark past.