Since its highly anticipated launch, Cyberpunk 2077 has been defined by its deeply immersive first-person gameplay. CD Projekt Red’s decision to make the entire experience—from combat to exploration to cutscenes—strictly first-person was controversial from the start, especially given the game’s robust character creation system that allowed players to painstakingly sculpt every detail of their protagonist, V. For many, it felt like a missed opportunity not to see their own customized character reflected back at them as they wandered through Night City’s neon-soaked streets. Now, nearly four years since release, a fan-made mod is changing the game in a way many have been craving: introducing a fully playable third-person mode.
The Modder Who Did the Impossible
At the heart of this transformation is a passionate modder known online as Tylerrrrr23. Their creation, the “Every Animation Redone” mod, first appeared on Nexus Mods in September 2024 and has continued to evolve through frequent updates. Unlike earlier, less polished camera hacks, this mod overhauls virtually every animation in the game, making it possible to experience the entire world of Cyberpunk 2077 from a third-person perspective. Walking, running, driving, and even interacting with the environment now all happen with V visible on-screen—a game-changer for immersion and personalization.
The reception among the modding community and PC gamers has been enthusiastic. The mod has garnered over 800 endorsements, and YouTube showcases of the mod in action have been met with comments like, “Dude, you’re doing the lord’s work… been waiting for something like this since launch.” This sense of excitement stems from the newfound ability to truly see your character in action, appreciate the outfits you’ve collected, and experience Night City from an entirely fresh vantage point.
How It Works—and Its Limits
Implementing a third-person mode in a game designed for first-person isn’t easy, and the mod comes with its share of caveats. While the animation transitions for walking, running, and most environmental interactions have been impressively reworked, combat sequences still revert to first-person. This limitation is due to the underlying engine and game design choices made by CD Projekt Red; certain combat mechanics and cinematic moments simply don’t have the necessary third-person animations.
Still, for players eager to wander, explore, and interact with the world in third-person, the mod offers an experience that feels remarkably seamless. There is some lingering “jankiness”—a bit of roughness around the edges that’s inevitable when retrofitting a fundamental system like the camera—but the overall results are a huge leap forward compared to previous attempts. Even critics who initially doubted the viability of a third-person perspective for Cyberpunk 2077 have been won over by the mod’s polish and the sense of freedom it brings.
Why Isn’t This Official?
Many fans have wondered why CD Projekt Red didn’t include an official third-person mode, especially given that the developer’s own The Witcher series is a benchmark for third-person open-world design. The answer lies in the studio’s creative philosophy. Early in development, Cyberpunk 2077 was intended to feature third-person cutscenes, but the team pivoted to an exclusively first-person approach in the name of “immersion.” The goal was to make the player feel like they truly were V, experiencing every event from V’s literal viewpoint.
However, with the success of the third-person mod and ongoing demand from the community, there’s now speculation about the future of the franchise. During investor presentations, CD Projekt Red has hinted that its next major Cyberpunk project—currently codenamed “Project Orion”—could include official support for both first- and third-person perspectives. While there’s no confirmation yet, it’s clear the studio is listening to feedback and may incorporate lessons learned from both modders and players.
A New Way to Explore Night City
For now, the “Every Animation Redone” mod is available exclusively for PC players, as console versions of Cyberpunk 2077 do not support modding at this scale. But for those able to access it, the mod breathes new life into the game, making exploration and role-playing more rewarding than ever. Whether you’re a veteran looking for a reason to revisit Night City or a newcomer eager to see your own V in action, the third-person experience is a revelation.
Ultimately, this development highlights the enduring power of the modding community and its ability to reshape games long after their initial release. As the Cyberpunk universe looks to expand with future installments, it’s likely that third-person gameplay—once the domain of unofficial fan projects—could become a central part of the experience. Until then, thanks to creative fans like Tylerrrrr23, the dream of seeing Night City through new eyes is very much alive.
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