After a profitable Kickstarter marketing campaign final yr, pulling in 1.2 million {dollars} and reaching its funding objective in simply 19 minutes, Night time Crew Video games’ upcoming Cyberpunk Legends: Into the Night time cooperative card recreation is getting nearer and nearer day-after-day to these outstretched, expectant palms of its backers.
As a fan of different related story-heavy deckbuilders, when the group reached out to see if I’d be concerned with testing the sport, I threw on my neon shades, grabbed all of the eddies I might scrounge up, and headed to Night time Metropolis. Little did I do know then that I used to be about to strive what would flip into one in all my most anticipated tabletop video games of 2026.
Cyberpunk Legends pits you and a group of as much as three others into the streets of Night time Metropolis within the far-off yr of 2012, which, a minimum of within the lore of Cyberpunk, is a fairly large and vital time, the place your group shall be working collectively to finish totally different missions and jobs in an increasing and evolving state of affairs. Constructed from an particularly ordered state of affairs deck of playing cards, as a group, you have to to sneak your well beyond safety cameras, cope with pesky patrolling guards, use clues to search out the place to go subsequent, and even battle your well beyond big robots. And that was all simply within the first state of affairs!
It’s additionally price clearing up any confusion right here, Cyberpunk Legends isn’t the identical factor as WeirdCo’s additionally Kickstarter-backed Cyberpunk TCG. That’s a aggressive, collectible-focused card recreation, whereas Legends is way nearer to a co-op, narrative-heavy tabletop expertise.
The core of Legends’ gameplay relies round taking part in poker palms as a group, fulfilling the particular swimsuit or run standards of the state of affairs card, after which dealing sufficient “injury” to finish the occasion. Every participant takes turns taking part in a card from their character’s particular deck down into the “run,” taking over one slot of a typical poker hand of 5 playing cards, with every card that includes a price, a swimsuit, and probably an added capacity similar to dealing injury or permitting the group to play an extra card to the sphere. The truth that poker is such a standard recreation, that many individuals perceive the thought of “two of a form” or “straights,” does an important job of lowering the barrier of entry to get into Cyberpunk Legends, letting the gamers focus extra on telling the story collectively than on tips on how to play.
With the foundations behind me, I grabbed my deck—choosing the extra support-focused Netrunner class—and joined my crew, and off we went to sort out the primary state of affairs of the marketing campaign that shall be included within the retail launch. After a basic TTRPG begin (you possibly can by no means go incorrect with beginning issues off with a bar battle), our jobs took us from seedy again alleys to scouring by means of the warehouse district, with a few shut calls, however ultimately, we managed to tug it off. As somebody who loves the Arkham Horror LCG from Fantasy Flight Video games, continuously taking it to my native brewery to get pleasure from some Cthulhu shenanigans with a few mates over our favourite craft brew, this introduction to Cyberpunk Legends scratched a lot of those self same itches which have precipitated Arkham to sink its tendrils into me all these years.
The DNA of the tabletop RPG expertise that Legends relies round could be felt everywhere, past simply the shared terminology. As I performed with the opposite of us on the desk, together with Irene Malatesta (Legends’ Artwork & Advertising and marketing Director), Cal Wendlandt (one of many recreation’s testers), and Emanuelle Viruet, a backer and group member, a pure type of exposition developed as we performed, letting us make our personal little shared canon of the occasions that had been transpiring. The truth that Legends’ guidelines instruct you to not immediately state the contents of your palms or the playing cards you possibly can play to assist in the run impressed us on the desk to tackle a type of persona for our characters and roleplay a bit. This finally would result in me taking part in my Netrunner (somebody heavy on the tech-suited playing cards in my deck however scarce within the extra charisma-based ones) as a persona who is de facto unhealthy at choosing up social cues and conveys feelings by means of emojis, or how Irene, our charismatic rocker chick, would name in her greatest good friend Razor Woman to assist us out, who we might all befriend by the tip of our journey (due to Razor Woman being a card in our decks).
Now, I’ve performed my justifiable share of deckbuilders over time and the occasional hand of poker; having the 2 come collectively on this package deal works surprisingly nicely, nevertheless it additionally took me a bit without warning. Kind of like a peanut butter and pickle sandwich—each confirmed rockstar sandwich toppings, however put collectively raises some eyebrows. Talking with Legends’ designer, James Portnow, I needed to learn the way this poker-themed method got here to be. “There was a design objective and thematic objective behind this,” James started. “On the design aspect, I needed to be sure that in multiplayer video games there was a powerful social component, so making a cooperative poker hand, the place you possibly can solely place one card and have guidelines round how one can talk to verify everybody understands what you’re going for, created an atmosphere the place everybody was speaking, typically even roleplaying, whereas nonetheless maintaining it from being a kind of video games the place somebody simply takes over and tells everybody what to do.”
James continues, “I additionally had a design objective of creating turns snappy. We’ve all had moments in video games the place we might go get lunch whereas a buddy is taking their flip, and I needed to be sure that wasn’t the case right here. By laying down a single card at a time and having a give attention to communication, everybody will get to take part principally on a regular basis. Then on the thematic aspect, it was only a query of what Night time Metropolis felt like. I began out with a fairly MtG, math-heavy system, nevertheless it didn’t really feel proper. In spite of everything, what’s Night time Metropolis about? It’s about playing with the one chip you might have; it’s about laying all of it down and betting your life on turning into a legend. Poker actually helped embody that.”
As a lot enjoyable as I had touchdown spectacular straights and full homes with my crew, there may be one second specifically the place Legends actually elevated itself and blew me away. As a quick setup—relying on decisions you make through the state of affairs, it’s possible you’ll wind up with these particular “clue” playing cards, which offer you some data that you need to use to assist resolve issues later. Earlier on within the mission, these clues pointed us towards a contact we had been meant to fulfill with, utilizing the textual content on the related playing cards. Now we get to the second the place my neural implants actually sizzled.
Cyberpunk Legends – Playing cards: Preview
The crew and I discovered ourselves at a crossroads the place we needed to discover an object we had been searching for, and we had cleverly deduced that it was in one in all three doable warehouses. Having already met and handled some guard presence within the space, there was a superb likelihood that choosing incorrect would show… detrimental… to our livelihoods. Being the brand new blood within the recreation (the others having run of us by means of the state of affairs quite a few instances already), I obtained to select the place we might go. Quick-forward a bit, and discovering ourselves riddled with a number of extra bullets than we had half-hour prior, I had picked incorrect. Whereas I’d decide appropriately on the second strive, Irene afterward let me in on a delicate element that could possibly be discovered on these clues we had collected—clues that I had assumed had already given up their secrets and techniques as a result of we had learn the textual content and deduced our contact. The art work itself additionally held clues that, when considered alongside the others, would have led me to the precise determination. I can’t wait to see what different delicate clues and hints shall be within the ultimate launch, however even simply this fast style left fairly the impression.
Protecting on the subject of the art work, for people who’re coming to Legends with solely Cyberpunk 2077 below their belts, the designs and path could offer you a little bit of whiplash. Together with happening earlier within the timeline, as I discussed earlier, Night time Crew Video games used Mike Pondsmith’s authentic Cyberpunk TTRPG as reference. Actually, it was Pondsmith himself who urged the product James was making needs to be a Cyberpunk launch throughout a recreation night time they had been having. That’s why Johnny Silverhand seems to be extra like a blonde Ziggy Stardust than Keanu Reeves. All of it remains to be quintessential cyberpunk goodness, and for followers of the RPG books, you’re sure to search out some fairly neat references and callbacks that can spark your implants.
As soon as a state of affairs is full, gamers can spend eddies (the in-universe foreign money) to buy new playing cards to strengthen and additional tailor their decks to their liking. The default decks, roughly a 3rd of every deck’s contents being distinctive, give a superb sense of the playstyle every of the lessons is greatest at, however nonetheless really feel open sufficient that you simply received’t must spend a ton of labor and assets to rejigger them into taking part in the way you need. Sadly, I didn’t get to dive into the deck-building facet throughout my demo, however from what James defined to me, on the finish of the state of affairs you’ll open a “booster pack” that can comprise playing cards you need to use to improve the decks—an attention-grabbing prospect that I’m keen to take a look at!
Regardless of solely a small look, the bit I’ve gotten to strive has left me chomping on the bit to leap again into the footwear of my socially awkward Netrunner and see the mission my crew and I began by means of to its conclusion. I haven’t even gotten to take a look at the replayable “Construct Your Personal Journey” roguelike mode that’s included but both, which James remains to be maintaining the massive particulars about near the chest. With its intelligent implementation of poker-style hand constructing, lovely and mechanically intriguing use of artwork, and lessons that really feel distinct from each other, if the story the group at Night time Crew Video games is weaving lands (which at the moment I’ve little fear that it received’t), Cyberpunk Legends could give the Arkham Horror LCG a run for its eddies as my go-to brewery recreation with the blokes. This deckhead is able to get again within the battle.
We Spoke With Night time Crew Video games on Cyberpunk Legends
1) Inform me how Cyberpunk Legends developed from idea into what it turned ultimately? What was the design journey like for it?
Ha! Implausible query! Through the pandemic I used to be truly searching for a co-op marketing campaign journey card recreation to play with my mates once we all had been ready to hang around once more…however you understand, life’s busy and never everybody in my group has the time (or the endurance) for video games that take a half hour to setup and an hour or extra to be taught the foundations. I regarded and regarded for one thing that match the invoice and couldn’t actually discover something, so, in my hubris as a very long time recreation designer, I figured I’d simply construct it.
2) How a lot enter and in what methods did Mike Pondsmith contribute to the sport’s improvement or design?
Humorous you ask that. This wasn’t truly ever supposed to be a business product, however shortly after the pandemic ended, I used to be taking part in with Mike and he goes “We must always do that with Cyberpunk!” Twist my arm proper? I’ve all the time beloved Cyberpunk and the R. Tal crew, so I began placing a gaggle collectively to take this from my prototype to one thing shelf prepared.
Alongside the best way Mike has playtested a bunch and given suggestions. His entire group has been superior with all our lore questions and serving to us fill out what the very early years of the Cyberpunk timeline would appear like.
3) Clarify the choice to go along with Poker palms for the primary recreation system? What about it made it your best option for the sport?
There was a design objective and thematic objective behind this.
On the design aspect I needed to be sure that in multiplayer video games there was a powerful social component, so making a cooperative poker hand, the place you possibly can solely place one card and have guidelines round how one can talk to verify everybody understands what you’re going for created an atmosphere the place everybody was speaking, typically even roleplaying, whereas nonetheless maintaining it from being a kind of video games the place somebody simply takes over and tells everybody what to do.
I additionally had a design objective of creating turns snappy. We’ve all had moments in video games the place we might go get lunch whereas a buddy is taking their flip and I needed to be sure that wasn’t the case right here. By laying down a single card at a time and having a give attention to communication, everybody will get to take part principally on a regular basis.
Then on the thematic aspect it was only a query of what Night time Metropolis felt like. I began out with a fairly MtG, math heavy system, nevertheless it didn’t really feel proper. In spite of everything, what’s Night time Metropolis about? It’s about playing with the one chip you might have, it’s about laying all of it down and betting your life towards turning into a legend. Poker actually helped embody that.
4) When within the lore of Cyberpunk does this happen?
The primary marketing campaign for Cyberpunk Legends is ready waaaay again within the far way forward for…2012. Which can appear to be an odd alternative, however in the event you’re accustomed to the Cyberpunk timeline you would possibly acknowledge that date as when a variety of the issues that echo down the time happen.
In Legends you’re going to be forging your individual path, you’re not going to be taking part in Johnny Silverhand or the like…however these of you who’ve performed 2077 or are followers of Crimson are going to come across issues in Cyberpunk Legends and go “Oh! Oh no…I do know the place this finally ends up.” As you tangentially cross paths with among the most consequential occasions in Night time Metropolis historical past.
5) Are you able to go a bit extra into element into the “Construct your journey” mode that shall be included within the launch model together with every other modes of play that shall be included.
Oh, man it makes me so completely happy you requested about that, however we’re truly simply transport the beta model of that as a kickstarter unique. The true model will most likely hit retail six-eight months after launch.
That stated, because you’ve given me the opening…
There’s a mode that’s going to ship with the core field. It’s a bit of little bit of a spoiler however once you end the eventualities you’re going to open an improve pack…with a algorithm in it that train you tips on how to convert the sport to roguelike deckbuilder.The Construct Your Personal Journey mode is type of my child, so I’m going to speak about it a wee bit. Be at liberty to make use of this bit as you’ll!
Cyberpunk Legends is performed towards a central “State of affairs Deck” that serves very very similar to an outdated D&D module. It’s the run you’re doing, the journey you’re occurring. I’d prefer to allow anybody to create these.
Construct Your Personal Journey mode serves as design legos for anybody who desires to create their very own runs or modify what we’ve put on the market. If we do it proper it’ll will let you construct no matter you dream of. In fact that’s a frightening design activity…possibly an unimaginable one. So we’re working the primary iteration of this by the group to assist playtest and provides us suggestions earlier than we launch (many people come from the videogame world, so it is a beta within the truest sense).
But when we are able to pull it off, it’ll be one thing I’ll be extremely happy with as a result of the toughest a part of GMing is all the time taking a look at a clean slate, and this offers you some scaffolding to start out from. I’m hoping this helps extra individuals to inform their very own tales on this world.
6) Enjoying with 4 gamers final night time was a variety of enjoyable, however I am curious how the sport modifications or balances itself with decrease participant counts and the smaller choice of playing cards during which the group can pull from to finish eventualities (20 doable playing cards with 4 gamers, however in a two participant recreation you’d solely have 10).
Superb! You’ve already hit the crux of it!
So, in Cyberpunk Legends gamers go round clockwise, every placing one card into The Plan (the poker hand used to beat obstacles) till you hit the plan restrict (often 5 playing cards). Much less gamers means much less choices to select from, however every particular person participant may have extra management over the plan. With 4 gamers solely the chief will get to place 2 playing cards into the plan. With three gamers 2 individuals do. This extra management is highly effective in a world the place each alternative can imply the distinction between the Plan coming collectively and the Plan falling aside.This implies the sport autobalances. You don’t must be taught any new guidelines or regulate the sport in any option to play with much less gamers. It robotically does it by itself…
Until, after all, you’re taking part in single participant. Wherein case, it’s all the identical besides you’re going to play two decks, one in all which is a ‘merc’ and, not being in whole management of the merc, each time you go to make a plan they’re going Leeroy in, you’re going to flip the highest card of their deck and that’s instantly going to be put into the Plan. Now you must construct round no matter they resolve to do!
(This makes single participant a bit extra of a strategic puzzles because the social parts are eliminated.)
7) Are you able to go into element concerning the artwork design course of for the sport? The artists you labored with for the challenge, what did you’re feeling was vital to give attention to, the aesthetic and really feel you had been aiming for.
I really like the artwork in a variety of trendy card video games, however typically I fan out a set and I’ve a tough time actually choosing out particular person items as a result of they’ve obtained such sturdy artwork path. They’ve so many guidelines round how the artwork is completed that every little thing will get a bit of bit homogenized. Now don’t get me incorrect, that is unimaginable, however Cyberpunk is a bit of little bit of a wilder world. We needed to let the artists actually lean into their very own types, so, whereas there’s a cohesive aesthetic, it jogs my memory of earlier Magic units the place you would possibly see every little thing from psychedelia to artwork nouveau.
Now all of those have their locations (for instance every little thing that occurs in Our on-line world is a little more summary), however this method allowed for lots of expression, which I really like.
Additionally, Cyberpunk is, after all, a horny world. You wish to keep away from it being leering, however there needs to be a variety of abs, muscle tissue, and smolder within the characters. So we tried to be true to that with out creating issues that you simply’d be embarrassed to slam down onto the desk at your native recreation retailer.
Lastly, Cyberpunk isn’t all darkness. I really feel like a variety of merchandise miss this, however the world of Cyberpunk is so energetic, full of individuals residing to the fullest. They could be lifeless the following day, however on this second they’re actually, really alive. It’s additionally a world of hope. Within the midst of all these Corps and conspiracies, amidst all of the issues that appear to this point out of the strange individual’s management, there’s hope. There’s the rockerboys and edgerunners and everybody who would possibly, sometime, trigger the system to come back tumbling down. We actually tried to ship on that within the artwork, as a result of it’s such a key piece to Cyberpunk.
8) Have you ever guys labored with or are there any involvements with CD PROJEKT RED on this recreation?
Actually we’ve labored a lot nearer with R. Tal. CDPR has been sort sufficient to assist promote the challenge a bit, however Mike’s actually our go-to man on the sport aspect.
9) Submit Kickstarter supply, what’s the type of launch cadence you’re hoping to have with this recreation system sooner or later?
We’re hoping to get a state of affairs out 1 / 4, a full new marketing campaign out every year, and different smaller releases peppered all through there. And naturally Construct Your Personal Journey releases…as soon as it’s actually prepared.
Scott White is a contract contributor to IGN, aiding with tabletop video games and information protection. Observe him on X/Twitter or Bluesky.
