2AM - She Calls is a exclusive short story bundled with the Steam version of Cyberpunk 2077.
Set in 2071, "2AM - She Calls" will show you the hostile streets of Night City as seen by Frank, an ex-NCPD officer working the night shift as a Combat Cab driver.
Nice little romp back in Night City. Takes you back to some familiar streets, neighborhoods and characters in the form of a hardboiled story of an ex-cop turned (combat) taxi-cab driver, pursuing maybe one last case.
My only dislike was sticking too much to the hardboiled formula which makes the prose sometimes too terse and the direction (e.g. "a twist is coming") predictable. Also couldn't shake off the felling some parts of the story were shoe-horned a bit to fit that noir formula, at times characters acting less like real people, and more like video-game expose versions of themselves - carefully treading not to hurt the narrator/protagonist too much, and propel him towards the next part. But to be honest if I had that same story as a series of quests in the game I would probably like it a lot. Which tells you a thing about the quality divide between game and fiction writing still present.
Anyway, for anyone about to play or having played Cyberpunk 2077 - this is a nice companion piece.
"2AM - She Calls" by Tomasz Marchewka is a short story set in the world of Cyberpunk 2077, the popular video game developed by CD Projekt Red. The story follows the protagonist, a mercenary named Tagger, as he receives a late-night call from an old acquaintance who needs his help.
One of the strongest aspects of the story is the gritty feeling of the cyberpunk 2077 setting, which is faithfully recreated in the story. The author has done an excellent job of capturing the essence of the game world, with its neon-lit streets, shady characters, and futuristic technology. This makes for a really cool exploration that adds to the in-game experience and gives fans of the game an extra layer of immersion.
The story also utilizes the cyberpunk genre well, with compelling characters and a plot that fits the setting. Tagger is a well-written protagonist who is easy to root for, and his relationship with the other characters is fleshed out nicely. The story also touches on themes of trust, loyalty, and the darker side of humanity, all of which are hallmarks of the cyberpunk genre.
However, the plot of the story is somewhat mediocre and predictable, which can be a bit disappointing for readers looking for a more unique narrative. Additionally, at points, there are too many slang terms and colloquial words from the in-universe that can pull you out of the reading flow, particularly for those who are not familiar with the game world.
Finally, the story can be hard to find and read, even online. It would surely be more popular if it was released in other formats, such as an e-book or physical copy.
Overall, "2AM - She Calls" is a solid short story that will appeal to fans of the Cyberpunk 2077 video game. While it may not be the most groundbreaking story, it is a well-written exploration of the game world that utilizes the cyberpunk genre effectively. A nice little read.