Cyberpunk 2077: Every District Ranked Worst To Best

With how divided Night City is politically, it’s no surprise that of the seven districts in Cyberpunk 2077 some can be ranked better – or worse – than others. Each area personifies different characters, beliefs, and walks of life – and so how a player identifies with the core ethical issues within this dystopian game will certainly influence their preferences. However, when it comes to factors like exploration, aesthetics, and quality of content, there are some districts that assertively outclass others in Cyberpunk 2077.

From what’s been revealed about the upcoming expansion, Phantom Liberty, it looks as though Pacifica will be receiving some love as the main setting. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not possible for V to venture outside of Night City, either. Especially with Phantom Liberty being CDPR’s largest expansion ever in terms of budget, it bodes well for the size and depth of the game. Until it becomes available sometime in 2023, though, players have plenty to explore within Night City’s urban jungle and its seven distinct districts.

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7 Santo Domingo Is The Worst Cyberpunk 2077 District

The worst district in Cyberpunk 2077 is Santo Domingo, the city’s southeastern district. Canonically, it’s one of the city’s most underdeveloped areas, with its two subdistricts Arroyo and Rancho Coronado both suffering from over-industrialization and overall dilapidated infrastructure. However, Santo Domingo is also underdeveloped from a content standpoint, which makes it unappealing to visit altogether.

It certainly has a lot of potential, being home to the 6th Street gang, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners‘ David Martinez, and even Cyberpunk 2077‘s most controversial quest, “Sinnerman.” However, despite these features, Santo Domingo fails to be more than just the sum of its parts, and for that reason it’s certainly not the first district that comes to mind when thinking of Night City.

6 Pacifica Is Important To Cyberpunk 2077’s Story

Cyberpunk 2077‘s Pacifica district steps it up, although not by much. This region is home to the Voodoo Boys, the infamous Netrunning gang – but more importantly, it’s a place of total anarchy. Not even the NCPD or MaxTac are willing to visit Pacifica due to the sheer chaos, violence, and danger that takes place therein. This sentiment can be felt in-game with the burning cars, crumbling buildings, and abandoned businesses everywhere. After completing the main quests in Pacifica, though, the amount of content within the district unfortunately adopts that same empty quality.

It’s clear that Pacifica is important to Cyberpunk 2077 lore, especially because it contains the Dogtown setting for Phantom Liberty‘s story and gameplay. It’s also rumored that players will be able to visit the Combat Zone, a currently inaccessible district of Pacifica that’s even more notorious. Hopefully, the upcoming expansion will bring this underrated district the attention it deserves in Cyberpunk 2077.

5 Cyberpunk’s City Center District Is Somewhat Unexciting

The City Center district makes it quite apparent from the moment V arrives that it’s a place of economic stability. Cutting-edge technology, sleek skyscrapers, and countless neon advertisements easily make it one of Cyberpunk 2077‘s best-looking districts (if not the best). However, it can feel a bit soulless to explore. For how bustling with NPC life the Corpo Plaza and Downtown subdistricts are, players can’t actually participate in many quests here. That being said, there are some unique features that give City Center a memorable flair, such as the Arasaka Memorial and the nature therapy rooms.

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4 The Badlands Break Up The Gameplay

For players who enjoy cruising around in Cyberpunk 2077‘s best cars, the Badlands will likely be an appealing option. Indeed, the open, arid desert that encapsulates most of this region is the prime place to switch up gameplay and get a breath of fresh air. Here, V can go for a joyride without having to navigate the cramped, confusing, and pedestrian-filled streets of Night City. For this reason alone, the Badlands are one of the more tantalizing districts to visit and explore in Cyberpunk 2077. It being home to Panam and the Aldecaldos is just an added bonus.

3 Cyberpunk 2077’s Heywood Feels Like A Real City

The Aldecaldos would probably agree that the flashy, hyper-neon appearance of many Cyberpunk 2077 cityscapes can start to feel grating after a while. Luckily, Heywood is not only one of the most stylistically refreshing areas in the game, but it’s also incredibly rich with content. If City Center is soulless (despite getting evil corpos all wrong in Cyberpunk 2077), then this district is the most soulful. It’s teeming with music, art, and characters who feel less like NPCs and more like old friends. It’s also the hometown of Jackie Welles, which alone speaks volumes about the values of this district.

2 Westbrook Is Nearly The Best District

Westbrook is a close runner-up for the best district in Night City, as it’s also full of culture and diverse in what it offers players. According to its own description within Cyberpunk 2077, it’s widely regarded as the best location to live in, thanks to the vibrant nightlife in Japantown, the bountiful business opportunities in Charter Hill, and the sheer Hollywood-esque wealth that the North Oak region exudes.

In this way, Westbrook serves a fascinating cross-section of Night City. Japantown is crawling with gang activity and shady areas like Jig-Jig street – meanwhile, the inhabitants of North Oak, such as Cyberpunk 2077 romance option Kerry Eurodyne, can (literally) look down on the chaos below from the safety and seclusion of their hills. But class division aside, Westbrook is also home to some of the game’s most iconic quests, like Hanako’s parade and the exciting Peralez quest line – making it an absolutely unforgettable district.

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1 Cyberpunk 2077’s Best District Is Watson

Despite being Cyberpunk 2077‘s starting area, Watson sets itself apart as the game’s best district by a long shot. It’s the largest region, housing four separate subdistricts: Kabuki, Northside, Little China, and Arasaka Waterfront. What’s even more impressive, though, is that each of these areas manage to feel like their own separate world, all while remaining faithful to Watson’s slice-of-life authenticity. It’s not as forward-facing as City Center, but it also has a lot more charm than a location like Santo Domingo, making it the perfect middle ground for players to make the most out of Cyberpunk 2077.

Watson is an all-around joy to explore. Whether V is scouring the Maelstrom-filled streets of Northside, or heading to Tom’s Diner in Little China, the tightly-knit nature of the district gives it a cozy atmosphere while providing ample opportunity for hidden secrets and gems. Plus, whether it’s consciously or subconsciously, it serves as a constant reminder of the player’s progression – and this tinge of nostalgia is the cherry on top for Watson, Cyberpunk 2077‘s best district.

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