I played Cyberpunk 2077 for free in my browser with a budget laptop

Cyberpunk 2077 fans can now play CD Projekt RED's popular RPG in Google Chrome for free, without cloud gaming.

Not long ago, we never imagined huge games like CD Projekt RED's Cyberpunk 2077 could be played for free in a browser. But as we've seen with the 128-player browser version of Halo: Combat Evolved, things that once seemed impossible are now a reality.

Of course, this is an unofficial project created by omonkeyzz and isn't affiliated with CD Projekt RED. How long it will remain online is unclear, especially as similar browser projects have disappeared after gaining attention.

Unlike cloud gaming services such as GeForce NOW, this version runs on your own PC rather than streaming from a remote server. The game loads through your browser, so there's no need for a traditional installation, although you'll still need a capable PC to play it.

How does the Cyberpunk 2077 browser version work?

The browser version of Cyberpunk 2077 uses WebAssembly (Wasm) to run compiled code directly in your browser, while WebGPU allows it to use your PC's graphics hardware to render the game's 3D world. This means the game runs on your own hardware rather than being streamed from a remote server, although the browser still needs to load game data to get everything running.

The browser version also doesn't include the Phantom Liberty expansion, although that could potentially change in the future. Of course, there's no guarantee how long the project will remain available online. As it's still relatively new, you're also likely to encounter some bugs, and even a high-end PC might not run it as smoothly as the official version.

How well does Cyberpunk 2077 run in a browser?

It's worth noting that, as impressive as this browser version of Cyberpunk 2077 is, it does have its limitations, which will largely depend on your PC's capabilities. Even though it runs in a browser, your hardware still has to handle the game's graphics and processing demands. I tried playing it on my budget laptop and, let's just say, it struggled. However, I can confirm that it works and includes features such as choosing your Lifepath and full character customisation.

After you've finished creating your character, you can begin playing and exploring Night City, much as you would in the official release.

Loading the game can also take a while, unlike the browser version of Halo: Combat Evolved, which loads almost instantly. Cyberpunk 2077 is a much more demanding game, and the browser needs time to load the relevant game data and compile shaders before you can get started.

READ MORE: 13 best Cyberpunk 2077 mods that feel essential for PC players

Can you play Cyberpunk 2077 in a browser on mobile?

While the browser version of Cyberpunk 2077 is primarily designed for PC, it has reportedly worked on some modern Android phones. However, compatibility and performance can vary depending on your device, and support for iPhone, iPad and tablets isn't fully confirmed. That being said, it's not something we'd recommend trying right now.

Is Cyberpunk 2077 worth playing in a browser?

Yes, I'd say so. Even if it struggles to run on your system, it's worth trying out of pure curiosity. It's impressive to see what's possible with modern web browsers.

However, we'd still recommend playing the official release of Cyberpunk 2077, whether you're on PC, PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo Switch 2. The official release offers the full game experience, and depending on the platform and edition, you can also access post-launch content and updates. The Phantom Liberty expansion is sold separately or included in certain editions and bundles.