Cyberpunk 2077 is a sprawling open-world RPG that immerses players in the neon-soaked streets of Night City. As V, the game’s protagonist, players engage in missions, explore districts, and interact with an expansive array of characters. Time in Cyberpunk 2077 plays a significant role, influencing events, character availability, and the city’s atmosphere. Whether you’re waiting for a mission to unlock, trying to catch a specific NPC, or simply want to transition from night to day, knowing how to skip time is essential.
In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about skipping time in Cyberpunk 2077, including the basic mechanics, when and why you might want to skip time, and a few tips to maximize the benefits of time-skipping.
Understanding Time in Cyberpunk 2077
Before diving into how to skip time, it’s important to understand how time functions in the game. Like in real life, time in Cyberpunk 2077 flows continuously. A full in-game day (24 hours) lasts about 3 real-world hours, though this can vary slightly depending on performance and platform.
Several game elements are time-sensitive:
Certain quests are only available at specific times of day.
Some NPCs only appear or respond during certain hours.
Events and interactions may change depending on whether it’s day or night.
The look and feel of the city, including lighting and NPC behavior, shift dramatically between day and night.
Skipping time can help you control your experience, access specific missions, or just enjoy the cityscape during your favorite time of day.
How to Skip Time: The Basic Mechanic
Skipping time in Cyberpunk 2077 is incredibly easy and available to players almost from the start of the game.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Open the Menu
Press the Inventory/Menu button (typically “I” on PC, “Options” on PlayStation, or “Menu” on Xbox).
Navigate to the Skip Time Option
Once in the menu, look at the bottom of the screen. You’ll see a small clock icon or the words “Skip Time.” On PC, this can also be accessed directly by pressing “T” when not in combat or a restricted area.
Adjust the Time Slider
When you select the Skip Time option, a circular clock or slider will appear. This allows you to manually choose how many hours you want to pass. You can skip from 1 hour up to 24 hours into the future.
Confirm Your Choice
After choosing your desired time, press the appropriate confirmation key. Time will then fast-forward instantly in the game world.
It’s worth noting that time-skipping is only possible when you’re not in combat, not on a mission with time restrictions, and not in certain story-specific situations.
Situations Where Skipping Time Is Useful
Waiting for Quest Triggers
Many side missions and even main story quests have time-based triggers. For instance, you might receive a message that says: “Come back in a few hours” or “Wait for X to call you.” In these cases, skipping ahead saves you from aimlessly wandering the city.
Night vs. Day Preferences
Night City transforms depending on the time of day. Some players prefer the vibrancy and activity of the night, while others enjoy the detail revealed in the daylight. Want to capture a great screenshot or explore during your favorite time? Skip to it!
Waiting for Vendors
Merchants and ripperdocs refresh their inventory after a certain amount of time. If you’re looking for specific cyberware or gear and don’t see it in stock, skipping 24 hours can refresh their wares.
Healing Between Fights
Although you can heal instantly using consumables, sometimes it’s more immersive or strategic to rest between encounters. Skipping time in a safe place (like your apartment or a hideout) adds to the role-playing experience.
Tips for Efficient Time Skipping
Tip 1: Use Your Apartment
Sleeping in your apartment automatically skips time and provides buffs. After the 2.0 update, this has become more significant. For example, resting in your apartment bed gives the “Rested” status, which boosts XP gain.
Tip 2: Combine with Fast Travel
If you’re skipping time to start a mission, it can be efficient to fast travel to a location and then skip time. This ensures you’re right where you need to be when the event triggers.
Tip 3: Use Time Skip to Plan Attacks
Some enemy bases or gigs are more vulnerable at specific times of day. During nighttime, enemies might be sleeping or fewer in number. Scout during the day, skip to night, and then strike.
Tip 4: Avoid Skipping During Active Missions
Be cautious with time-skipping while a quest is active. Some missions fail if you leave or delay too long. Only skip time when the objective allows for it (or prompts you to do so).
Known Issues and Limitations
While time-skipping is a convenient tool, it’s not without its limitations:
Restricted During Main Quests: Some missions will lock the time-skip function to maintain story pacing.
No Skipping in Combat: You can’t skip time while enemies are aware of your presence.
Sometimes Doesn’t Trigger Events Instantly: Occasionally, skipping time won’t immediately trigger a quest. In those cases, walking around or doing a quick activity (like calling your car) may refresh the world state.
If time-skip doesn’t work as expected, save your game, reload, and try again. This usually resolves most glitches.
Mastering the time-skip feature in Cyberpunk 2077 can significantly enhance your gameplay experience, giving you more control over quests, character interactions, and the overall atmosphere of Night City. Whether you’re waiting for the next gig, syncing with NPC schedules, or just prefer to roam the streets under the cover of night, knowing how and when to skip time lets you play the game your way. It’s a simple but powerful mechanic that supports both strategic planning and immersive roleplaying. So next time you’re stuck waiting or just want to change the vibe, don’t stand around — skip ahead and keep moving forward in the city of dreams.
