Night City has always been at the heart of Cyberpunk universe, and in Cyberpunk 2077 it continues to mesmerize us with its bustling districts, massive corporations, clever gangs, and bright neon colors.
A major city-state in the autonomous Free State of Northern California, Night City remains as one of only a few places where independent voices can still be heard amidst the corporate-backed news, programs, and commercials. Even larger corporations in the city can’t contain all of the lively chaos within, where a rich culture took root on the battlefields where wealth and power is contested by gangs, corporations, and powerful individuals, often all at once.
Seven Districts of Night City
The best way to approach the massive Night City is to study its districts.
The Night City in Cyberpunk 2077 is divided into six districts within and is surrounded by the seventh without.
The Cyberpunk 2077 districts are:
Badlands
City Center
Heywood
Pacifica
Santo Domingo
Watson
Westbrook
City Center
Night City’s City Center was completely rebuilt after the 4th Corporate War happened just a few decades ago.
It emerged as a towering commercial hub, made into the most fortified and secure part of the city by cutting-edge architecture and the presence of some of the biggest corporations.
City Center is the starting location for any Corporate Lifepath character.
Once a major industrial district with its own nightclubs, corporate offices, a top-end medcenter, a cutting edge technology park, and the biggest black market in the city, Watson was completely changed by Arasaka’s return following the Unification War.
With its eyes set on the district’s port Arasaka drained other corporations and thus stripped the area of its former wealth. Currently contested by two major gangs, Tyger Claws and Maelstrom, the district’s black trade grew to become the current-day Kabuki Market, now overrun by Scav operations — harvested organs and implants.
You can learn more about Watson in our Watson District guide.
Westbrook
Westbrook was one of the city districts to sustain significant damages after the nuclear attack on Arasaka back in 2023. After major restorations Asian corporations and many of the Night City’s elite established their residence in Westbrook’s North Oak.
North Oak became the most beautiful, most exclusive, and most secure neighborhood in the city, thanks to the investments contributed by the local residents, many of which are corporate regional directors, managers, bankers, and executives. Meanwhile, Japantown became the most luxurious commercial destination with its gaming parlors, street food stands, and capsule hotels.
We talk about all of this in detail and more in our Westbrook District guide.
Heywood
Largely Latino and full of gangs growing in their influence, Heywood remains one of the city’s wealthier districts. It is home to a gang known as the Valentinos, known for their strong moral code and adherence to old traditions.
This area was supposed to become Night City’s tourist district, but a global economic recession put the funding behind the project to an end. Massive and deserted, the ambitious construction sites were overtaken by gangs and the migrating Hatian community.
Ongoing conflict made this district too dangerous even by the Night City standards, driving population numbers down but offering the district a unique opportunity to sell rarest firearms and Cyberware within its bustling markets. This district is home to highly skilled Voodoo Boys and the Animals, unmatched in their physical finesse.
You can learn more about Pacifica in our dedicated guide, Pacifica District.
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, one of Night City’s oldest districts, became its central industrial district with many factories, nuclear plants, and junkyards. After it stopped being a shelter to many citizens affected by the 4th Corporate War it instead became a testing ground for industrial projects, a cramped housing neighborhood, and a home to the 6th Street Gang.
We have a separate guide to the Santo Domingo District where you can learn more about it.
Badlands
The arid wasteland lying just outside the city’s borders is not officially recognized by the city as an official district, but it certainly can boast of many inhabitants. Left to their own devices, local population formed into clans in order to survive in their fight for what little vital resources are available in the area.
Two clans with a long history of conflict, Aldecados and Wraiths, define the political climate of the area instead of larger corporations, while fuel stations and micro settlements scattered around the barren landscape serve as the area’s major landmarks.
Badlands is the starting location for any Nomad Lifepath character.
Dedicated contributor at EIP Gaming and a part-time collector of books she will never have time to actually read. Jumps on the newest releases just as quickly as on the uncovered dusty collections from the basement. For her, shiny graphics can never be an excuse to not have a polished player experience or an immersive story.
Westbrook link does not work by the way.
You are absolutely correct, Jamie! Thank you very much for pointing this out.
We updated the link 🙂