Why heavily chromed characters in Cyberpunk don't always become cyberpsychos

Streets of Night City feature characters with vastly different levels of "chrome" – from basic optical implants to near-total body replacement with machinery. Some stick to cosmetic modifications like glowing tattoos, others transform into walking arsenals with mantis blades and Sandevistan systems, while a few go all the way and become cyborgs with metallic skin and cybernetic limbs.

Reddit user KungPowKarma posted a screenshot of one such fully chromed character, questioning how this level of modification doesn't trigger cyberpsychosis. The question points at an aspect of Cyberpunk 2077 lore that many players overlook during their playthrough.

Cyberpsychosis doesn't directly correlate with the amount of installed cyberware. Tabletop RPG creator Mike Pondsmith explained that the condition largely depends on a person's internal susceptibility. In the tabletop game, this manifests as the Humanity parameter, which measures capacity for empathy, stress tolerance, ability to maintain worldview balance, and connection with other people.

The screenshot shows a Full Body Conversion or chrome skin – a cosmetic modification similar to what Konpeki Plaza hotel staff or singer Lizzy Wizzy use. Such implants can include synthetic skin replacement with metallic coating, cybernetic limbs, and optical implants, but internal organs remain biological.

Cosmetic and functional implants produce significantly less psychological impact compared to combat systems. Skin replacement or limb prosthetics that mimic natural functions create minimal mental strain. Military modifications like Sandevistan, mantis blades, or exoskeletons require deep neural integration and pose entirely different challenges.

Cyberpunk 2077 features characters with varying chrome levels and cyberpsychosis states. Johnny Silverhand became a cyberpsycho with only a cybernetic arm and eyes, but war, trauma, and drug abuse destroyed his psyche. Adam Smasher maintains high functionality despite near-total body replacement – the universe creator called him a "high-functioning cyberpsycho," noting Smasher was a psychopath way before installing chrome.

Therapy plays a crucial role – in Cyberpunk RED, visiting a psychotherapist allows Humanity restoration, reducing cyberpsychosis risk. Wealthy citizens like Lizzy Wizzy can afford regular sessions, helping them maintain control even with extreme modification levels.

Lore experts note that cyberpsychosis often becomes a label for people experiencing mental crises in Night City's brutal world. Many "cyberpsychos" from Regina's side quests suffer from PTSD, exploitation, or personal tragedies – cyberware just gives them physical capabilities to act on trauma rather than creating it.

David Martinez from anime Cyberpunk: Edgerunners demonstrated high implant tolerance thanks to strong relationships and empathy. Cyberpsychosis struck him only after losing close connections and installing experimental weaponry that exceeded human psyche endurance limits.