I recently read this for the first time as I am writing a retro-future version of my own game, The Veil; with the goal of incorporating some cyberpunk lineage into the bones of the design work. I read the Cyberpunk 2020 in PDF form.

The writing is snappy and entertaining, with good flow. The game was clearly progressive in many ways so I can see why it is looked at very fondly. Having lifepaths and one of the first games to have actual classes and associated "feat" like bonuses (I believe before D&D did so even), along with the lifepaths. Where the players roll for every year over the age of 16 and generate history, good and bad occurrences up to die rolls.

Everything drives toward one of the opening headers and "rules" to keep in mind for good roleplaying of the game: "Style Over Substance".

I am not into traditional games and tend to favor storygames and indie games coming out presently, but came away quite impressed with this release. Good writing, lots of flavors. Lots of gear; all tonally consistent to help people imagine a dystopia and their subsequent cyberpunk character.

Aside from a few things that I am sure wouldn't be frowned upon in 1990, it was all great. But when you can roll a year of your life in which you were falsely accused of rape and the artwork in some places have little to do with the actual chapters, often with the 90's style of big breasts and sexualized female forms (unfortunately still plaguing us)... I was reminded repeatedly it's a product of its time; however cool and clever it may be.