Last year was a monumental time for Cyberpunk 2077, as the 2.0 update and Phantom Liberty DLC brought the game to greater heights. With the upgrade and expansion, Cyberpunk 2077 is now better than ever. Phantom Liberty pushed the limits of what a DLC can do in terms of affecting the base game's story. The expansion introduces a cast of fascinating new characters and missions to experience, making the base game feel nearly empty without it.
When it comes to the story of Phantom Liberty, V is tasked with rescuing the president. While on this journey, they are joined by Songbird, who is trying to escape from the president and NUSA. Unfortunately, Songbird suffers from cyberpsychosis and Blackwall corruption, which leads to one of Phantom Liberty's most harrowing missions. In the mission Somewhat Damaged, Songbird takes control of a Militech Cerberus, effectively turning the game into a horror scenario. The mission is a great example of how Cyberpunk 2077 could easily branch out into horror if CD Projekt Red really wanted to.
Cyberpunk 2077's Somewhat Damaged is a Great Horror Blueprint
An Unexpected Taste of Sci-Fi Horror
Cyberpunk 2077 leans really hard into dystopian science fiction, so the seemingly random inclusion of horror elements was a big surprise in Phantom Liberty. The first run-in with the Cerberus is sweat-inducing enough, but the white-knuckle tension doesn't end there. After the initial encounter, the Cerberus will then stalk V throughout Cynosure as the mission progresses.
In a wild turn of events, the Somewhat Damaged mission briefly turns Cyberpunk 2077 into Alien: Isolation. Being stalked by a rogue AI robot through a close-quarters building really keeps one's heart rate up. Trying to maintain a level head while figuring out how to get rid of the Cerberus is a massive challenge, and it has been proven divisive among some players. Despite the divisiveness, the mission showcases how much potential Cyberpunk 2077 has if it wants to go down a horror route.
Cyberpunk 2077's sequel, Project Orion, is in early development.
Of course, a horror-focused Cyberpunk 2077 game probably wouldn't be a mainline release in the franchise. However, if CD Projekt Red ever wanted to have some fun with the series, a spin-off project could be possible. There are already plenty of rumors that Project Orion is taking bold leaps. If the franchise ever gets truly experimental, taking a turn to horror would be filled with material for CD Projekt Red to work with. The prospect of living in a dystopian cyber-centric world is terrifying enough, but highlighting the true horrors of rogue AI could be the stuff of nightmares.
Cyberpunk 2077's Tech Focus is an Untapped Source For Horror
There are plenty of stories that successfully demonstrate the potential dangers of AI. From beloved franchises, like Terminator, to the more goofy, like M3GAN, fear of AI and its impact on our future is more prevalent than ever. If Cyberpunk 2077 doesn't jump to the opportunity, it is highly likely that another IP will. Somewhat Damaged brings a terrifying tone to the game's story that was missing in the base version. A spin-off horror story based in the Cyberpunk 2077 universe could be a brilliant way to expand the lore while also further illustrating the dangers the game is trying to showcase.
There are plenty of horrifying aspects of life in Night City, and Somewhat Damaged puts one of those biggest dangers front and center. From an insane class struggle to the dangers of unstoppable AI, there is an argument to be made that Cyberpunk 2077 is ultimately a horror story. The franchise's cutthroat world is a horrifying possibility, and leaning into those fears for a spin-off is overflowing with potential.
Cyberpunk 2077
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 76 /100 Critics Rec: 66%
- Released
- December 10, 2020
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(s)
- CD Projekt Red
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- REDengine 4
- Cross-Platform Play
- ps, xbox, pc
- Cross Save
- yes
- Franchise
- Cyberpunk
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- yes
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- How Long To Beat
- 25 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
