Now that Cyberpunk 2077 is set to have a sequel, much of the discussion surrounding the game revolves around what the story will hold. Codenamed Project Orion, the follow-up to Cyberpunk 2077 carries a lot of expectations with it, and many are hoping for a story that is just as gripping. The dystopian metropolis of Night City served as the perfect backdrop for Cyberpunk 2077, but there is one glaring issue when looking at a sequel.
Like many RPGs, Cyberpunk 2077 has multiple endings, which puts a sequel in a really tricky spot. When approaching a follow-up to an RPG, picking a canon ending can be controversial. The endings in Cyberpunk 2077 can have drastically different outcomes for not just V, but a variety of characters. Making certain decisions and fates official in order to continue the story in a certain way is bound to face backlash from players who disagree about the chosen ending. Ultimately, it may be best if developer CD Projekt Red approaches Project Orion with a completely blank slate.
Project Orion Telling a Brand-New Story in Cyberpunk 2077's Universe
Exploring Beyond V and Night City
Although many would like to see V again, Project Orion choosing canon endings could null and void many players' game experiences. If Project Orion is a direct continuation, there are plenty of players who could feel left out if they didn't get what CD Projekt Red considers the "correct" ending. Furthermore, this would also potentially defeat the purpose of Cyberpunk 2077 being an immersive RPG. If there's an actual canon ending regardless of how players approach the game, it could damper the experience for some. If Project Orion wants to one-up its predecessor, then introducing an all-new story and setting could be the most effective path.
Cyberpunk 2077 Features Seven Possible Endings
- The Sun Ending
- The Star Ending
- The Temperance Ending
- The Devil Ending
- The Tower Ending
- The Suicide Ending
- The Secret Ending
This leaves CD Projekt Red with a hard decision, further pointing to a brand-new story as the best way for the franchise to move forward. One of the most intriguing possible changes could be through a fresh setting. Night City offered a fascinating glimpse into a crime-riddled future metropolis, but there is still a huge amount of ground that could be covered in the Cyberpunk 2077 universe. Because of vague CD Projekt Red job listings, there are already theories that Project Orion could be leaving Night City.
The lack of animals in Night City is no coincidence. As part of Cyberpunk 2077's lore, zoonotic diseases led to the eradication of many animals in densely populated areas for safety reasons. If rumors of Project Orion featuring more animals are true, then the sequel may aim to explore a different location. A new setting and characters could still connect Project Orion and Cyberpunk 2077 in some fashion, but keeping much of the story separate from the events of its predecessor might be ideal.
The Story of Cyberpunk 2077 Doesn't Have to Be Neatly Wrapped Up
Leaving Room For the Unknown
While some endings for Cyberpunk 2077 offer a clearer finale for V, other endings, like The Tower, can introduce an entirely new set of questions regarding the protagonist's fate. Although it's natural to want answers, sometimes the open-ended mystery is far better in the long run. It can be compelling to ruminate about what a character's future holds instead of having all the answers clearly laid out.
After it was revealed that a Cyberpunk 2077 DLC set on the moon was canceled, many fans have theorized that this could potentially be the setting for Project Orion.
After Cyberpunk 2077's rise from the ashes, Project Orion has some big shoes to fill. There's no telling where the sequel will go, but it will hopefully be somewhere that hasn't been experienced yet.
Cyberpunk 2077
-
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
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
