Project Orionremains shrouded in mystery, but afterCyberpunk 2077’s unprecedented redemption arc, hopes are high for CD Projekt Red to deliver on this much-anticipated sequel. The dense open-world of Night City, flexible build-crafting options, and riveting, relentlessly cool writing are just a handful of the factors that audiences expect will be improved upon in theCyberpunk 2077follow-up, but it will have to be more than just a rehashing of ideas.
Whilethe gameplay ofProject Orionis surely front-of-mind for manyCyberpunk 2077fans, the sequel’s writing is perhaps even more interesting to speculate about. At this point, CD Projekt Red has revealed virtually nothing aboutProject Orion, other than that it does indeed take place in theCyberpunk 2077universe, which naturally leaves the door open for a good bit of narrative cross-pollination. Some ofCyberpunk 2077’s endings leave the door open for V and their allies to return in a sequel, which naturally begs the question: willProject Orionbe aWitcher-like sequel toCyberpunk, or will it follow a different protagonist and plot entirely?
Bringing V Back Could Have at Least One Major Benefit for Project Orion
V Could Be the “Geralt” of Cyberpunk 2077
In all theWitchergames, but especially inThe Witcher 3, there’s a strong sense that Geralt is an important and significant figure. It’s not as if he is hounded by rabid fans—many NPCs actually despise him due to Witchers' complicated reputations—but many will at least recognize him. Sometimes, this recognition will result in mild prejudice, and sometimes it will result in praise or reverence, but italways makes Geralt feel relevant, influential, and impactful.
If V were to be brought back as the protagonist ofProject Orion, it’s not hard to see how they might be similarly characterized. Over the course ofCyberpunk 2077, even if the player engages in minimal side content, V becomes something of a minor celebrity in Night City, brushing up against some of the metropolis’s biggest players. It would make sense, then, for them to adopt a level of credibility and fame similar to Geralt, with characters “in the know” immediately recognizing V or recounting their most infamous deeds. This would not only make for a more unique and fundamentally differentnarrative experience inProject Orion, but it would also be a fitting continuation of V’s personal story.
Context will greatly impact how NPCs treat Geralt. For instance,those of the Skellige Islesare far more accepting of Witchers, and of Geralt in particular due to his history with their government. Similar contextualization would be interesting to see applied toProject Orion, as some fixers and gangs could like V more than others.
Making V Famous Would Play Into the Night City Legends Theme of Cyberpunk 2077
At the start ofCyberpunk 2077, V and Jackie both dream of being “legends” in Night City, like Susan Forrest and Morgan Blackhand, notorious solos of yore. This is presented as something of an immature and short-sighted dream, one that ends in death more often than not, though the game does acknowledge the theoretical value of “snuffing it in mind-blowingly spectacular fashion.” Whatever one’s opinion of this concept, V has certainly become a legendby the end ofCyberpunk 2077, with enough street cred to work just about any job, so it would be interesting to seeProject Orioncontinue to explore this idea. Only this time, the story would be from the perspective of a true legend, not a kid with pie-in-the-sky dreams of becoming one.
Cyberpunk 2077
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Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action-adventure from the creators of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red.Set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour and body modification, you play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality.Upgraded with next-gen in mind and featuring free additional content, customize your character and playstyle as you take on jobs, build a reputation, and unlock upgrades.The relationships you forge and the choices you make will shape the story and the world around you. Legends are made here. What will yours be?
