CD Projekt Red’s Project Orion is well underway, leading to an influx of theories about Cyberpunk 2077’s sequel. After a rough initial launch, the developer put a great deal of effort into making Cyberpunk 2077 one of the most entertaining RPGs of the last few years, so expectations are high. That said, the game may be straying from what makes it iconic, with rumors of the sequel taking place in space.
A mid-summer leak revealed a scrapped DLC that would have taken players to settlements on the moon. It being abandoned early on in Cyberpunk 2077’s development has made this new space theory an even greater possibility. But it’s not high extraplanar sci-fi that makes this genre so appealing, and leaning into that might be to Project Orion’s detriment.
Cyberpunk’s Sequel Being in Space May Stray Too Far
The Neuromancer Origins of Cyberpunk Keep the Genre In Check
Cyberpunk is its own beloved genre, widely thought to have originated with the 1984 novel Neuromancer by William Gibson. What became Cyberpunk 2077 is simply the gaming world’s culmination of what makes this dystopian subgenre so incredible and distinct. It is, at its core, unfathomable technological advancement combined with terrifying societal collapse.
Key components of this are themes of oppression and exploitation. Regardless of where the plot takes it, Cyberpunk 2077 players choose the life path of the shiny corporate elite, the dark inner city underworld, or the rough-and-tumble outside. It presents a world marked by class inequality born of technology no longer in the hands of humans. Even its gritty, neon styling is unique to this setting.
If Project Orion goes to space, it would need to be massively—and literally—grounded to consider itself a continued staple of cyberpunk sci-fi. The genre is meant to showcase the ugly sides of humanity, hence why 2077 succeeded in Night City’s depiction of a future American city, set on an Earth that could be destroyed in the first place.
Johnny Silverhand Defines Cyberpunk Culture
Besides the obvious ‘cyber’ part of the genre is the iconic gloominess in the depths of its cities—the ‘punk.’ The presence of Keanu Reeves’ Johnny Silverhand solidifies the fast and loose lifestyle found in Night City. His rock ‘n’ roll charisma and rebelliousness follow V throughout Cyberpunk 2077 and cut to the heart of the world players find themselves in.
Simply put, it’s hard to imagine such a character in a game that would more likely resemble Starfield, Dead Space, Halo, and other space-based games. Such a sequel would have to fight against the precedents set by other games and simultaneously satisfy the urban mystique of 2077. This is especially true for a game that might take place on the moon, which would risk either being comparatively cold and empty or simply an unimaginative rehash of Night City. From setting to characters, Johnny Silverhand defines the essence of what cyberpunk looks like and, most of all, what makes it incredibly fun.
It’s not that a developer like CDPR, an absolute behemoth when it comes to immersive world-building, couldn’t or wouldn’t succeed, but it would have its hands full. Not to mention this is a follow-up to the controversial release of 2077, which required several large updates to be enjoyable. The trepidation regarding a space setting is warranted.
In order to keep fans of Cyberpunk 2077 loyal, Project Orion simply can’t afford to cut its defining genre into unrecognizable pieces. For the good and the bad, cyberpunk’s themes are intertwined with its visuals, and this inseparable facet must remain in CDPR’s awaited sequel.
