Unleashing Cyberpunk 2077's Sequel Project Orion: Seizing the Ultimate Opportunity

Highlights

Cyberpunk 2077's missed opportunity is not a major issue, but a disappointment for fans of CD Projekt Red's The Witcher series.

The potential connection between Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3 through the character Ciri was merely hinted at, without being fully explored.

Introducing Ciri in a side quest for the sequel of Cyberpunk 2077 would be a strategic move with minimal risk and the potential for significant benefits, allowing for the expansion of the lore in both franchises.

The potential of Cyberpunk 2077 has been largely fulfilled through its numerous updates and the release of its DLC. However, there is a missed opportunity that its sequel should take advantage of. Although not one of the game's major issues, this disappointment has affected many players, especially fans of CD Projekt Red's The Witcher series.

CD Projekt Red, a Polish developer, gained recognition for The Witcher trilogy before creating Cyberpunk 2077. The Witcher had a distinct approach to game design and setting, taking place in a fantasy world where traditional creatures and fables were twisted or reinterpreted. This unique setting significantly influenced both the story and gameplay, emphasizing elements like monsters and magic. In contrast, Cyberpunk 2077 maintains a more grounded tone, despite its imaginative embellishments and creative liberties. While characters in the game possess powerful implants and abilities similar to magic, Night City is intended to be a realistic vision of the future, originally conceived in the 1980s.

CD Projekt Red Should Connect Cyberpunk 2077's Sequel to The Witcher Through Ciri

The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 have different settings, but they could be linked through the character Ciri. In The Witcher 3, Ciri tells Geralt about her adventures in different dimensions and describes a world that resembles Night City or another location in the Cyberpunk 2077 universe. This world features people with metal implants in their heads, long-distance warfare using advanced technology like megascopes, and flying ships instead of horses. Many players believed that this quote indicated a connection between the two games. While Ciri's description is somewhat generic in terms of futuristic science-fiction themes, it is unlikely that this similarity was purely coincidental. CD Projekt Red began development on Cyberpunk 2077 a year after The Witcher 3's release, but they had been planning the sci-fi game for at least two years prior. Therefore, it is likely that the developers had the Cyberpunk IP in mind when including this dialogue with Ciri. However, aside from a brief Easter egg photograph, no further connection to Ciri has been discovered in Cyberpunk 2077.

CD Projekt Red should consider featuring Ciri more prominently in Cyberpunk 2077's sequel. The reference to Cyberpunk 2077 in The Witcher 3 presents an opportunity for CD Projekt Red to please The Witcher fans and confirm a long-standing fan theory about Ciri's visit to Night City. Ciri does not necessarily need to be part of the main story or play a significant role; a small side quest where players can interact with her, gain insight into her emotional state, and explore her thoughts on the futuristic world would not only be great fan service but also expand the mystery and lore of both The Witcher and Cyberpunk universes.

While fans have requested various additions for Cyberpunk 2077's sequel, including Ciri would be relatively straightforward. It would not require the introduction of new systems or mechanics, and placing her in a side quest would grant the writers more creative freedom while avoiding potential logic or continuity issues. Essentially, the risk of including Ciri in the game is minimal, but the potential rewards are substantial. It would please The Witcher 3 fans while remaining intriguing for those unfamiliar with the franchise.

Cyberpunk 2077 is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.