Unveiling the Secret Easter Eggs: A Complete Guide to Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty Edgerunners
Phantom Liberty update in Cyberpunk 2077 pays a heartfelt tribute to the beloved Edgerunners, delighting the game's community with an array of carefully crafted Easter Eggs
Highlights
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty beautifully commemorates the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners series through poignant tributes in the Columbarium. These tributes showcase the iconic Edgerunner insignia, along with treasured personal belongings of the characters.In Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, the latest update pays homage to the series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners by featuring Easter Egg references. Players can expect to encounter recreated scenes, iconic bars, and familiar locations from the beloved series. This inclusion not only serves as a tribute to the captivating storyline and the Anime of the Year award that the series won, but it also showcases the profound impact it had on the franchise and the enthusiastic Cyberpunk 2077 community.
The mark of a popular franchise is the creation of a devoted fan culture that goes beyond gameplay and extends to various forms of media. Several games have successfully transitioned into movies or series, with Netflix leading the way with hits like Arcane and The Witcher. Netflix's Cyberpunk: Edgerunners was another attempt to engage the gaming community, which was met with anticipation by players of the newly-released Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. CD Projekt Red, in a nod to Netflix's success, included some Edgerunners content as a tribute to their achievements.
Despite its initial struggles and subsequent patches, Cyberpunk 2077 has managed to make a remarkable comeback in recent years, winning back disappointed fans and attracting new ones. Phantom Liberty is a significant milestone for the game, offering a completely different and improved experience. Given the acclaim of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and its recognition as Anime of the Year in 2023, it is not surprising that Cyberpunk 2077 incorporates references to the series to honor its contribution to the franchise.
Phantom Liberty Pays Homage to the Edgerunners
TV series often rely on plot armor clichés, where characters miraculously survive dangerous situations. However, viewers appreciate it when a show's events unfold naturally, even if it means some beloved characters face unexpected deaths. This element is what made series like Game of Thrones so popular. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners also embraced this approach, delivering a tragic storyline that resulted in only a handful of survivors. Fans of Cyberpunk 2077 have eagerly awaited the Phantom Liberty update to see if the anime would have any presence, and the answer is a definite yes.
One of the most impactful references to the Edgerunners in Phantom Liberty can be found in the somber memorials at the Columbarium. Located in the North Oak region of Westbrook District, the Columbarium houses the cremated remains of the deceased. Among them, there is a memorial dedicated to the Edgerunners crew, created by Lucy, the sole survivor of the gang. Rebecca's holographic memorial features the Edgerunner insignia, alongside her iconic headpiece and shotguns (one of which can also be found on the map of Cyberpunk 2077). To the left of Rebecca's remembrance, there are memorials for Pilar, Dorio, and Maine.
David Martinez, the protagonist of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, was brought into the Edgerunner fold by the trio. Lucy's heartwarming dedication plaque reads, "You were the only family I ever had." David Martinez used to be Lucy's love interest until his unfortunate death. Throughout Edgerunners, his character development took him from a troubled youth, similar to Jinx in Arcane, to becoming a legendary figure in Night City. His holograph not only displays the Edgerunner symbol but also features the infamous Sandevistan. Although not a member of the crew, Lucy placed a memorial for her murdered mother, Gloria, just beneath David's.
These memorials are not the only references to the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners series in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. The game recreates several scenes from different episodes, offering Easter Eggs for fans. David Martinez's apartment in Santo Domingo has a similar layout to V's home in Japantown, and the protagonist's favorite Ripper Doc store can be found in the Arroyo District, although the doctor has since moved out. Iconic bars like Jacked and Coke, Turbo, and Totentanz are also visitable locations for players. Additionally, the game includes other memorable moments from the series, such as the image of Lucy looking up at the moon, which is represented in Cyberpunk 2077 as the moon tarot card. These Edgerunners Easter Eggs add the finishing touch to Phantom Liberty's homage.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
