Unveiling Thrilling Parallels Between Cyberpunk 2077 and Metal Gear Solid 5: Phantom Pain

CD Projekt Red recently unveiled a captivating trailer for their highly anticipated DLC, Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty. This exciting preview not only provided gamers with a glimpse into the intriguing characters and captivating setting, but also shed light on the intricate plot details. Surprisingly, Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty shares some striking similarities with the renowned Metal Gear Solid games.

Within the captivating trailer, it was unveiled that the core storyline of the DLC revolves around V's valiant efforts to rescue President Rosalind Myers of the New United States of America. Tragically, Myers' shuttle was tragically shot down and crashed within the confines of Dogtown, an isolated sector of Night City dominated by criminal elements. Interestingly, this new DLC appears to draw significant inspiration from the iconic film, Escape from New York, which also greatly influenced the beloved Metal Gear Solid series.

The Story of Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty and Escape from New York

The plot of Escape from New York, released in 1981, bears a striking resemblance to the premise of Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty. Set in a dystopian future, the movie depicts a scenario where New York City has been transformed into a massive prison. The protagonist, Snake Plissken, portrayed by Kurt Russell, is a former war hero turned criminal. When Air Force One crashes in the city, Snake is tasked with the mission of rescuing the President of the United States. In order to accomplish this, he must confront an entire city filled with criminals and form tenuous alliances with fellow prisoners. It is worth mentioning that a sequel to Escape from New York is currently in the works. Interestingly, Cyberpunk 2077 also draws inspiration from this film, as its DLC, Phantom Liberty, shares a similar plot. In this DLC, the game's protagonist, V, is likely to encounter a character named Rosalind Myers who, much like the president in Escape from New York, may possess fascist tendencies. Additionally, both V and Snake Plissken face time constraints. In V's case, their chip, housing Johnny Silverhand's personality, is causing them pain and needs to be addressed. Similarly, Snake Plissken had a limited amount of time to rescue the president before a deadly technology would be activated. It is notable that this will be the second major video game franchise to draw heavy inspiration from Escape from New York.

Metal Gear Solid 5's Escape From New York Inspiration

The Metal Gear Solid franchise is widely regarded as the most cinematic video game series in history. Drawing heavy inspiration from Escape From New York, the first three games in the series - Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, and Metal Gear Solid - revolved around infiltrating enemy bases and rescuing VIPs amidst the looming threat of nuclear war. Metal Gear Solid took this concept further by introducing a twist, revealing that the rescue mission was only a secondary objective, with a more complex plot unfolding in the background. Fans will soon have the opportunity to relive these early Metal Gear Solid games, as they are set to be re-released in a new collection.

The protagonists of the Metal Gear Solid series, Solid Snake and Naked Snake, were also heavily influenced by Snake Plisskin from Escape from New York. Originally inspired by characters like Kyle Reese from The Terminator and Sean Connery, their design and characterization evolved as the games transitioned into the 3D realm. Both Solid Snake and Naked Snake bear a resemblance to Snake Plisskin, with the latter even losing an eye to further emphasize the connection. Additionally, David Hayter's vocal performances as the characters seem to draw inspiration from Snake Plisskin's voice in the film. The personalities of Solid Snake and Naked Snake also appear to combine elements of James Bond's suave demeanor with the ruggedness of the Escape from New York protagonist.

The Similarities Between Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty and MGS5: The Phantom Pain

In Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, the protagonist engages in profound conversations with a key supporting character while aboard a helicopter, a recurring setting for significant cutscenes. Both games explore themes of death and existential questioning, although Metal Gear Solid 5 portrays a much darker atmosphere. Despite the contrasting tones, both games convey a similar sense of inevitability and introspection.

Furthermore, both games share a peculiar connection through the word "Phantom" in their titles. In Metal Gear Solid 5, the title alludes to the literal phantom pain that accompanies the loss of a limb. The protagonist, Venom Snake, utilizes a prosthetic arm throughout the game, which becomes a crucial asset. Additionally, the title symbolizes the emotional anguish resulting from the loss of individuals who perished during the events of Ground Zero.

However, in Phantom Liberty, the term appears to have a more metaphorical meaning. The trailers have not provided enough clues to fully understand its significance. It is possible that the concept suggests that Liberty in this new world is merely an illusion or a ghostly remnant of its former self. Unfortunately, gamers may have to wait until the DLC is released in September to find out for certain.

It is interesting to note the enduring influence of works like Escape from New York. The Metal Gear Solid franchise drew significant inspiration from it during the 90s and early 2000s, and now the new DLC is directly borrowing its plot. Similarly, Cyberpunk 2077 seems to be drawing inspiration from Escape from New York in terms of its theme and atmosphere. With Phantom Liberty, the DLC will undoubtedly bring a wealth of new content to the base game, and players may discover even more similarities to Metal Gear Solid before the final credits roll.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty launches on September 26, 2023, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.