Not much is known about Project Orion, Cyberpunk 2077‘s code-named sequel—in fact, virtually nothing is known about the much-anticipated follow-up, which likely won’t be here for another several years. This is probably for the best, considering the drawn-out nature of Cyberpunk 2077‘s promotional period, and the overwrought hype that it facilitated. Still, it’s easy for the mind to run rampant with speculation about Project Orion, which is representative of the sequel’s massive potential.
Indeed, while Cyberpunk 2077 isn’t perfect even after myriad patches, it did turn out to be quite a special game. Its combat, build-crafting, and RPG elements are best in class, and its narrative, worldbuilding, and atmosphere make it feel truly unique, especially in a genre dominated by medieval fantasy stories. At the same time, it’s been argued that Cyberpunk 2077 doesn’t take full advantage of its titular subgenre, often feeling a bit too much like a sci-fi action movie than a cerebral, thought-provoking story about transhumanism and the horrors of technology. Luckily, the seeds for such a sophisticated narrative are there, so it’s just a matter of CD Projekt Red watering them ahead of Project Orion‘s release.
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Cyberpunk 2077’s Sequel Ought To Further Explore the Net
The Net Is One of Cyberpunk 2077’s Most Promising Underexplored Concepts
The Net is quite similar to the modern internet, but with a few major distinctions. Chief among them is its advanced Matrix-like rendering power, leveraged by savvy netrunners for optimal performance in all manner of defensive, offensive, or otherwise shady online tactics. Netrunners can directly manifest an avatar within the Net, moving around 3D environments in much the same way as they would in the real world. Cyberpunk 2077 shows this side of the Net a few times, but these sections are brief, on-rails, and don’t realize the concept’s full potential.
According to Cyberpunk lore, the Net can be rendered in far more realistic detail than what’s seen in Cyberpunk 2077. With enough processing power, this virtual world can be nearly indistinguishable from realspace, which could lead to any number of fascinating, alluring, or terrifying narrative scenarios. There’s also the Blackwall, a nearly impenetrable barrier that keeps nigh-omnipotent rogue AI from wiping out human civilization. It goes without saying that both of these lore elements, and everything that they suggest, could be fertile ground for unique storytelling and gameplay opportunities in Project Orion.
What Role Could the Net Play in Project Orion?
The sprawling potential of the Net might also have complicated its inclusion in Cyberpunk: it’s a vast and incorporeal landscape, with limits dictated by nothing more than processing power, which makes it hard to present visually. This is a big reason why the most compelling depictions of cyberspace have been in literature, rather than visual media, which is burdened by expectations of objectivity. But the Net could still be prominently featured in Project Orion if CD Projekt Red were willing to use a soft touch.
Maybe Cyberpunk 2077‘s sequel could better illustrate the multifaceted nature of the Net through more varied setpieces. For instance, a photorealistic Net creation could be used for Arkham-style nightmare sequences, wherein the player-character is tormented by an antagonistic Netrunner who has crafted a twisted virtual reality. Other manifestations of the Net could be used for novel gameplay scenarios, such as platforming or reaction-based challenges, which could yield significant rewards. Maybe Project Orion could even use the Net to fulfill the fantasy of so many Netrunner role-players, allowing them to wreak devastation upon great numbers of enemies without ever leaving a single spot.
Cyberpunk 2077
6/10
- Released
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December 10, 2020
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Engine
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REDengine 4
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