Project Orion is still mostly a mystery at this point, but the shadowy Cyberpunk 2077 sequel certainly seems to have a lot of potential, courtesy of CD Projekt Red's crash course in the pitfalls of ambition back in 2020. With any luck, this upcoming title will retain the strengths of its predecessor while introducing the new, bold, ideas that audiences have come to expect from CDPR, making it the definitive Cyberpunk experience.
That said, there are a couple of roadblocks that Project Orion will have to overcome during its development. One of the most pressing questions about its high-level design is how it will relate to the narrative of Cyberpunk 2077: it can either be a direct sequel or focus on a brand-new narrative, set before, after, or during the events of the first game. The latter route seems far more likely, as V's journey seems well and truly finished regardless of which ending players obtain. But assuming that CDPR does intend to make one of Cyberpunk 2077's many finales canon, the Temperance ending might be just the ticket, as bizarre as it may seem.
Cyberpunk 2077's Sequel Needs a Substantial Upgrade for Melee Combat
Cyberpunk 2077 has pretty great combat, but its sequel can improve it, and the melee department is the perfect place to start polishing.
Why Project Orion Should Jump Off the Temperance Ending
Cyberpunk 2077's Temperance Ending Is Its Most Thought-Provoking
Spoilers ahead for Cyberpunk 2077.
In the Temperance ending, V decides to cede full control of their body to Johnny, ending the pair's partnership and effectively causing the death of the former. In a short prologue, players watch Johnny, now in V's body, leave Night City behind, suggesting that the rocker has finally started to grasp some semblance of peace. It's a bittersweet finale, but it's also quite satisfying, redeeming both V and Johnny in spite of their countless morally questionable actions, and offering a strong sense of closure.
Moreover, it's perhaps the ending most ripe for analysis and discussion. By allowing Johnny to fully take over V's body, he is allowed to live out the rest of his natural life, whereas "killing" Johnny is needlessly selfish, as V only has about six more months to live regardless. But V can wind up giving Johnny a second chance at life, similar to how he gave V a second chance after being shot by Deshawn. Through this ending, there's a real opportunity for Johnny to reform and have a positive impact on the world, finally getting his life back after so much strife. But of course, Johnny's body isn't his own. This raises several questions about the nature of consciousness and the relationships people have with their bodies, and such questions can be further explored in Project Orion.
Project Orion Could Analyze This New Johnny-V Hybrid
If Project Orion does wind up being a direct sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, then the Temperance ending is perhaps the only feasible option for canonization. Aside from the fact that it's the only ending that guarantees the preservation of V's body for more than six months, it provides the most fertile soil for further narrative development. It wouldn't be very interesting to follow V and Panam's adventure for yet another potential cure, for example, but it would be interesting to see how Johnny adapts to his new lease on life.
This possible narrative route would be particularly interesting if V's body were female in Project Orion, as this would add another layer of gender identity and presentation to Johnny's story.
Whether Johnny-V returns as the protagonist of Project Orion or an NPC, the Temperance ending would offer the most fruitful and thought-provoking continuation of the Cyberpunk 2077 narrative. This path would not only be interesting from a plot perspective, but also a thematic one, as Project Orion could further delve into the concepts of transhumanism, elevating the philosophical content of its story.
Cyberpunk 2077
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 76 /100 Critics Rec: 66%
- Released
- December 10, 2020
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(s)
- CD Projekt Red
WHERE TO PLAY
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action-adventure from the creators of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red.
Set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour and body modification, you play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality.
Upgraded with next-gen in mind and featuring free additional content, customize your character and playstyle as you take on jobs, build a reputation, and unlock upgrades.
The relationships you forge and the choices you make will shape the story and the world around you. Legends are made here. What will yours be?
- Engine
- REDengine 4
- Cross-Platform Play
- ps, xbox, pc
- Cross Save
- yes
- Franchise
- Cyberpunk
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- yes
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- How Long To Beat
- 25 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
