Summary

  • Characters in Cyberpunk 2077 universe often seek escape from Night City, with space being a common destination in different installments.
  • Space as an escape feels repetitive, as it has been used in multiple endings and even in the Netflix show and DLC.
  • Using space as a final destination is just a temporary solution, as it doesn't address the lasting issues of the dystopian world in a meaningful way.

Since Cyberpunk 2077 first hit shelves and digital storefronts, there has been a lot of additional media taking place in the game's universe. Novels, comic books, and even a popular Netflix show have allowed fans to further immerse themselves into the world of Night City. Unfortunately, there is one element that pops up in various Cyberpunk 2077 installments that the sequel should avoid.

One of the recurring motivations for characters in the Cyberpunk 2077 universe is a desire to escape Night City. This takes on several forms from losing themselves in BDs to physically leaving the metropolis. An all too common element in many of the stories' endings is a major character literally going to space or the moon as an escape and is a story beat that has already overstayed its welcome.

RELATED: Cyberpunk 2077 Has a Chekhov's Gun That Has to Fire in the Sequel

Cyberpunk 2077's Most Common End Destination

Cyberpunk Path of Glory Ending
Cyberpunk Path of Glory Ending

While not every Cyberpunk 2077 ending results in the player going to space or the moon, they are something of a reoccurring destination in the franchise's finale. The Sun ending is the first of these where V decides to partake in a heist of a place known as Crystal Palace Casino. A character known as Mr. Blue Eyes promises the protagonist a cure for their condition if they help him. The Devil ending also has V spending a good chunk of their time in a space station before it is revealed that their condition is incurable.

Perhaps the most notable ending involving space was in the Netflix show. While Cyberpunk Edgerunners' ending left some questions unanswered it saw one of the main characters escape the metropolis. Sometime after the events of the climax, Lucy manages to get out of the city and takes a trip to the moon which had been her desired destination since the beginning of the series. This also turned out to be the destination of a major character from the Cyberpunk 2077 DLC.

A lot happens within the game's expansion, and it turns out that Phantom Liberty's Songbird wasn't that different from Lucy. One big thing that they had in common was a desire to escape which ultimately involved going to the moon. There is a lot of conflict and heartache to get there, but she can make it to the lunar destination if players opt to side with her. The problem is that the game and other media like Edgerunners rely a little too much on space as the ultimate escape and should avoid using it in the future.

Why Future Games Should Avoid Using The Moon for a Final Destination

Cyberpunk ending space and earth
Cyberpunk ending space and earth

There are a few key problems when it comes to the characters using space to escape. The first is that it's quite literally just an escape. The world of Cyberpunk is that of a late-stage capitalism dystopia nightmare and one can't blame a character for wanting to flee it. The downside to it is that by simply running away, they don't really solve any of the world's issues in a lasting manner. They only manage to get away and, for several of these characters, it comes at a very high price.

The other problem is that at this point, having the character head into space feels a little played out. With four Cyberpunk endings that involve space in some way, it's a solution to the character's problem that's already been used up. If a potential sequel were to use this again it would do so at the risk of coming off as somewhat stale and repetitive.

Currently, there is very little known about what direction the next game will take. The director of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty will lead the upcoming project and based on the reception to the expansion it's likely the next installment is in good hands. But if the game wants to do something fresh and new, the sequel will have to avoid shooting for the moon.

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6 /10

Cyberpunk 2077
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RPG
Action
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Systems
PlayStation-1 Xbox-1 super greyscale 8-bit logo PC-1
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Top Critic Avg: 76 /100 Critics Rec: 66%
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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
Engine
REDengine 4
Cross-Platform Play
ps, xbox, pc
Cross Save
yes
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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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?

Genre(s)
RPG, Action
How Long To Beat
25 Hours
Metascore
75