Cyberpunk 2077 Has the Perfect Spin-Off Sitting Right Under its Nose

Cyberpunk 2077 has been able to rise from its rocky launch and become one of the most beloved modern RPGs around. Thanks to the hard work of developer CD Projekt Red, the post-launch life of Cyberpunk 2077 has been incredibly successful, eventually leading to a sequel being greenlit. Now with the secretive sequel in its early stages of development, many are wondering when the next dose of Cyberpunk 2077 will be ready.

Unfortunately, it’s likely to be a while before Cyberpunk 2077‘s sequel, currently known as Project Orion, is finished. CD Projekt Red is also working on The Witcher 4, which is likely to arrive first. The Cyberpunk 2077 universe is filled with fascinating points of lore to explore, which makes the prospect of Project Orion that much more exciting. However, when it comes to potential spin-off games, Netflix’s animated Cyberpunk: Edgerunners series could be the perfect template for a new story.

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A Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Spin-Off Game Could Be the Best Appetizer For Project Orion

Putting a Twist On the Cyberpunk 2077 Formula

While Project Orion is bound to adhere to similar gameplay and mechanics found in its predecessor, Edgerunners presents the opportunity to tell a story within the world that isn’t confined to the first game’s realistic visuals. Edgerunners‘ anime art style showcased the franchise in a brand-new light, and keeping this same aesthetic for a game spin-off could potentially offer something both visually stunning and action-packed.

What Would an Edgerunners-Inspired Game Look Like?

Instead of being a first-person RPG, an Edgerunners chapter may work better as a shorter, third-person linear narrative. Edgerunners protagonist David would be unlikely as a protagonist, as revisiting his story would be repetitive for those who watched the mini-series, but a brand-new character living the same lifestyle might be just as compelling. Of course, it could also potentially be connected to the series and David in some small way. Whether it be a story following Lucy in the aftermath of David’s showdown with Adam Smasher or a fresh character who knows about David’s stand against Night City’s corporate world and looks to him as a hero, such a spin-off is filled with possibilities.

Of course, it’s important to mention that no such spin-off game has been confirmed, but if CD Projekt Red were to entertain such an idea, it could prove to be one of the strongest ways for the franchise to explore a new story in an unexpected way ahead of Project Orion.

Edgerunners and Project Orion Could Expand the Game’s World in the Same Way

• At the end of Edgerunners, Lucy travels to the moon.
• Theories have suggested that Project Orion could finally feature the moon colony.

After leaks suggested that a moon-based DLC for Cyberpunk 2077 was canceled, many have speculated that this rumored expansion might be saved for Project Orion. If that’s the case, then Project Orion and Edgerunners could share a compelling connection. This remains to be seen, but if an Edgerunners game spin-off didn’t happen, having Easter eggs in Project Orion on the moon colony may be the next best thing.

As time passes, CD Projekt Red will reveal more insight into what else the developer has planned for the Cyberpunk 2077 franchise. Despite its controversial beginnings, Cyberpunk 2077 has proven to be a huge success for the developer, and it will be exciting to see what else lies on the horizon for Night City and its inhabitants.

Released

December 10, 2020

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol