Cyberpunk 2077 sequel plot teased by Phantom Liberty DLC
It's been a good run, but it's time to admit the sun is setting on Night City... at least in its current form. Up there with No Man's Sky, few could've expected Cyberpunk 2077 to turn things around quite like it has. It was touch and go for a while, but we've got to admit CD Projekt Red has done well.
Possibly a victim of its previous success, there were high hopes that the developer behind The Witcher could deliver something on par with the beloved Wild Hunt. Unfortunately, numerous delays and a disgruntled fanbase didn't help Cyberpunk 2077 when it was released in a somewhat unfinished state.
SPOILER WARNING This article contains spoilers for the end of Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty DLC
Cyberpunk 2077 players think its sequel was teased in Phantom Liberty
Jump forward to 2023, and it's a different story. Ironing out the glitches and bugs, delivering a new-gen upgrade, and now a DLC, it's finally the game it could've been. While we once expected a slew of DLC to keep us playing as V for years to come, those hopes have been dashed.
CDPR recently confirmed that the Cyberpunk 2.0 update and Phantom Liberty DLC will be the last big update before we move ahead with the 2077 sequel. The crux of Phantom Liberty involves taking on the Blackwall and its AI software, which is a well-timed theme for today's worries about rogue tech.
GamesRadar points to a Reddit thread from L3tAerithLivePls, which highlights Songbird possessing advanced Cyberware. There's an interesting line of dialogue that says, "Fortunately, your reality’s technology is too rudimentary to let open the floodgates. In limiting you, it limits them, keeps them at bay. Though this will not last."
The implication is that AI is being kept at bay because Night City's tech isn't advanced enough. If that doesn't scream time jump, nothing does. Someone added, "They’ve been alluding or teasing the possibility of a wild AI apocolypse since the release."
One fan theorised, "Yep, seems like she’s hinting that if cyberware becomes too advanced (i.e. Songbird), Blackwall-AI will be able to possess people like demons. Definitely a setup for Cyberpunk 2088 or something to that effect."
Someone else concluded, "Johnny's story is complete now too. With how they handled a new major actor joining the cast (Idris Elba as Solomon Reed), I'm extremely excited to see what new characters we will meet in the sequel."
What do we know about the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel?
Click to enlargeOther than the fact the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel is codenamed Project Orion, there's not much else to go on. Given the above tease, we imagine it hasn't been given a full name because it'll have another date in the title and confirm a new year. Something like Cyberpunk 2088 would give rogue AI enough time to evolve.
Elsewhere, it's likely we'll see more of the mysterious Mr. Blue Eyes NPC. During Phantom Liberty's The Killing Moon quest, V will be given the "take the elevator up to the roof" objective. On the observation deck, you'll be able to scan Mr. Blue eyes if you're wearing the right Cyberware.
Production on the next game is expected to start after CDPR has polished off the next Witcher entry, with the team moving to the USA to focus its efforts. Phantom Liberty Game Director Gabe Amatangelo is leading Project Orion, and if it's anything like the DLC, we should be in safe hands.
