Project Orion Must Preserve Cyberpunk 2077’s Recent Changes

In the last decade, few games have stirred up as much conversation as Cyberpunk 2077. Initially teased in 2013, its long, drawn-out marketing campaign built anticipation to a fever pitch, powered by CD Projekt Red’s glowing reputation from The Witcher 3. However, Cyberpunk 2077 highlighted a sobering truth: even the most revered game studios aren’t infallible.

For CD Projekt Red, the tarnish came with the botched release of Cyberpunk 2077 in late 2020. Saying the game didn’t meet expectations doesn’t quite capture the disappointment—it was barely playable on older consoles and plagued with bugs and performance problems across all platforms, missing many essential features too. Fast forward five years and several lawsuits later, and the studio has clawed back much of its reputation. This was thanks to a series of updates, free content offerings, and the positive reception of the Phantom Liberty DLC. With the next chapter, dubbed Project Orion, in the works, there are crucial lessons from the Cyberpunk 2077 saga that CD Projekt Red would do well to remember, and these lessons go beyond the bigger picture.

Initially, sweeping upgrades such as major technical fixes and the ambitious Phantom Liberty expansion draw the most attention from both players and the media. While these prominent improvements were crucial to Cyberpunk 2077’s turnaround, they are only part of the story. A multitude of smaller updates have also played a significant role in reshaping the game. These minor adjustments collectively hold as much weight as the prominent changes that grab headlines.

Quality-of-life improvements like buying vehicles from an in-game terminal instead of tracking them down, or enjoyable add-ons like altering a car’s color, have significantly enhanced the game’s appeal. It’s now packed with features and offers a more interactive and responsive world for players to explore. Here are just some notable, perhaps underestimated changes since its release:

– The ability to listen to radio stations on foot
– Expanded NPC background conversations
– Increased crowd density
– The invitation to romanceable NPCs to visit V’s apartment
– The introduction of the Night City Metro System
– Enhanced character models, notably Johnny Silverhand

For Project Orion, it’s inconceivable that these improvements wouldn’t make their way into the sequel. For instance, omitting the option to customize car colors would be a backward step, easily avoided. The continuation of such features seems likely, but CD Projekt Red must remind themselves why these elements matter.

Enhancements like eavesdropping on engaging NPC conversations in Night City might not sell the game, but they breathe life into its world. The Metro System also adds depth, despite it not providing more than existing fast travel systems do. These post-launch tweaks reveal a committed attention to detail, which is vital for building a captivating game environment. Plus, many of these smaller features, like changing car colors or being able to enjoy the radio on the move, simply up the fun factor. Project Orion should aim to include these elements from the start, avoiding the delay experienced with Cyberpunk 2077.

Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world, action-adventure game from CD Projekt Red, the creators behind The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Set in the bustling metropolis of Night City, a place obsessed with power, glamor, and body modifications, players take on the role of V, an outlaw mercenary chasing a singular implant that holds the secret to immortality. Optimized for next-gen platforms and loaded with additional free content, players can tailor their characters and playstyles as they embark on missions, earn a reputation, and enhance their abilities. The relationships formed and decisions made will shape both the storyline and the world around you. Legends begin here—what will yours be?