Project Orion Can’t Afford to Drop the Ball on Cyberpsychosis Like Cyberpunk 2077 Did

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Project Orion Can't Afford to Drop the Ball on Cyberpsychosis Like Cyberpunk 2077 Did

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that Cyberpunk 2077 has been one of the most captivating and thought-provoking game worlds I’ve ever explored. The gritty, mature, and often cruel nature of Night City was a breath of fresh air in an industry that tends to lean towards toothless, by-the-numbers narratives.

From the very beginning, the universe of Cyberpunk 2077 benefited significantly from a distinct advantage: it was rooted in Mike Pondsmith’s gritty and vivid portrayal of the future. The unique imprint of Pondsmith, combined with CD Projekt Red’s proven writing skills, made Cyberpunk one of the captivating game worlds to explore this decade, despite its initial bugs.

As a devoted fan, diving into the gritty yet offbeat universe of Cyberpunk 2077 feels like an exhilarating adventure. In contrast to today’s AAA gaming landscape that seems to lean toward sanitized, formulaic, and committee-driven narratives aimed at avoiding controversy, Cyberpunk is anything but inoffensive. Instead, it presents a world that’s ruthless, unforgiving, and downright cruel.

Project Orion Can Capitalize On Something Cyberpunk 2077’s Cyberpsycho Quests Promised

The Shortcomings of Cyberpunk 2077’s Cyberpsycho Quests

In the game Cyberpunk, the side quests involving cyberpsychosis can be deeply emotional, as it becomes clear early on that these so-called “psychos” are often victims themselves. They may appear violent, but text logs and other visual cues suggest that their rage is a fearful struggle for them. Many of these individuals are normal people who have turned to cybernetic enhancements to manage various health issues, while others are battling PTSD or other conditions worsened by the malfunctioning technology within them.

One of the first instances hinting at cyberpsychosis can be traced back to the 1995 cyberpunk anime movie, “Ghost in the Shell,” which shares many of the same concepts.

In the game, Regina Jones, known as ‘The Fixer’, instructs the player to deal with certain disturbances. She understands that these situations call for non-lethal methods, which is why she asks the player (referred to as V) to neutralize the psychopaths without causing harm. Most compassionate individuals would prefer this approach because it becomes evident that these people are ill, not inherently evil or cruel. This situation puts the player in a challenging position: either eliminate the enemies swiftly, potentially resulting in their death, or choose the riskier, less lethal path, thus upholding V’s principles and morals.

In simpler terms, this quest line in Cyberpunk 2077 doesn’t have much impact on the overall game, regardless of whether you choose to kill or spare the cyberpsycho. The only difference is the dialogue from Regina at the end of the mission, and even that doesn’t change the rewards you receive. It’s a pity because these missions could have made non-lethal play feel more significant, but instead, it often feels insignificant. This is particularly disappointing considering how rare it is to use non-lethal strategies in Cyberpunk 2077, and when players do choose non-lethal options, the outcome doesn’t seem to matter much.

How Project Orion Could Double-Down On Cyberpunk 2077’s Cyberpsychosis Quest Design

In the storyline of Cyberpunk 2077, the portrayal of cyberpsychosis is consistently well-executed and intriguing, making it a letdown that these encounters don’t result in more substantial outcomes. However, Project Orion could expand upon this solid narrative base by incorporating missions or optional activities centered around cyberpsychosis, but with consequences or rewards tied to the player’s decisions.

A key method for making this quest chain more interesting could be by introducing significant variations in the storyline. For example, the player-character might encounter reformed cyberpsychos who express gratitude for the mercy shown to them. Conversely, the relatives or friends of a deceased cyberpsycho might harbor resentment against the player-character, potentially influencing the game in unforeseen ways. By adopting this strategy, Project Orion can further explore cyberpsychosis, delving deeper into its societal and philosophical aspects while also providing a more engaging narrative experience than its previous iteration.

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2024-11-13 15:03