Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel Rumored to Go Spacebound, Could Face Starfield’s Alien Dilemma

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As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but feel thrilled now that Cyberpunk 2077 has successfully weathered the storm of negative publicity, lawsuits, and online drama over the years. CD Projekt Red is moving forward with optimism, focusing on The Witcher 4 and Project Orion – the working title for Cyberpunk’s sequel. This news is exhilarating, but the scarcity of information regarding Project Orion has ignited a frenzy of speculation and rumor-spreading among fans like me. Regrettably, CDPR has remained silent on this matter, leaving us all in suspense as we eagerly await any official confirmation or denial of these intriguing claims.

Among the buzz surrounding the potential sequel of Cyberpunk 2077, there’s a common speculation that it might be set in space. Such a shift wouldn’t be unexpected given the focus on space exploration in both Cyberpunk 2077 and its prequel Edgerunners. In fact, the main characters of both ventured into outer space in their finales (in the game, this happens only under The Devil ending). However, it seems improbable that Project Orion would entirely unfold in space, as such a move could significantly deviate from the “cyberpunk” theme that the series is recognized for. Yet, it’s plausible that space travel might be a more significant aspect of Project Orion compared to its predecessor, which could certainly spark intriguing discussions.

If Project Orion Is Spacebound, It May Encounter the Same Alien Issues as Starfield

Starfield Features Aliens, but Not Intelligent Ones

In contrast to the sci-fi series like Mass Effect, Starfield’s extraterrestrial species are not sapient, lacking the kind of intelligence often associated with humans. Creatures such as Terrormorphs display some level of intelligence, yes, but they resemble Earthly animals more than civilized societies. In essence, these cosmic beings in Starfield, including Terrormorphs, Ashtas, Glowhands, and others, are not on the path to forming a galactic federation with humanity. Instead, they are more like hostile pests, serving as obstacles for players who venture away from human civilization.

In a nutshell, including aliens in a science fiction story like Starfield necessitates significant alterations to the plot and backstory, moving beyond mere exploration or humanity’s journey into space. The presence of aliens forces us to reconsider what intelligence is, and if we encounter them, it would drastically reshape culture, civilization, religion, and philosophy. This shift in perspective gives Starfield’s worldbuilding a sleek, cohesive feel for fans who appreciate diverse alien societies as seen in series like Mass Effect or Star Trek.

Project Orion May Benefit from a Similar Approach as Starfield

If the speculations that Project Orion is centered around interstellar exploration are correct, CD Projekt Red might face challenging choices regarding the portrayal of extraterrestrial beings. Given the current direction of the Cyberpunk series, a complete dive into space opera antics, featuring intelligent, non-human species, seems improbable. Such an approach could overshadow the entire experience, making it difficult to maintain an intimate and grounded narrative about rampant capitalism, wealth disparity, and societal decay while also grappling with the profound questions raised by the discovery of alien life.

If Project Orion were to transport players into space, it could open up an intriguing prospect for expanding the diversity of adversaries in a potential sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, which predominantly features cybernetically enhanced beings and automatons. For instance, players might discover alien bacteria on a passing asteroid and use it to create monstrous entities for combat. This approach would enable the sequel to fully exploit its space-themed backdrop while maintaining a focus on human flaws, much like its precursor. Additionally, it would prevent the game from veering too far off course: there are numerous video game series that feature intelligent alien species; Project Orion doesn’t have to be another one in this regard.

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2025-04-19 16:34