A Forgotten Mobile Title Could Be Perfect as a New Cyberpunk 2077 Spin-Off

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A Forgotten Mobile Title Could Be Perfect as a New Cyberpunk 2077 Spin-Off

As a longtime fan of the Cyberpunk universe, I’ve been captivated by its gritty, dystopian world since discovering the pen-and-paper RPG back in the late 90s. Mike Pondsmith’s creation transported me to a future filled with neon lights, corporate intrigue, and high-tech action. So when CD Projekt Red announced Cyberpunk 2077, I was beyond excited to finally explore this world in a modern video game.

I was among the disappointed fans when Cyberpunk 2077 first came out in 2020 with numerous bugs and issues. However, thanks to CD Projekt Red’s dedication to improving the game through free updates, it has transformed into an exceptional open-world RPG experience that I now thoroughly enjoy. Although the developer announced the end of support for the sci-fi RPG, the demand for more content in the Cyberpunk 2077 universe remains strong. This is demonstrated by the success of the Phantom Liberty expansion and the critically-acclaimed Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime.

Despite no longer adding new updates or DLC to Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red can still benefit from the game’s popularity by creating spin-offs based on the IP. The Polish developer has several options for expanding the franchise in this way, such as developing a linear third-person shooter, an isometric RPG reminiscent of Shadowrun, a hack-and-slash action game, or even a multiplayer experience akin to GTA Online. CD Projekt Red could also draw inspiration from an older mobile game for a potential Cyberpunk 2077 spin-off.

Cyberpunk 2077 Could Take Inspiration From a Forgotten Mobile Game for a Potential Spin-Off

As a long-time fan of tabletop role-playing games, I can tell you that the influence of “Cyberpunk” on the RPG community has been nothing short of remarkable. While many gamers today might be familiar with CD Projekt Red’s groundbreaking open-world video game, “Cyberpunk 2077,” I remember a time when the “Cyberpunk” IP was born in a very different format: as a tabletop RPG named “Cyberpunk 2013.”

Cyberpunk 2077 Isn’t the First Video Game Based on the Cyberpunk IP

Surprisingly, the release of “Cyberpunk 2077” from CD Projekt Red as a video game adaptation of Mike Pondsmith’s “Cyberpunk” may take some by surprise. However, it’s important to note that this isn’t the first digital interpretation of the tabletop RPG. That distinction goes to “Cyberpunk: The Arasaka’s Plot,” a 2007 mobile game developed and published by Mayhem Studio. This lesser-known title, which is vastly different from “Cyberpunk 2077” in terms of genre, was a side-scrolling cinematic platformer instead of an open-world, first-person RPG. Nevertheless, some elements of the storyline from “The Arasaka’s Plot” may resonate with fans of “Cyberpunk 2077.”

The game “Cyberpunk: The Arasaka’s Plot” was initially launched only for Java-powered mobile phones (J2ME), making it incompatible with current technology without employing emulators to play.

In “Cyberpunk: The Arasaka’s Plot,” the main character, Sam Gibson, a hired gunman, finds himself in danger after being falsely accused of murder by the harmful Arasaka Corporation. To uncover the truth and clear his name, Gibson teams up with Ka, a skilled Netrunner who assists him through her hacking and communication abilities. The game’s narrative has a nostalgic feel, similar to 90s side-scrolling platformers such as “Flashback,” and so does its gameplay.

The Arasaka’s Plot Could Be a Great Basis for a Cyberpunk 2077 2D Platformer

Cyberpunk: The Arasaka’s Plot may not have aged all that well, but it could still serve as a great basis for a fast-paced 2D platformer set in the world of Cyberpunk 2077. Although some might scoff at such an idea, recent spin-offs of other franchises have proved that massive genre pivots can be done right, if handled correctly. Take Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, for instance. This particular title is based on a series that’s widely known for its third-person action-adventure games. In spite of this, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown still felt right at home as a 2D platformer, not only due to it receiving critical acclaim, but also thanks to it harkening back to the origins of the Ubisoft franchise.

The success of “Prince of Persia” in drawing inspiration from its past to create new spin-offs serves as an example for “Cyberpunk” and its potential project, “The Arasaka’s Plot.” By blending the captivating art style of the popular “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners” anime with role-playing game (RPG) elements that CD Projekt Red is renowned for, we could see the emergence of a thrilling 2D platformer.

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2024-07-18 14:58