Cyberpunk 2077: Why Project Orion Should Diversify its Map From The First

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As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that Night City in Cyberpunk 2077 left an indelible mark on me. It was a gritty, neon-lit playground where every corner seemed to hide a new secret or danger. However, despite its appeal, the city’s one-note open world started to feel repetitive after a while.

The unique character of Cyberpunk 2077 is heavily influenced by its environment. Although it shares some similarities with previous works in the cyberpunk genre, the gritty Night City captivated many gamers from the start. The city’s striking visual style, reinforced by Mike Pondsmith’s lore, gives Night City a personality of its own within Cyberpunk 2077, making it feel like a significant character in the game.

In the discussion about the future of Project Orion, the follow-up to the hit game Cyberpunk 2077, developers face a significant choice concerning its location. Given that Night City has left a lasting impression as one of the most iconic video game settings in recent times, abandoning it might stir up controversy. Yet, if CD Projekt Red aims to create an open world worthy of exploration in Project Orion, expanding beyond Night City could be their wisest move.

Improving Upon Cyberpunk 2077’s One-Note Open World

In Cyberpunk 2077, the virtual portrayal of Night City served its purpose given the game’s vast scale, particularly after the inclusion of Dogtown in the Phantom Liberty DLC expansion. However, it wasn’t without its imperfections. The repetitive pattern of open-world events in Cyberpunk 2077 extended to the exploration of Night City itself, making it feel monotonous at times. Although players could traverse various city districts and venture into parts of the surrounding Badlands, the open world still felt somewhat limited in terms of diversity.

In Night City, many districts share a similar feel, with scattered warehouses and residential areas being the norm rather than exception. This sameness extends not just to the layout of city blocks but also to their overall visual style. During daylight hours, large portions of the city are bathed in a uniform, albeit vibrant, shade of beige, gray, and tan that fails to stand out. This monotony is particularly noticeable in the Badlands region, which lacks distinctive landmarks, making it an unattractive destination except for when necessary for story progression.

In contrast to games like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, which can manage with recycling maps from past installments in the series, Project Orion could significantly enhance its scope by incorporating more than a few additional districts or boroughs. It is essential that Night City remains within the game given its significant role in the Cyberpunk franchise, spanning from Cyberpunk 2077 to Cyberpunk RED and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. However, it’s worth noting that Cyberpunk 2077’s missions and recent whispers have already unveiled new areas of the world – and possibly beyond – which Project Orion could delve into to inject some fresh style into its map design.

Widening Project Orion’s North American Scope

Beyond Night City, the universe of Cyberpunk 2077 offers numerous locations that could be ripe for exploration and expansion in Project Orion. Just beyond Night City’s borders, there are enticing areas both to the north and south. Project Orion could broaden its scope by venturing deeper into the Badlands, delving further into nomad culture and enhancing the gameplay experience with a more sophisticated vehicle system. Conversely, the Pacific Northwest has already been hinted at in certain versions of Judy’s storyline in Cyberpunk 2077. Seattle carries a rich history in the Cyberpunk universe, and the region’s distinctive forests would not only provide an appealing variation to the game map but could pave the way for Project Orion’s anticipated introduction of wildlife.

Additionally, Project Orion could explore alternatives beyond the West Coast, as there are numerous possibilities available. The fictional nation of Phantom Liberty generates significant intrigue, making it an appealing choice for a follow-up story. In another scenario, V’s character from Street Kid background revisits Night City following stints in Atlanta, and the Cyberpunk timeline indicates that a railway connecting Night City to Chicago was constructed in 2077. This alternate location offers striking visual differences, with its dilapidated plague-stricken ruins standing in stark contrast to ongoing corporate reconstruction efforts.

Exploring Space in Project Orion

Introducing an element where part of Project Orion unfolds in outer space could mark a significant change for this project. The abandoned space DLC from Cyberpunk 2077 has sparked speculation among fans about the possibility of Project Orion venturing into the cosmos. This alteration would not only differentiate Project Orion’s open-world exploration from its precursor, but it could also serve as a means to expand upon the hints of moon colonies in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.

Regardless of what directions Project Orion’s story takes, Cyberpunk’s world is vast and detailed enough to allow CD Projekt Red to expand the game’s borders. Night City was a memorable setting for the first game; there’s no denying that. However, adding more diversity to Project Orion’s explorable areas would go a long way in improving the player experience and addressing Cyberpunk 2077’s open world issues.

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2024-11-20 22:24