Cyberpunk 2077’s Secret Balatro Quest Explained

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As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for immersive narratives and intriguing crossovers, I must say that CD Projekt Red’s latest surprise for Cyberpunk 2077 has me grinning ear to ear. The addition of a secret Balatro side quest in the heart of Night City is an unexpected delight, especially considering the critical acclaim and popularity that Balatro, a humble indie game, has garnered this year.

Earlier this week, after stating last year that they would no longer be adding new content to Cyberpunk 2077 due to moving on to other projects like Project Orion and The Witcher 4, CD Projekt Red has surprised fans with another free update for current-gen platforms. This latest update, known as Update 2.2, was released on December 10, 2024, and it’s packed full of cosmetic enhancements for the game. The aim of this update is to provide players with more ways to showcase their individuality in the Cyberpunk universe. This update introduces significant car customization options, revamps the photo mode, and enhances the character creator.

In line with many updates for Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red has kept some elements under wraps in Update 2.2. Players are left to uncover certain features on their own. So far, enthusiasts have identified a new street race in Watson and noticed an expansion of weapon color options within the game. However, what seems to be the most intriguing hidden gem in this update might just be the introduction of a brand new Balatro-themed side quest.

Cyberpunk 2077’s Update 2.2 Added a Secret Balatro Side Quest

Balatro is One of the Biggest Indie Games of the Year

As a movie buff might say, you might not recognize the name “Balatro”, but let me tell you, it’s one of the most praised indie games to grace our screens this year. This masterpiece was single-handedly created by the talented Canadian developer, LocalThunk. Balatro is a unique blend of roguelike and deck builder genres, where players must strategically combine jokers with poker hands to maximize their scores. At first, it may not seem all that thrilling, but trust me, once you start playing, you’ll find yourself hooked! In fact, many gamers have described it as addictive. And just to give you an idea of its popularity, Balatro has been nominated for the prestigious Game of the Year award at The Game Awards.

Balatro’s New Cyberpunk 2077 Side Quest Tasks Players With Finding Jokers Around Night City

As players advance through the storyline of Cyberpunk 2077, they might now find a text from an enigmatic character called Jim B. He requests assistance in locating a band of renegade Jokers who have scattered across Night City and are secretly planning to seize control of the city’s gambling industry. If players decide to help Jim B., they will be thrust into an unforgettable journey across Night City, where they must search for and gather depictions of these supposed Jokers. In truth, these Jokers turn out to be nothing more than graffiti drawings of the jokers found in Balatro.

This seemingly ordinary ‘Balatro’ side mission might appear as a simple collection task, but successfully completing it grants some enticing rewards. By locating all the elusive Jokers scattered across Night City, Jim B. rewards players with distinctive Balatro-inspired items for their inventory. These include a T-shirt adorned with a Joker’s likeness and a trophy to proudly display in their apartments.

Cyberpunk 2077 and Balatro Have a Mutual Relationship

In a revealing conversation with IGN, Maria Mazur, a designer at CD Projekt Red, shared insights on the surprising inclusion of a side quest featuring Balatro in Cyberpunk 2077. Enthusiastic about Balatro herself, Mazur was keen to involve the character in the game somehow. Expressing a strong connection with Balatro’s creator, LocalThunk, Mazur proudly mentioned that she facilitated introducing Jim B to Cyberpunk 2077.

It might come as no surprise that LocalThunk and CD Projekt Red have teamed up before. In fact, earlier this year, the Friends of Jimbo updates for Balatro introduced a series of face cards inspired by famous gaming characters. One of these cards showcased Geralt of Rivia from The Witcher series, while another depicted Johnny Silverhand, the armed rockerboy from Cyberpunk 2077.

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2024-12-13 14:05