One of Cyberpunk 2077’s Important Features Needs to Shine in Project Orion

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One of Cyberpunk 2077's Important Features Needs to Shine in Project Orion

Highlights

  • Project Orion is confirmed as the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, but likely won’t be released until 2028/2029.
  • Netrunning in Cyberpunk 2077 is undervalued, and Project Orion should focus on enhancing this gameplay aspect.
  • Project Orion can introduce Netrunning stations, pathways, and lore to improve player experience.

As a seasoned gamer who’s spent countless hours immersed in the vibrant world of Night City, I can’t help but share my excitement about the upcoming sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 – Project Orion. While I appreciate the studio’s focus on The Witcher franchise, I eagerly await the return to the cybernetic realm that has captivated me since 2020.

With the hype surrounding “Cyberpunk 2077” and its latest story expansion, Phantom Liberty, starting to die down, fans can now focus on what’s next for the series. Although CD Projekt Red is expected to concentrate more on their Witcher franchise in the coming months, they have confirmed that a follow-up to 2077 is already being developed.

Based on reports from late 2022, the follow-up to the game “Cyberpunk 2077” is tentatively named “Project Orion,” and it’s expected that the game could launch between 2028 and 2029 at the earliest. Fortunately, the core gameplay of the Cyberpunk franchise has been refined significantly since 2020, with a lot of attention being paid to improvements post-launch for “2077.” Lessons learned from “2077” will undoubtedly be valuable during the development of “Orion.” Although “Project Orion” should strive to establish its own identity, the Netrunning aspect of “2077” was underdeveloped even in its final version, and “Orion” should aim to fully maximize this gameplay element’s potential.

Netrunning Should Get the Spotlight it Deserves in Project Orion

The intricate environment and world design in Cyberpunk 2077 significantly boosted the game’s popularity, and played a significant role in generating immense anticipation before its launch. Being part of a broader franchise with origins dating back to 1988, CD Projekt Red had an extensive library of lore and details at their disposal, which they utilized to create the depiction of Night City and its denizens for Cyberpunk 2077.

Absolutely, the universe of Cyberpunk 2077 is marked by rampant corporate greed and extreme socioeconomic disparity, shaping its narrative, but it also provides a backdrop for advanced technology that expands gameplay possibilities. This is particularly true in the idea of Netrunning within the Cyberpunk series, where skilled hackers, who have enhanced their bodies with cybernetic modifications, engage in digital infiltration.

In essence, the most committed players within the gaming world of Netrunners exist primarily in the digital universe, and Cyberpunk 2077 explores this idea by offering diverse hacking skills via Netrunning equipment and skill progression. These skills enable players to enhance combat tactics, such as diverting adversaries’ attention, sabotaging gear, or triggering explosions within Cyberpunk 2077. However, it’s apparent that there are still numerous advancements in Netrunning that Project Orion can introduce.

Netrunning Stations and New Pathways Could Define Project Orion’s Gameplay Approaches

In Cyberpunk 2077, players appreciate having multiple playstyles to choose from, including stealth, melee, and ranged. However, it’s apparent that CD Projekt Red has been hesitant about Netrunning builds in the game as demonstrated by the significant changes made to Netrunning with the release of the 2.0 update. This overhaul was designed to prevent Netrunning builds from becoming excessively powerful, though it had the side effect of making Netrunning less effective when combined with other mechanics such as stealth.

As an avid fan, I’m excited about CDPR’s potential to deepen the immersive experience of Project Orion by delving deeper into the intricate lore of Netrunning. Instead of mere quickhacks to eliminate a room full of enemies, players should be given the chance to navigate multiple Netrunning pathways. This could involve purchasing and utilizing Netrunning stations to traverse the cyber realm, offering an engaging exploration experience that truly captures the essence of this digital world.

In the year 2077, as depicted in the game, other Netrunners are often equipped with tools that the player character never has access to. These tools can be used in various ways within the game called Orion, such as causing city-wide disturbances or taking out competing Netrunners before starting a mission. The art of Netrunning is a captivating feature of the Cyberpunk universe, and Project Orion aims to expand upon this key aspect of the franchise, offering a more immersive experience for players.

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2024-08-01 15:05