Project Orion Needs its Own Version of Cyberpunk 2077’s Adam Smasher

by

Project Orion Needs its Own Version of Cyberpunk 2077's Adam Smasher

Highlights

  • Cyberpunk 2077 faced early backlash but redeemed itself with patches and DLC, with a sequel known as Project Orion now in the works.
  • Project Orion should feature an antagonist like Cyberpunk 2077’s Adam Smasher.
  • Adam Smasher represents important genre themes and the extreme results of transhumanism, creating a compelling antagonist archetype.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 left an indelible mark on the gaming landscape. The game was a rollercoaster ride, from its troubled launch to its eventual redemption through patches and DLC. The Phantom Liberty expansion was nothing short of spectacular, setting the stage for the upcoming Project Orion.

Initially, upon its release in 2020, the action RPG game, Cyberpunk 2077, developed by CD Projek Red, encountered turbulence due to technical issues and missing features. These flaws were widely criticized, leading to a deluge of negative feedback. To mitigate damage, the developer worked on a series of patches and content updates, gradually addressing the problems. Last year, they wrapped up the game with an exciting conclusion in the well-received DLC, Phantom Liberty.

In the pipeline for the second installment, dubbed Project Orion, we find an exciting development. Similar to how Cyberpunk 2077 was lauded despite its technical flaws, its standout aspects – the environment, plot, and characters – were highly appreciated. Details about the sequel remain scarce, but one essential character type it should incorporate is reminiscent of Adam Smasher from Cyberpunk 2077. In that game, Adam Smasher embodied The Dragon, a role often seen in villains’ entourages, eager to carry out their malicious schemes, including tidying up loose ends and disposing of incriminating evidence. This character archetype is deeply ingrained in the genre, making it crucial for Project Orion to reflect this dynamic and character blueprint as well.

In the animated series, Cyberpunk Edgerunners, I, Adam Smasher, found myself squaring off against some pretty tough characters.

Project Orion Needs an Antagonist Like Cyberpunk 2077’s Adam Smasher

Adam Smasher Was One of Cyberpunk 2077’s Most Effective Villains

In the game Cyberpunk 2077, Adam Smasher’s character aligns closely with its dark and dystopian undertones. Originally rescued from near-death, he was rebuilt and hired by the powerful Arasaka Corporation, where he served as a relentless enforcer. During Johnny Silverhand’s daring raid on Arasaka HQ, Smasher played a key role in retrieving Silverhand’s body. This recovery led to Silverhand’s consciousness being trapped inside a prototype engram, an event that eventually forces the game’s protagonist V to install within themselves, setting the stage for the main storyline.

Exploring Adam Smasher’s past uncovers a life marked by relentless violence, with a strong ambition to be the most formidable and feared among his peers, regardless of the price. Smasher derives a twisted pleasure from his increasing mechanical nature, which in turn fuels his thirst for carnage and brutality, effectively erasing any remaining traces of his humanity. Throughout Cyberpunk 2077’s narrative, Smasher is portrayed as the greatest danger. The climax sees a confrontation between Smasher and the player character (V), during which Smasher may kill some of V’s dearest allies before meeting his end in a climactic, poignant, and fulfilling fight to the finish.

Project Orion is Almost Obligated to Include an Adam Smasher-Like Figure

In the vibrant realm of Cyberpunk 2077, I can’t help but admire a character like Adam Smasher, unlike other cyberpsychos. He’s not a puppet to his cybernetic enhancements; instead, he wields them with chilling precision. His personality is dark and devoid of empathy, a cold-blooded killer. This makes him an invaluable asset to Arasaka, and a relentless menace that always manages to complicate my life as V.

Project Orion’s next installment may follow familiar narrative patterns, especially in terms of its genre. It’s likely that a strong, recurring adversary who has deep ties with the true villain will be featured, much like Adam Smasher served as a model for this role. This could mean introducing an “Adam Smasher 2.0” type character, whose ruthless pursuit of raw power aligns perfectly with one of the series’ key themes – the question of how far humanity is willing to go in pursuit of strength. In the sequel, a character similar to Smasher could be used to represent those forces working behind the scenes, constantly trying to thwart or eliminate the protagonist, leading to another formidable and unforgettable antagonist.

Read More

2024-08-05 18:04