This article contains spoilers forCyberpunk 2077’s endings.
The story experience ofCyberpunk 2077is a massive one, with the bustling world of Night City being reflected in the sheer amount of narrative content that is available to the player. As an RPG, the power lies in the player’s hands to shape the story of the title, ultimately leading to a staggering number of different endings that can range drastically in terms of how they leave the characters, factions, and locations of the game.
The broad narrative range inCyberpunk 2077’s different endings makes it difficult for fans to agree upon a “canon” ending, and this could have huge implications for any future projects to fall under the franchise name. As CD Projekt Red looks towards new releases forCyberpunk, such as its confirmed sequel codenamed Project Orion, the studio may find itself narratively limited thanks to the amount of freedom it gave fans to write their own stories inCyberpunk 2077.
CD Projekt Red Needs to Make Some Bold Story Decisions For Cyberpunk 2077’s Sequel
In all,Cyberpunk 2077features a staggering seven unique endingsthat players can achieve, each being triggered by different key decisions that can be made throughout its long-spanning story. Most of these endings pertain to different ways that V, the game’s protagonist, can choose to navigate the end of their life, having huge implications for the world ofCyberpunkgoing forward.
The differences between these endings can see V rise to become Night City’s most legendary fixer, the Araska Corporation be taken down, V committing suicide, escaping Night City with Panam, or even allowingJohnny Silverhand to completely take over V’s body. It will be difficult to navigate this narrative range going forward, withCyberpunk 2077’s expansion, Phantom Liberty, already showing how constricted CD Projekt Red might be going forward.
As the only major story expansion forCyberpunk 2077, Phantom Liberty makes the choice to take place roughly halfway through the main narrative of the game, allowing another storyline to be told before the huge stakes of the title’s finale. Interestingly,Phantom Liberty even offered a brand-new ending to the main story of2077, further complicating the future lore of the franchise.
Project Orion Can Still Shine Despite Cyberpunk 2077’s Many Endings
CD Projekt Red announced Project Orion in October 2022, being billed as a full sequel to2077. However, with the many endings of the 2020 title, Project Orion may be forced into telling a completely different story, with the concept of a direct narrative sequel perhaps being completely off the table.
Of course, theCyberpunkfranchise has a wide base of lore to pull from for Project Orion, with there being a number of different locations and timelines that can wow fans just as much as2077’s Night City.The popular animated showCyberpunk: Edgerunnersshowed how successful stories can be in the franchise’s universe outside the influence of2077’s main plot, but the fact remains that it will be difficult for CD Projekt Red to manage the implications of the game’s endings within Project Orion.
Cyberpunk 2077
WHERE TO PLAY
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action-adventure from the creators of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red.Set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour and body modification, you play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality.Upgraded with next-gen in mind and featuring free additional content, customize your character and playstyle as you take on jobs, build a reputation, and unlock upgrades.The relationships you forge and the choices you make will shape the story and the world around you. Legends are made here. What will yours be?
