Cyberpunk 2 is alive and well; at last, CD Projekt Red has begun to discuss it. Its name has not yet been confirmed, but the project is in progress under the code name Project Orion. The biggest revelation here, though, is that we are moving away from Night City. What lies before us in the sequel is a Chicago that feels shattered, filled with crime, decay, and the hidden power struggles of the past.
I thought Cyberpunk 2077 would always be situated in an entrancing city like Night City. But the real news is that now I feel even more excited about the Chicago backdrop. Just imagine–broken skyscrapers, empty train stations, rusty industries, and gangs running the streets while the corporations pretend everything is perfect. That sounds like a perfect setting for a cyberpunk story.
It’s being done on Unreal Engine 5, which already seems like a good move. REDengine had its issues, and we all remember how messy 2077’s launch was. It should look better and hopefully run better on Unreal. The team also spoke about using advanced crowd systems, meaning that the city will feel alive and will react to what players do in it. Pull that off, and maybe it will finally be the living, breathing world that players wanted in 2077.
The leadership for Cyberpunk 2 is also different from the first game. Mainly, development is headed out of Boston and Vancouver, while the Polish studio focuses on The Witcher 4. But this isn’t a completely new group; several key people from 2077 and the Phantom Liberty expansion are still involved, including Gabe Amatangelo and Paweł Sasko. Mike Pondsmith, the creator of Cyberpunk itself, is even guiding the direction, so this gives me some sense of comfort.
The plot is still sealed under heavy secrecy, but one thing we know: this is not a bit-sized expansion. It is a full-blown sequel. Will V be back? Uncertainty surrounds that too. Phantom Liberty boasted multiple endings, some of which saw V alive but isolated from others, while some turned V into something more digital than human. Perhaps CDPR might move ahead with a new character or even find some bizarre way of bringing V back, like how Johnny Silverhand existed as a digital ghost.
On the subject of Johnny, I simply cannot fathom a Cyberpunk game without him. Under whatever circumstances, perhaps as a memory, an AI echo, or a side appearance, Keanu Reeves might still have a part to play in that game. Some other familiar faces, depending on the timeline, might also pop back up in the game, say Rogue, Reed, or even Mr. Blue Eyes. But the core of the point is a new city and a new story.
One thing that CDPR has promised is better player choices. Many fans complained that the choices in Cyberpunk 2077 didn’t matter enough, and the team says this time the decisions will be weightier in their influence on the world’s progression. The life path system from 2077 may also return but be more potent. Personally, I hope they will expand that because it always felt like wasted potential in the first game.
Another exciting aspect is multiplayer. CDPR dropped Cyberpunk Online a while ago, but there are indications that some features are being carefully discussed for inclusion in Cyberpunk 2. Perhaps something could be co-op missions or social elements. If done well, that could add a whole new ring to the game.
Now, for the release date, it sure won’t come soon. Planning was only officially initiated in 2025; normally, CDPR games take at least four to five years. Hence, the earliest we might see it is in 2029 or 2030. Honestly, I think that’s a good thing. After the shaky launch of 2077, I would prefer they take their sweet time perfecting it.
The fact of the matter, then, is that Cyberpunk 2 exists. It is no longer being made in Night City; it is powered by Unreal Engine 5, and it is becoming something bigger, something darker than what it initially was. For fans like me who loved the world of 2077 this much but wanted more density, this feels like the sequel worth waiting for. You may also be interested in: Gamescom 2025 Big Reveals: Ghost of Yōtei, Ninja Gaiden 4, and More
