Cyberpunk 2077 showed players a first-person view of the dystopian, neon-covered metropolis of Night City. CD Projekt Red’s sci-fi RPG showcases a world filled with crime and making it big by any means necessary, and Night City serves as the beating heart of Cyberpunk 2077 and its dark story.
Now that CD Projekt Red has kicked off pre-production on a sequel, many are wondering if Night City will return in Cyberpunk 2. It’s safe to assume that Night City will remain central to the follow-up’s story, but franchise creator Mike Pondsmith recently stated that a second city could be introduced. The promise of another location is incredibly exciting, but it also leaves a potential third game with a major challenge.
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Cyberpunk 2 Exploring Beyond Night City Leaves the Franchise’s Future With High Expectations
Mike Pondsmith Hints at a “Chicago Gone Wrong”
Last month at the Digital Dragons conference in Poland, Mike Pondsmith revealed compelling information regarding Cyberpunk 2. In an interview, he stated that a new city being developed “feels more like Chicago gone wrong.” In the Cyberpunk franchise’s lore, Chicago has some fascinating history, so it makes sense for the city to be present in Cyberpunk 2.
When it comes to sequels, developers naturally tend to try and go bigger and better than the predecessor, and a second city in Cyberpunk 2 would definitely be doing that. Between Night City and Chicago, Cyberpunk 2 has the potential to feel massive, and if that’s the case, a third chapter may struggle to one-up the sequel.
CD Projekt Red’s next game is The Witcher 4. Announced at the 2024 Game Awards, the game has yet to get an official release target. This chapter follows Ciri as the protagonist, beginning a new era for the fantasy franchise.
After Cyberpunk 2, Going Bigger With Locations Could Spread a Third Game Too Thin
Night City may be only one location, but there is plenty to discover within the city’s borders. Even outside the city, there are hidden gems to be uncovered, and adding too many locations to the equation might risk overwhelming players. Night City demonstrates that having plenty to do within a location is great for immersion, but it’s also possible to go overboard, and a second major city could be close to crossing that line. Two huge cities may prove to be more than enough, so that leaves a third Cyberpunk game with the difficult hypothetical task of trying to stand out in a fresh way.
Not only could players potentially feel overwhelmed by too many locations, but it might also make exploration less satisfying. Every corner of Cyberpunk 2077 is filled with compelling details, and if CD Projekt Red takes its locations too far, the cities may be far less rich overall.
In the Cyberpunk franchise’s lore, Chicago has some fascinating history, so it makes sense for the city to be present in Cyberpunk 2.
Cyberpunk 2 is Years Away, Leaving the Future of the Franchise Uncertain
Cyberpunk 2 officially entering pre-production is thrilling, but it also means that the wait for the anticipated sequel is bound to be a long one. With CD Projekt Red also working on The Witcher 4, gamers may be forced to wait a while before they can return to a brand-new version of Night City. At this rate, it wouldn’t be surprising if Cyberpunk 2 didn’t release until 2029 or 2030, and if that’s the case, then there’s no telling when Cyberpunk 3 will get made, if at all. CD Projekt Red clearly has its hands full, so concepts like Cyberpunk 3 are simply fun to think about. If a third game happens, though, it will be fascinating to see how its developers approach making it feel unique.
Cyberpunk 2077
6/10
- Released
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December 10, 2020
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Engine
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REDengine 4