Cyberpunk 2077, once a poster child for troubled launches, has staged a comeback story for the ages. With the transformative 2.0 update and the gripping Phantom Liberty expansion, Night City finally feels like the living, breathing dystopia it was always meant to be. Now, as CD Projekt Red turns its gaze to the future with the sequel, codenamed Project Orion, the gaming world is buzzing with anticipation. The question on everyone's mind? How do you improve on a game that has already climbed so high? While combat, driving, and world density are all on the table, one area ripe for a major glow-up is the very heart of the role-playing experience: romance.
Let's be real, Night City is a lonely place. Sure, you've got Johnny Silverhand ranting in your head, but sometimes a merc needs a genuine connection. Cyberpunk 2077 offered four primary romance paths, and while characters like Judy Alvarez and Panam Palmer have become iconic in their own right, the system itself felt... well, a bit on rails. Compared to modern RPG titans, it's clear there's room to grow. Project Orion has a golden opportunity to make relationships in its neon-drenched world deeper, more varied, and far more immersive.
The Current State of Affairs: A Limited Menu of Love
In the original game, V's options for a committed relationship were locked to just four characters:
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Judy Alvarez (Romanceable by Female V only)
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Panam Palmer (Romanceable by Male V only)
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River Ward (Romanceable by Female V only)
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Kerry Eurodyne (Romanceable by Male V only)
This approach had its strengths—it allowed for highly tailored, story-rich narratives for each character. But come on, in a city of millions, having your romantic destiny dictated so strictly by a character creation menu can feel jarring. It put a hard limit on player agency, which is the opposite of what a deep role-playing experience should be.
Lessons from the Masters: What Project Orion Can Borrow
Looking at other successful RPGs provides a clear blueprint. Games like Baldur's Gate 3 have shown that players crave freedom and complexity in their virtual relationships. Here’s what Project Orion could integrate:
| Feature | Cyberpunk 2077 | Potential for Project Orion |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Options | 4 Core Romances | 8-10+ Core Romances, plus more casual encounters |
| Restrictions | Strictly based on V's body type/voice | Based on character personality & player choices, not preset gender locks |
| Relationship Depth | Linear story arc per character | Branching paths, jealousy, polyamory options, relationship-affecting quests |
| Integration | Mostly separate from main plot | Romances that tangibly influence the main storyline and ending variants |
Imagine walking into the Afterlife and having more than one compelling person to share a drink with. Maybe a Corpo fixer with ambiguous loyalties, or a fellow edgerunner from a rival crew. The potential is massive.
Building a Believable Night City: Romance as a World-Building Tool
Romance shouldn't just be a side quest; it should be a window into the soul of Night City. Project Orion can use these relationships to explore the factions and cultures of its world in a more intimate way. What's it like dating a MaxTac officer? Or navigating a relationship with someone whose brain is chipped with corporate loyalty protocols? These stories write themselves.
Furthermore, ditching the strict gender/body-type locks is a no-brainer for 2026. Let character sexualities and preferences be defined by their own backstories and personalities, not by the player's model selection. Some characters might be open to polyamorous arrangements, while others demand strict monogamy. Some might only fall for a netrunner, while others are drawn to sheer brute strength. This creates a system that feels organic and reactive.
The Road Ahead: A Chance to Get It Right from the Start
CD Projekt Red has been on a marathon of learning since 2020. They know better than anyone the cost of unmet expectations. With Project Orion, they have a clean slate and the hard-earned wisdom from supporting Cyberpunk 2077 for years. Focusing on deepening the social and romantic RPG mechanics isn't just about adding more content; it's about fulfilling the original promise of "live your life in Night City."
When news finally breaks, fans will be looking for signs that Night City's heart beats stronger and in more varied rhythms. Enhancing romance is a direct path to a more immersive, personal, and ultimately unforgettable sequel. After all, in the cold, chrome jungle of the future, sometimes the most revolutionary act is simply to connect.