As a huge fan who spent countless nights exploring the neon-drenched streets of Night City, the announcement of Cyberpunk 2077's sequel, codenamed Project Orion, had me buzzing with excitement. It's 2026, and the anticipation for this follow-up is palpable, especially after the original game's incredible redemption arc. With CD Projekt Red also deep into The Witcher 4, they've got their hands full, and the community is brimming with questions. One topic that keeps popping up in discussions is how the sequel will handle one of the original's most compelling aspects: romance.
When you think about it, why is there such a clamor for more romance options in Project Orion? Cyberpunk 2077 gave us four core characters to build deep, meaningful relationships with: the passionate and artistic Judy Alvarez, the fiercely loyal nomad Panam Palmer, the dedicated detective River Ward, and the legendary rockerboy Kerry Eurodyne. Sure, you could have fleeting encounters with other NPCs, like the memorable Meredith Stout, but these four were the real deal—full-blown, story-integrated romances. At first glance, four options might seem incredibly limited. But here's the thing: that limitation was arguably its greatest strength. Each character was meticulously crafted, with rich backstories, complex personalities, and arcs that felt deeply personal. They weren't just checkboxes; they were people who breathed extra life into V's story.
Now, think about the sequel. There's a natural desire to go bigger and bolder. More gangs, more districts, more cyberware—and yes, more people to fall in love with. But let me ask you this: what's more important, quantity or quality? If CD Projekt Red spreads its writing resources too thin by creating a dozen romanceable NPCs, we run a very real risk of watering down what made the original romances so special. Instead of four deeply written characters, we might get several that feel shallow or underdeveloped. Would you rather build a meaningful attachment to a character whose story arc feels rushed or incomplete? The magic of the first game was that you could genuinely care about Judy's struggles, or Kerry's search for purpose. Adding more choices could potentially hinder the writing, making those meaningful attachments harder to form.
So, what's the alternative to simply adding more names to the romance menu? Improvement doesn't always mean expansion. For Project Orion, the smarter path might be to refine and deepen the system that already exists.
🔍 Here are a few ways they could make romance in the sequel even more impactful without just adding more characters:
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Remove Gender Restrictions: This is a big one. In Cyberpunk 2077, your choice of V's body type and voice locked you out of certain romances (Female V couldn't romance Panam, Male V couldn't romance Judy). This could stifle the role-playing experience for many. In 2026, a true RPG should let players define their own story. Letting any V romance any core character (with appropriate writing adjustments for chemistry) would be a massive step forward for player agency.
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Deeper Relationship Mechanics: What if your choices in missions directly impacted your romance? Imagine a system where supporting your partner's ideals or making certain moral choices strengthened your bond, while conflicting choices could lead to arguments or even breakups. Make the relationship feel dynamic and alive, not just a series of scripted conversations.
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Integrated Story Consequences: In the first game, romances affected the ending, but what if they changed moment-to-moment gameplay? Your romantic partner providing unique intel, backup in certain missions, or even creating new narrative branches based on your relationship status would make the connection feel truly meaningful.
The core philosophy for Project Orion shouldn't be "more of everything." It should be "better where it counts." The original Cyberpunk 2077 proved that a focused, character-driven approach to romance can be incredibly powerful. The sequel has a golden opportunity to build upon that foundation.
| Focus Area | Cyberpunk 2077 | Potential for Project Orion |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Core Romances | Four | Could remain similar, but deeper |
| Character Depth | High | Even higher, with more reactivity |
| Player Freedom | Restricted by V's body/voice type | Unrestricted, based on player choice |
| Impact on Story | Affects ending | Affects missions, dialogue, and world state |
Ultimately, until CD Projekt Red pulls back the curtain, Project Orion remains one of gaming's biggest mysteries. With The Witcher 4 up next, we might be in for a long wait. But if the team focuses on evolving the incredible qualities of the first game—its compelling characters, immersive world, and emotional storytelling—rather than just expanding a checklist of features, the sequel will absolutely be worth that wait. Sometimes, the best way forward is to refine what you already have, not just add more.