Alright, chooms, let's dive deep. It's 2026, and the dust has long settled in Night City. We all remember the wild ride that was Cyberpunk 2077's redemption arc, culminating in the absolute banger that was the Phantom Liberty DLC. That expansion wasn't just a new coat of paint; it was a lore bomb that introduced us to the shadowy world beyond the neon glow: the FIA and its most intriguing agent, Solomon Reed. This wasn't just another fixer in a fancy suit; Reed was our ticket out of the City of Dreams and into the murky waters of national espionage. While Phantom Liberty gave us a taste, the real feast for the FIA and its potential is waiting to be served in the highly anticipated sequel, Project Orion. Let's break down why this agency is the perfect key to unlocking the next chapter.
Beyond the Sprawl: The FIA's Lore-Breaking Potential
Let's be real, Night City is iconic. It's a character in itself. But Phantom Liberty did something genius—it pulled back the curtain just a smidge. It showed us that there's a whole, complicated world outside the Free State of Night City, governed by the New United States of America (NUSA). The FIA (Federal Intelligence Agency) is the NUSA's sharpest tool, and through Solomon Reed, we got a glimpse of how these mega-government ops function in the dark. For Project Orion, this is a goldmine.
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Fresh Setting Vibes: Rumors are flying that Project Orion might take us to the moon (hell yeah!). But even if we stay terrestrial, focusing on the FIA means exploring NUSA-controlled territories. Imagine trading the chaotic, corporate-run anarchy of Night City for the sleek, oppressive order of a government stronghold. The aesthetic alone would be a total 180.
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New Rules of the Game: In Night City, it's all about eddies, chrome, and street cred. In the FIA's world? It's about clearance levels, national security, and political maneuvering. The very core gameplay loop could evolve. Instead of hustling for gigs from fixers, you're executing sanctioned black ops or navigating bureaucratic red tape to get your mission approved. Talk about a change of pace!
V's Next Chapter? The Tower Ending is Low-Key Perfect
Okay, let's talk about the elephant in the room: What about V? Phantom Liberty introduced the Tower Ending, and honestly, it's kind of a masterpiece in tragic hope. V gets saved by the FIA, the Relic is removed... but at the cost of all their cyberware. They're back to being a baseline human in a world of gods. It's a brutal reset.
Now, imagine Project Orion picking up from there. This ending sets up a perfect narrative springboard:
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V 2.0 - The Analyst: No longer the legendary merc, V starts from zero. But they have something priceless: an encyclopedic knowledge of Night City's underworld, firsthand experience with Arasaka tech, and a debt to the FIA. They could become the ultimate intelligence analyst or a handler for field agents, using their brain instead of their (now absent) chrome.
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Partnering with the Legend: Or, V could be retrained as a field agent themselves. No super-speed or mantis blades, just pure skill, tradecraft, and that iconic street-smart edge. Teaming up with (or being mentored by) a veteran like Solomon Reed? That's a dynamic ripe for storytelling. It's a bold move to depower your protagonist, but that's where the real drama is.
Political Espionage: The New Frontier
One of the coolest parts of Phantom Liberty was the vibe shift from street-level cyberpunk to a high-stakes spy thriller. Project Orion should double down on this, no cap.
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If V Isn't the Star...: Speculation is high that we might get a new protagonist. If that's the case, having V appear as an established, high-ranking FIA agent would be an insane fan-service moment that also makes perfect sense. They could be your mission controller, your source of insider info, or even a reluctant partner on a joint op.
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The Protagonist Is FIA: What if we start the game as a seasoned FIA operative? We'd get an insider's view of the agency from minute one. The story could explore the moral compromises of working for a government in a world where governments are just another corrupt corporation. Are you a patriot or a pawn? This angle would immediately differentiate Orion from its predecessor.
Why This Just Makes Sense for Project Orion
CD Projekt Red has a huge playground with Cyberpunk's lore. To make the sequel feel fresh and not just "Night City: Part 2," they need to pivot. The FIA provides that pivot.
| Aspect | Cyberpunk 2077 | Project Orion (FIA Focus) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Setting | Night City (Free State) | NUSA Territories / International |
| Core Conflict | Personal Survival / Legend Building | National Security / Political Ideology |
| Key Antagonists | Corps, Gangs, Arasaka | Rival States, Terrorists, Corrupt Officials |
| Player Motivation | Become a Night City Legend | Uncover a Conspiracy / Serve a (Questionable) Cause |
Exploring the FIA allows Project Orion to tackle bigger, more global themes while still staying true to the cyberpunk genre's focus on institutional oppression. It's about trading the jungle of the street for the jungle of geopolitics.
Final Thought: The FIA, thanks to Phantom Liberty, is no longer just a name in a datashard. It's a living, breathing entity with characters we care about (shoutout to Reed) and a ton of unanswered questions. For Project Orion to truly blow our minds in 2026 and beyond, it needs to leave the familiar alleyways of Night City and plunge us into the even darker corridors of power. The FIA is the perfect key to that door. Let's hope CDPR is ready to turn it. 🚀