The gaming world is buzzing with speculation now that CD Projekt Red has officially kicked off development for Project Orion, the much-anticipated sequel to Cyberpunk 2077. With the studio's track record, fans are on the edge of their seats, wondering just how they'll navigate the neon-drenched, chrome-plated future of Night City. A burning question sits at the core of it all: who will be the new face staring down the barrel of a smart gun? While many are rooting for the return of the legendary mercenary V, the smart money—and perhaps the more interesting narrative play—suggests that our old friend should take a seat in the backseat for this next wild ride.
Let's be real, choom. V's journey in Cyberpunk 2077 was one hell of a rollercoaster—a non-stop adrenaline shot of betrayal, cyberware, and existential dread. The game served up a whole buffet of endings for our protagonist, from riding off into the sunset with the Aldecaldos to becoming a digitized legend in Mikoshi. Two endings, 'The Star' and 'The Tower,' actually leave V with a glimmer of hope and a potential future. But after everything V went through—the Relic, Johnny Silverhand's ghost in the machine, Arasaka's corporate tyranny—does it really make sense to drag them back into the gutter as the main protagonist? That feels less like a compelling sequel and more like narrative torture porn. V has earned their shot at a happy(ish) ending, or at least a break from constantly being flatlined.
Here's where CDPR seems to be taking notes from its own playbook. Rumor has it that for The Witcher 4, the iconic Geralt of Rivia will be making a comeback, but not as the player character. He's expected to take on a mentor or cameo role. This is a genius move, and Project Orion should totally steal this page from the strategy guide. V returning as a Fixer or a seasoned mentor for a new protagonist? Now that's a plot twist with style. Imagine a fresh-faced runner getting their first gig from the legend themselves, Mr. or Ms. V. It would:
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Provide a fantastic bridge between the games and a deep sense of continuity.
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Allow players to see Night City through new, unjaded eyes.
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Let V's legacy live on without forcing them to relive trauma.
Honestly, it would be a total 'missed opportunity' not to use V in some capacity. Completely writing them out would make Night City feel oddly empty, like a glitched-out braindance missing its core memory. However, shoehorning V back into the lead role risks making Project Orion feel like a re-skin of the first game. The city is the real star, and a new protagonist lets CDPR explore fresh corners of its dystopian soul.
But wait, there's a massive, neon-lit elephant in the room: which V shows up? Cyberpunk 2077 boasted one of the most detailed character creators in the biz. Players crafted their perfect V—male, female, non-binary, corpo slick, or street-rat chic. So, which version becomes the 'canon' V for Project Orion? Picking the default marketing versions (the masculine V from the 2018 trailer or the feminine V from later ads) seems like the easy way out, but it also kinda makes that awesome character creator feel... pointless retroactively. It's a classic damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't scenario for the devs.
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, Project Orion's success will hinge on its characters. The lineup needs to be a perfect cocktail of old favorites and dangerous new faces. Whether V is pulling strings from the shadows as a Fixer, offering sage advice from a Afterlife bar stool, or just appearing in a brief but memorable cameo, their presence will be crucial. One thing's for sure: CD Projekt Red has a knack for storytelling, and however they choose to handle V, it's bound to be one of the most talked-about decisions in gaming when Project Orion finally drops. The future of Night City is bright, even if it's powered by cynicism and neon—and we can't wait to see who's living in it next.