As Cyberpunk 2077 solidifies its legacy and the anticipation for its sequel, Project Orion, builds, players are already speculating about the new frontiers the next game will explore. The world of Night City is defined by chrome and cybernetics, but one of the most talked-about endings from the Phantom Liberty DLC presents a fascinating, albeit divisive, possibility: what if you had to survive without any cyberware at all? This concept, born from V's fate in "The Tower" ending, could be the key to crafting an unforgettable and punishing hardcore mode for the next chapter.

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The Tower's Legacy: From Narrative Twist to Gameplay Pillar

The Tower ending was a narrative gut punch. V gets to live, but at the ultimate cost: complete, permanent separation from all cyberware. Stripped of the very enhancements that define life in 2077, V becomes an ordinary person in an extraordinary, hostile world. While debated as a "happy" or "tragic" ending, its gameplay implications are crystal clear. It presents a vision of Night City where every alleyway is a deathtrap and every boosted ganger is a mini-boss.

  • The Ultimate Challenge: Imagine facing down a cyberpsycho or a towering boss like Adam Smasher with nothing but baseline human reflexes and a standard firearm. đź«Ł

  • A New Night City: Even routine encounters with street gangs like the Maelstrom or Animals would transform into desperate, tactical survival scenarios. Stealth, planning, and environmental exploitation would become paramount, not just optional playstyles.

This isn't just about making the game "harder" in a conventional sense. It's about fundamentally altering the player's relationship with the world CD Projekt Red creates.

More Than Just Difficulty: A Thematic Power Trip

A cyberware-free hardcore mode would do more than test player skill; it would viscerally reinforce the core themes of the Cyberpunk universe.

Power—in all its forms—is the currency of Night City. Cyberware is the most direct manifestation of physical and technological power. Removing it from the player's arsenal would create a stark, gameplay-driven commentary on societal disparity.

  • You are the underdog. Every encounter highlights the terrifying advantage those with eddies for chrome possess.

  • The climb means more. The struggle to acquire resources, allies, and influence would feel exponentially more meaningful when you start from absolute zero.

This mode would make the player feel the oppressive weight of the corporate dystopia in a way no narrative line ever could. The race to the top isn't just a story beat; it's a matter of digital life and death.

Elevating the Formula: Dynamic Gameplay for a Dynamic Sequel

Project Orion has a monumental task: to build upon and surpass the redemption arc of its predecessor. While grand new features are expected, sometimes the most impactful innovations are in the options given to players.

Introducing a dedicated, balanced hardcore mode inspired by The Tower could be a masterstroke.

It would cater directly to the community that craves the ultimate test, offering replayability and a fresh lens through which to experience the new story and setting (whether it's a renewed Night City or a fresh location).

This approach aligns with CD Projekt Red's history of supporting diverse playstyles and could set a new standard for difficulty settings in RPGs, moving beyond simple stat tweaks to transformative gameplay experiences.

The Road Ahead: Patience for Potential

Of course, Project Orion is still on the distant horizon, with The Witcher 4 (Polaris) next in line at CD Projekt Red. This extended development time, while a test of patience, is ultimately a blessing. It allows the team to carefully iterate and potentially avoid the launch pitfalls of the past. The long wait also gives them space to cook up truly groundbreaking ideas—and a cyberware-free survival mode is exactly the kind of bold, thematic gameplay experiment that could define Project Orion's identity.

Only time will tell what wonders and horrors the next journey into the dark future holds. But one thing is certain: the haunting legacy of The Tower ending has planted a seed. For the daring few, the ultimate challenge may not be to become a legend of the Afterlife, but to survive as a mere human in a world that has left humanity behind. 🔥

  • Would you attempt a no-cyberware run?

  • What other gameplay twists from 2077 should Orion expand upon?

Let us know your thoughts below! ⬇️