As we cruise into 2026, the world of Cyberpunk 2077 feels more alive than ever. Thanks to the stunning Phantom Liberty DLC and years of dedicated patches, Night City has solidified its place as one of gaming's most immersive playgrounds. The intricate stories, unforgettable characters, and the sheer density of its world-building have left players buzzing with anticipation for what's next. And let's be real, when you think of Cyberpunk 2077, one character's face is probably burned into your neural cortex—the one and only Johnny Silverhand. Keanu Reeves's iconic performance as the chrome-armed rockerboy rebel didn't just steal the show; he hijacked it and drove it straight through the front window of Arasaka Tower. His attitude, his swagger, his unwavering dedication to burning down the corpos made him the game's beating heart. A future installment without his influence would feel... empty. But here's the million-eddie question: what should the sequel, the mysterious Cyberpunk 2077 Orion, actually be?
A Prequel Featuring Samurai's Heyday
The original game gave us tantalizing glimpses of the past through Johnny's flashbacks. We got to experience Samurai in their prime, a raw, chaotic force of musical rebellion. Meeting characters like Kerry Eurodyne across timelines was a masterstroke, and those guitar-shredding sections? Pure magic. They made V feel like an honorary member of the band for a fleeting moment.
This sets the stage perfectly for a sequel that dives headfirst into that era. Imagine this: you're not playing as Johnny, Kerry, Nancy, or Denny. Instead, you're a nobody, a fresh-faced Streetkid who gets the call of a lifetime. Maybe Kerry gets a bad case of cyber-flu, or Arasaka makes a move on Bes Isis right before the band's biggest gig of the century. Suddenly, you're the emergency stand-in guitarist for Samurai. Talk about a trial by fire!
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The Premise: A prequel set in Johnny Silverhand's prime.
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The Player Role: A customizable, unknown character thrust into Samurai's inner circle.
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The Potential: Explore Night City's past, witness key events firsthand, and introduce new stories and gameplay while the iconic band provides the soundtrack to your rise.
This approach lets developers explore the rich history of the universe while keeping the player's identity fresh and their own. It's the best of both worlds, honestly.
Why Johnny Silverhand Should Stay in Your Head, Not Your Hands
Look, we all love him. But making a game where you play as Johnny Silverhand would be a major misstep. Here's why:
1. He's a Fantastic Foil, Not a Blank Slate
The beauty of Cyberpunk 2077 was becoming V. Whether you were a scrappy Streetkid, a cynical Corpo, or a free-spirited Nomad, you carved your own path. The role-playing and customization were central to the experience. Johnny worked so well because he was the chaotic, opinionated ghost in your machine, constantly challenging your choices. Taking control of him full-time would strip away that player agency and identity. It'd be like trying to wear someone else's custom-fitted cyberware—it just wouldn't fit right.
2. Dialogue Options Would Be... Limited
A huge part of Cyberpunk 2077's charm was the dialogue. You could be diplomatic, sneaky, aggressive, or just plain weird. Johnny's personality, while brilliantly complex, trends in one very specific direction: blow stuff up, especially if it's owned by Arasaka. A dialogue wheel for Johnny might look something like this:
| Option A: | "Smash it." |
|---|---|
| Option B: | "Blow it up, then smash it." |
| Option C: (Requires Cool 15) | "Smash it... with style." |
See the problem? His polarizing nature is what makes him a fantastic companion, but it would make for a painfully narrow role-playing experience as the protagonist. Sometimes, the legend is better left as a voice in your head, pushing you to be your most rebellious self.
The Fate of V: A Story Best Left Complete
Cyberpunk 2077 told V's story, and what a story it was. From the disastrous heist to the race against the Relic, it felt like a complete arc. The multiple endings—from riding off into the sunset with the Aldecaldos in "The Star" to becoming the new King of the Afterlife in "The Sun," or even letting Johnny take over in "Temperance"—gave players a powerful sense of closure (or lack thereof).
Dragging V back for a direct sequel would invalidate some of those beautifully tragic endings. Worse, it could feel like a retread. "Oh, look, V's in trouble again." Been there, saved the city. A far more intriguing idea? Let V become a legend. Let Orion feature a new protagonist navigating a Night City that still whispers stories about the merc who took on Arasaka and (maybe) won. That's how you build a living world.
What We Know About Cyberpunk 2077 Orion in 2026
Official details are scarcer than a ripperdoc with a conscience. CD Projekt Red confirmed conceptual work began a few years back, talking about exploring the "potential of this dark future universe." Vague, but exciting! While The Witcher's next saga is the current priority, CEO Adam Badowski did tease the potential for multiplayer elements in Orion. The biggest news recently has been the assembly of an all-star development team in Boston and Vancouver, pulling veterans from studios like Blizzard and Ubisoft. This suggests CDPR is going all-in to make the sequel something truly special.
In the end, the future of Cyberpunk shouldn't be about stepping directly into Johnny's boots or reviving V's struggle. It should be about capturing that same magic of becoming someone new in a world forever changed by their legends. The sequel's protagonist shouldn't be the icon; they should be the one looking up at the icons, wondering if they can ever measure up... or if they should just tear the whole damn thing down themselves. Now that's a cyberpunk story waiting to be told. 🎸