As we look ahead to 2026, the gaming landscape is still buzzing about the incredible redemption arc of Cyberpunk 2077. I still remember the early days—let's be real, it was a bit of a hot mess at launch. But CD Projekt Red, bless their hearts, stuck with it. Through relentless updates and the game-changing Phantom Liberty expansion, they didn't just fix a game; they built a legend. Night City went from a buggy promise to one of the most immersive, character-driven open worlds I've ever jacked into. Now, with that chapter closed, all eyes are on the horizon, on the mysterious Project Orion. The big question on everyone's mind isn't just about new chrome or districts; it's about the soul of the last game: what happens to V?
V's Legend: From Zero to Night City's Boogeyman
Let's rewind for a sec. V's journey wasn't for the faint of heart. It started with a simple, almost cliché dream: to become a legendary merc, to have their name on the Afterlife's drink menu. But as we all know, in Night City, no plan survives first contact. Teaming up with Jackie Welles was supposed to be their big break. Instead, it turned into a one-way ticket to hosting a rockstar terrorist's digitized ghost in their head. Talk about a serious headache.
The entire narrative became this desperate, high-stakes balancing act:
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The Johnny Problem: A race against time to stop a hostile takeover of their own mind.
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The Rep Grind: Taking on increasingly insane gigs just to stay afloat and buy more time.
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The Conspiracy: Unraveling the web connecting Johnny Silverhand, Arasaka, and the fate of the city.
Through it all, V's drive never wavered. By the end, whether they blasted their way to Mikoshi, rode off into the sunset with the Aldecaldos, or literally pulled off a heist in frickin' space, they left an indelible mark. They didn't just enter the major leagues; they rewrote the rulebook. That kind of legacy doesn't just fade into the static of the Net.
The Million-Eddie Question: Will V Be Back?
So, will we step back into V's shoes for Project Orion? Honestly, I'm leaning towards probably not. Many of the endings feel too... final. They're perfect conclusions to that specific story. Having V return as the main protagonist might undermine those powerful, player-driven conclusions. A fresh face with a new story could be exactly what the franchise needs to avoid retreading old ground.
But—and this is a big but—that doesn't mean V should be forgotten. Ignoring their impact would be a major misstep, like ignoring the elephant in the room that just saved the city. Project Orion has to acknowledge V's deeds, no matter where or when it's set.
How V's Legend Could Live On in Project Orion
CDPR has a ton of clever ways to weave V's legacy into the fabric of the sequel without making them the star. Here’s my wishlist for how they could pull it off:
| Method | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Canonical Nods | CDPR picks a "canon" ending (maybe the one that best fits the new narrative). | Establishes the world state and V's final fate officially. |
| Environmental Storytelling | Graffiti of V's symbol, news shards about their exploits, a drink named "The Silverhand-V" at a bar. | Makes the world feel lived-in and connected. |
| NPC Chatter & Lore | Hearing fixers, mercs, or even corpos talk about "that merc from the '20s" in hushed, legendary tones. | Cements V as a mythic figure in Night City's history. |
| Legacy Character Appearances | Run into older versions of Misty, Viktor, or River. Their stories and dialogue are shaped by their time with V. | Provides emotional continuity and personal connections to the past. |
My Dream Scenarios: Easter Eggs with Teeth
Beyond just references, I'd love to see V's legacy drive actual gameplay. Imagine these possibilities:
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The Phantom Fixer: You get a gig from an anonymous source with impeccable intel and a cryptic sign-off. The pay is great, the danger is high—it feels familiar. The quest line culminates in a reveal that the fixer was someone using V's old protocols or handling their unfinished business. It’s a full-circle moment that doesn't require V to be physically present.
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The Ultimate Cameo (For the Dedicated): This is the pie-in-the-sky idea. What if, after completing a specific, obscure series of actions (finding all old hideouts, making certain dialogue choices about legends), you unlock a hidden encounter? A brief, wordless scene in a crowded plaza or a blurry face on a crowded metro—a glimpse of someone who might be V, forever ambiguous, a reward for the most devoted fans. No interaction, just a ghost of the past.
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The New Legend's Burden: The sequel's new protagonist could constantly live in V's shadow. Fixers compare you to them, corpos warn you not to "pull a V," and your entire rep is built on either living up to or dismantling the myth they left behind. That's some powerful narrative fuel right there.
At the end of the day, Project Orion has a golden opportunity. It can forge a new path with a new hero while respectfully tipping its hat to the one who paved the way. V's story was about becoming a legend. Project Orion's story, in part, should be about living in a world where that legend is real. Whether through a drink raised in their name, a story told in a dark corner of a bar, or a data-shard buried in the ruins of Arasaka Tower, V's echo needs to be heard. To do otherwise would be, well, totally not gonk. The future of Night City is built on the legends of its past, and V is the biggest one of all.