Recovering from its difficult launch,Cyberpunk 2077has grown into a worthy game filled with fascinating characters and lore. Between last year’s game-changing 2.0 update and thePhantom LibertyDLC,Cyberpunk 2077has proven itself as a sci-fi epic. Now that a sequel is officially underway, codenamed Project Orion, many questions surrounding the follow-up have revolved around how it will improve upon its predecessor.
Despite its impressive upgrades,Cyberpunk 2077still has room to grow, which is what makes a sequel such an exciting prospect. There are a variety of ways that immersion can be brought to greater heights in Project Orion, and one of the most effective improvements that should be at the forefront is found in the game’s romance options.Cyberpunk 2077offers several romantic relationships to be formed with specific NPCs, but when it comes to the RPG genre, the options are lacking.
How Project Orion Can Improve Cyberpunk 2077’s Romance Options
More NPC Romance Options Are a Must
Although there are a variety of brief romantic encounters V can have with characters and Joytoys, there are only four NPCs to choose from when it comes to forming an actual relationship.Cyberpunk 2077’s romance optionsbeing kept to just four characters arguably helps keep the game’s story more concise, but it can also be a point of frustration.
When comparingCyberpunk 2077tothe likes ofBaldur’s Gate 3, it’s clear that the former needs to improve on its romance options. The four characters offered as relationship possibilities are all compelling in their own right, but at least doubling the number of NPCs in Project Orion would make this aspect of role-playing far stronger.
Finishing the side quests for these four romance options opens up their apartments, allowing V to visit.
Making Romanceable NPCs Less Restrictive
Another downside ofCyberpunk 2077’s romance options is that they are incredibly restrictive. Depending on whether players choose a feminine or masculine version of V, one’s choices are restricted even further. For example, Judy Alvarez will only romance a version of V with a feminine body and voice. On the one hand, this can help establish the personality and story of NPCs in an effective way, but it can also take away from one’s desire to livewhatever life they wish in Night City.Baldur’s Gate 3balances its relationship restrictions quite well. Players can romance characters regardless of orientation and gender, but some characters are open to polyamorous relationships, while others are monogamous.
Project Orion Bringing Cyberpunk 2077 to the Next Level
Building a Life in Night City
Building relationships inCyberpunk 2077can have its challenges, but getting more freedom in Project Orion would only make the world of Night City feel that much more realistic in the long run. Since the game is still in its very early stages of development, it will likely be a long time before more news about the sequel comes to light. However, when that day finally comes, it will be fascinating to finally get a glimpse at how CD Projekt Red goes about making a follow-up stand out while still retaining the first game’s energy.
Joytoys will sleep with V regardless of gender, but players can’t build deep relationships with them.
After a long and rocky road,Cyberpunk 2077has finally become a beloved RPG. This may mean thatexpectations are high for Project Orion, but CD Projekt Red at least had an opportunity to hopefully learn from initial mistakes. Bouncing back from a controversial launch the wayCyberpunk 2077did is not an easy task, and now that developers have extra knowledge under their belts, Project Orion has the chance to go even bigger with many of its concepts. In that regard, romance options are a great starting point.
Cyberpunk 2077
WHERE TO PLAY
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action-adventure from the creators of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red.Set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour and body modification, you play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality.Upgraded with next-gen in mind and featuring free additional content, customize your character and playstyle as you take on jobs, build a reputation, and unlock upgrades.The relationships you forge and the choices you make will shape the story and the world around you. Legends are made here. What will yours be?
