Man, it's wild to think about how far CD Projekt Red has come since the Cyberpunk 2077 launch drama. Back in 2025, the game's totally redeemed itself, and now all eyes are on Project Orion, the secretive sequel. But with CDPR staying tight-lipped, rumors are flying faster than a rogue drone in Night City—especially this one about it being set in space! I mean, come on, that would be a massive shift. 😅 In Cyberpunk 2077 and the Edgerunners anime, we did get a taste of space in the endings, like V heading off in The Devil path or David's cosmic finale. It's not totally out of left field, but setting the whole sequel there? That feels like jumping the shark, ya know? The heart of Cyberpunk is all about gritty urban decay, corpo greed, and human struggles—not some starry-eyed space opera. Still, the idea of exploring the cosmos has got me buzzing. What if Orion just dips its toes in, with more space travel than before? That could open up some insane possibilities without losing the soul of the series.

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Now, let's dive into the juicy part: alien life. This rumor got me thinking about other games, like Mass Effect and Starfield. In Mass Effect, you've got all these super-smart alien buddies forming galactic alliances—it's like a big, messy family reunion in space. 🚀 But Starfield? Oh boy, it plays it cool. Most of its aliens are just space critters, like Terrormorphs or Ashtas. They're basically angry cosmic animals, not civilizations you'd chat with over coffee. Think of them as wolves or bears with a galaxy pass—they're there to hunt, not philosophize. That simplicity actually makes Starfield's world feel smoother, 'cause adding intelligent aliens would've turned everything upside down. Suddenly, it's not just about humans exploring; it's existential crises, cultural clashes, and rewriting history. Talk about a headache! 😵

If Project Orion does go interstellar, CDPR faces a real tightrope walk. On one hand, introducing aliens could totally hijack the story. Imagine trying to keep the focus on cyberpunk themes—like wealth inequality and corpo control—while dealing with first contact. It'd be like herding cats! The poor devs would have to choose: go full space opera with sentient ETs, or keep it grounded. But honestly, that might overwhelm the intimate, human-centered vibe Cyberpunk's known for. Why not take a page from Starfield and make aliens more like tools for human folly? For instance:

  • Experiment gone wrong: Humans find alien bacteria on an asteroid, mutate it into bio-horrors for players to fight.

  • Corporate greed: Megacorps weaponize alien tech, creating abominations that backfire—classic human hubris!

  • No smart aliens: Stick to non-sapient threats, like rogue drones or cyber-enhanced beasts, to avoid derailing the plot.

Approach Pros Cons
Intelligent aliens (Mass Effect style) Adds depth, cultural intrigue Risks overshadowing cyberpunk themes
Non-sapient threats (Starfield style) Keeps focus on human issues, easier storytelling Might feel less epic for some fans
Hybrid (e.g., mutated creatures) Balances novelty with core themes Could get messy if not handled well

This way, Orion could leverage space for enemy variety without losing its identity. Cyberpunk 2077's baddies were mostly cybernetics and bots, so tossing in some alien-flavored chaos would spice things up. But let's be real—Project Orion doesn't need to copy everyone else. There are tons of games with chatty aliens; this sequel should carve its own path. After all, the beauty of cyberpunk is in the human messiness, not some intergalactic council. 😌

So, what do you all reckon? If Project Orion takes us to the stars, how should it handle the unknown—embrace it, or keep it at arm's length?