Summary
The rumor mill has been churning about CD Projekt Red’s follow-up toCyberpunk 2077. As of the time of this writing, theCyberpunksequel is code-named “Project Orion” and will likely be kept under wraps for years to come. Fans aren’t even sure if the next game will take place in Night City. Or who the game’s protagonist will be. Regardless of what happens, there will be a key NPC element CDPR will need to consider in theCyberpunk2077sequel: gangs.
Cyberpunk 2077’s Night City Is Shaped By Its Gangs
There are 11 gangs scattered through Night City and its bordering lands, each with its own territory andmodus operandi. The gangs might vie for some of the same turf, which can lead to bloodshed. Within the first hour of gameplay inCyberpunk 2077, V is given a ride from Sebastian Ibarra, better known as Padre, a Fixer and formermember ofCyberpunk 2077’s Valentinos.
While cruising with V and reminiscing about the state of Night City, a 6th Street gang member harasses the car. The Valentinos and 6th Street are both active in the Heywood and San Domingo areas, leading to occasional conflicts. Other parts of the city are controlled by the Tyger Claws, The Mox, the VooDoo Boys, the Animals, and Maelstrom. Theouter reaches of Night City, known as The Badlands, are patrolled by the Wraiths and the Aldecaldos.
6th Street
Scavengers
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The formation of gangs has helped to explain how the lawless Night City continues to operate and often fleshes out the backstories of NPCs that have become fan favorites, like Jackie and Judy.Panam has dedicated her life to the Aldecaldos, and depending on the choices that players make, may invite V to join. It is through Side Jobs and story missions that V learns the lay of the land which, crucially, means what gang controls what part of the city. If V does favors for the Tyger Claws, then they are less likely to find trouble in Japantown. Some gangs cannot be bartered with, however, and serve instead as high-level enemies for V to take down.
Phantom Liberty Upped the Ante
The much-lauded DLCPhantom Libertyintroduceda new gang of unprecedented power: Barghest.Ruling over Dogtown, this militia is far more organized than the gangs that stick to the inner city streets of Night City. Led by Kurt Hansen, the de facto antagonist of the DLC, Barghest is well-armed and well-supplied. After dominating Night City, and by extension its gangs, the ruling class of Dogtown presents the perfect challenge for V.
InCyberpunk 2077, V starts out by having shootouts and brawls with lower-level gangs like the Tyger Claws. Later, as they gather better weapons and enhancements, they are pitted against the likes of Maelstrom, a ruthless bunch of cyberpsychos. 2023’sPhantom Libertypresents a wholly new challenge for players who have been running the streets of Night City since 2020.
Once A Gangster, Always a Gangster in Cyberpunk 2077’s Night City
If the newCyberpunktitle takes place in Night City, the gangs of Night City will have to continue to be an influential presence. Without some kind of corpo-catastrophe to wipe them out, it wouldn’t make sense to exclude them from the game. IfCyberpunk’s Project Orion is based around a wholly new location, then CDPR might consider the formation of new gangs to flesh out the history and lore of the time and place. Either way, the cyberpunk future has clearly established the idea that gangs are likely to form when there are eddies to earn and enemies to avoid.
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?
