Summary
After three years, it seems likeCyberpunk 2077is finally becoming the game that was promised. CD Projekt Red has recently released the hotly anticipated 2.0 update, and it is set to launch the Phantom Liberty DLC shortly after. After its release, the studio will be moving on to new projects including anotherCyberpunk 2077game. While new entries in this franchise sound intriguing, it may be facing an incredibly steep uphill battle with the fanbase.
Cyberpunk 2077’s recent contenthas helped finally deliver an experience that may be worth checking out. However, the initial controversy and broken promises have cast a large shadow over the studio’s future projects. Specifically, the next entry in theCyberpunk 2077series will have a lot to prove. It may be hard to convince players to jump in after the pitfalls of the last game, which could ultimately be its downfall.
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Cyberpunk 2077’s Sequel Must Break Free From the Original’s Controversy
It is no secret thatCyberpunk 2077had an extremely rocky launchwhen it first hit store shelves back in 2020. Players were expecting an expansive RPG in a brand-new world from the creators of the acclaimedThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. While it was definitely made by that same studio, the game seemed to fall flat with audiences. It was not only lacking much of what was promised, but it was also virtually unplayable on many devices including the Xbox One and PS4. This resulted in months of controversy, which may impact the entire future of this fledgling franchise.
WhileCyberpunk 2077may have sold well, its numerous problems held it back from being the great RPG that was promised. Not only did players feel scorned by the experience, but the game was actually removed from the PlayStation store due to its many issues. On top of that,CD Projekt Red was embroiled in investigationsand class-action lawsuits over its alleged downplaying of the technical problems. Much of that has been settled, and it has returned to the PlayStation store, yet the damage has been done.
The 2.0 update and Phantom Liberty seem to be rectifying many of the mistakes CD Projekt Red made at launch. This means that many players are finally givingCyberpunk 2077a chance, which is great to see after years of controversy. However, the studio itself may never be able to escape that. It has seemingly burnt up almost all the goodwill it had earned withThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and that putsthe nextCyberpunk 2077gamein a bit of a tough spot. While the primary focus will be on crafting a game worthy of the RPG genre, the studio will also have to show players why this franchise is worth following.
The nextCyberpunk 2077cannot follow in the footsteps of the original game, or even falter slightly. CD Projekt Red needs to ensure that the game is ready to be released, that it is not marred with technical issues, and that the marketing actually represents the final product. If the studio does not do this, then it may be embroiled in the same exact problems again. If it does do this, then there is a chance it canbreak free fromCyberpunk 2077’s shadow, as long as the experience is also a fantastic RPG.
Due toCyberpunk 2077’s mistakes, players are very skeptical of where CD Projekt Red will take its IPs next. While whatever it does will likely be successful, if its launch state is anything like the first game’s, then it could be the final nail in the studio’s coffin. One controversial game can be fixed, while multiple could make players lose interest in whatever CD Projekt Red does next with the IP. This may put a lot of pressure on the next game to deliver, but hopefully it will be able to push through.
Cyberpunk 2077is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
MORE:How Cyberpunk 2077’s Phantom Liberty DLC is Making Good on an Age-Old Promise
