2077 Sequel Setting: Night City again, NCExpanded, or New Location?

[Plantfoodclock]

Hey all. So I've been playing some 2077 again and found myself really appreciating the level design more than I did the first couple of playthroughs (still could do with more improvements thought). And generally, Night City as a location is fantastic to explore and just generally really pretty experience. However, it got me thinking of where the sequel is going to take place. Personally, I'd like to stay in NC as that's where the tabletop takes place generally, lots of cool worldbuilding and lore already exists for it, and there still feels more to discover and potential that they could do with it given improvements to the game systems they currently have in place. But how do they tackle making NC feeling still new rather than rehashing the exact same locations?

Currently, I think of three possible outcomes for setting:

1. Same old NC - exact same world but it takes advantage of locations that haven't been used yet
2. NCExpanded - could be expanded Badlands around NC, vertical expansion with more interiors, or a bit of both
3. New location entirely - CPDR pulls out a completely brand new city for the game to take place in

So what's your thoughts or ideas for the setting, improvements to the world or level design for jobs/gigs/missions, etc.?

 

[The_Blacks]

New location so it feels completely different and fresh.

 

[LeKill3rFou]

Night City, the city of dreams, again. Knowing it's the main character of Cyberpunk for me, so hard to think a Cyberpunk story outside (but who know...)

 

[Andrew_Waples]

Considering that a lot of the quests involved leaving Night City, and the best ending is leaving Night City. I'd rather explore then stay in that hell hole.

 

[The_Blacks]

Considering that a lot of the quests involved leaving Night City, and the best ending is leaving Night City. I'd rather explore then stay in that hell hole.

Aye. NC is the villain in the story, as it is more than heavily hinted

 

[AikoHayashi]

Night city expanded, combined with new locations (I'm greedy ). After spending so much time in NC I still enjoy it and I would like to have some extra explorable zones (no, I don't mean to be able to open each door). Some completely new locations would be welcome (Crystal palace, Luna).

 

[AlienSpaceBats]

An improved NC for me, with visits to other locations as well, of course...

That said, there was a tabletop sourcebook all about Cyberpunk in the U.K., I'd be lying if I said I didn't want that.

 

[LeKill3rFou]

Night city expanded, combined with new locations (I'm greedy ). After spending so much time in NC I still enjoy it and I would like to have some extra explorable zones (no, I don't mean to be able to open each door). Some completely new locations would be welcome (Crystal palace, Luna).

In fact, I know some want to play V in the sequel, but I rather think it would be more Cyberpunk 2087 or something like that, with a time gap between both.
It would be a good reason to explain why the city/world is slightly different. Maybe another corporate war happened due to V's actions, maybe Kang Toa finally bought Pacifica for one eddie and start rebuilding the whole neighborhood, maybe under Peralez direction a lot of changes have been made for the better (or not), why there are new weapons, new cyberwares, news cars, new influente people...

 

[AikoHayashi]

In fact, I know some want to play V in the sequel, but I rather think it would be more Cyberpunk 2087 or something like that, with a time gap between both.
It would be a good reason to explain why the city/world is slightly different. Maybe another corporate war happened due to V's actions, maybe Kang Toa finally bought Pacifica for one eddie and start rebuilding the whole neighborhood, maybe under Peralez direction a lot of changes have been made for the better (or not), why there are new weapons, new cyberwares, news cars, new influente people...

Although I love my V I'm sure that CDPR could come out with another interesting character, so I cannot make up my mind

 

[strangerr3]

Its hard for me to imagine playing once again in Night City, even refreshed one. Its a great city with so many places which could be used but at the end I think devs will prefer fresh approach and totally new locations. As long as CP2077 sequel will remain open world RPG but I`m pretty sure that they will continue with that direction.

 

[pliskards]

I mean...

So much of this depends on the main character and story. My biggest concern if I am CDPR about making a sequel directly after V's story in Night City is how in the year 2078 or whatever do you top V? Not that V is the greatest character in video game history, but he was immensely powerful. If you compare him to anyone in the anime that came out that was set a year before V's story... V blows them all away - including the villain that is shown to be near invincible in the anime.

So the way I look at it you are a bit trapped in that... whoever you play directly after V's story would be living in his/her shadow - unless you say "If you thought V was strong, get a load of this even MORE crazy insane merc person"!

So that is to say...

1. If the game is in Night City I hope we play as V again or the game is set well before or well after V's story starts or ends.
2. If they are going to go with another 'super merc' type character then I hope for the above or if they want to make it in a similar 'time' as the events of 2077 I hope it is in another area all together.

It's kind of like if the new Witcher trilogy took place right after Geralt's story left off. Going to kind of be hard to top the greatest Witcher of all-time.

 

[Plantfoodclock]

So for those who are interested in an expanded NC, how exactly would you want it? I think I actually wouldn't have any problem if they actually changed entire layouts and added new models for buildings to change things up, even without a big time change from 2077. I always consider the worlds we get in games as only slices of what actually the world is (e.g. Skyrims cities and Skyrims world in general, considering the different climates in such a small region). Though they would still have to keep fundamental layouts and buildings in the same general area. Of course, more interiors and such could easily add more even without major world changes. Not exactly an interior but there's that alley in I think Watson where you have to kill some Tyger Claw operating a Pachinko parlor for Regina that is one of my favourite small areas, just because there's a few apartments you can get into and some verticality in the alley.

For those who want somewhere new, where and what would you want to see? Like a Cyberpunk remake of an existing city or somewhere brand new entirely? Far reach, but I think doing a city outside of America could be interesting, like Singapore or Mumbai. Gives CPDR a bit more wiggle room to create brand new worldbuilding too if that's the case.

 

[Notserious80]

I would be fine with using the same NC model and everything, perhaps expanded with more indoor places or something. Since they are moving too UE it would probably run better if they use nanite and all the other tech in that engine and it would save loads of time on design i would guess. Not sure if it would be easy too recreate it tho and alot would probably have too be remade. I feel like NC is pretty central too Cyberpunk over all so it would be hard too abandon it entierly, perhaps add more spots around the city/in other citys that you visit during the story.

CDPR seem pretty good at adapting new tech and using it too high degrees so it might also use the directstorage and other upcomming things too make it run better overall, compared too 2077 it might be much easier too run at higher settings too.

 

[DonLuzolvaz]

Hey all. So I've been playing some 2077 again and found myself really appreciating the level design more than I did the first couple of playthroughs (still could do with more improvements thought). And generally, Night City as a location is fantastic to explore and just generally really pretty experience. However, it got me thinking of where the sequel is going to take place. Personally, I'd like to stay in NC as that's where the tabletop takes place generally, lots of cool worldbuilding and lore already exists for it, and there still feels more to discover and potential that they could do with it given improvements to the game systems they currently have in place. But how do they tackle making NC feeling still new rather than rehashing the exact same locations?

Currently, I think of three possible outcomes for setting:

1. Same old NC - exact same world but it takes advantage of locations that haven't been used yet
2. NCExpanded - could be expanded Badlands around NC, vertical expansion with more interiors, or a bit of both
3. New location entirely - CPDR pulls out a completely brand new city for the game to take place in

So what's your thoughts or ideas for the setting, improvements to the world or level design for jobs/gigs/missions, etc.?

An improved Night city + new locations from the 2020 pen n paper RPG and the ones mentioned in 2077, e.g: The Scandinavian Union. I know this will be a little unreleastic to expect cuz the night city that we currently have is already pretty huge.

 

[Razyen]

I mean...

So much of this depends on the main character and story. My biggest concern if I am CDPR about making a sequel directly after V's story in Night City is how in the year 2078 or whatever do you top V? Not that V is the greatest character in video game history, but he was immensely powerful. If you compare him to anyone in the anime that came out that was set a year before V's story... V blows them all away - including the villain that is shown to be near invincible in the anime.

So the way I look at it you are a bit trapped in that... whoever you play directly after V's story would be living in his/her shadow - unless you say "If you thought V was strong, get a load of this even MORE crazy insane merc person"!

So that is to say...

1. If the game is in Night City I hope we play as V again or the game is set well before or well after V's story starts or ends.
2. If they are going to go with another 'super merc' type character then I hope for the above or if they want to make it in a similar 'time' as the events of 2077 I hope it is in another area all together.

It's kind of like if the new Witcher trilogy took place right after Geralt's story left off. Going to kind of be hard to top the greatest Witcher of all-time.

This, basically.

My feeling is that it would not be "credible" to have two mercenaries like V in the same city and in a rather short period of time - even if we were talking about a CP2088. V may not be the classic "chosen one", but is still "one of a kind".

Imho, to keep Night City as a stage, the story should move on of many, many years - or be the V's story sequel that so many seem to hate.

Thanks God (and CDPR) we still have an expansion to come. ._.

 

[EMT-Fields]

I'd rather the team focus on the story, and add actual choice and consequences in the game next time around. Hell, use the same map and just add interactions with the world.

 

[drona.667]

Personally, I am gonna guess with "MULTI REGION OPEN WORLD" design that includes "expanded" NC & other places like Crystal Palace & the borders of NUSA or other States. It's what happened with Witcher 2 & Witcher 3, taking places in basically multiple parts of their worlds, especially with Witcher 2 where the narrative storylines will completely change player paths of locations/settings. For example:
+ NC expanded. there are many places that completely closed off & empty inside NC. One mega building alone could make a small box of open world levels imo, if the devs can do it right. Not only that, we have actual evidences with Phantom Liberty expanding Pacifica/Combat Zone, unfinished buildings like some of the mega corpos buildings, unfinished the luxury resort & a whole casino at completely different parts of NC.
+ Other "real" region levels. Places like Crystal Palace, the moon, mars colony, other parts of badlands, & borders with other states (Pacific Confederation, Western States, Republic of Texas).
+ Cyberspace/ beyond the blackwall. It's a completely uncharted territory as far as level design go for CDPR. They could make cyberspace to be something weird, amazing, daunting, scary, etc. I honestly a bit surprised nobody mentioned this before me in the thread. Such underrated choice imo & pretty meta with the right circumstances.

Aside from historical aspects of CDPR game design, another reasons for this choice would be the endings itself as teasers of different locations

 

[LadyMiseryAli]

Would like it to start in the Crystal Palace if you chose The Sun, or Arizona if you chose The Star, or the Arasaka space place if you chose The Devil or wherever Johnny ended up if you chose Temperance...in other words, IF V is in the sequel, I want the cliffhanger endings to be addressed. Then go back to Night City, but have it more open.

 

[strangerr3]

I remember Pawel Sasko once answered when asked about what he prefers - more content in current NC or new locations - that he thinks its important that players get totally new stuff with new locations and not just more things in the same box. It was more about expansion (which from what we know takes place in location not available for player in base game) but I got general vibe from it that they dont want to repeat themselfs and want to deliver products which will be fresh and explorable. Thats why I`m leaning towards that most likely they will pick up new location (with maybe restricted form of Night City in flashbacks, small missions etc). Hard to tell as probably they dont even have a base story for a sequel...

 

[CyberpunkRoslyn]

NIght City expanded seems ideal. CDPR talked about the uniqueness of this game. One in particular the vertical exploration. Most games expand horizontally; but CDPR chose a more glamourous vertical design. Now that we have the city design, let's continue to open more areas that we did not have access too. Not to mention, more NPC interaction. I feel there is still a lot that can be done with V's Megabuilding and Lizzy's Bar. Being able to build stronger relationships with the MOX is no where to be found in Cyberpunk 2077. After what happened to Evelyn Park, I'm sure the MOX were furious. V does however take care of business, but that entire side story had a lot more depth than what met the eye. There is still a lot of story left to tell in that side mission that could involve V doing missions with Rita and the rest of the Mox gang.

Let's also consider the depths of Night City. I'd like to see what dangers lurk beneath. Maybe there are far greater cyber threats that have been manifesting underground. A decommissioned corporation that decided to take their development beneath Night City could create a good spook lore to the story. Maybe this is the area that few go and ever return. Being well equipped could create a fun challenge for gamers as they engage in threats, never seen in Night City.