Title: A Proposal for Cyberpunk Orion: Unifying All Endings into One Coherent Sequel
It is widely known that Cyberpunk 2077 has multiple endings, each with a very different fate for V. This makes it extremely difficult to create a direct sequel featuring the same protagonist without invalidating the choices of millions of players.
However, I believe I have found a solution: a narrative bridge that unifies all endings (except suicide) into a single starting point for Cyberpunk Orion (or Cyberpunk 2099). The key is a universal event: V loses all cyberware.
Regardless of how V "survived" the first game, the sequel would begin with them in a new city (such as Chicago, a location described by Mike Pondsmith as a "city that went wrong") having undergone a procedure that removed all their combat implants. V is now, for all intents and purposes, a "normal" human. Their journey in the sequel is to find a way to re-implant cyberware from scratch.
To respect the different endings of Cyberpunk 2077, the sequel would feature 5 distinct prologues (origins) that the player can choose from at the start of a new game. Each prologue would connect one of the game's major endings to the same starting point: V in Chicago, stripped of their chrome, looking for a solution.
For players who did not play the first game (or simply don't want to import a save), a short, well-summarized video would explain the necessary backstory before and after their choice.
The 5 Prologues (Origins for Cyberpunk Orion)
Prologue 1: The Nomad (Corresponds to the "Star" ending in CP2077) : V leaves with Panam and the Aldecaldos. After months of searching, the Aldecaldos find a biotechnologist in Arizona. V undergoes a procedure to stop the Relic's damage, but it requires removing all their cyberware. V then travels to Chicago to find a way to rebuild themselves.
Prologue 2: The Legend of the Afterlife (Corresponds to the "Sun" ending in CP2077) : V becomes a legend and prepares to raid the Crystal Palace. After the heist, V uses their fortune and new connections to fund an experimental surgery. The surgery saves their life, but at the cost of their combat implants. V heads to Chicago seeking a new beginning and a way to get their chrome back.
Prologue 3: The Second Chance (Corresponds to the "Temperance" ending in CP2077) : Johnny keeps V's body while V goes with Alt. Johnny, living in V's body, discovers the Relic is still degrading his psyche. To survive, he must undergo a full cyberware purge. After the procedure, Johnny (now in V's body) travels to Chicago to find a way to stabilize his condition and, perhaps, live a life of his own.
Prologue 4: The Digital Ghost (Corresponds to the "Devil" ending in CP2077) : V becomes a digital construct for Arasaka. Years later, Arasaka's technology has advanced. The corporation successfully re-prints V's engram into a rehabilitated clone or body. However, the new body is too weak to handle military-grade cyberware. V escapes or is released, and heads to Chicago to find a ripperdoc who can help them start over.
Prologue 5: The Patient Zero (Corresponds to the "Tower" ending in the Phantom Liberty DLC) : The NUSA surgery saved V's life, but it left them as a "normal" human, unable to use combat implants. Now, years later, V has heard rumors of a ripperdoc or a corporation in Chicago that might have a solution to their condition.
Why This Works
Respects Player Choice: No ending is declared "non-canonical". Every player's final decision is honored and becomes a unique starting point for the sequel.
Justifies a "Hard Reset": V losing their cyberware is a perfect lore-friendly reason to start from level 1 in a new game, with a new progression system.
Opens Up New Gameplay: The search for new cyberware and a way to re-implant it becomes the core motivation of the sequel.
Introduces a New City: Chicago is an ideal setting. It's a "broken" city, described as a place that "went wrong". It's far enough from Night City for a fresh start, but close enough for familiar faces to appear as cameos. Maintains Franchise Continuity: Keeping V as the protagonist ensures that Cyberpunk 2077 remains relevant and sellable while promoting the new game. A well-crafted introductory video would make it easy for new players to connect with the story without having played the first game. This approach maximizes the value of the existing game while building hype for the sequel.
This is not a crazy fan theory. It is, in my opinion, the only logical and respectful way for CD Projekt Red to continue V's story without betraying the players who shaped their destiny in the first game.
Thank you for reading.
It is widely known that Cyberpunk 2077 has multiple endings, each with a very different fate for V. This makes it extremely difficult to create a direct sequel featuring the same protagonist without invalidating the choices of millions of players.
However, I believe I have found a solution: a narrative bridge that unifies all endings (except suicide) into a single starting point for Cyberpunk Orion (or Cyberpunk 2099). The key is a universal event: V loses all cyberware.
Regardless of how V "survived" the first game, the sequel would begin with them in a new city (such as Chicago, a location described by Mike Pondsmith as a "city that went wrong") having undergone a procedure that removed all their combat implants. V is now, for all intents and purposes, a "normal" human. Their journey in the sequel is to find a way to re-implant cyberware from scratch.
To respect the different endings of Cyberpunk 2077, the sequel would feature 5 distinct prologues (origins) that the player can choose from at the start of a new game. Each prologue would connect one of the game's major endings to the same starting point: V in Chicago, stripped of their chrome, looking for a solution.
For players who did not play the first game (or simply don't want to import a save), a short, well-summarized video would explain the necessary backstory before and after their choice.
The 5 Prologues (Origins for Cyberpunk Orion)
Prologue 1: The Nomad (Corresponds to the "Star" ending in CP2077) : V leaves with Panam and the Aldecaldos. After months of searching, the Aldecaldos find a biotechnologist in Arizona. V undergoes a procedure to stop the Relic's damage, but it requires removing all their cyberware. V then travels to Chicago to find a way to rebuild themselves.
Prologue 2: The Legend of the Afterlife (Corresponds to the "Sun" ending in CP2077) : V becomes a legend and prepares to raid the Crystal Palace. After the heist, V uses their fortune and new connections to fund an experimental surgery. The surgery saves their life, but at the cost of their combat implants. V heads to Chicago seeking a new beginning and a way to get their chrome back.
Prologue 3: The Second Chance (Corresponds to the "Temperance" ending in CP2077) : Johnny keeps V's body while V goes with Alt. Johnny, living in V's body, discovers the Relic is still degrading his psyche. To survive, he must undergo a full cyberware purge. After the procedure, Johnny (now in V's body) travels to Chicago to find a way to stabilize his condition and, perhaps, live a life of his own.
Prologue 4: The Digital Ghost (Corresponds to the "Devil" ending in CP2077) : V becomes a digital construct for Arasaka. Years later, Arasaka's technology has advanced. The corporation successfully re-prints V's engram into a rehabilitated clone or body. However, the new body is too weak to handle military-grade cyberware. V escapes or is released, and heads to Chicago to find a ripperdoc who can help them start over.
Prologue 5: The Patient Zero (Corresponds to the "Tower" ending in the Phantom Liberty DLC) : The NUSA surgery saved V's life, but it left them as a "normal" human, unable to use combat implants. Now, years later, V has heard rumors of a ripperdoc or a corporation in Chicago that might have a solution to their condition.
Why This Works
Respects Player Choice: No ending is declared "non-canonical". Every player's final decision is honored and becomes a unique starting point for the sequel.
Justifies a "Hard Reset": V losing their cyberware is a perfect lore-friendly reason to start from level 1 in a new game, with a new progression system.
Opens Up New Gameplay: The search for new cyberware and a way to re-implant it becomes the core motivation of the sequel.
Introduces a New City: Chicago is an ideal setting. It's a "broken" city, described as a place that "went wrong". It's far enough from Night City for a fresh start, but close enough for familiar faces to appear as cameos. Maintains Franchise Continuity: Keeping V as the protagonist ensures that Cyberpunk 2077 remains relevant and sellable while promoting the new game. A well-crafted introductory video would make it easy for new players to connect with the story without having played the first game. This approach maximizes the value of the existing game while building hype for the sequel.
This is not a crazy fan theory. It is, in my opinion, the only logical and respectful way for CD Projekt Red to continue V's story without betraying the players who shaped their destiny in the first game.
Thank you for reading.
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