Last year was a monumental time forCyberpunk 2077, as the 2.0 update andPhantom LibertyDLC brought the game to greater heights. With the upgrade and expansion,Cyberpunk 2077is now better than ever.Phantom Libertypushed the limits of what a DLC can do in terms of affecting the base game’s story. The expansion introduces a cast of fascinating new characters and missions to experience, making the base game feel nearly empty without it.
When it comes to the story ofPhantom Liberty, V is tasked with rescuing the president. While on this journey,they are joined by Songbird, who is trying to escape from the president and NUSA. Unfortunately, Songbird suffers from cyberpsychosis and Blackwall corruption, which leads to one ofPhantom Liberty’s most harrowing missions. In the mission Somewhat Damaged, Songbird takes control of a Militech Cerberus, effectively turning the game into a horror scenario. The mission is a great example of howCyberpunk 2077could easily branch out into horror if CD Projekt Red really wanted to.
Cyberpunk 2077’s Somewhat Damaged is a Great Horror Blueprint
An Unexpected Taste of Sci-Fi Horror
Cyberpunk 2077leans really hard into dystopian science fiction, so the seemingly random inclusion of horror elements was a bigsurprise inPhantom Liberty. The first run-in with the Cerberus is sweat-inducing enough, but the white-knuckle tension doesn’t end there. After the initial encounter, the Cerberus will then stalk V throughout Cynosure as the mission progresses.
In a wild turn of events, the Somewhat Damaged mission briefly turnsCyberpunk 2077intoAlien: Isolation. Being stalked by a rogue AI robot through a close-quarters building really keeps one’s heart rate up. Trying to maintain a level head while figuring out how to get rid of the Cerberus is a massive challenge, and it has been proven divisive among some players. Despite the divisiveness, the mission showcaseshow much potentialCyberpunk 2077hasif it wants to go down a horror route.
Cyberpunk 2077’s sequel, Project Orion, is in early development.
Of course, a horror-focusedCyberpunk 2077game probably wouldn’t be a mainline release in the franchise. However, if CD Projekt Red ever wanted to have some fun with the series, a spin-off project could be possible. There are already plenty of rumors thatProject Orion is taking bold leaps. If the franchise ever gets truly experimental, taking a turn to horror would be filled with material for CD Projekt Red to work with. The prospect of living in a dystopian cyber-centric world is terrifying enough, but highlighting the true horrors of rogue AI could be the stuff of nightmares.
Cyberpunk 2077’s Tech Focus is an Untapped Source For Horror
There are plenty of stories that successfully demonstrate the potential dangers of AI. From beloved franchises, likeTerminator, to the more goofy, likeM3GAN, fear of AI and its impact on our future is more prevalent than ever. IfCyberpunk 2077doesn’t jump to the opportunity, it is highly likely that another IP will.Somewhat Damaged brings a terrifying toneto the game’s story that was missing in the base version. A spin-off horror story based in theCyberpunk 2077universe could be a brilliant way to expand the lore while also further illustrating the dangers the game is trying to showcase.
There are plenty of horrifying aspects oflife in Night City, and Somewhat Damaged puts one of those biggest dangers front and center. From an insane class struggle to the dangers of unstoppable AI, there is an argument to be made thatCyberpunk 2077is ultimately a horror story. The franchise’s cutthroat world is a horrifying possibility, and leaning into those fears for a spin-off is overflowing with potential.
