Why Cyberpunk 2 Must Steal These Epic Elements from Edgerunners to Win Fans Back

Cyberpunk 2 has a golden opportunity to learn from the massive success of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, the anime that revitalized interest in the Cyberpunk universe. Unlike the rocky start of Cyberpunk 2077, Edgerunners brought heart, real characters, and a gripping story that truly connected with fans. As CD Projekt Red gears up for the next chapter, here’s what the sequel should absolutely borrow from the anime’s winning formula.

• The emotional core and character-driven storytelling that made Edgerunners stand out
• The importance of a strong, relatable protagonist with clear motivations
• Building a tight-knit crew that feels like family, with real stakes and loyalty
• Creating a Night City that’s brutal, unforgiving, and shapes its inhabitants
• Leaning into an open-world, GTA-style gameplay experience rather than sprawling RPG mechanics
• Maintaining strong ties between the game and the anime universe for a cohesive narrative

From Struggle to Redemption: How Edgerunners Changed the Game

Cyberpunk 2077’s launch was rough, to say the least. Bugs, disappointing gameplay, and backlash had Sony removing the game from the PlayStation Store just a week after release. Microsoft even offered refunds, costing CD Projekt Red an estimated $51 million in lost sales. But then came Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, a 2022 anime produced by Trigger, the studio behind hits like Gurren Lagann. This series didn’t just win “Anime of the Year” at the 2023 Crunchyroll Anime Awards — it reignited passion for the Cyberpunk world.

Thanks to Edgerunners, Cyberpunk 2077’s player numbers on Steam stabilized and even grew, turning the game’s story from failure into redemption. CD Projekt Red capitalized on this momentum by adding iconic graphics, outfits, and anime references in a 2022 patch. But to truly keep this synergy alive, the upcoming sequel, codenamed “Orion,” needs to go beyond just cosmetics.

The Heart of Night City: Characters That Matter

Edgerunners is more than just flashy cybernetic tech and neon lights — it’s a coming-of-age story packed with emotional depth. The series follows David, a talented but lost student who turns to the dangerous streets of Night City after losing his mother. David’s journey is about chasing others’ dreams — his mother’s hopes, his love Lucy’s escape plans — until he loses himself to cyberpsychosis. It’s a tragic tale of identity, loyalty, and sacrifice that hits hard.

Bartosz Sztybor, CD Projekt Red’s creative director and one of Edgerunners’ writers, has been expanding the Cyberpunk universe across games, anime, and comics. He emphasizes Night City as a living, brutal force that shapes everyone who enters it. The key to a great story here? Balancing fresh characters new to the chaos with those already broken or hardened by it. This layered approach is what Edgerunners nailed, and what the sequel must embrace.

The next game needs its own “ragtag team” of characters with emotional weight — people we care about deeply, whose loyalty and fate feel real. Because in Night City, survival means trusting no one, and that tension should drive the story forward. Season 2 of Edgerunners is already promising to keep this “heartbreaking” theme alive, and the games should follow suit.

More Than Just Cameos: Building a Mythology

While V, the player character in Cyberpunk 2077, served as a blank slate, fans found themselves more invested in Johnny Silverhand, played by Keanu Reeves. Yet even Johnny can’t compete with David’s intimate story and emotional resonance. The sequel should focus on creating characters with real depth and relationships, giving players reasons to care beyond celebrity cameos.

Imagine if David could become the new mythic figure in the Cyberpunk universe, like Silverhand — a character explored through missions, lore, and side stories. The more the sequel reminds us that it shares the same universe as Edgerunners and 2077, the richer the experience will be.

Gameplay That Matches the Story

Before Cyberpunk 2077 launched, many expected a cybernetic take on Grand Theft Auto — open-world chaos, freedom, and action. Instead, the game leaned more toward a Fallout-style RPG with heavy dialogue trees. The sequel should embrace that original GTA vibe more fully, focusing on an open-world, narrative-driven experience that doesn’t get bogged down by sprawling RPG mechanics.

By doing so, CD Projekt Red can deliver a tighter story with a fully realized main character, memorable side characters, and a ruthless Night City where loyalty is always on the line. This combination is what made Edgerunners unforgettable, and it’s the path to turning Cyberpunk 2 into a true redemption story for the franchise.