Cyberpunk 2077has set a new benchmark for open-world RPGs with its gritty narrative, expansive world-building, dystopian punk themes, and a broad range of gameplay mechanics. Among its many elements that stood out, one was the combat system, which gave players the option to engage in both ranged and melee combat. The Beat on the Brat questline, in particular, was fun, came with a learning curve, and zeroed in on melee combat in a way most games don’t.
Cyberpunk 2077’s in-development sequelProject Orioncould benefit from incorporating a similar quest—one that introduces players to the brutal hand-to-hand combat scene once again, whilst providing a series of difficult challenges to test and improve their fighting skills. All this as the whole quest connects and deepens the lore in some way.
Why Project Orion Needs a Melee Combat Quest
Project Orionneeds to introduce a similar quest or series of challenges to amp up melee combat for two reasons. One is to teach players how to fight up close and the second is because it’s such a unique quest for an open-world game. One of the core appeals of Beat on the Brat was that it took players out of their comfort zone. It was a departure from the typical gunfights, forcing players to rely on different skills — timing, blocking, countering, and understanding the flow of combat. This diversity in combat mechanics is something thatProject Orioncould expand on, especially given the growing focus on cybernetics and augmented abilities in the series.
InCyberpunk 2077, the quest structure itself starts relatively easy, with players fighting against fairly simple opponents, but soon escalates to some of the most difficult brawls in the game. For instance, starting from thefirst fight with the twins in Kabuki, which isn’t particularly difficult, onto the Arroyo fight that requires more counters and dodging, all the way down to the fight with the legendary brawler, Razor. It helps amp up the player’s skill level gradually and shows how fun yet challenging melee combat can be. It wouldn’t be wrong to call this melee-combat-quest aCyberpunkexclusive at this point and that’s why it needs to be inProject Orionas well.
A Quest Like ‘Beat on the Brat’ Gives Way to Lore
Beat on the Bratis also the type of quest that almost always provides an excellent subtle vehicle for world-building, unlike more story-driven quests like The Heist or Space Oddity. The underground brawls in the original Beat on the Brat represent the brutal realities faced by the lower classes, where people fight for money, status, and survival. The fights show how gangs, street factions, and even corporations exploit the impoverished for their own gains.
Although it’s still unclear what central themesProject Orionwill focus on, as long as there are dystopian elements, a quest like this will subtly give power to the lore. The quest doesn’t need to be a carbon copy ofCyberpunk 2077’sBeat on the Brat either. For instance, whileCyberpunk 2077’sversion remained largely detached from the influence of broader power structures,Project Orioncould shift the focus of the quest to explore those dynamics. If the franchise wants to double down on it, even aHunger Games-inspired scenario could be a compelling direction to take — but only if it helps theCyberpunk 2077loreand blends with it.
Environment and Worldbuilding Through Combat Arenas
InCyberpunk 2077, the settings of the Beat on the Brat fights are integral to the lore. Each location has its own atmosphere and hints at the culture, power dynamics, or history of the area. For instance, the Pacifica fight is set in a decrepit part ofCyberpunk’s Night Cityand adds a gritty, dystopian feel that emphasizes the hopelessness of the characters involved. InProject Orion, similar fight arenas could be used to reflect different parts of whatever Night City equivalent world the game brings with it.
Cyberpunk 2077
WHERE TO PLAY
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action-adventure from the creators of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red.Set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour and body modification, you play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality.Upgraded with next-gen in mind and featuring free additional content, customize your character and playstyle as you take on jobs, build a reputation, and unlock upgrades.The relationships you forge and the choices you make will shape the story and the world around you. Legends are made here. What will yours be?
