Project Orion, the highly anticipated sequel toCyberpunk 2077, has a unique opportunity to reimagine one of the original game’s most intriguing mechanics: the tarot cards. InCyberpunk 2077, tarot cards symbolize various aspects of protagonist V’s journey. While reintroducing this mechanic inProject Orioncould risk feeling repetitive, a fresh approach could make them an acceptable and possibly a more immersive tool for storytelling. After all, to some extent, it’s an iconicCyberpunkelement now.
One way to avoid the sense of redundancy is to focus on cards not yet used in theCyberpunkuniverse. In the first game, much of the major arcana — such as The Fool, The Emperor, and The Devil — were woven into V’s story. TheCyberpunk 2077sequel could introduce cards from the minor arcana or explore different interpretations of the major arcana.
Project Orion’s Tarot Cards Should Develop Established Symbolism
The original tarot mechanic inCyberpunk 2077served as a side quest. Players discovered murals acrossNight City inCyberpunk 2077that depicted cards from the major arcana, and each of them offered insight into V’s relationships, conflicts, and eventual fate. Tarot’s ancient symbolism helped contextualize a character’s place in a dystopian, hyper-technology-driven world. Tarot cards inProject Orioncould expand this very same universe, and it would not only help players re-engage with familiar symbols but also help them build interpretations easily.
InCyberpunk 2077, the tarot card murals were static images found throughout the city. While they added depth to V’s story, they were largely detached from gameplay.Project Orioncould improve upon this by making tarot cards interactable or active elements within the game. There could be a system where players would collect and use tarot cards strategically, and that could possibly influence key decision-making, NPC relationships, or even the ending.
The Tarot Cards Could Become a New Kind of Story-Driving Device
Instead of tarot cards just depicting symbolism, this time around, each collected card could unlock a unique dialogue or decision that influences the storyline, and it would make tarot cards more than just collectible objects. They could becomeCyberpunkgameplaytools, and drive the story based on the player’s choices. If each card reflected a different aspect of the player character’s journey, they would not only be collectibles but also representations of character growth, world-building, and story paths. However, there needs to be a balance and the tarot cards need to stay grounded without becoming an overly mystical experience.
Drawing Inspiration from Persona’s Effective Tarot Usage
ThePersonaseries offers another good example of tarot’s continued useacross a video game franchise without feeling stale. Each game assigns a tarot card to main characters or personas, making it a series staple that fans expect and enjoy.Project Orioncould similarly adopt tarot as a recurring motif and turn the mechanic into a thematic cornerstone rather than a one-off or just a symbolic novelty.
And while tarot cards could serve as a powerfulstorytelling deviceinProject Orion, it’s crucial to avoid making the mechanics feel overused or predictable at this point. For example, if each ending once again corresponds to a single card, as it did inCyberpunk 2077, the connection may feel superficial or forced in a sequel. Instead,Project Orioncould weave tarot into the lore with greater nuance.
Each ending could draw from a combination ofCyberpunktarot cards, for instance. The cards could also represent the complex outcomes of player choices rather than a single fate. This approach would keep tarot motifs fresh and meaningful, as the final card arrangement could serve as a symbolic reading of the player’s story — making it a thematic pillar rather than a predictable element.
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?
