Summary
After four years,Cyberpunk 2077has overcome many of its significant launch hurdles to become regarded as one of the best sci-fi FPS RPGs in the recent generation. This was helped greatly by the constant rollout of patches since its famously troubled release, and capped off by the quality of The Phantom Liberty DLC from 2023. With these,Cyberpunk 2077was able to successfully navigate its initially rough road, eventually cementing its legacy to now be considered an impressive achievement despite its early problems.
Developer CD Projekt Red officially announced that it was working on a followup toCyberpunk 2077in 2022. Currently known by itscodename, Project Orion, the sequel is still in the early stages of development. It will thus likely be a while before fans receive additional information or details on the studio’s plans and vision for the second outing. One major consideration is whether Project Orion will see players explore the iconic setting of Night City and its factions again, or introduce a completely different location with its own organizations. But even if it does move beyond Night City, the Aldecaldo gang seen in the original would be able to show up in the sequel fairly seamlessly due to their nature and methods.
Based on the alleged canceledMoon DLC forCyberpunk 2077, some speculation and rumors have pointed to Project Orion featuring space as a location. This would obviously impact what factions may appear. However, that has not been confirmed by CDPR to be the case at this time.
Wherever Project Orion Goes For its Setting, Cyberpunk 2077’s Aldecaldo Gang Can Easily Follow
Most of Cyberpunk 2077’s Gangs Were Inherently Linked to Night City
Cyberpunk 2077featured 11 gangsacross Night City that players could encounter. Ranging from brutal bodybuilders, local militia, and NetRunners, each had their own distinct identity and agendas. In keeping with genre norms, they also controlled or at least called a specific section of Night City home, being based in neighborhoods like Santo Domingo or Pacifica. Their operations often brought them into conflict with each other and protagonist V throughout the story. Despite their variety, though, something they all shared was a strong connection to the city itself, and most did not have any influence or ambitions outside its bounds.
The Aldecaldos, however, are an interesting exception to the above. Being nomadic in nature and not strictly beholden to any one turf within Night City, they are less intrinsically part of it. Often acting as couriers, smugglers, and odd-jobs contractors for other gangs and some ofCyberpunk 2077’s major corporations, the Aldecaldos fittingly occupy a sort of no-man’s land in the organizational structure and hierarchy of the world. Given their status in this regard, it wouldn’t be out of place for them to return in Project Orion.
Project Orion Could See The Aldecaldos Ride Again
There are many questions surrounding what CD Projekt Red has in mind to improve and expand on the first title, chiefly among them iswhether Project Orion will return to Night Cityor introduce a fresh setting. But as a more loosely organized and spread out tribe, either case would accommodate the Aldecaldos appearing again. It’s stated in lore that there are various Aldecaldo sects across the NUSA, and they could then have a presence in Project Orion without necessarily having to directly connect to Night City or other previousCyberpunk 2077characters and events.
The gang’s unique position grants CDPR a great degree of freedom in deciding whether to featurethe Aldecaldosin some capacity in Project Orion. Lacking strict ties to Night City in the way the other gangs do, they could be running jobs nearly anywhere in the world. This leaves room for notable figures like Saul Bright and Panam to return, or for players to be introduced to a new cast of Aldecaldos, all without straining believability by needing a convoluted reason for it. Wherever Project Orion ends up sending fans, the Aldecaldos could crop up and be an important and engaging part of the story again.
