Summary
The mark of a popular franchise is a built culture among its fans that often transcends gameplay on consoles into other forms of media, and several games have made the jump to the silver screen with movie or series adaptations. Netflix has led the way in this regard, with itsLeague of Legends-inspiredArcaneandThe Witcherseries forming some of the streaming giant’s most successful projects to date, andCyberpunk: Edgerunnerswas another attempt from the company to appeal to the gaming community. Players expected the newly-releasedCyberpunk 2077: Phantom Libertyto feature some Easter Eggs and references, and CD Projekt Red included someEdgerunnerscontent in an approving tribute to Netflix’s body of work.
For a franchise that struggled mightily with its initial launch and first few patches,Cyberpunk 2077has bounced back remarkably in the last few years, reclaiming the hearts of disappointed fans and grabbing new adorers along the way.Phantom Libertyis the latest landmark in a string of improvements for the title, and by far the most comprehensive, and gamers note the game has a completely different experience than ever before - in a good way. In light ofCyberpunk: Edgerunners' captivating storyline and darling reception from cinema lovers, with the series winningAnime of the Yearearlier in 2023, it’s no surpriseCyberpunk 2077found a way to incorporate references toEdgerunnersas a way to honor its contribution to the franchise.
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Phantom Liberty Pays Homage to the Edgerunners
Plot armor clichés are an overflogged feature of TV series, and consumers breathe a sigh of relief when a show’s events occur naturally, even when a few of their favorite characters meet unforeseen deaths. It’s part of what made series likeGame of Thronesso loved in the first place, andCyberpunk: Edgerunnersleaned hard into the dynamic to similar effect. A tragic storyline following the Edgerunner crew’s adventures and ending with a handful of survivors,Cyberpunk 2077fans have been waiting to see if the anime would find any presence in thePhantom Libertyupdate, and the answer is a resounding yes.
Phantom Liberty’s most impactfulEdgerunnersreference comes by way of somber memorials in the Columbarium, located in the Westbrook District’s North Oak region. The Columbarium holds the cremains of many dead, and the Edgerunners crew have a memorial in their honor from Lucy, the sole survivor of the gang. Rebecca’s holographic memorial contains the Edgerunner insignia with her signature headpiece and shotguns (one of which can be found onCyberpunk 2077’s map). To the left of Rebecca’s remembrance is that of Pilar, Dorio, and Maine.
The trio brought David Martinez -Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' protagonist - into the Edgerunner fold, and Lucy’s tearjerking plaque to them reads, “You were the only family I ever had”. David Martinez was Lucy’s love interest until his demise, and his character arc inEdgerunnerssaw him transition from the stereotypical troubled kid, like Jinx inArcane, to aNight City Legend. His holograph also contains the Edgerunner symbol, along with the notorious Sandevistan. David’s mother, Gloria, was murdered during a gang war, and although not a part of the crew, Lucy placed her memorial just beneath her son’s.
The memorials aren’t the only Easter Egg references to theCyberpunk: Edgerunnersseries, with multiple scenes from various episodes recreated inCyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. David Martinez’s Santo Domingo apartment shares a similar layout to V’s abode in Japantown, and the protagonist’s favorite Ripper Doc store can also be found in the Arroyo District, although the doctor has since vacated the premises. V can also visit iconic bars like Jacked and Coke, Turbo, and Totentanz to name a few. Other passing scenes from the series also appear, and since episodes typically ended with a shot of Lucy looking up at the moon,Cyberpunk 2077reproduced the image in the form of the moon tarot card, rounding outPhantom Liberty’sEdgerunnersEaster Eggs.
Cyberpunk 2077:Phantom Libertyis available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
