Summary
CD Projek Red’s ambitious FPS RPG,Cyberpunk 2077, went through an initial period of turmoil following its immediate launch in 2020. Releasing with some significant performance issues and missing features, its shortcomings were highly publicized, causing a wave of negative backlash in the aftermath. After doing some PR damage control, the developer set about introducing a series of patches and content updates to bring the title in line. These slowly but surely smoothed out the troubles, and last yearCyberpunk 2077sent players off with a thrilling bang in the well-received Phantom Liberty DLC.
A second entry in the series, known as Project Orion, is currently planned. Something thatCyberpunk 2077was praised for, even in light of its technical faults, was the setting, story, and characters. And although details are still sparse regarding the sequel, there is one major character archetype that it should include.Cyberpunk 2077’s Adam Smasherfilled the role of The Dragon, the main villain’s right-hand agent who is all too happy to enact their sinister plans, doing the dirty work of tying up loose ends and disposing of the evidence. It’s a classic convention, arguably more so in this genre, and as such, Project Orion needs to have this dynamic and character template woven into it as well.
Adam Smasher also appeared in theCyberpunk Edgerunnersanimated series, coming into conflict with its characters.
Project Orion Needs an Antagonist Like Cyberpunk 2077’s Adam Smasher
Adam Smasher Was One of Cyberpunk 2077’s Most Effective Villains
Adam Smasher’s role inCyberpunk 2077closely mirrors the dystopian themes intrinsic to it. Rescued from the brink of death, rebuilt and recruited by the Arasaka Corporation, Smasher subsequently became an unrelenting enforcer for the powerful company. He was present duringJohnny Silverhand’s bold attack on Arasaka HQ, and responsible for recovering Silverhand’s body that resulted in his consciousness being trapped in the prototype engram that protagonist V is forced to install in themselves, leading to the events of the main campaign.
Delving into Adam Smasher’s history reveals a lifetime of remorseless violence and a drive to be the most powerful and feared among his contemporaries at any cost. Smasher is shown taking a perverse pride in how much more machine he has become, which only allowed him to further indulge in his penchant for bloodshed and cruelty, abandoning whatever shreds of humanity he may have once had. Smasher is built up as the ultimate threat throughout the course ofCyberpunk 2077’s story, culminating in a final battle that, depending on player choice, sees Smasher kill some of V’s closest companions before finally being taken down in an emotional and satisfying confrontation.
Project Orion is Almost Obligated to Include an Adam Smasher-Like Figure
Unlike cyberpsychos, Adam Smasher seems fully in control of himself. It’s just that his personality is sadistic and lacking empathy. This, of course, is what makes him the perfect tool for Arasaka and a constant dangerous thorn in V’s side.Cyberpunk 2077’s worldhas plenty of room for another Smasher-type character in this manner; one who presents an imposing, ruthless, and seemingly unstoppable force who is essentially more machine than man in all senses.
While there is currently not muchinformation regarding Project Orion’s direction, there are certainly some general narrative beats and inclusions, especially for the genre, that it will likely utilize again. A powerful and recurring antagonist who is intimately connected to the “real” villain is probably a given. And since Adam Smasher provides a good blueprint for this, an “Adam Smasher 2.0” figure would be a perfect fit for almost any direction the sequel goes in. Given a core theme of the series is just how much humanity one is willing to give up in pursuit of raw strength, Smasher embodies the extreme side of the equation. The sequel could continue to explore this by providing a character similar to Smasher acting on behalf of the powers behind the scenes, seeking to thwart or eliminate the protagonist at every turn, and resulting in another compelling and memorable antagonist.
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?
