Cyberpunk 2077

CD Projekt Red has just released the third episode of their ongoing Night City Wire series, shedding light on the upcoming Cyberpunk 2077 game. This episode gives yet more glimpses of the game itself, which is always welcome.

After an intro and a development interview, the Gangs of Night City section of this episode introduces us to the various gangs we can expect to work for, coordinate with, and more than likely double cross in the end.

My initial reaction is there are at least twice as many gang factions in Cyberpunk 2077 as I had expected. Even this video segment — at just under 5 minutes — felt incredibly overwhelming. I’m lost trying to keep up with all the different gang names, their ethos, and how they all interact with each other.

My mind is already racing at the possibilities as we try to play each faction against the others, as well as how deeply ingrained I’ll be able to get with each one, whether I decide to stick with one or try them all.

Cyberpunk 2077

So let’s just quickly break down the meat and potatoes of Night City Wire: Gangs of Night City.

The first gang the video introduces us to, after an initial general look at the rest of this gorgeous game, is the Maelstrom. This group is a bunch of chrome-sucking psychos, according to the in-game character dialog. These dudes are obsessed with cyber-technology, and they use augments to enhance their bodies. They look vicious and homicidal.

Next up are the Valentinos, who have a more traditional Latin cartel vibe. They apparently have a punishment for every conceivable offense, and I am guessing all of them are brutally unpleasant. They also seem to have a penchant for shiny modded cars and Reggaeton music.

The Valentinos also appear to have a direct bone to pick with the next gang we meet, the 6th Street. This motley crew seems like the result of generations of MAGA inbreeding, so I suppose it’s no surprise they seem to be less than friendly with the Valentinos.

Cyberpunk 2077

The Voodoo Boys are more elusive, mostly thought to be a myth. Of course, we are getting a rundown on their activities and actually get to see what looks like the leader, so it’s probably safe to assume the myth is, in fact, well-founded. This crew gives off a stereotypical Haitian voodoo vibe, similar to every Haitian voodoo gang in other video games, from The Getaway to Mafia 3.

The Voodoo Boys seem to be having a varmint problem — specifically, the next gang on the list, the Animals, who appear to be invading Voodoo Boys territory. The Animals are said to be more of a squad of hired goons as opposed to a well-organized criminal enterprise. They are meatheads that punch stuff real good.

We are next introduced to the Tiger Claw, which, as I’m sure you could surmise, are the Asian gang of Cyberpunk 2077. Think katana blades, honor, and crotch rockets. It’s what you might expect from a 1990s Dolph Lundgren fish-out-of-water kung fu movie. Their hovering holographic koi make for some pretty cool decorations though, I will give them that.

Cyberpunk 2077

And if all of these gangs weren’t enough, the final gang of the evening is the Moxes. Think Harley Quinn, but like, a whole bunch of her. This group seems like a band of red-light-district workers that were fed up with the murders of the members of their profession. The Moxes give off the impression that they are the newest faction in Cyberpunk 2077‘s Night City, and they’re trying to get established and climb the food chain.

All of these gangs round out the seedy underbelly of Night City. However outside those hallowed urban walls, out in the badlands, there is a gang community all its own. The Wraiths and the Aldecaldos are the two factions out in the desert, and both seem to be comprised of nomads, no-goodniks and ne’er-do-wells. How they fit into the inner-city gang ecosystem, if at all, remains to be seen.

And there you have it, the gangs of Cyberpunk 2077. While each group appears to be defined based on your class, character choices, and mission objectives, there will no doubt be multiple ways to interact with each group — or to avoid them at all costs, if at all possible.

Cyberpunk 2077

The next section of the video details the spec requirements for PC players out there. I will more than likely play Cyberpunk 2077 on my trusty old PS4 Pro, so this section wasn’t for me so much. Still, it’s always nice to know whether your rig will withstand the weight of any new triple-A game, or if it’s time to finally upgrade.

I feel like this is a better installment in the Night City Wire series than the previous episode, but any chance to see Cyberpunk 2077 in action is always welcome in my book. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to get my hands on Cyberpunk 2077 (on November 19) to experience this landmark game firsthand. There is even time yet still to get your preorder on if you want to get some seriously juicy goodies with your physical copy of the game.

You can check out the full Night City Wire Episode 3 below, if for no other reason than to gawk at the incredible visual design of Cyberpunk 2077.

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