Leading up to the release ofCyberpunk 2077manyWitcherfans hoped that the game would somehow connect the game’s universe to that ofThe Witchersince they are both developed by Polish studio CD Projekt Red. The hope stemmed fromWitcher’s Ciri who is able to travel between different dimensions and does both in the book series the video games are booked on, as well as inThe Witcher 3.The Witcherfans were especially hopeful that Ciri would appear inCyberpunk 2077after a line inThe Witcher 3and in the novels where Ciri referenced traveling to a futuristic city of lights.
However, leading up to the release ofCyberpunk 2077CD Projekt Red was outspoken about not wanting there to be a connection to the two universes. However, the game ended up including a large number of easter eggs and references to other properties and media, withCyberpunk 2077’s recent 1.3 patch even including a jacket that is a clear nod to the classic animeAkira. Since the game’s release players have also found a variety of connections toThe WitcherinCyberpunk 2077, even if the developers didn’t intend for them to indicate a canonical link between the two RPGs.
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Retro Gaming Magazine
The first reference that players can find toThe WitcherinCyberpunk 2077is only included in the opening of the game when players choose a Corpo lifepath.Cyberpunk 2077’s lifepaths were a great feature, and change the introduction to the game depending on what players choose. Choosing the Corpo lifepath lets players explore V’s office for a short section of its introduction, and if players open a drawer on V’s desk they will find a magazine titled Retro Gaming. If players look close enough at the magazine, they’ll notice that it also includes a picture on its cover of Ciri andThe Witcher 3’s logo. While not a big reference, it is a cute nod to how today’s games will be regarded in the future.
The Smuggler’s Cache
One common complaint thatThe Witchercommunity has voiced aboutThe Witcher 3is the game’s numerous smuggler’s caches that are scattered throughout the game’s maps. There are 63 total caches inThe Witcher 3, with most of them covering the seas of Skellige. The smuggler’s caches were underwater chests that could be looted to get a random smattering of loot, although most of them do not hold much gear or items that are particularly valuable. However, one of thehardest to find easter eggs inCyberpunk 2077brings a smuggler cache to Night city.
The smuggler’s cache can be found in the Coastview area and looks unmistakably similar to a smuggler’s cache inThe Witcher 3, complete with three chests grouped together and suspended over the bottom of the river it can be found in. Going further, if players climb on top of a nearby smuggler’s cache, there is a dead body with a note on top of it that further completes the reference. Called “Drowned Man’s Note” it references “thousands of caches and stashes all marked with that tantalizing question mark.” This is a clear reference toThe Witcher 3’s question marks that mark where the smuggler’s caches are, as well as nodding to players not finding much value in them later on in the entry. While the easter egg is a fun reference for fans of the studio, it also seems thatsmuggler’s caches likely won’t be returning inThe Witcher 4.
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A Single Swallow
One small piece of worldbuilding in the universe ofCyberpunk 2077is that there are absolutely no birds in Night City. Following an increase in zoonotic disease outbreaks, the city had to enact the Avian Extermination Act that ensures no birds live within 18 miles of the city to protect its citizens. However, in one of the game’s endings there V wakes up in a car to find a swallow perched next to his window. Not only does the ending symbolically reinforce some of the game’s themes, but the swallow is also a symbol commonly associated withThe Witcher’s Ciri. It is acommon thread in bothThe Witcherbooks and gamesand it seems difficult to imagine CD Projekt Red missing the connection when they chose to include the Swallow in this ending.
Witcher Gear
One of the most obvious connections between the two games is the variousWitcheritems that players get by connecting their GOG.com accounts. The pack includes a jacket, two t-shirts, a plushie, and a katana that are all very blatant references toThe Witcher, which is a nice treat for the developer’s fans. The Katana in particular is a reference toThe Witcher 3’s Black Unicorn relic sword, which is considered one of the strongest steel swords in the entire game.
Roach Race Arcade Cabinet and Roach Stickers in Photo Mode
One of the most widely known characters ofThe Witcher 3is Geralt’s horse, Roach. Players quickly fell in love with the sometimes glitchy horse’s antics, and so it seems fitting that Geralt’s steed makes an appearance inCyberpunk 2077in a few different ways. Not only are there stickers of the horse inCyberpunk 2077’s photo mode, but players can also find an arcade machine titled Roach Race. The machines can be found throughoutCyberpunk 2077’s Night Cityand include a few different jokes referencingThe Witcher 3.
Blood and Wine Music
The biggest expansion forThe Witcher 3wasBlood and Wine, which saw Geralt traveling to the fairy-tale-like land of Touissant to deal with an emerging vampire threat. Players who are familiar with the expansion may notice that its main theme can be played by the various guitar players scattered throughoutCyberpunk 2077’s world. The DLC forThe Witcher 3was met with high praise andset a high bar forCyberpunk 2077to try and meet. Only time will tell whether or notCyberpunk 2077can meet that bar, but it is fun to see CD Projekt Red throwing in a subtle hint for fans of the expansion to catch.
Cyberpunk 2077is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia, and Xbox One. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions are currently in development.
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