Cyberpunk 2077 Fans Torn Over V's Official Replacement In Sequel

Published Oct 3, 2026, 2:00 PM EDT Known as 'Cyberpunk 2077's' biggest fan, Angharad is a Welsh games writer who thrives in anything related to digital storytelling. If a video game explores the intricacies and horrors of womanhood, she is there. Thanks to previous work at GAMINGbible, GameByte, The Loadout, Game Luster, Angharad has built a strong understanding of both the digital world and what fans want from it and is eager to share her thoughts and expertise with readers. When it comes to some of the most iconic protagonists in RPG history, Cyberpunk 2077's V definitely deserves a spot on that list. Despite players having the ability to choose between a male or female V, their personality is otherwise quite set in stone, even with the three different Life Paths having minor consequences (much to some fan's dismay). For me, as a big Cyberpunk 2077 fan, I will always choose a female V with a Streetkid background, and thanks to an incredible performance from Cherami Leigh, she is a protagonist that I often miss. I love the strength of her personality intertwined with moments of vulnerability, and of course, I love the snark that is never far behind. V may not be the most fully fleshed out character in RPG history, yet she remains iconic nonetheless. That is why some Cyberpunk 2077 fans are coming to grips with the fact that V is unlikely to be the protagonist in the upcoming sequel that is currently in development over at CD Projekt RED. Of course, how V's story ends depends on which ending you achieved, but we also know that some endings are more canon than others. However, CDPR has never confirmed which ending is canon, and so it has been left up to fan interpretation since the game launched back in 2020. Regardless of which ending you choose, V's story can be considered complete. However, over on r/LowSodiumCyberpunk, one fan shared the results of a poll which asked, "Which character should return in Cyberpunk 2?" The results were pretty unanimous, with V receiving 44%, trailing ahead of Johnny Silverhand, Lucy, and Morgan Blackhand. The user shared, "CDPR has reaffirmed multiple times that V’s story is finished, yet a lot of people still seem to expect them to return in future games. Which, in my opinion, would kind of undermine the weight and finality of their story in 2077. I know I’m not the only one who wants to see Blackhand play a major role in the next game, and I really hope he does." With over 600 comments, it is safe to say that fellow Cyberpunk 2077 fans have their own thoughts about which characters should return in the highly anticipated sequel. Should V return in some capacity as our protagonist? Will the sequel be the same without the presence of Johnny Silverhand? Or should the story be a completely new experience? This is what fans thought. "One of the best parts of 2077 is the way it allows the player to choose V’s end. I would hate to hear there’s a “canonical” end. Make it 2097 and have a whole new cast of characters with some old friends who come back for fun," one comment read. Another said, "Instead of having V be completely absent from the sequel, I think they should have random NPCs occasionally talk about a different rumor they heard about the legendary merc, V, and where they went. Each rumor is a different ending from 2077." Another user agreed, adding, ""V should come back!" Did we play the same game? The game is about making the most of the time you have and leaving a mark in a stagnant world. They can "Edgerunners" it and give V a cameo and maybe a signature item for the new PC, but there's no way to write V coming back that isn't bad writing/invalidates the entire first game." At the time of wtiting, details surrounding the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel remain scarce, other than that it is expected to take place in a setting inspired by "Chicago gone wrong." What this means, however, remains to be seen. Systems Released December 10, 2020 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol Developer(s) CD Projekt Red Publisher(s) CD Projekt Red Engine REDengine 4