Summary
With the recent introduction ofPhantom LibertytoCyberpunk 2077, the game has been inundated with new Easter eggs for eagle-eyed players to discover. CD Projekt Red has always included a variety of great Easter eggs in their games, often nods to their prior work, and theCyberpunk 2077expansion,Phantom Liberty, is no exception.
Naturally, a lot of these references are to their other much-loved title,The Witcher, but there are plenty of more subtle tributes to discover as well. Whether it’s references to the actors' previous performances, characters from alternate media, or even in-game memorials, these are some ofthe best Easter eggsthat have been discovered so far.
9Barghest
The barghest is the name and iconography given to Kurt Hansen’s private army established in Dogtown. The barghest is a sinister creature from European mythology, typically depicted as a black dog-like spirit.
While it is an appropriate name for the company, it is not the only CD Projekt Red game to depict these creatures. Barghests also appear inThe Witcherand theBlood and Wineexpansion toThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The barghest may be one ofCyberpunk’smany references toThe Witcher.
8Roach Race Review
Fans of bothCyberpunk 2077andThe Witcherseries, are likely to have enjoyed a particular reference to the latter game in the baseCyberpunk 2077.The protagonist ofThe Witchergames,Geralt of Rivia, has a loyal steed called Roach. InCyberpunk 2077, players can find an arcade machine called ‘Roach Race’. What’s better is players can actually play this game.
It’s a fun mini-game in the style of Google’s little dinosaur game that plays when the internet is down. Players control Roach as he runs away from Geralt through variousWitchersettings, backed by 8-bit renditions ofWitchermusic. This game is referenced again inPhantom Liberty.In the Captain Caliente, players can find a Datashard containing a glowing review of Roach Race.
7Arasaka Tower Game
Another arcade machine Easter egg, this one is very meta. This well-hidden and slightly spooky-looking arcade machine can be found in the Badlands. It is a seriously challenging and cryptic mini-game that depicts the infamousCyberpunkcharacter, Johnny Silverhand, during his crowning achievement; his assault on Arasaka Tower.
The gameplay itself seems to be a reference to the classicDoomgames. But, even in terms of the internal Easter egg, the intriguing nature of this arcade game, its links to the FF:06:B5Cyberpunk 2077mystery, and the creepy cutscene that players can get upon completion have established it as a significant Easter egg.
6CDPR Braindances
Many interesting vendors have been addedtoPhantom Liberty, and these include a pair called Michal and Marcin. These vendors sell braindances that act as references to various CD Projekt Red games over the years.
These includeThe Witcher,Gwent, andCyberpunkitself, with the cost of these BDs corresponding with the release date of these original games. While these are nice references, the vendors themselves are also an Easter egg. Michal and Marcin are likely to refer to Michal Kicinski and Marcin Iwinski, founders of CD Projekt Red.
5Edgerunners Memorials
Cyberpunk 2077includes many references to the Netflix series,Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.Phantom Libertyhas added a new reference to the beloved show, and it is a particularly touching one. This very spoiler-heavy Easter egg can be found in the Columbarium.
Here, players can interact with various memorials of some of the show’s deceased characters. Each one has an appropriate image and a heart-wrenching epitaph. For fans of the show, this memorial is definitely worth making a visit to.
4Ken Block Car
From a fictitious memorial to a very real one, players can find a tribute to the rally driver, Ken Block. He tragically passed away earlier this year, andPhantom Libertyhas left a tribute to him in the form of a car with his number, 43, on it.
The car can be found in Northside Watson, and there is a partially hidden box nearby containing the keys.It is a fitting tributeand a moving sentiment from the developers. The car itself is a very good incentive for players to seek out this touching memorial and pay their own tribute.
3Mr. Wick
Johnny Silverhand ofCyberpunkinfamyisn’t the only beloved character of Keanu Reeves. Far from it, since the legendary actor has an extensive portfolio. One of his other most cherished characters is the brutally efficient, puppy-avenging assassin, John Wick.
A reference to this character can be found in the Petrochem Stadium. Found near the weapons vendor, players can locate a gold-plated weaponry case engraved with the simple message, ‘For Mr. Wick’. Perhaps Johnny Silverhand can pass the message on.
2Biggs And Wedge
During thePhantom Libertymission’The Spider and the Fly', players can discover email correspondence between someone called Biggs and someone called Wedge. These names are likely a reference to some minorStar Warscharacters, Biggs Darklighter and Wedge Antilles.
X-Wing pilots and friends of Luke Skywalker, this isn’t the first time Biggs and Wedge have found themselves referenced in video games. In fact, theFinal Fantasyseries has a long-standing tradition of putting Biggs and Wedge somewhere in their games. Still, it is always nice to see solidarity between IPs as popular asCyberpunkandStar Wars.
1Yellow Phone Box
Perhaps the most infamous Easter egg inPhantom Libertyis the yellow phone box. In part, this may be because it can include multiple references and some unique interactions between V and Johnny. There are many numbers scattered around this phone box, but some will be of particular note.
For players wanting yet anotherWitcherreference, players should dial 5745552377, and they will be greeted with a rendition oftheWitchersoundtrack. For a reference even closer to home, players should call 6175556277. This will play a cover of Never Fade Away, a song by Johnny Silverhand’s band, Samurai. Players also get a unique interaction for dialing 911.
