When players were introduced toCyberpunk 2077’s Night City, many were blown away by its size and scope.Cyberpunk 2077may have had its ups and downs since it was first launched in 2020, but few could argue with the game’s ambition. Setting the sci-fi story in a vibrant, violent, and memorable metropolis groundedCyberpunk 2077’s story and made sure that when it came to exploration, gamers had more than enough to keep their hands full. One of the most important elements that makes Night City feel alive is the variety of gangs that players can encounter on the dangerous streets ofCyberpunk 2077.
While V mostly operates as a lone wolf throughoutCyberpunk 2077, they still have many interactions with Night City’s different gangs. From the female-focused Moxes tothe Cyberpsychosis-ridden Maelstrom, the variety of gangs throughout the city and its outskirts help to provide color and create challenging encounters as players progress. However, some gangs get more attention than others, and withCyberpunk 2077’s upcoming sequel, hopefully some gangs get a second go-around with more lore, missions, and screen time.
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Animals
In a city filled with people pursuing perfection, whether that takes the form of advanced cybernetics or just a focus on physical power,Cyberpunk 2077’s Animals gangfits right in. While they might not look as terrifying as members of Maelstrom or be as widespread as the Scavengers, the Animals are an interesting bunch. The aggressive street-fighting boostergang avoid cyberware and instead build their muscles with a combination of ultra-testosterone, animal supplements, and a drug known as “the Juice”.
Althoughthe Animals are prolific in Pacifica, apart from the missions to infiltrate the Grand Imperial Mall and a few other encounters, the gang doesn’t often cross V’s path. There are a few key characters like gang leader Matilda “Sasquatch” K. Rose and champion boxer Razor Hugh who is the final opponent in “Beat on the Brat”, but they’re not one of Night City’s most well-known gangs. A sequel could showcase more of this power-mad group and base some other sports-focused quests around them as well.
The Wraiths
Players don’t spend too much time outside of Night City, but they can visitCyberpunk’s Badlands– a huge arid region surrounding most of the city. This area is occupied by a number of dangerous individuals like the Wraiths, who are a group of rouge nomads. They’re in a constant battle with the Badlands' other main occupants, the Aldecaldos, and together these two gangs make this desert area a risky place to travel through.
The Wraiths are one of themore vicious of Night City’s gangs, and in a setting as cutthroat as this, that’s really saying something. They’re not pleasant to encounter inCyberpunk 2077and perhaps not as visually distinct as some of the other gangs, but they’re definitely intriguing. Not much is known about the Wraiths' origins, and this is something aCyberpunk 2077sequel could explore in more detail, especially if the in-game world starts to expand further out of Night City.
6th Street
On the other end of the scale, 6th Street was formed after veterans of the fourth Corporate War got tired of the NCPD’s ineffectualness and wanted to take the protection of their neighborhood into their own hands. However, the gang soon turned towards self-interest and greed, resorting to extortion and more questionable methods to dish out their definition of justice. With an aesthetic heavily influenced by patriotism, 6th Street could lend themselves a little to parody, which a sequel could explore further and use to examine issues in today’s society.
Many gamers would like to seegangs take on a more prominent role in theCyberpunk 2077sequel. Instead of just providing a bit of background color or some occasional gang-focused missions, these groups could move further into the spotlight and influence the sequel’s narrative in more significant ways.
Cyberpunk 2077is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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