The Significance of Animals in Cyberpunk 2077: More Than Meets the Eye

Cyberpunk 2077 has successfully revitalized its gameplay experience following a tumultuous launch, thanks to substantial improvements made in the 2.0 update. These enhancements have refined its performance, visuals, and leveling mechanics. However, what has consistently captivated players is the game’s richly woven narrative filled with intricate characters and profound symbolic themes within its dystopian backdrop.

One intriguing detail that may escape initial attention is the striking absence of wildlife, particularly animals, in Night City. As players delve deeper into the game and navigate its sprawling metropolis, this absence becomes increasingly apparent. NPCs often lament the lost fauna of the area, heightening the significance of the few animals that do appear.The scarcity of wildlife in Cyberpunk serves to elevate the meaning of the creatures that do appear in the story, often framing them as potent symbols reflecting the narrative’s complexity and its inhabitants.

Iguanas: Symbols of Danger and Opportunity

These Reptiles Appear at Critical Junctures

At the forefront of the limited animal inhabitants of Cyberpunk 2077 is the iguana, which notably appears twice within the narrative.The first occurrence happens during the game’s prologue when players, assuming the role of a nomad, are tasked with transporting this reptile across the borders of Night City. The second instance features an iguana egg discovered in Konpeki Plaza while players execute a high-stakes mission aimed at pilfering valuables from the powerful Arasaka Corporation, later nurturing it as a pet in V’s apartment.

In both situations, the iguana is encountered by V and Jackie at perilous moments, where they are ill-prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. V and Jackie find themselves in life-threatening scenarios, from the nomad quest where their unawareness of their cargo nearly results in disaster, to the ill-fated heist at Konpeki Plaza. The parallels in these events suggest that the iguana symbolizes the risky choices that V and Jackie make as they navigate their path toward becoming legendary mercenaries in this tumultuous world.

Within literary traditions, iguanas can represent a range of themes from the pursuit of liberty to higher powers in folklore. However, Cyberpunk 2077 takes a unique approach, using this creature as a reflection of the characters’ journeys rather than strictly adhering to historical symbolism. The rarity of the iguana in the brutal ecosystem of Night City signifies resilience, serving as a testament to the rewards that come with taking risks, much like how V acquires the Relic amid chaos.

A Dead Chicken: A Metaphor for the Pacifica Arc

This Poultry Presents a Moral Quandary

Another notable animal appears during the game’s second act, although this one presents a stark contrast to the iguanas.In this act, a dead chicken is found in the possession of Placide, a prominent figure in the Voodoo Boys gang. Given that poultry is outlawed in Night City, this chicken becomes a valuable asset, contributing to Placide’s dark and complex character. The way he handles the chicken—first decapitating it before bestowing it as a gift—deepens the unsettling aura surrounding him as he embodies the morally ambiguous nature of his pursuits.

The dead chicken becomes a pivotal symbol, representing the lengths to which individuals will go in pursuit of their community interests, regardless of ethical implications. Placide’s actions highlight his protective instincts toward his people while showcasing a callous disposition toward those outside his circle. Furthermore, the chicken’s doomed presence in the deteriorating region of Pacifica parallels the plight of the Voodoo Boys, who have been marginalized by society yet continue to strive for survival.

Moreover, the chicken can also symbolize V themselves in the Pacifica narrative arc. Placide enlists V for a treacherous mission, prioritizing his objectives over V’s safety—demonstrating a disregard for human life when it serves his greater ambition. Like the chicken, V is a rare commodity due to the Relic within them, but faced with the possibility of being sacrificed for the sake of another’s agenda.

Connections Between Johnny, V, and the Bakeneko

Feline Symbols Resonate Throughout Night City

Item Duplication Error in Cyberpunk 2077

The most frequently encountered animal in Cyberpunk 2077 is the cat, particularly the hairless variety that lounges in urban alleyways and among discarded refuse. V notes that these cats have outlived other common urban animals, showcasing their tenacity against the odds, a metaphor for the persistence of legacy in a forgotten cityscape. These resilient creatures reflect the remnants of history that refuse to fade, akin to a certain rockerboy whose consciousness lingers within V’s mind.

More than mere representatives of survival, the cats serve as poignant symbols of Johnny Silverhand. His continued existence as a digital engram mirrors the existence of these stray cats, both echoing the idea of lingering memories and lost identities. This notion of cats embodying ghosts is explicitly referenced by character Goro Takemura, who narrates the tale of the “bakeneko”—supernatural beings that manifest as cats and possess human forms. This exchange occurs as Johnny shares a ledge with a cat, involving a layer of irony since Takemura’s views starkly contrast Johnny’s philosophy.

The imagery of the bakeneko encapsulates the duality of existence for both Johnny and V. Like these cats, V endures the violence of Night City, existing as a specter of their former self—having died but revived due to the Relic. Their journey through the dystopia is often accompanied by misfortune for those who ally with them, drawing parallels with the fate that befalls many around these feline figures.

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