Easter eggs and open-world games go hand in hand, and Cyberpunk 2077 is no exception, with Easter eggs from Ghost in the Shell and surprise appearances from gaming celebrities being among its highlights. These references are often hidden in plain sight, or made part of the core experience. Players will find or stumble across many Easter eggs as they go through Cyberpunk 2077's story.
While the game was created by the developer of The Witcher 3, which had its own share of Easter eggs, Cyberpunk 2077's more modern setting allows for even more references to be easily made, and its massive city setting is full of hidden secrets and fun references to other media. From Batman to some surprise cameos, there are even Cyberpunk 2077 Easter eggs that reference games outside of the cyberpunk genre. While Cyberpunk 2077 is based on a tabletop role-playing game from 1988, it's also influenced by a host of different properties, most notably the famous cyberpunk anime Ghost in the Shell.
First released as a film in 1995, Ghost in the Shell was praised for its detailed art style, thematic music, and its themes around technology. The anime became a fixture in pop culture that inspired and influenced everything from music and film to games. Cyberpunk 2077 draws inspiration from Ghost in the Shell as a result, but it also pays homage in the form of in-game vehicles, characters, and even missions.
Cyberpunk 2077's Yaiba Kusanagi CT-3X Is Named After Ghost In The Shell's Main Character
For those looking for not only a new vehicle to spend money on in Cyberpunk 2077 but need a Ghost in the Shell fix, the Yaiba Kusanagi CT-3X is just the vehicle. Named after the main character in Ghost in the Shell, Major Motoko Kusanagi, the motorcycle is arguably the fastest and most detailed of those available. Moreover, the bike's name is not only a Ghost in the Shell reference, but it also resembles Shotaro Kaneda's bike from another iconic anime film Akira.
Judy's Contact Avatar In Cyberpunk 2077 Is A literal Ghost In A Shell
Despite logging in hours upon hours in Cyberpunk 2077, this Easter egg can easily go unnoticed. The contact avatar of the braindance technician and member of the Mox gang, Judy Álvarez, is a direct reference to Ghost in the Shell - it's a literal ghost immerging from a clam shell. If that wasn't too on-the-nose, then Cyberpunk 2077's Judy reveals her background after players get to know her, including interest in scuba diving, a hobby suggested to be enjoyed by Motoko Kusanagi in the first Ghost in the Shell film as well.
A Mission In Cyberpunk 2077 Is Inspired From Ghost In The Shell
Tasked by the Watson fixer Regina Jones, the player must find individuals across Cyberpunk 2077 suffering from cyberpsychosis, a technological infliction that causes them to go on a rampage. One of the missions will be to stop the cyberpsycho Lt. Mower; however, the lieutenant bears a striking resemblance to Major Motoko Kusanagi, down to the hair and aptitude for melee combat. Moreover, the player fights in an area that resembles a scene from the original Ghost in the Shell film, from the buildings to the water and even the various signs scattered about.
Since its launch, Cyberpunk 2077 has been developed with as much heart and passion as dedication. This commitment will hopefully continue to show in future Cyberpunk 2077 DLC, especially if the DLC includes the same level of referential homage to the interests and inspirations of its developers. While Cyberpunk 2077 is filled with various Easter eggs referencing pop culture staples like Blade Runner or Breaking Bad, nowhere else is it quite so focused on a single property as its obsession with Ghost in the Shell.