Edgerunners 2 Review: Night City returns in a blaze of violence

Studio Trigger and CD Projekt Red return to the ruthless world of Night City with Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2, a visually striking sequel packed with brutal combat, disturbing body horror and a story centred on corporate corruption. Although the new series struggles to recreate the emotional depth of its predecessor, it delivers an ambitious and action-filled experience that expands the Cyberpunk universe.

The original Cyberpunk: Edgerunners earned widespread acclaim for combining breathtaking animation with a deeply tragic story about ambition, survival and the devastating consequences of living under an unforgiving capitalist system. 

Rather than retelling the events of the video game Cyberpunk 2077, it introduced a memorable cast of characters whose struggles felt inseparable from the world they inhabited. The sequel adopts a different approach, introducing fresh faces and a broader narrative while retaining the distinctive atmosphere that made the first series so memorable.

Instead of concentrating on a single protagonist, the sequel follows several characters whose lives gradually become intertwined. One of the central figures is Weak Kingsley, an edgerunner whose encounter with cyberpsychosis leaves him struggling to rebuild his life after losing access to much of his cybernetic enhancement. His circumstances change when an old flame asks him to rescue a young girl named Talia from the Maelstrom, a dangerous gang devoted to extreme body modification.

The group's obsession with replacing human limitations with technology highlights one of the franchise's most unsettling ideas: the pursuit of power can come at the cost of one's humanity. In Night City, where survival often demands increasingly desperate choices, the distinction between improving oneself and losing one's identity becomes dangerously blurred.

Ultimately, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 does not quite match the emotional force or lasting impact of the original, but it succeeds on its own terms.

Another key character is Roman Carax, a 12-year-old aspiring filmmaker fascinated by traditional cinema and analogue recording equipment. Unlike those captivated by braindances, which allow people to experience recorded memories through another person's perspective, Roman prefers the authenticity of conventional filmmaking. When he agrees to document the Maelstrom in exchange for a 35mm camera, he finds himself caught up in events far more dangerous than he anticipated.

Roman's filmmaking also shapes the series' visual presentation. His constant documentation gives the anime a rough, atmospheric quality reminiscent of 1990s animation, reinforcing its themes of violence and urban decay.

Director Kai Ikarashi builds on the distinctive style of the original series while introducing new artistic techniques. Vivid colours, angular compositions and dramatic lighting combine with stark silhouettes and minimalist sequences to create an identity of their own. The animation frequently shifts to reflect characters' mental states and the influence of technology on their perception of reality, adding another layer to the storytelling.

Action remains one of the sequel's strongest elements. Studio Trigger delivers increasingly elaborate confrontations, combining fluid movement with graphic violence and grotesque body horror. Even within a series already known for its brutality, the animators find inventive ways to portray destruction without making every encounter feel identical. As the various storylines converge, the scale of the action expands, with sequences drawing inspiration from the iconic science-fiction anime Akira.

Thematically, however, Edgerunners 2 moves away from the class inequality and personal desperation that defined its predecessor. Instead, the story focuses more directly on corporations manipulating individuals and communities for financial gain, sometimes working alongside criminal organisations to achieve their objectives. This broader perspective strengthens the series' criticism of unchecked corporate power, showing how ordinary people become expendable pieces in conflicts driven by profit.

Yet the expanded scope also creates problems. With several characters, competing mysteries and multiple narrative threads to manage, the story can initially feel scattered. The emphasis on larger conspiracies and world-building sometimes comes at the expense of emotional intimacy. Character motivations are frequently revealed gradually, making some of the cast harder to connect with during the earlier episodes.

Despite these shortcomings, the different storylines eventually come together in satisfying fashion. Connections to Cyberpunk 2077, particularly the Relic and Soulkiller, further establish the sequel as part of a much larger narrative. These elements give the series additional significance, suggesting that the events unfolding on screen represent only a small part of Night City's wider struggles.

Ultimately, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 does not quite match the emotional force or lasting impact of the original, but it succeeds on its own terms. Its imaginative animation, intense action and uncompromising portrayal of corporate exploitation make it a worthy continuation of the franchise. Although the sprawling narrative occasionally weakens character development, the story becomes more rewarding as its different pieces fall into place.

Long-time fans will appreciate the connections to the wider Cyberpunk universe, while newcomers can follow the story without having watched the first series or played the game. Familiarity with the franchise, however, provides a richer understanding of its references and underlying conflicts.