Leading up to the release of Cyberpunk 2077 many Witcher fans hoped that the game would somehow connect the game's universe to that of The Witcher since they are both developed by Polish studio CD Projekt Red. The hope stemmed from Witcher's Ciri who is able to travel between different dimensions and does both in the book series the video games are booked on, as well as in The Witcher 3. The Witcher fans were especially hopeful that Ciri would appear in Cyberpunk 2077 after a line in The Witcher 3 and in the novels where Ciri referenced traveling to a futuristic city of lights.
However, leading up to the release of Cyberpunk 2077 CD Projekt Red was outspoken about not wanting there to be a connection to the two universes. However, the game ended up including a large number of easter eggs and references to other properties and media, with Cyberpunk 2077's recent 1.3 patch even including a jacket that is a clear nod to the classic anime Akira. Since the game's release players have also found a variety of connections to The Witcher in Cyberpunk 2077, even if the developers didn't intend for them to indicate a canonical link between the two RPGs.
Retro Gaming Magazine
The first reference that players can find to The Witcher in Cyberpunk 2077 is only included in the opening of the game when players choose a Corpo lifepath. Cyberpunk 2077's lifepaths were a great feature, and change the introduction to the game depending on what players choose. Choosing the Corpo lifepath lets players explore V's office for a short section of its introduction, and if players open a drawer on V's desk they will find a magazine titled Retro Gaming. If players look close enough at the magazine, they'll notice that it also includes a picture on its cover of Ciri and The Witcher 3's logo. While not a big reference, it is a cute nod to how today's games will be regarded in the future.
The Smuggler's Cache
One common complaint that The Witcher community has voiced about The Witcher 3 is the game's numerous smuggler's caches that are scattered throughout the game's maps. There are 63 total caches in The Witcher 3, with most of them covering the seas of Skellige. The smuggler's caches were underwater chests that could be looted to get a random smattering of loot, although most of them do not hold much gear or items that are particularly valuable. However, one of the hardest to find easter eggs in Cyberpunk 2077 brings a smuggler cache to Night city.
The smuggler's cache can be found in the Coastview area and looks unmistakably similar to a smuggler's cache in The Witcher 3, complete with three chests grouped together and suspended over the bottom of the river it can be found in. Going further, if players climb on top of a nearby smuggler's cache, there is a dead body with a note on top of it that further completes the reference. Called "Drowned Man's Note" it references "thousands of caches and stashes all marked with that tantalizing question mark." This is a clear reference to The Witcher 3's question marks that mark where the smuggler's caches are, as well as nodding to players not finding much value in them later on in the entry. While the easter egg is a fun reference for fans of the studio, it also seems that smuggler's caches likely won't be returning in The Witcher 4.
A Single Swallow
One small piece of worldbuilding in the universe of Cyberpunk 2077 is that there are absolutely no birds in Night City. Following an increase in zoonotic disease outbreaks, the city had to enact the Avian Extermination Act that ensures no birds live within 18 miles of the city to protect its citizens. However, in one of the game's endings there V wakes up in a car to find a swallow perched next to his window. Not only does the ending symbolically reinforce some of the game's themes, but the swallow is also a symbol commonly associated with The Witcher's Ciri. It is a common thread in both The Witcher books and games and it seems difficult to imagine CD Projekt Red missing the connection when they chose to include the Swallow in this ending.
Witcher Gear
One of the most obvious connections between the two games is the various Witcher items that players get by connecting their GOG.com accounts. The pack includes a jacket, two t-shirts, a plushie, and a katana that are all very blatant references to The Witcher, which is a nice treat for the developer's fans. The Katana in particular is a reference to The Witcher 3's Black Unicorn relic sword, which is considered one of the strongest steel swords in the entire game.
Roach Race Arcade Cabinet and Roach Stickers in Photo Mode
One of the most widely known characters of The Witcher 3 is Geralt's horse, Roach. Players quickly fell in love with the sometimes glitchy horse's antics, and so it seems fitting that Geralt's steed makes an appearance in Cyberpunk 2077 in a few different ways. Not only are there stickers of the horse in Cyberpunk 2077's photo mode, but players can also find an arcade machine titled Roach Race. The machines can be found throughout Cyberpunk 2077's Night City and include a few different jokes referencing The Witcher 3.
Blood and Wine Music
The biggest expansion for The Witcher 3 was Blood and Wine, which saw Geralt traveling to the fairy-tale-like land of Touissant to deal with an emerging vampire threat. Players who are familiar with the expansion may notice that its main theme can be played by the various guitar players scattered throughout Cyberpunk 2077's world. The DLC for The Witcher 3 was met with high praise and set a high bar for Cyberpunk 2077 to try and meet. Only time will tell whether or not Cyberpunk 2077 can meet that bar, but it is fun to see CD Projekt Red throwing in a subtle hint for fans of the expansion to catch.
Cyberpunk 2077 is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia, and Xbox One. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions are currently in development.