⚠️ This article contains spoilers for the main story of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and the collaboration event.

On June 8, KURO GAMES launched a collaboration between 'Wuthering Waves' and 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.' For users who have followed KURO GAMES, there was never any doubt about the quality of the event. The developer had already established a strong track record of successful collaborations with iconic titles like 'NieR: Automata' and 'Devil May Cry' in its previous game, 'Punishing: Gray Raven.' Furthermore, having overcome the growing pains of the Jinzhou era and made significant strides in both storytelling and direction through the 'Rinascita' and 'Lahai-Roi' updates, Wuthering Waves had built high expectations for how the team would leverage its expertise to bring the 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' collaboration to life.

At the same time, there was a sense of apprehension. If it had just been Lucy, it might have been fine, but the moment other characters like Rebecca were introduced, there was a risk of it becoming an unnecessary addition to the original story. Since it has been four years since the anime aired, I will spoil this: Rebecca died. David died. And they became legends. Their deaths were what made Cyberpunk: Edgerunners complete.

In a cruel city dominated by megacorps, where anyone can die pointlessly at any moment, they fought with the resolve to die and, through their sacrifice, saved Lucy. As Lucy says, "In this business, you don't get remembered for how you lived, but for how you died." Their heroic ends are still talked about today—whether through memes or the cocktails named after them at the Afterlife. Many viewers, having witnessed those ends, went on to become V, challenged Arasaka Tower in their honor, and took revenge on Adam Smasher, writing new legends of their own.

Given that, it was only natural to worry that even a non-canonical collaboration might cross the line. Especially since Lucy’s quote resonates even through Cyberpunk 2077, the idea of dead characters being resurrected for a crossover is something to be extremely wary of. It could easily have ended up like the Relic—a hollow imitation.

However, this Wuthering Waves collaboration found a way to provide closure while staying within the lines. It focused on the trauma Lucy carries as the one left behind and the words she never got to say. While I called their ends heroic, the final moments were too short for even a proper goodbye. Even if that tragic parting is the fate of the Edgerunners living in the Cyberpunk world, it is hard not to feel bitter whenever it comes to mind. If we as observers feel this way, it goes without saying that Lucy, who lived it, feels it even more.

There was a lot to juggle: providing a reason for Rebecca to appear, explaining the inevitable collision of two different worlds, and navigating Lucy’s complex emotions. Yet, this three-hour collaboration story pulled it off brilliantly. While it is a cliché to say seeing is believing, there is no other way to put it. I cannot discuss the details without ruining the experience for those who will play it themselves.

To say too much would also violate the aesthetic this collaboration established. It didn't over-explain or ramble. It distilled the narrative down to the essentials and focused only on the necessary areas. Yet, the quality and detail packed within were beyond what was expected. The modeling of Lucy and Rebecca, the flashbacks, the recreation of Night City, and even the quickhacking—it was all so meticulously crafted that it felt real, even if it was just a dream.

After capturing our attention, it captivated our hearts with its lingering emotional impact. The collaboration didn't rely on heavy dialogue; there were many moments where characters started to speak but ultimately fell silent. The subtle shifts in their expressions, eyes, and gestures during those pauses conveyed feelings that words could not, allowing the story to communicate so much to the players. Throughout it all, the developers were careful to ensure it didn't just devolve into mere fan service.

I couldn't help but cry at the poignancy of it all, but in the end, I accepted the farewell alongside Lucy and returned to reality with a lingering sense of warmth. I realized then that what Lucy—and what we—needed was a little time to say goodbye to David and Rebecca, and a small gift to remind us of the memories we shared. This collaboration provided exactly that.