Cyberpunk 2077 Tarot Cards
Polish cartoonist Jakub Rebelka created this set of tarot cards for the Cyberpunk 2077 video game.
Polish cartoonist Jakub Rebelka created this set of tarot cards for the CD PROJEKT RED video game Cyberpunk 2077.
The artwork is futuristic, dystopian and bleak, yet well-thought-out. Tarot symbolism and the concepts of the cyberpunk fiction mesh well. Some of the conventional Rider-Waite tarot iconography can be seen in the artwork. For instance, the High Priestess is positioned between two pillars identified by the letters B and J.
The artwork solely appears in the video game's story; there are no official printed copies available. The bootleg deck reviewed here was produced by an unidentified Chinese producer to resemble genuine game merchandise.
The cyberpunk subgenre of science fiction typically depicts a dystopian and chaotic future in which computer technology has completely taken over society and oppresses its citizens.
This tarot deck is woven into the quest "The Fool on the Hill", with the exception of Judgement and The Devil, which are not part of the game's plot. If you're interested in a more thorough explanation of how the tarot cards relate to the game's plot, I suggest reading ScreenRant's piece Cyberpunk 2077 Tarot Cards Explained.
Players can also get tarot readings from Misty within the game. Tarot readings are used as a form of divination in the story, providing insight into the future and helping the characters make difficult choices. Misty's tarot divination foreshadows and forecasts what the player's character will experience within the game's narrative. Misty seems to offer a three-card spread so that the player can predict how their life will pan out at the end of the game.
Three more cards and a tiny booklet are also included in the box. There is a "Misty" card and two art cards.
Each card used in the game is explained in the pamphlet, along with interpretations which also appear in the game, written in Chinese and English. The back of the box has the following statement:
The cards are made of sturdy, black paper with a solid cardstock. The paper is described as 400g coated paper on the back of the box.
Despite the fact that artwork is tailored to the theme of the game, the following example interpretations are not modified to match a cyberpunk genre.
The Star: The Star is the card of hope. In the darkest of nights there is a light that shines the path to home. The Star is inspiration, motivation and gives us strength to move forward.
The Moon: The Moon reminds us that reality is not always what it seems at first glance. In a world of appearances and illusions, the best course is often charted by one's own intuition. The Moon is also the card of dreams, desires, and of course, sleep – Death's nightly ritual.
The Sun: The Sun symbolises success. It is a card of freedom, renewal and a bright future that lies ahead. The Sun also represents truth, for its light will always pull back the curtain of shadow that hides the world's secrets. It is also represents greatness and splendour.
Judgement: Judgement is the card of renewal. The angel blowing into the horn heralds resurrection and liberation. This card foretells an important change that will result in healing or fulfilment. It is also a symbol of self-worth.
It’s interesting to observe the tarot appearing in this futuristic sci-fi game, foreshadowing the characters' future. With mainstream games such as this prominently featuring tarot we can see tarot becoming more strongly associated with other content brands, such as Disney movies and Harry Potter, hit TV shows such as Stranger Things and Game of Thrones. Branded tie-in merchandise decks are already emerging for other video games such as Skyrim and Fallout and also rap artists. Branded tarot decks, and 'esoteric' lifestyle, are becoming increasingly popular with young people because they find it easy to establish a deeper connection with the characters and the brands which they already love. Read more about this in my article Branded Tarot Decks and Modern Mystic Lifestyle.
By Adam Wintle
Member since March 15, 1997
Adam has been involved in developing the site as well as reviewing new decks and conducting research. He is particularly interested in innovation, Kickstarter and East Asian cards. He is a member of the IPCS and webmaster of the EPCS.
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