Is Cyberpunk 2077’s Hanako Ending Bad? A Deep Dive
Yes, the Hanako ending, also known as the Arasaka ending, in Cyberpunk 2077 is widely considered a bad ending, arguably one of the most bleak and unsettling of the available conclusions. While technically V survives the immediate ordeal, the price paid for that survival, both in terms of personal agency and the overall narrative impact, paints a grim picture. It’s a Faustian bargain where the promise of a cure comes with a heavy dose of corporate control and existential dread.
Why is the Hanako Ending Considered “Bad”?
The perceived negativity surrounding the Hanako ending stems from several factors that collectively contribute to a sense of loss, isolation, and ultimately, a hollow victory.
Loss of Agency
By choosing to trust Hanako and Arasaka, V effectively surrenders control over their fate to a powerful, faceless corporation. The protagonist, who has been fighting for autonomy and self-determination throughout the game, becomes a pawn in Arasaka’s power plays. This is a stark contrast to endings where V takes matters into their own hands, either forging their own path or aligning with groups like the Aldecaldos.
The Clinical Environment
The setting of the ending is a sterile, clinical environment within Arasaka’s orbital station. This starkly contrasts with the vibrant, chaotic, and often dangerous streets of Night City. V is isolated from their friends and allies, surrounded only by Arasaka personnel who view them as a test subject rather than a person. This contributes to a feeling of detachment and dehumanization.
Limited Time and Uncertain Future
Despite Arasaka’s supposed intervention, V still faces a limited lifespan. The prospect of returning to Earth with no cure and only a short time to live is a crushing blow. The ending implies that Arasaka’s methods may have prolonged V’s life, but it is far from a solution.
The Betrayal of Ideals
For players who have immersed themselves in V’s struggles against corporate power and oppression, aligning with Arasaka feels like a betrayal of everything the character stood for. The ending forces V to compromise their values and accept the very system they were fighting against.
The Ghost in the Shell Parallel
Many players interpret the Hanako ending as a grim reference to the anime series Ghost in the Shell. V is essentially reduced to a disembodied consciousness within Arasaka’s system, awaiting a new body. This loss of physical form and the uncertainty of the future contributes to the ending’s depressing tone.
Takemura’s Fate
As the provided information stated, the ending is even worse if V saves Takemura. Knowing he’s now indebted to Arasaka as well adds another layer of misery to an already bleak situation. He’s another victim caught in the corporation’s web.
The Lack of Hope
Ultimately, the Hanako ending lacks the sense of hope or closure found in other endings. While V technically survives, the future is uncertain, and the overall experience leaves a lingering feeling of sadness and disappointment. This is precisely why it is considered one of the most negative outcomes in Cyberpunk 2077. Even though Hanako keeps her word, the way Arasaka handles the situation and V’s future is what makes the ending so bad.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Hanako Ending and Other Cyberpunk 2077 Endings
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Hanako ending and other aspects of Cyberpunk 2077’s various conclusions:
1. Is Hanako the only ending in Cyberpunk 2077?
No, there are multiple endings in Cyberpunk 2077. These endings are determined by the player’s choices throughout the game, particularly those made during the main questline and side missions. The Hanako ending is just one possible outcome.
2. What are some other endings in Cyberpunk 2077?
Other endings include:
- The Star: V joins the Aldecaldos and leaves Night City.
- The Sun: V takes over the Afterlife and becomes a Night City legend.
- Temperance: Johnny Silverhand takes over V’s body and leaves Night City.
- Suicide: V chooses to end their life.
- Don’t Fear the Reaper (Secret Ending): V assaults Arasaka Tower solo.
- The Cure (Phantom Liberty Ending): V receives a cure but loses Johnny and their friends.
3. Is the Hanako ending the “canon” ending?
There is no official “canon” ending in Cyberpunk 2077. CD Projekt Red has not declared any single ending as the definitive one, leaving it up to the player to interpret the story and choose their preferred outcome.
4. How do I get the Hanako ending?
To get the Hanako ending, you must choose to trust Hanako during the meeting at Embers. You’ll take Omega Blockers and follow Arasaka’s plan to capture Yorinobu.
5. What are Omega Blockers?
Omega Blockers are drugs that temporarily suppress Johnny Silverhand’s presence in V’s mind, allowing V to cooperate with Arasaka without interference from Johnny.
6. Is Hanako Arasaka evil?
The question of whether Hanako is “evil” is complex. She acts in the interests of Arasaka and her own power, but she may not necessarily be driven by malicious intent. Her actions can be interpreted as pragmatic and calculated, rather than purely evil. As the article states, V is likely experimented on and will probably die. Everything she does is for her own personal gain.
7. Does V survive in the Hanako ending?
Technically, V survives in the short term in the Hanako ending. However, their long-term prospects are grim, as they still face a limited lifespan and are under Arasaka’s control.
8. What is the “Don’t Fear the Reaper” ending?
The “Don’t Fear the Reaper” ending is a secret ending that becomes available if V has a high relationship with Johnny Silverhand. In this ending, V assaults Arasaka Tower solo, without relying on any allies.
9. Which Cyberpunk 2077 ending is the “happiest”?
The “happiest” ending is subjective, but many players consider “The Star” ending to be the most positive. In this ending, V joins the Aldecaldos and leaves Night City, offering a chance for a new life and potential cure outside of the city. The secret ending, where V becomes a legend, is also seen as a positive outcome.
10. Can V and Johnny both survive?
In most endings, V and Johnny cannot both fully survive together. One typically sacrifices their existence for the other. The Phantom Liberty ending offers a path where Johnny is erased, allowing V to live but at the cost of their friendship and memories.
11. What is the significance of the Relic?
The Relic is a biochip containing Johnny Silverhand’s engram, which is slowly overwriting V’s personality. It is the core conflict that drives the main story and influences all the possible endings.
12. What happens if V gives their body to Johnny?
If V chooses to give their body to Johnny, Johnny leaves Night City and starts a new life. This is known as the “Temperance” ending.
13. Does V get a cure in Phantom Liberty?
Yes, V can receive a cure in the Phantom Liberty DLC. However, this cure comes at the cost of Johnny Silverhand’s removal and a two-year coma, after which V returns to a significantly changed Night City.
14. Why is the Arasaka ending so dark?
The Arasaka ending is dark because it highlights the loss of agency, isolation, and the moral compromises that V must make to survive. It presents a bleak vision of the future where corporate power reigns supreme.
15. What is the Games Learning Society and how does Cyberpunk 2077 relate to it?
The Games Learning Society is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the field of game-based learning. You can find more information about their initiatives at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Cyberpunk 2077, while primarily an entertainment product, can be analyzed through the lens of learning. The game offers opportunities for players to learn about complex themes such as transhumanism, corporate ethics, and social inequality through interactive storytelling and decision-making. It prompts players to consider the consequences of their choices and grapple with difficult moral dilemmas. Even the bleakness of the Hanako ending offers a lesson in the perils of unchecked corporate power and the importance of maintaining one’s autonomy.