Does Killing Maiko Ruin Judy Romance in Cyberpunk 2077? The Definitive Guide
Absolutely not! Killing Maiko during the “Pisces” quest will not ruin your chances of romancing Judy Alvarez in Cyberpunk 2077. In fact, siding against Maiko and her plan is generally considered the optimal path if you’re aiming to pursue a relationship with Judy. Choosing to side with Maiko by accepting her plan or payment will immediately lock you out of the Judy romance entirely. So, if your V is leaning towards a meaningful connection with Judy, don’t hesitate to take action against Maiko’s agenda. Your actions during this questline are very crucial!
The Pisces Quest: A Crucial Turning Point
The “Pisces” quest is a pivotal point in the Judy Alvarez questline and directly impacts your ability to romance her. Maiko, aiming for a power grab at Clouds, presents a plan that Judy finds morally reprehensible. Your choices here are critical.
Siding with Maiko: The Romance Killer
If you choose to go along with Maiko’s plan, accepting her payment or allowing her to take control of Clouds, you’ll effectively sever your chances of romancing Judy. She strongly disapproves of this approach, viewing it as a betrayal of Evelyn Parker’s memory and the ideals Judy holds dear. Your relationship will end then and there, and no amount of apology can fix it.
Opposing Maiko: The Path to Romance
Conversely, standing against Maiko, even if it results in violence, is the route to Judy’s heart. This demonstrates that you share her values and are willing to fight for what’s right, even when it’s difficult. The specific method of dealing with Maiko – whether you kill her or incapacitate her non-lethally – doesn’t ultimately affect your romance prospects with Judy, as long as you oppose her plan.
Key Dialogue Choices and Their Impact
While killing Maiko itself isn’t the deciding factor, the dialogue choices you make during the “Pisces” quest are extremely important. Always choose options that show empathy for Judy’s situation and disapproval of Maiko’s actions. Expressing support for Judy’s vision and being willing to fight for it will significantly increase your standing with her.
The Importance of Being Agreeable
Across all of Judy’s side jobs, being agreeable and supportive is paramount. While you don’t have to blindly agree with everything she says, showing understanding and compassion will strengthen your bond. Disagreeing with her constantly or making insensitive remarks will damage your relationship and could potentially lock you out of the romance.
The Happy Ending with Judy: The Panam Ending
The only ending in Cyberpunk 2077 where you can stay in a relationship with Judy after the main story is the one where you side with Panam and the Aldecaldos, and choose to let Johnny take V’s body and go with Alt to the other side, leaving V with Judy in Night City. This allows V to continue their relationship with Judy outside the context of Night City, after she decides to leave.
Nomad Ending: The Canon Route?
Many players believe the Nomad ending, which involves siding with Panam and the Aldecaldos, is the closest to a “canon” ending, especially if you start the game as a Nomad yourself. This ending offers closure for V, a sense of belonging, and a chance to leave Night City behind, making it a satisfying conclusion to their journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Judy Romance
1. Can you mess up Judy romance in Cyberpunk 2077?
Yes, definitely. Your choices during Judy’s side jobs, especially “Pisces”, are critical. Siding with Maiko or consistently making dialogue choices that show a lack of empathy will jeopardize your chances.
2. What are the requirements to romance Judy?
V must have a female voice and body type. Beyond that, it’s about making the right choices during her side jobs and showing genuine care for her well-being.
3. Does killing Woodman affect Judy romance?
No, killing Woodman does not directly affect the Judy romance. However, being agreeable and showing empathy during that quest will indirectly improve your relationship with her.
4. Why does Maiko hate V?
If V doesn’t go along with Maiko’s plan during “Pisces,” Maiko may become hostile, viewing V as an obstacle to her ambitions. It’s a matter of conflicting goals and power struggles.
5. Should you stop Maiko in Cyberpunk 2077?
Yes, if you want to romance Judy. Stopping Maiko, even if it leads to violence, is the preferred path for building a relationship with her.
6. Is killing Maiko good or bad for Judy romance?
Killing Maiko or incapacitating her makes no difference to Judy, as long as you stopped her plan. She will understand your motivations and appreciate your support.
7. Should you give Judy a cigarette?
Giving Judy a cigarette is a small gesture of support. It reveals that the cigarette case belonged to Evelyn, and offering her comfort during that moment can strengthen your bond.
8. Can you romance Judy as a Corpo V?
Yes, your lifepath (Corpo, Nomad, or Streetkid) doesn’t affect your ability to romance Judy, as long as V has a female voice and body type, and you make the right choices during her questline.
9. Can you romance Judy and Panam together?
No, you can only romance one character per playthrough. Male V can romance Panam, while female V can romance Judy.
10. Does Judy leave Night City if you don’t romance her?
Yes, regardless of whether you romance her or not, Judy will leave Night City. Her departure is a key part of her character arc. You also get to see this at the ending when you can pick who you want to spend your final moments with. If Judy is chosen, she will answer V and say that she is leaving NC.
11. Does Judy care if you romance River?
No, the romances in Cyberpunk 2077 are largely independent of each other. You can pursue multiple romance options without affecting your standing with other characters until you commit.
12. Can you seduce Judy as a male V?
No, Judy is exclusively a romance option for V with a female voice and body type.
13. Why won’t Judy call me?
Sometimes, there can be bugs that prevent Judy from calling. Try saving your game, closing Cyberpunk 2077, and restarting it. This often resolves the issue.
14. Can you romance Evelyn in Cyberpunk 2077?
No, Evelyn is not a romanceable character in Cyberpunk 2077.
15. Should you let Judy pay your fee?
Whether you accept payment from Judy for the “Pyramid Song” job has no impact on your romance prospects. Feel free to take the money if you want it.
Remember, while following a guide can be helpful, the best way to experience Cyberpunk 2077 is to make choices that feel authentic to your V’s character and values. The Judy romance is a deeply personal and rewarding experience when approached with sincerity and empathy. Exploring the dynamics of learning and engagement in games such as Cyberpunk 2077 can offer insights into education and human behavior, and you can learn more about these interconnections at the Games Learning Society website. GamesLearningSociety.org