Can V and Johnny Both Survive in Cyberpunk 2077? Unraveling the Fate of Night City’s Anti-Heroes

The burning question on every Cyberpunk 2077 player’s mind: Is there a definitive way for both V and Johnny Silverhand to truly “live” beyond the game’s conclusion? The short, bittersweet answer is no, not in a traditional sense. Cyberpunk 2077, true to its dystopian roots, offers no happily-ever-after where both characters walk off into the sunset unscathed. Every ending involves sacrifice, compromise, or a ticking clock. However, the definition of “live” is subjective within the game’s narrative. While a cure remains elusive, and one’s existence comes at the potential expense of the other, certain endings offer glimmers of hope and prolonged existence, albeit with caveats. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of each possible outcome and dissect what “survival” truly means in the neon-drenched world of Night City.

Exploring the Endings: A Spectrum of Survival

Cyberpunk 2077’s endings are far from binary. They represent a spectrum of choices, each with its own moral complexities and consequences. The central conflict revolves around the Relic, the biochip containing Johnny Silverhand’s engram, slowly overwriting V’s consciousness. This creates an impossible dilemma: V’s body is rejecting the Relic, granting them a limited time to live, while simultaneously, Johnny’s presence becomes increasingly dominant.

• The Arasaka Ending (The Devil): This route offers a bleak compromise. V trusts Arasaka’s promise of a cure, undergoing soul-rending procedures and ultimately becoming an engram in Mikoshi. While theoretically, V could be revived at a later date, their future is entirely in Arasaka’s hands, and their personality might be irrevocably altered. Johnny is suppressed, but V’s fate is far from certain, effectively a form of digital imprisonment with a potential, yet unlikely, return to physical form.

• The Rogue/Johnny Ending (The Sun): V, aided by Rogue, storms Arasaka Tower, becoming a legend in Night City. However, the six-month death sentence remains. This ending allows V to live out their remaining time as a celebrated figure, potentially seeking a cure in the time they have left. Johnny ultimately accepts V’s choice and fades into the digital world, giving V control.

• The Panam Ending (The Star): V joins the Aldecaldos, leaving Night City behind. While the prognosis remains grim (six months to live), the open road and the support of the nomadic family offer a sense of purpose and belonging. This ending, like “The Sun,” allows V to pursue potential cures outside of Night City. Johnny offers V the body.

• The Secret Ending (Don’t Fear the Reaper): If V has a high affinity with Johnny, they can choose to storm Arasaka Tower alone. This risky path mirrors the Rogue ending but with even greater danger. The outcome regarding V’s lifespan and Johnny’s fate is essentially the same as “The Sun.”

• The Suicide Ending (Path of Least Resistance): The darkest and arguably least satisfying ending. V chooses to end their life rather than face the inevitable. Johnny is left to grapple with the consequences of his actions and V’s despair.

The Phantom Liberty Expansion: A Glimmer of Hope?

The Phantom Liberty expansion introduces new possibilities, but also new moral quandaries.

• Cure Ending: By siding with Songbird and completing the “Killing Moon” questline, V can potentially receive the neural matrix. Depending on choices made, it is implied that this will provide the NUSA with a permanent cure to Relic issues.

• Lobotomized V Ending: By siding with Reed and surrendering Songbird to the NUSA, V can undergo a procedure that removes the Relic’s influence. However, the cost is steep: V loses their capacity to use cyberware, essentially becoming a “normal” person. Johnny disappears completely, but V is alive and technically “cured” of the Relic’s immediate threat, although their career as a mercenary is over. Some would argue this is worse than death.

These endings showcase the complexities of Cyberpunk 2077’s narrative. There is no easy answer, and the “best” ending is subjective, depending on the player’s values and priorities. Whether they prioritize legend status, belonging, potential cures, or a life free from the Relic’s influence, the game forces players to confront difficult choices with lasting consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About V and Johnny’s Fate

1. Does V ever get rid of Johnny completely?

Yes, V can completely remove Johnny from their mind. This happens if you choose to trust Hanako in The Devil ending, if you agree to the lobotomy in Phantom Liberty, or if V lets Johnny take over their body and go on to live his life. In the last case, V’s personality fades away completely.

2. Does V always have six months to live in Cyberpunk 2077?

The six-month lifespan is a recurring theme, but it’s not necessarily a universal certainty. This time frame is presented as the most likely prognosis given the Relic’s impact. The Panam and Rogue endings leave the door open for V to seek alternative treatments, while the lobotomy ending in Phantom Liberty offers a “cure” that comes at a steep price.

3. Can you stop V from dying in Cyberpunk 2077?

No. Even with the Phantom Liberty lobotomy, V is robbed of what made them “V.” There is no “happy” ending in the traditional sense. Happy endings do not fit the genre.

4. Is there an ending where V lives longer than six months?

The lobotomy in Phantom Liberty removes the effects of the Relic, however V is then unable to use any Cyberware. This ending allows V to live without a looming death sentence, but at the cost of their identity and abilities. The Panam and Rogue endings offer the possibility of seeking external cures within the six-month timeframe, which may or may not be successful.

5. Can Songbird actually save V?

Songbird promises a cure, and the ending where you side with her implies it’s possible she can find a cure for herself, but the events of the story render any cure she could offer questionable. Ultimately, whether or not you trust her is up to the player.

6. What’s the best ending for Phantom Liberty?

This is highly subjective. The “King of Wands” ending, where Reed is killed and Songbird escapes, resonates with many players due to its focus on second chances and challenging authority. However, other players prioritize V’s survival, even at a significant cost.

7. Does V live after Phantom Liberty?

Yes, V can live after Phantom Liberty. The lobotomy ending allows V to survive without the Relic’s immediate threat. But this means V can no longer use cyberware.

8. Can V get Johnny’s arm?

No, V cannot permanently equip Johnny Silverhand’s arm. The visual glitches and changes during the Chippin’ In quest are temporary and part of the narrative experience.

9. Do all Cyberpunk endings end with V dying?

Not strictly, but they all involve either death, the expectation of death in a short period, or a significant compromise to V’s identity and abilities. Even in the lobotomy ending, V’s life as a mercenary is over, and their personality may be subtly altered.

10. What does Johnny do with V’s body if V lets him?

If V lets Johnny take over, Johnny lives out the rest of V’s life. He grapples with V’s relationships, reflects on his past, and ultimately chooses to leave Night City, seeking a fresh start.

11. What is the “best” ending in Cyberpunk 2077 overall?

This depends on your priorities. “The Sun” is often considered a fitting conclusion, allowing V to become a Night City legend. “The Star” offers a sense of belonging and family outside the city’s toxic environment. The “best” ending is the one that aligns with your personal interpretation of V’s journey.

12. Is V canonically female in Cyberpunk 2077?

No, there is no official canon for V’s gender or backstory. The game allows players to create a V that reflects their own preferences and playstyles. The choice of gender can subtly influence interactions and dialogue, adding another layer of complexity to the experience.

13. What happens if you let Johnny live?

Johnny inherits V’s body. He experiences the world through V’s senses, attempts to reconcile with past relationships, and ultimately decides to leave Night City to forge his own path. V’s consciousness essentially fades away, making this a sacrifice on V’s part.

14. How many endings did Phantom Liberty add to Cyberpunk 2077?

Phantom Liberty adds four technically five new endings. These are triggered by choices made during the expansion’s storyline, primarily revolving around Songbird and Reed.

15. Should I trust Songbird in Phantom Liberty?

Trusting Songbird is a gamble. She offers a potential solution to V’s problem, but her motives are complex and often self-serving. The decision to trust her depends on your own moral compass and willingness to take risks. Songbird is not a character that players should trust.

Embracing the Ambiguity: The Cyberpunk Ethos

Ultimately, Cyberpunk 2077 doesn’t offer easy answers or clear-cut victories. The game’s strength lies in its moral ambiguity and its exploration of difficult themes like mortality, identity, and the cost of ambition. There is no perfect solution that allows both V and Johnny to thrive without sacrifice. The true ending is the one that resonates with the player, forcing them to confront their own values and make choices that reflect their interpretation of V’s journey.

Exploring the narrative and the various decision points within Cyberpunk 2077 and its Phantom Liberty expansion, and discussing these plot points is not only entertaining, but also provides the opportunity to improve critical thinking and decision-making skills. For more information on the impact of games on learning and development, please visit Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org.