Can V be Saved Cyberpunk?

Yes, V, the protagonist of Cyberpunk 2077, can absolutely be saved within the cyberpunk genre, though the means and interpretations of that salvation are complex and deeply intertwined with the core themes of the genre itself. Saving V isn’t necessarily about achieving a happy, conventional ending, but rather about finding meaning and agency within a dystopian world that actively seeks to crush individuality.

The Cyberpunk Predicament: Survival vs. Salvation

Cyberpunk, at its heart, explores the tension between individual agency and systemic oppression. It’s a world where technology amplifies both power and inequality, leaving individuals vulnerable to corporate control, cybernetic augmentation gone wrong, and the erosion of personal identity. To determine if V can be “saved,” we first need to define what salvation means within this bleak landscape. Is it escaping Night City? Finding a cure for the Relic? Or is it something more profound – a reclaiming of self in the face of overwhelming adversity?

Beyond the Cure: Defining Salvation

The conventional understanding of “saving” V focuses on finding a cure for the Relic’s engram of Johnny Silverhand, which is overwriting V’s personality and physical form. This path is undoubtedly valid, but it’s crucial to recognize that it’s only one facet of V’s potential salvation. Cyberpunk frequently presents characters with impossible choices, forcing them to navigate moral ambiguities where there are no easy answers.

True salvation for V, therefore, lies in how they choose to confront their mortality, how they leverage their skills and connections to impact Night City (for better or worse), and how they ultimately define their own identity despite the encroaching influence of Johnny Silverhand and the relentless pressures of a corporate-dominated society.

Agency in a World Without Choice?

The narrative strength of Cyberpunk 2077 lies in its ability to make players feel the crushing weight of limited options. V is constantly caught between a rock and a hard place, forced to make difficult choices with potentially devastating consequences. Yet, even within these constraints, V possesses agency.

• Choice of Allegiances: V can choose to align with various factions – from the Valentinos and Voodoo Boys to the Arasaka Corporation and the Aldecaldo nomads. Each allegiance offers a different perspective on Night City and influences the available quests and narrative outcomes.
• Moral Compass: While the world is morally grey, V can still make choices that reflect their personal values. Do they prioritize profit over human life? Do they strive to protect the vulnerable? These choices, however subtle, shape V’s character and ultimately impact their ending.
• Self-Definition: Even with Johnny Silverhand vying for control, V can carve out their own identity. The relationships they forge, the skills they develop, and the causes they champion all contribute to a sense of self that transcends the Relic’s influence.

Endings and Existentialism: The Many Paths of V

Cyberpunk 2077 offers multiple endings, each reflecting a different interpretation of V’s journey and their potential for salvation. None of these endings are conventionally “happy,” but some offer a glimmer of hope or a sense of closure.

• The Arasaka Ending (The Devil): This ending involves siding with Arasaka to remove the Relic, but at the cost of becoming a corporate asset. It offers a temporary reprieve from death but ultimately represents a surrender to the very forces that define the dystopian world. Whether this constitutes “salvation” is highly debatable, as V essentially trades their freedom for survival.
• The Rogue/Johnny Ending (The Sun): This ending sees V, through Johnny Silverhand’s engram, take on Arasaka Tower. Achieving fame and notoriety, this ending offers a glimpse of legendary status, but the underlying issue of V’s mortality remains unresolved.
• The Panam Ending (The Star): This ending involves leaving Night City with the Aldecaldo nomads in search of a cure. It offers a sense of community and belonging, a departure from the isolating nature of Night City, and a fragile hope for a future beyond the Relic.
• The Secret Ending (The Temperance): This difficult-to-unlock ending allows Johnny to permanently take over V’s body, essentially “saving” Johnny at the expense of V’s own existence. This ending highlights the complex relationship between V and Johnny and forces players to confront the existential question of what constitutes self.
• The Suicide Ending: This ending, while tragic, can be interpreted as V choosing to exert control over their own destiny, refusing to be consumed by the Relic or manipulated by the corporations. In a bleak way, it’s an act of defiance.

Ultimately, whether V is “saved” depends on the player’s interpretation and the choices they make throughout the game. Cyberpunk 2077 doesn’t offer easy answers or guaranteed happy endings. Instead, it presents a series of difficult choices and forces players to confront the complex realities of life in a dystopian world. V’s salvation isn’t about escaping the darkness, but about finding meaning and purpose within it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About V’s Fate

Here are some common questions and answers related to V’s fate in Cyberpunk 2077:

1. Can V actually survive Cyberpunk 2077?

The endings provide varied outcomes, ranging from temporary survival under corporate control to leaving Night City in search of a cure. However, no ending guarantees V a long and healthy life. The Relic’s effects are irreversible, making V’s survival a question of time and circumstance rather than a definitive cure.

2. Is there a “canon” ending to Cyberpunk 2077?

CD Projekt Red has not officially designated a canon ending. Each ending offers a valid conclusion to V’s story, and the choice is left to the player.

3. Which ending is considered the “best” for V?

This is subjective and depends on your definition of “best.” The Panam ending (The Star) is often seen as the most hopeful, offering V a sense of community and a chance to escape Night City’s destructive cycle.

4. Is there a way to remove Johnny Silverhand completely?

No. There is no way to completely remove Johnny Silverhand from V’s mind without potentially sacrificing V’s own existence. The engram is permanently embedded, and the game’s narrative revolves around their intertwined fates.

5. Does V’s romance choice affect their ending?

Yes, romance choices can influence certain endings. Romances can provide V with emotional support and may even play a role in the decisions made by other characters during the endgame.

6. Can I replay the ending after completing the game?

Yes, Cyberpunk 2077 allows you to reload a save point before the final mission, enabling you to experience different endings.

7. Does the Phantom Liberty DLC change V’s fate?

Yes, the Phantom Liberty DLC adds a new ending that potentially offers a more definitive cure for V’s condition, but it comes at a significant cost. This ending involves a morally ambiguous choice that may alter V’s identity and their relationship with Johnny.

8. Is there a sequel planned where V’s story continues?

CD Projekt Red is developing a sequel currently codenamed “Project Orion”. It is unclear whether V’s story will continue directly or if the sequel will feature a new protagonist in the same universe.

9. What is the significance of the tarot cards in Cyberpunk 2077?

The tarot cards are symbolic representations of V’s journey and the potential outcomes they face. Judy Alvarez reads tarot for V at certain points in the game, providing insights into their fate and the choices they must make.

10. How does V’s gender affect the story?

V’s gender doesn’t significantly alter the main storyline, but it does impact romance options and certain dialogue interactions. The core narrative and the choices V makes remain largely the same regardless of gender.

11. Does V’s lifepath (Streetkid, Nomad, Corpo) impact the ending?

While the lifepath provides a unique prologue and influences certain dialogue options, it doesn’t drastically alter the ending. The ending is primarily determined by the choices V makes during the main story.

12. Is V a “good” or “bad” person?

V is a morally complex character whose actions are shaped by the circumstances of Night City. They are neither inherently good nor bad, but rather a product of their environment. Players have the freedom to shape V’s moral compass through their choices.

13. What are the most important skills to develop for V’s survival?

Skills like Crafting, Engineering, and Athletics can significantly improve V’s survivability. Crafting allows you to create powerful weapons and armor, Engineering enhances your cyberware capabilities, and Athletics improves your physical resilience.

14. What are the consequences of dying in Cyberpunk 2077?

Dying in Cyberpunk 2077 results in reloading a previous save point. There are no permanent consequences for death, but it can be frustrating and set you back in progress.

15. Is “saving” V the point of Cyberpunk 2077?

No. While finding a cure or escaping the Relic is a major plot point, the game’s true message lies in exploring the themes of identity, mortality, and the struggle for agency in a dystopian world. “Saving” V isn’t just about physical survival; it’s about finding meaning and purpose in a world that actively tries to strip those things away. The point of the game is the journey, not necessarily the destination.