Can V Survive the Ending of Cyberpunk 2077? A Deep Dive into Fate and Choice
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The burning question on every Cyberpunk 2077 player’s mind is: Can V, the protagonist, truly survive the ending? The short, bittersweet answer is complex. While V can “live” through several endings, the specter of mortality looms large. No ending completely solves V’s condition caused by the Relic. The game consistently reinforces the theme of transience and the ephemeral nature of existence in Night City.
The Murky Waters of Cyberpunk Endings
Cyberpunk 2077 presents players with a multitude of choices, leading to several distinct endings, each with its own implications for V’s future. The core of the problem is the Relic, a biochip containing the engram of Johnny Silverhand. This device, while initially a means of survival after being shot in the head, is slowly overwriting V’s personality and body. This is because the chip compensates for the brain damage from being shot in the head. The chip can fix brain damage because it basically has a copy of Johnny’s brain on it and that fills in the gaps from when you get shot. Let’s break down the key endings and what they mean for V’s survival:
The Arasaka Endings (Path of Least Resistance & Devil)
These endings involve trusting Arasaka to help remove the Relic. There are two variations:
- Path of Least Resistance: V agrees to become an engram and be stored in Mikoshi, effectively sacrificing their physical existence for the possibility of being restored to a body someday. V’s consciousness would be locked away by Arasaka. While a form of “survival,” V as we know them ceases to exist in the physical world.
- The Devil: This path, considered the “bad” ending, has V sign a contract with Arasaka and enter their program, after which V ends up agreeing to the same fate as the Path of Least Resistance ending and becomes an engram.
In both Arasaka endings, V’s original self is essentially lost.
The Rogue/Johnny Endings (The Sun & The Star)
These endings involve working with Rogue and Panam respectively to attack Arasaka Tower.
- The Sun: V, along with Rogue’s remaining team, assaults Arasaka Tower. V becomes a Night City legend, taking over the Afterlife club. However, the Relic’s effects persist, leaving V with a limited lifespan – approximately six months. V will live the last 6 months of their life and go out as a legend. It’s a blaze of glory, but a finite one.
- The Star: V joins the Aldecaldos and leaves Night City with them. The hope lies in finding a cure for the Relic’s effects outside of the city’s clutches. While the future is uncertain, this ending offers the potential for V to find a way to survive longer than six months. If Misty confirms that V got The Sun card, then it all but shows that The Star ending may mean that V will be able to live a long and happy life.
The Temperance Ending
In this outcome, V cedes their body to Johnny Silverhand. Johnny leaves Night City to forge his own path, while V’s consciousness fades into Mikoshi or beyond the Blackwall. Johnny would inhabit her body. V, as an individual, ceases to exist.
The Secret Ending (Don’t Fear The Reaper)
This ending, unlocked by achieving a high affinity with Johnny and choosing specific dialogue options, sees V storming Arasaka Tower solo. It’s the hardest ending to achieve but offers the closest thing to a “good” outcome. However, like The Sun, V is still left with the limited lifespan due to the Relic. V undertakes the final mission alone with Johnny, and arguably saves the most lives.
Phantom Liberty DLC Ending: A New Hope…With a Price
The Phantom Liberty DLC introduces a new ending where V can potentially be “cured” of the Relic’s influence. However, the cure comes at a steep price: V loses their cyberware and becomes a “normal” human being. While V survives and removes Johnny Silverhand from head Cyberpunk 2077, this ending strips V of their hard-earned skills and identity within Night City.
The Core Conflict: Identity vs. Survival
Cyberpunk 2077’s endings highlight a central theme: the struggle between identity and survival. To what extent is V willing to sacrifice themself to live? Each ending forces the player to confront this question, making the choice deeply personal. It also reveals something very deep about how games can teach us something. The Games Learning Society provides a great resource on that at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
A Pyrrhic Victory?
Ultimately, Cyberpunk 2077 doesn’t offer a traditional “happy ending.” Every path is paved with compromise and sacrifice. Even in the endings where V physically survives, the clock is ticking. This bittersweetness is inherent to the cyberpunk genre, which often explores themes of societal decay, technological overreach, and the struggle for individuality in a dystopian world. It shows how the exploration of complex themes and decision-making in games can be connected to something very deep. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About V’s Survival
1. Does V survive being shot in the head at the beginning of the game?
V survives being shot because of the Relic chip. The chip compensates for the brain damage, effectively “filling in the gaps” caused by the trauma. Without the Relic, V would have died instantly.
2. Why does Dex shoot V?
After the heist on Yorinobu Arasaka goes wrong, Dexter DeShawn shoots V to eliminate a potential liability and cover his tracks. He’s furious that V brought so much heat on him. Dex was worried that the heist went sideways due to Yorinobu’s unexpected murder of his father, Saburo Arasaka.
3. Can V and Johnny Silverhand survive together?
The game suggests the only way V and Johnny could survive together is if they as consciousnesses combined into one “new” conscious entity. However, this doesn’t happen in any of the current endings. The closest is the Temperance ending, where Johnny takes over V’s body, but that means V’s consciousness effectively dies.
4. What is the best ending for V in Cyberpunk 2077?
The “best” ending is subjective and depends on player preference. The Secret Ending (Don’t Fear The Reaper) is often considered favorable because it allows V to take control of their destiny without relying on others and saves the most lives in the process.
5. How do I unlock the secret ending?
To unlock the secret ending, you need to have a high relationship with Johnny Silverhand (though contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t need to be 70%). The most important thing is to complete the Chippin’ In side quest and choose the following dialogue options:
- “The guy who saved my life.”
- “What do you want from me?”
Then, when presented with the final choice on the rooftop, simply wait for several minutes, and Johnny will offer the secret plan.
6. Does V become a legend in any of the endings?
Yes, V becomes a Night City legend in The Sun ending. They take over the Afterlife club and establish themselves as a prominent figure in the city’s underworld. Also, in the Temperance ending if they give the body back to V.
7. What is the point of no return in Cyberpunk 2077?
The “point of no return” mission is Nocturne OP55N1, where you need to meet Hanako at Embers. Once you enter Embers, you are locked into the endgame sequence.
8. Can you play Cyberpunk 2077 after V dies in an ending?
Yes, after completing any ending, the game allows you to return to a point before the final mission. You can then explore the open world, complete side quests, and experiment with different choices to unlock other endings. You can free roam in Cyberpunk 2077 after the story.
9. What did the Relic do to V?
The Relic, designed to preserve consciousness, is slowly overwriting V’s brain with Johnny Silverhand’s engram. It’s causing V to lose their memories, personality, and ultimately, their life.
10. Is V the strongest character in Cyberpunk 2077?
By the end of the game, V can be considered one of the most powerful characters, having defeated formidable foes and navigated Night City’s dangerous landscape.
11. Does V ever get to live a normal life?
The Phantom Liberty DLC offers a path to a “normal” life for V, but it comes at the cost of their cyberware.
12. Can V have a romantic relationship in Cyberpunk 2077?
Yes, V can have romantic relationships with several characters, including Judy Alvarez, Panam Palmer, and River Ward. The availability of these relationships depends on V’s gender and body type.
13. Can V get Johnny Silverhand’s arm?
No, you cannot permanently equip Johnny Silverhand’s arm in the game.
14. Is there a way to cure V’s condition completely?
As of the current game content, there is no ending that completely cures V without significant consequences such as the loss of cyberware in the Phantom Liberty ending.
15. Does V appear in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners?
No, V and Johnny Silverhand do not appear in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.
While a definitive “happy ending” remains elusive, Cyberpunk 2077 provides a rich tapestry of choices, each influencing V’s fate. Whether V dies a legend or fades into obscurity, their journey through Night City is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds. It is also the perfect game to explore the connections between game playing and learning. Head over to Games Learning Society to find out how to do that.