Can You Survive as V in Cyberpunk? The Definitive Answer
The question of whether V, the protagonist of Cyberpunk 2077, can truly survive is complex and deeply intertwined with player choices and the overarching narrative. The short answer is yes, V can survive, particularly with the addition of the Phantom Liberty expansion. However, the definition of “survival” and the costs associated with it are crucial to understanding the nuances. While the base game initially offered bleak outcomes involving a shortened lifespan or altered consciousness, Phantom Liberty introduces an ending where V can potentially be cured of the Relic’s effects, albeit at a significant personal sacrifice.
The Predicament: The Relic and V’s Fate
The core conflict in Cyberpunk 2077 revolves around the Relic, a biochip containing the engram (digital ghost) of Johnny Silverhand. When implanted into V, the Relic begins overwriting V’s neural pathways, leading to a gradual merging of personalities and, ultimately, V’s potential death. This impending doom hangs heavy over the entire game, driving V’s desperate search for a solution.
The original endings of Cyberpunk 2077 presented various options, none of which offered a truly satisfying or consequence-free survival for V:
- The Devil (Arasaka Ending): V enters Arasaka’s service, having their consciousness digitized and potentially stored for future use. This is often considered one of the worst endings, as it strips V of agency and offers no guarantee of future life.
- The Star (Nomad Ending): V joins the Aldecaldos and leaves Night City in search of a cure with Panam. While offering hope, it’s explicitly stated that V only has a few months to live.
- The Sun (Rogue Ending): V becomes a legend of Night City but still faces a terminal diagnosis and limited lifespan.
- The Temperance (Johnny Ending): V cedes control of their body to Johnny Silverhand, effectively erasing V’s consciousness.
- The Secret Ending (Don’t Fear The Reaper): A suicide mission against Arasaka. If successful, V achieves a similar outcome to The Sun, but without relying on Rogue.
All these endings share a common thread: V is running out of time. The Relic’s influence is irreversible, and the game mechanics ensured V’s eventual demise.
Phantom Liberty: A Glimmer of Hope (with a Price)
Phantom Liberty significantly alters the survival landscape for V. The expansion introduces a new storyline centered around the FIA agent Songbird and a potential cure for the Relic. By making certain choices within the Phantom Liberty narrative, V can opt for a procedure that removes the Relic’s influence.
However, this “cure” comes at a steep cost. V undergoes a procedure that essentially suppresses their cybernetic enhancements and leaves them without the skills and abilities they acquired throughout the game. More importantly, V becomes an ordinary person, seemingly stripped of their ambition and drive. This ending often leaves players feeling conflicted, as V survives but loses a significant part of their identity.
This particular ending highlights the core themes of Cyberpunk: the blurred lines between humanity and technology, and the sacrifices individuals make in pursuit of survival. It raises the question: what does it truly mean to survive if you lose what makes you, you? This moral complexity makes the survival question in Cyberpunk 2077 far more compelling than a simple yes or no.
Defining “Survival”: A Matter of Perspective
Ultimately, whether V “survives” is a matter of interpretation and depends on what the player values most. Do they prioritize V’s continued existence above all else, even if it means sacrificing their skills, identity, and ambitions? Or do they prefer a shorter, more impactful life filled with adventure and purpose?
The narrative intentionally avoids a clear-cut “happy ending” because the world of Cyberpunk is not built to deliver simplistic resolutions. Instead, it forces players to confront difficult choices and accept the consequences of their actions, which are explored by scholars in the Games Learning Society, GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does V survive in the original Cyberpunk 2077 endings?
In the original endings, V’s survival is at best tenuous. They either have a limited time to live (months) or their consciousness is suppressed/altered. No ending offers a guaranteed, consequence-free survival.
2. Does Phantom Liberty change the ending?
Yes, Phantom Liberty introduces a new ending where V can potentially be cured of the Relic’s effects, granting them survival.
3. What is the cost of V’s survival in the Phantom Liberty ending?
The cost is the loss of V’s cybernetic enhancements, skills, and potentially a significant part of their identity. They become an ordinary person, unable to return to their life as a mercenary.
4. Is the Phantom Liberty ending a “happy ending”?
It’s a subjective matter. V survives, which is a positive outcome. However, the sacrifices made to achieve this survival can be seen as bittersweet or even tragic.
5. Can Johnny Silverhand and V both survive?
In the traditional sense, no. The endings involve either V’s consciousness being suppressed or Johnny taking over V’s body. The combined entity concept explored within the game never fully comes to fruition in a way that preserves both as distinct individuals.
6. What’s the “best” ending for Cyberpunk 2077?
There is no single “best” ending. It depends on the player’s values and what they consider important. Some prefer the heroic sacrifice of The Sun, while others might opt for the bittersweet hope of The Star.
7. Does V die if I fail a mission?
Outside of specific scripted moments near the ending, dying during a mission results in a reload. However, in some special missions, V can get a game over if failing to reach the objective.
8. How does V survive being shot in the head at the beginning of the game?
The Relic’s presence is crucial for V’s survival. The chip compensates for some of the brain damage inflicted, allowing V to survive what would otherwise be a fatal wound.
9. Can V remove the Relic without Phantom Liberty?
No. The option to remove the Relic and potentially cure V is exclusive to the Phantom Liberty expansion.
10. Does romance affect the ending?
Romance plays a role in the emotional impact of certain endings. For example, romancing Panam makes The Star ending more poignant, while romancing Judy enriches The Temperance ending if V chooses to let Johnny take over.
11. What happens if V chooses to give their body to Johnny?
V’s consciousness is suppressed, and Johnny Silverhand takes control of V’s body. Johnny then leaves Night City to start a new life.
12. Can I continue playing after the ending?
Yes, after completing the main storyline, the game reloads to a point just before the final mission, allowing you to explore the open world, complete side quests, and try different endings.
13. Does V get Johnny Silverhand’s arm in Cyberpunk 2077?
No, V does not literally get Johnny Silverhand’s arm. The reference might be to a quest item or thematic connection, but V’s physical body remains unchanged in terms of limb replacement or addition.
14. Why does Dex shoot V?
Dex shoots V because the heist went wrong, and he fears the Arasaka corporation. He sees V as a liability and wants to eliminate any potential threats to his own safety and reputation.
15. How many different endings are there in Cyberpunk 2077 (including Phantom Liberty)?
Including the Phantom Liberty endings, there are a total of five main endings, with variations based on choices made within each. This includes the new ending that grants V survival in exchange for their skills.