Do You Have to Be a Girl in Cyberpunk 2077? The Ultimate Gender Guide
No, you absolutely do not have to be a girl to play Cyberpunk 2077. The beauty of this game lies in its character customization, which allows you to create a V (your player character) that resonates with you, regardless of your real-life gender identity. Cyberpunk 2077 provides a robust system that detaches gender from appearance and even genitals. You can choose your voice, body type, and physical attributes independently of one another. This means you can create a character with a masculine body and a feminine voice, a feminine body with a masculine voice, or any combination in between. Ultimately, the choice is entirely yours, and it doesn’t lock you out of significant content.
The game’s narrative, while offering some subtle differences based on voice and body type, doesn’t fundamentally change whether you play as a character perceived as male or female. While certain romance options are restricted based on your character’s apparent gender, the main storyline remains accessible regardless of your choice. So, dive into Night City and craft a V that fits your vision, free from constraints!
Understanding Gender and Customization in Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 made waves, both positive and negative, upon its release. One of the aspects praised was the attempt to move beyond traditional gender binaries in character creation. While it wasn’t without its critics, the system allows for a degree of freedom rarely seen in AAA titles. It’s important to understand how this system works to fully appreciate the choices you have.
Separating Voice, Body Type, and Genitals
The character creation process in Cyberpunk 2077 presents a series of choices that are deliberately disconnected. You choose a body type (masculine or feminine), a voice (again, presented as masculine or feminine), and your genitals (which you can customize independently).
The initial intention, according to developers, was to move away from the traditional “male” and “female” character options altogether. However, the final implementation arguably falls short of this ideal, as these basic starting options still influence which characters are considered viable romance options.
Impact on Gameplay and Narrative
The most significant impact of your character’s perceived gender comes in the form of romance options. Certain characters, like Judy Alvarez, are only romanceable if V has a feminine body type and voice. Similarly, Panam Palmer is only romanceable if V has a masculine body type. River Ward requires a feminine body type, while Kerry Eurodyne requires a masculine one. While these restrictions are present, they don’t drastically alter the main story arc. You can complete the game, experience all the major plot points, and achieve various endings regardless of which romance options you pursue, or don’t pursue.
Voice acting also plays a role, as both the male and female V actors deliver compelling performances that shape your character’s personality. Many players find that the female V voice actress, Cherami Leigh, brings a certain emotional depth to the role, while the male V voice actor, Gavin Drea, excels at portraying a hardened and cynical demeanor.
Beyond Binary: Transgender Representation
While the game’s attempt at gender inclusivity has been lauded by some, others have criticized it for falling short of representing transgender individuals. The separation of body type and genitals allows for some level of customization, but the initial “masculine” and “feminine” choices can feel limiting to some players. Regardless, the system is certainly a progressive move towards more gender inclusivity in character creation.
To further explore topics relating to gender and representation in gaming, you can visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. They delve into research and discussions regarding diversity and inclusivity in the gaming world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about gender in Cyberpunk 2077, providing deeper insight into the game’s mechanics and narrative.
1. Does my genital choice affect gameplay?
No, the choice of genitals in Cyberpunk 2077 has no impact on gameplay mechanics. It’s purely cosmetic.
2. Can I change my character’s appearance after character creation?
While you can change your hairstyle and some cyberware modifications at ripperdocs, you cannot change your body type, voice, or gender after character creation. So, make sure you are happy with your choice before starting the game.
3. Is V canonically male or female?
There is no canon V in Cyberpunk 2077. CD Projekt Red deliberately left V’s gender open to player interpretation, allowing players to create a V that aligns with their preferences.
4. Can you romance Judy as a male V?
No, you cannot romance Judy Alvarez if your V has a masculine body type and voice. Judy is only attracted to V characters with feminine attributes.
5. Can you romance Panam as a female V?
No, you cannot romance Panam Palmer if your V has a feminine body type. Panam is only attracted to V characters with masculine attributes.
6. Are there any transgender characters in the game?
Yes, there are transgender characters in Cyberpunk 2077, most notably Claire Russell, a bartender at the Afterlife club. Her story is part of the Beat on the Brat side quest.
7. Does my life path (Nomad, Street Kid, Corpo) affect my romance options?
No, your chosen life path has no impact on which characters you can romance. Romance options are solely determined by your V’s body type and voice.
8. Are all romance options strictly heterosexual?
No, the romance options in Cyberpunk 2077 accommodate various sexual orientations. Judy is a lesbian, Panam is presumably heterosexual, River is presumably heterosexual and Kerry is gay.
9. Does being in a relationship affect the ending of the game?
Yes, being in a romantic relationship can influence certain endings of Cyberpunk 2077. For example, romancing Panam opens up the Aldecaldos ending, while romancing Judy can lead to a different outcome depending on your choices.
10. Can I have multiple romantic relationships simultaneously?
No, you cannot have multiple romantic relationships at the same time in Cyberpunk 2077. Committing to one romance typically locks you out of pursuing others.
11. Does the game have a good representation of non-binary characters?
The representation of non-binary characters is limited in Cyberpunk 2077. While the character creation allows for some customization, the game’s overall approach to gender could be more inclusive.
12. Are there any consequences for choosing a non-conventional gender expression for V?
No, there are no negative consequences for choosing a V with a non-conventional gender expression. The world of Night City is generally accepting of different identities and appearances.
13. How does gender affect the dialogue options available in the game?
The dialogue options are largely the same regardless of your V’s perceived gender. However, there may be subtle differences in how characters react to you based on your voice and appearance.
14. Can I choose to have no genitals on my character?
Yes, Cyberpunk 2077 allows you to choose the option of having no genitals on your character during character creation.
15. Is the gender customization in the game considered progressive?
The gender customization in Cyberpunk 2077 is considered partially progressive. While it offers a degree of freedom in character creation, it falls short of fully addressing the complexities of gender identity.