Does Cyberpunk End Well? Exploring the Nuances of Night City’s Conclusions
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The question of whether Cyberpunk 2077 has a good ending is complex and doesn’t lend itself to a simple yes or no answer. Instead, it depends heavily on the player’s definition of “good,” their choices throughout the game, and which of the multiple endings they ultimately achieve. The game’s narrative is intentionally designed to be bittersweet, exploring themes of mortality, legacy, and the cost of ambition. While achieving a universally “happy” ending is difficult, perhaps even impossible within the established lore, Cyberpunk 2077 offers a range of conclusions that vary in their emotional impact and implications for V and other characters.
Many endings see V facing a shortened lifespan, a consequence of the biochip that embeds Johnny Silverhand in their mind, making them a ticking time bomb. Others involve significant sacrifices, whether that’s V’s physical form, their friends, or even their very identity. Ultimately, “good” in Cyberpunk is subjective; for some, it may mean preserving V’s life as long as possible, while others might prioritize making a lasting impact on the world, even if it comes at a personal cost. The game pushes players to consider what they truly value, and the ending they achieve often reflects those priorities.
Examining the Spectrum of Endings
Cyberpunk 2077 doesn’t offer a single triumphant ending where everyone lives happily ever after. Instead, it presents several distinct paths, each with its own set of consequences:
The Different Endings and Their Implications
- The Devil Ending (Siding with Hanako Arasaka): This ending often feels the least satisfying for many players. It involves a deal with the Arasaka corporation, leading to V’s mind being uploaded to Mikoshi. It’s a path that feels antithetical to the game’s themes of rebellion and freedom, and it often leaves the player feeling like they’ve been used by the system.
- The Star Ending (Helping the Aldecaldos): This ending sees V leaving Night City with the Aldecaldos nomad clan. It’s a more hopeful conclusion, suggesting that V can find a place outside the concrete jungle. The possibility of finding a cure for V’s condition, and therefore a longer life, is also alluded to. This is considered a relatively good ending by many players.
- The Sun Ending (Working with Rogue): In this ending, V becomes a legend in Night City, taking on Arasaka alone, with the help of Rogue and her allies. While there is a sense of achieving fame and power, V is still left with their short remaining lifespan. It’s a bittersweet conclusion that highlights the game’s cynical view of success. If Misty confirms that V got The Sun card, it suggests V could potentially live longer.
- The Temperance Ending (Letting Johnny Take Over): This ending allows Johnny Silverhand to take control of V’s body. It’s a selfless act by V, allowing Johnny to live a life in their place. V, in this case, leaves Night City to be with Alt in the digital world beyond the Blackwall. This is a very final ending for V.
- The Secret Ending (Don’t Fear the Reaper): Accessible with a high affinity with Johnny, V goes alone to Arasaka. This path is often considered the “best” due to the potential for saving the most lives and the feeling of V taking charge. However, V’s fate remains uncertain, and they are still facing their limited time to live.
- Phantom Liberty Endings: The Phantom Liberty expansion introduces new pathways, adding even more complexity. One particular ending offers the possibility of a surgical cure for V’s condition, although it comes with a two-year coma, the loss of Johnny, and the estrangement of most of their Night City contacts. Though this offers a literal cure, it’s not a “happy” outcome either.
A Theme of Selflessness
One recurring theme throughout Cyberpunk 2077 is selflessness. The narrative emphasizes the impact of V’s actions on the people around them, often at their own expense. It’s less about V achieving personal happiness and more about making a mark on the lives of others, echoing the themes found in games like Death Stranding.
Ultimately, Cyberpunk 2077’s ending is about accepting the limitations of life and making meaningful choices within those constraints. There is no single “good” or “bad” ending, but rather a range of conclusions that each leave the player with something to reflect on. It’s a game that intentionally blurs the lines between triumph and tragedy, forcing players to grapple with complex moral questions and the inevitability of death.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 FAQs to address some common questions about Cyberpunk 2077’s ending and related aspects:
1. Can you free roam after the story ends?
Yes, absolutely. Once the main story is complete, you can free roam Night City. The game world remains open, allowing you to continue side quests, gigs, explore, and upgrade your character.
2. What is considered the best ending?
The secret “Don’t Fear The Reaper” ending is often considered the best, primarily because it results in the fewest lives lost and has a sense of V taking control of their destiny. However, even this ending still comes with an uncertain future.
3. Does V survive in any of the endings?
While V can return to their body in some endings, they only have around six months to live due to the relic's effects. The **"Star" ending offers the possibility of a longer life** by leaving Night City, though it's not explicitly confirmed. The Phantom Liberty expansion introduces a cure with substantial consequences.
4. Does V get a happy ending?
There are no definitively happy endings for V. The endings are designed to be more **bittersweet and complex**, focusing on V's influence on the lives of others and their legacy, rather than providing pure happiness for themselves.
5. Can V keep their body?
Yes, in several endings, V can return to their body. However, this typically comes with the knowledge that they have a very limited lifespan left.
6. What is the “true” ending?
There is no singular "true" ending, as the game deliberately offers multiple paths. However, the **"Don't Fear the Reaper"** secret ending is often considered more canonical by some due to its narrative and challenging nature.
7. Can Johnny and V both live?
In a sense, yes, but **not in the same body**. If V returns to their body, Johnny is effectively removed. In the "Temperance" ending, Johnny takes over V's body, while V effectively enters the digital world with Alt, so there is a version of them existing.
8. Is Johnny Silverhand good or bad?
Johnny is an extremely complex and flawed character. His intentions are debatable, and while some might argue he had a noble goal, his methods and actions resulted in significant harm, even to innocent bystanders.
9. Can V end up with Judy?
Yes, but only if V has a female voice and body type. Judy Alvarez is a romance option exclusively for female V.
10. Can V romance Panam as a female?
No, **Panam Palmer can only be romanced by a male V**.
11. How do you get Johnny Silverhand to 70%?
You have to **make specific dialogue choices** and complete certain main story missions. Some of these choices occur during the oil field scenes, where dialogue options like, “Nah, I **** up that too" gives a huge affinity boost.
12. Does killing affect the game’s ending?
Generally, **whether you use lethal or non-lethal methods does not have a significant impact on the ending**. The game's narrative is not designed to reward one approach over the other.
13. What happens after the main story ends?
You return to the game world **immediately before the final story mission** and can continue to do side quests, explore, or pursue other endings by going back to the point of no return.
14. How old is V at the end of Cyberpunk 2077?
V is born in 2054, so they are approximately **22 or 23 years old** by the game's end.
15. Does V get cured in Phantom Liberty?
Yes, one of the Phantom Liberty endings provides access to a surgery that can cure V, but it involves a two-year coma, the loss of Johnny Silverhand, and the estrangement of most of your connections within Night City.
In conclusion, Cyberpunk 2077’s endings aren’t about fairytale endings. They’re about choices, consequences, and the complexities of a world where happy endings are a rarity. Whether you consider an ending “good” will depend on what you, as a player, value most within the game’s morally ambiguous universe.