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Does Phantom Liberty Change the Ending of Cyberpunk 2077? The Definitive Guide

Yes, Phantom Liberty fundamentally alters the ending landscape of Cyberpunk 2077. While the base game offered a handful of distinct conclusions to V’s story, the expansion introduces a brand new ending path that is deeply interwoven with the events and characters of Dogtown. This new ending not only presents a different resolution to V’s core dilemma but also potentially impacts the original endings, adding layers of complexity and nuance to the overall narrative. The key lies in the choices you make within Phantom Liberty, particularly during the final missions, which can unlock this secret, transformative ending. The decisions players make during the DLC affect the original endings too.

Understanding the Base Game Endings

Before diving into Phantom Liberty’s impact, it’s crucial to understand the original Cyberpunk 2077 endings:

The Devil Ending (Arasaka Ending): V sides with Arasaka, leading to a surgical procedure that offers a temporary solution but ultimately leaves V’s fate uncertain, potentially trapped in the digital realm.
The Star Ending (Aldecaldos Ending): V joins the Aldecaldos nomads, leaving Night City in search of a potential cure for their condition, carrying a glimmer of hope for the future. Unlock requirements: Finish Panam Palmer’s arc
The Sun Ending (Rogue’s Ending): V enlists Rogue’s help to storm Arasaka Tower, becoming a legend in Night City’s underworld, but with the knowledge that their time is limited. Requirements: Complete Rogue’s questline, up to Blistering Love, and ask Rogue for help.
The Temperance Ending (Johnny’s Ending): Johnny Silverhand takes over V’s body permanently, leaving Night City to start a new life, allowing V’s consciousness to fade away.
(Don’t Fear) The Reaper (Secret Ending): V infiltrates Arasaka Tower solo, risking everything for a chance at a solution, with a higher level of difficulty and potential for either survival or ultimate sacrifice. Contrary to some player beliefs, there’s no requirement for a 70% relationship with Johnny.

How Phantom Liberty Changes Things

Phantom Liberty doesn’t simply tack on an extra scene to an existing ending; it provides an entirely new branch that diverges from the main storyline’s existing options. This new ending is heavily influenced by your interactions with characters like Songbird and Reed, and the decisions you make regarding their fates. By making specific choices in the DLC, V can pursue a path that ultimately leads them to a surgical procedure outside of Arasaka, offering a potential solution to the Relic’s influence. This is the “cure” ending.

The New Ending Explained (Spoilers)

The specifics of the Phantom Liberty ending involve V undergoing a risky experimental procedure that removes the Relic and Johnny Silverhand entirely. While it solves the immediate threat of death, it comes at a significant cost. V loses their ability to use cyberware effectively and essentially becomes a “normal” person again. This trade-off forces players to confront what V truly values: their life, or their identity as a cybernetically enhanced mercenary.

Impact on Original Endings

Even if you don’t pursue the new Phantom Liberty ending, the expansion can still subtly alter the context of the original endings. The experiences and relationships forged in Dogtown can provide V with a new perspective, influencing their choices and adding emotional weight to their final decisions. Characters introduced in Phantom Liberty might also make cameos or be referenced in the existing epilogues, adding depth and connectivity to the broader narrative. The Sun ending where V becomes a legend of the Afterlife changes if the secret ending was chosen ((Don’t Fear) the Reaper). In this ending V still becomes the owner of the Afterlife bar, however Rogue is still alive and greets V as they take on a new gig from Mr. Blue Eyes.

Implications for V’s Fate

The addition of the Phantom Liberty ending fundamentally changes how we perceive V’s fate. While the original endings often felt bittersweet or tragically inevitable, the new option presents a more ambiguous, yet potentially hopeful, resolution. It forces players to consider the long-term consequences of their choices and the true meaning of survival in the dystopian world of Cyberpunk 2077. Cyberpunk 2077’s protagonist V’s fate is determined by the player, with one unavoidable caveat: if V survives Cyberpunk, they only have six months to live due to the Relic. Phantom Liberty adds another path.

FAQs: Deep Diving into Cyberpunk 2077 Endings and Phantom Liberty

Here’s an extensive FAQ section to address common questions and concerns surrounding the endings of Cyberpunk 2077, particularly in light of the Phantom Liberty expansion.

1. Does Phantom Liberty add any new romance options?

No, Phantom Liberty does not add any new romance options. The previously-romanceable characters (Judy, Panam, Kerry, and River) have new dialogue and cutscene content, but no new romances are introduced.

2. Can Johnny and V both live in any ending?

No, not really. In all of the original endings, either Johnny or V gets the body. Johnny can live forever while V only has 6 months left if he keeps the body. The Phantom Liberty ending gives V the body but removes Johnny and the Relic, although at the cost of V’s cyberware functionality.

3. Is there any ending where V gets a definitively “happy” ending?

Even before Phantom Liberty the Star ending allowed V to get a (semi) happy ending. V never concretely escapes their fate, but despite the looming tragedy, V can manage to secure a happy ending – or at least the closest thing to a happy ending that exists in the dark Cyberpunk 2077 universe. This is a matter of interpretation. The Phantom Liberty ending could be considered “happy” depending on your perspective.

4. What happens to V after “The Sun” ending?

In the original “Sun” ending, V becomes a legend of the Afterlife, but their health continues to deteriorate. With the new Phantom Liberty ending option, this outcome can change drastically.

5. Do I need to reach a certain relationship percentage with Johnny for the secret ending?

No. Contrary to some player beliefs, there’s no requirement for a 70% relationship with Johnny. Completing the specified dialogue choices is all that’s necessary.

6. Can V still romance Judy as a male V?

No. Judy – V must have female voice and body type to romance. Male V can romance both Panam and Kerry, while female V can romance both River and Judy.

7. Does V lose their car at any point in the game?

In Cyberpunk 2077, V is careless in the first few hours of the game, but they can get their car back with a little side quest and some patience.

8. What is the significance of Misty confirming that V got “The Sun” card?

If Misty confirms that V got The Sun card, then it all but shows that The Star ending means that V will be able to live a long and happy life.

9. Should I give Johnny my body?

Once completed, Johnny is left with a choice: give V’s body back or keep it for himself. Keeping the body results in the same ending, but giving it back to V results in legendary status comparable to a certain Netwatch Netdriver MK.5 Cyberdeck across Night City. It depends on your goals for the ending.

10. What happens if you choose V over Johnny?

After the mission is complete, the player faces the choice between letting Johnny or V keep the body. To get this ending, choose V. You’ll then play through the epilogue, where V has taken Rogue’s place as the Queen (or King) of Afterlife, as well as a very high-end merc job and swanky apartment to match.

11. What are the requirements to unlock Phantom Liberty’s new ending?

The specific requirements involve making key choices during the final missions of Phantom Liberty. These choices primarily revolve around your interactions with Songbird and Reed, and how you decide to resolve their respective storylines. There are branching paths, so multiple playthroughs may be needed to experience all possible outcomes.

12. Does Phantom Liberty add new weapons that can affect gameplay in the original endings?

Yes, the Phantom Liberty DLC introduces new weapons, many of which are illegal. These weapons can be used throughout the base game, potentially impacting how you approach combat in the original endings.

13. Is V the same character in Phantom Liberty as in the base game?

Yes, in CYBERPUNK 2077: PHANTOM LIBERTY you once again play as a cyberpunk mercenary named V.

14. How does Phantom Liberty affect the overall themes of Cyberpunk 2077?

Phantom Liberty deepens the themes of choice, sacrifice, and identity that are central to Cyberpunk 2077. The new ending forces players to confront the consequences of their actions and the true cost of survival in a world where humanity and technology are often at odds. It expands the universe of the game, and offers a unique path.

15. Where can I learn more about game design and the impact of narrative choices in games like Cyberpunk 2077?

Organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org provide valuable resources and research on game design, learning through games, and the impact of narrative choices on player experience.

The introduction of Phantom Liberty has enriched the storytelling landscape of Cyberpunk 2077, providing players with more meaningful and impactful options for shaping V’s destiny. This expansion has given us all a lot to talk about.

Does phantom liberty change the ending?