Navigating the Labyrinth: Exploring Phantom Liberty’s Endings and Their Impact

Phantom Liberty, the expansion to Cyberpunk 2077, significantly enriches the base game’s narrative tapestry. It doesn’t just add a simple conclusion; it weaves a complex web of choices that lead to four distinct endings within the Phantom Liberty storyline itself. Furthermore, depending on your decisions, it can unlock an entirely new ending for the original Cyberpunk 2077 campaign. This means Phantom Liberty effectively adds one entirely new ending and alters the availability of the others for the base game.

Understanding the Endings Within Phantom Liberty

Phantom Liberty’s endings hinge on two crucial Main Jobs: Firestarter and Killing Moon. Your dialogue choices during these missions are paramount in shaping the destinies of V, Songbird, Reed, and the overall political landscape of Night City and beyond. Let’s break down the four possible conclusions within Phantom Liberty:

• The King of Wands (Killing Reed): This ending sees V choosing to help Songbird escape, ultimately leading to a confrontation with Reed. Siding with Songbird is a crucial first step toward unlocking a new ending for Cyberpunk 2077 base game. After helping Songbird reach the Neural Matrix, players will have to make another hard choice about So Mi’s fate which will determine the outcome. In this ending, V kills Reed, which many believe to be the “best” option for its nihilistic approach that fits V and Johnny’s personality.

• The King of Pentacles (Helping Reed Capture Songbird): In contrast to the King of Wands, this ending involves assisting Reed in capturing Songbird. This path involves betraying Songbird, handing her over to the NUSA, and trusting Reed’s promises of a potential cure for V. It is the first step toward a new ending for Cyberpunk 2077’s base game, but comes at the cost of Songbird’s freedom.

• The Queen of Swords (Killing Songbird – Reed): This ending is part of the choice to turn Songbird over to Reed, but ultimately having to kill her when she wishes. This occurs when V confronts Songbird within the Cynosure facility. In this ending, Songbird expresses her desire to end her suffering, and V has the option to grant her wish. Reed helps V in this ending, and helps secure the new ending for the base game.

• The Queen of Wands (Letting Reed Live): If you choose to help Songbird escape, and then allow Reed to live, this results in an end where V does not deliver the “killing blow” to Reed. While the ramifications are subtle, this ending is a variant of the path where V helps Songbird but shows mercy to Reed. V survives, but alone.

The New Ending for the Base Game: A Second Chance?

The most impactful addition isn’t just the four within Phantom Liberty, but also the new ending it unlocks for the main Cyberpunk 2077 story. By siding with Reed and delivering Songbird to the NUSA, V gains access to a potential cure at the cost of So Mi’s freedom. This cure, however, comes with a significant price: V loses their ability to use cyberware, essentially becoming a “normal” person. This represents a poignant choice between power and mortality, offering a fundamentally different conclusion to V’s saga than the original endings.

The Ripple Effect: How Phantom Liberty Changes Everything

Phantom Liberty doesn’t just tack on extra content; it retroactively alters the player’s perception of the entire Cyberpunk 2077 narrative. The introduction of new characters like Songbird and Reed, coupled with the moral ambiguities of their respective agendas, forces players to re-evaluate their understanding of Night City, the NUSA, and V’s place within this intricate power struggle. For those interested in the academic study of games and their narrative power, organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org provide valuable resources and insights.

Phantom Liberty Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Phantom Liberty’s endings, designed to clarify the intricacies and provide a deeper understanding of their consequences:

How many endings are possible in Phantom Liberty combined with the base game?

Including the base game, there are technically six possible endings. Four of these are within the Phantom Liberty campaign and one of them is a slightly different result of the choice for Songbird’s fate. The fifth is the new ending unlocked for the base game by making specific choices in Phantom Liberty, and the sixth are all of the existing base game endings.

What is the “best” ending in Phantom Liberty?

There is no objectively “best” ending. It depends entirely on your interpretation of V’s character and your desired outcome. The King of Wands ending, where V helps Songbird and kills Reed, aligns with a more anti-establishment, nihilistic viewpoint. The King of Pentacles ending, where V helps Reed, offers a shot at a “normal” life but at a great cost. Some players may prefer an ending with “the least” amount of bloodshed.

Does siding with Reed or Songbird permanently lock me out of an ending?

Yes, siding with Reed or Songbird drastically alters the ending paths available to you. The Firestarter job is where this choice becomes important, as you will be locked down a certain road from there.

Can I save both Songbird and Reed?

No, you cannot simultaneously save both Songbird and Reed in a way that they both emerge unscathed and happy. Your choices will inevitably lead to one betraying the other, or some kind of sacrifice.

What happens to Alex in the different endings?

Alex’s fate is intertwined with your choices. Siding with Songbird gives you the best chance of keeping her alive, at least temporarily. She is likely to be dead at the hands of Hansen if you don’t intervene in her life and let her go.

Does Phantom Liberty add any new romance options?

No, Phantom Liberty does not introduce new romance options. You can still romance Judy, Panam, Kerry, and River, as in the base game.

How does the new base game ending affect my existing save file?

Once you complete the Phantom Liberty questline and unlock the new ending for the base game, you can choose to pursue it when you reach the decision point in the original Cyberpunk 2077 campaign. This will override your previous options.

Is the new base game ending considered a “canon” ending?

CD Projekt Red has not officially declared any ending as canon. It’s left to the player’s interpretation.

Do my skill points and attributes carry over into the new base game ending?

Yes, your skill points, attributes, and inventory will carry over to the new base game ending if you choose to pursue it.

Does the difficulty level affect the Phantom Liberty endings?

No, the difficulty level does not affect the endings themselves. It only affects the combat encounters and challenges along the way.

Are there any “secret” requirements for unlocking specific endings?

While there are no hidden or obscure requirements, your dialogue choices and actions throughout the Phantom Liberty campaign are crucial for shaping the ending you receive. Pay attention to the context and the potential consequences of your decisions.

Can I replay Phantom Liberty to experience all the endings?

Yes, you can replay Phantom Liberty by loading a save file from before the critical decision points, such as the Firestarter mission.

Does Johnny Silverhand have different reactions to the various Phantom Liberty endings?

Yes, Johnny Silverhand offers unique perspectives and commentary on each ending, reflecting his evolving relationship with V and his opinions on the characters and events of Phantom Liberty.

What happens to Night City in the different Phantom Liberty endings?

The fate of Night City varies depending on your choices. Some endings may result in increased NUSA influence, while others may see the city plunged further into chaos and conflict.

What’s the best way to prepare for Phantom Liberty’s ending choices?

The best preparation is to engage with the story, pay attention to the characters, and consider the long-term consequences of your actions. There is no single “right” answer, and the most satisfying ending will be the one that resonates most deeply with your personal interpretation of the game.