Is There a Cyberpunk Ending Where V Lives?
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The short answer is: yes and no. V, the protagonist of Cyberpunk 2077, can indeed survive the events of the game in multiple endings. However, there’s a critical catch: if V survives in their own body, they are invariably facing a grim prognosis of only six months left to live due to the debilitating effects of the Relic, the biochip housing Johnny Silverhand’s engram. While this might seem bleak, the various endings offer different flavors of survival, each with its own implications and emotional weight. This article will delve into the specifics of V’s fate, exploring the different endings, and answering frequently asked questions surrounding this crucial aspect of the Cyberpunk 2077 experience.
The Core Dilemma: Relic and Its Consequences
The core conflict of Cyberpunk 2077 revolves around the Relic, which is slowly overwriting V’s personality with that of the deceased rockerboy, Johnny Silverhand. This process is what leads to V having limited time, in the main paths of the base game, if they choose to take back their body. While the game’s narrative forces you to make some tough choices, they don’t often come without consequences, and V’s fate is no different.
Navigating the Endings: Paths to Survival (and Its Limitations)
There are five primary endings available in the base game of Cyberpunk 2077, each triggered by different choices made throughout the narrative. Here’s a breakdown focusing on V’s survival:
The Sun Ending
In this ending, V teams up with Rogue to storm Arasaka Tower. After defeating Adam Smasher and achieving their goal, V chooses to return to their body, becoming a legendary figure in Night City’s Afterlife. They wake up with a penthouse and a reputation as a gun for hire, however, as mentioned before, it’s with the 6-month deadline. While V is alive, they still struggle with the lingering effects of the Relic.
The Star Ending
To achieve this ending, V teams with Panam and the Aldecaldo Nomads. After storming Arasaka and having the choice to go beyond the Blackwall or not, they choose to go back to their body and leave Night City with the Aldecaldos. Like The Sun ending, they get their body back but will still die in six months.
The Devil Ending
This path involves aligning yourself fully with Arasaka. While it might appear as a path to “survival” as they are attempting to save your life, it doesn’t go well and V ends up being in worse shape than ever before. In this ending, V’s body is used by Arasaka to try and find a cure. It is implied that it is all in vain and V has to wait until they can be euthanized. This ending is usually perceived as one of the worst as it can not be considered survival in a meaningful sense.
The Temperance Ending
In this option, Johnny Silverhand takes over V’s body permanently, with V’s consciousness becoming a digital ghost. This can be achieved by crossing the bridge with Alt in the final sequence. Johnny then leaves Night City and starts over elsewhere. While V’s body does “survive,” it’s not V as we know them, making this a bittersweet ending where V, as the player knows them, does not live.
The Secret Ending (Don’t Fear the Reaper)
This path is unlocked by achieving a high affinity with Johnny Silverhand and choosing to storm Arasaka Tower solo. Here, V becomes a legend of Night City, and Johnny heads beyond the Blackwall. Though V survives this encounter, their lifespan is still limited to those 6 months.
The Phantom Liberty Twist: A Possible Cure?
The Phantom Liberty expansion introduces a significant new element to V’s fate. By making certain crucial decisions, particularly regarding Songbird and Reed, players can access a new ending for the base game. In this new ending, V can choose to have a procedure done in order to attempt a cure. The caveat here is that V must betray Songbird and side with Reed. This is a tricky situation as the players will need to decide what’s more important, friendship, or personal gain. This ending offers some hope of a true cure, but it is not guaranteed.
The New Ending in Detail
By siding with Reed, V is able to get a deal for them and they are put into cryosleep while they try to find a cure. While it’s not an outright guarantee V will be cured, it opens the door to new possibilities for their future. The trade-off, however, is potentially sacrificing Songbird’s fate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to V’s survival in Cyberpunk 2077, providing further clarity on this complex topic:
1. Can V and Johnny both live?
Not in the traditional sense. In most endings, either V or Johnny takes control of V’s body, or V’s consciousness is merged with Johnny’s, leaving only a single personality. Johnny can be saved as an engram by crossing the bridge with Alt, however, V is left without a body in this scenario. In the “Sun” and “Star” endings V reclaims their body, while Johnny’s engram passes beyond the Blackwall.
2. What happens to V after choosing to return to their body?
V awakens in their body with the knowledge of their impending mortality. They can resume free roaming Night City, however, the knowledge of their 6-month deadline is always in the back of their mind.
3. Can V get a guaranteed cure in Cyberpunk 2077?
There is no guaranteed cure for V in the base game. The Phantom Liberty expansion offers a chance of a cure, but it’s not guaranteed and requires a specific series of decisions that involve betraying a character with whom you might have built a strong bond.
4. What are the consequences of choosing the Phantom Liberty cure?
Choosing the Phantom Liberty cure may mean sacrificing Songbird’s well-being, leading to a complex moral dilemma. Additionally, it’s not 100% guaranteed to work.
5. Does the Phantom Liberty cure remove the 6-month time limit?
Yes, the purpose of the cure offered in the Phantom Liberty expansion is to remove the 6-month time limit that V faces in other endings where they inhabit their own body.
6. Is the secret ending the “best” ending?
That’s subjective. The secret ending can be considered good because V becomes a legend and can accomplish a lot in their last days.
7. Does V lose everything after beating Cyberpunk?
No. After completing the main story and the credits, you return to just before the final mission, retaining your experience and inventory. Any mission-specific items will be gone, however.
8. What is the “worst” ending for V?
Many consider the “Devil” ending to be the worst as V is used and ultimately left in an even worse position than in other endings.
9. How many endings does Phantom Liberty add?
The story of Phantom Liberty can end in five different ways (including an unnamed early ending), depending on the choices you make regarding the two main characters of the DLC.
10. How do you get the secret ending?
The secret ending requires a high level of affinity with Johnny Silverhand, achieved through completing his side quests and choosing certain dialogue options. Then, at the final sequence, choosing to storm Arasaka Tower alone.
11. Does siding with Reed guarantee V a cure?
No, the agreement with Reed is for a chance at a cure, not a guaranteed solution. You still need to go through the procedure in order to even attempt to be cured.
12. Is there a way to keep V with the Aldecaldos?
Yes, by choosing the “Star” ending. V leaves Night City with the Aldecaldos and lives out their final 6 months with the nomad family.
13. Can you continue to play after beating Cyberpunk?
Yes, the game returns you to before the final mission, allowing you to roam Night City, engage in side quests, and obtain rewards from the different endings.
14. Does V get Johnny’s arm in Cyberpunk?
Yes, during the side quest Chippin’ In, you can gain access to Johnny’s robotic arm.
15. Can V have a happy ending where everyone is alive?
Not in the traditional sense, as most endings involve sacrifice and loss. No matter the outcome, V is likely facing a grim future. The closest would be the new Phantom Liberty ending, where V has a chance at a future, but it’s also a tough pill to swallow in a way that they may have betrayed a friend to get that chance.
Conclusion: V’s Legacy
While Cyberpunk 2077 offers various paths to “survival” for V, none of them are without their drawbacks and trade-offs. Whether V embraces legend status knowing the clock is ticking, leaves Night City to make the best of their remaining time, or even takes a chance at a potential cure in Phantom Liberty, the player’s choices shape V’s legacy. The ultimate question of whether V truly “lives” in the end is left for the player to interpret within the context of the choices they have made. The complex and nuanced nature of the endings is what makes Cyberpunk 2077’s narrative so compelling.