Should You Finish the Cyberpunk 2077 Main Story First? A Comprehensive Guide
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The neon-drenched streets of Night City beckon, promising a sprawling narrative filled with cybernetics, conspiracies, and compelling characters. But a crucial question often arises for newcomers and returning players alike: Should I finish the Cyberpunk 2077 main story before diving into side quests, gigs, or the Phantom Liberty DLC?
The short answer is: it depends on your preference, but experiencing the main story before fully committing to Phantom Liberty is highly recommended. While the DLC is designed to be largely separate, understanding the core narrative, V’s relationships, and the world’s intricacies enhances the Phantom Liberty experience. Furthermore, reaching at least a specific point in the main story is required before beginning Phantom Liberty. However, delaying the main story to complete side content and gigs beforehand can significantly enrich the experience and provide context, making the world feel more alive and your choices more meaningful.
Why Consider Finishing the Main Story First (or at Least Getting Partway Through)?
Several compelling reasons support prioritizing the main story:
- Context and Understanding: The main story provides the fundamental context for everything else in Night City. Knowing V’s predicament, their relationship with Johnny Silverhand, and the power dynamics between corporations like Arasaka and Militech is crucial for appreciating the nuances of side quests and the Phantom Liberty plot.
- Emotional Investment: The main story builds emotional connections with key characters like Jackie, Judy, Panam, and River. These relationships are often referenced or even expanded upon in side content, making those experiences far more impactful if you’ve already invested in them.
- Unlocking Content: Reaching certain milestones in the main story unlocks specific side quests, gigs, and even areas of the map. Delaying the main quest may prevent you from accessing content that you might otherwise enjoy. Importantly, beginning Phantom Liberty requires progress into the main story. Specifically, you must complete the “Transmission” main job.
- Multiple Endings: Experiencing the original endings of the game is valuable before seeing how Phantom Liberty can alter them.
The Case for Exploring Side Content Before the Endgame
While understanding the main story’s context is helpful, there’s a strong argument for immersing yourself in Night City’s side content before rushing to the conclusion:
- Character Development: Side quests and gigs are excellent avenues for deepening V’s character. Completing them allows you to hone specific skills, discover new weapons and cyberware, and shape V’s personality through dialogue choices and actions.
- Worldbuilding: Night City feels more alive when you engage with its diverse inhabitants and uncover its hidden stories. Side content reveals the lives of ordinary people, exposes the corruption and inequality that plague the city, and offers glimpses into its rich history and culture. This immersion can significantly enhance the main story by providing a deeper understanding of the world V is fighting to survive in.
- Delayed Gratification: By postponing the main story, you can savor the suspense and anticipation of reaching its climax. Knowing that you have a looming threat to confront can add a layer of tension and urgency to your exploration of Night City.
- Leveling and Gear: Side quests and gigs are essential for leveling up V and acquiring powerful gear. Approaching the main story’s later stages with a well-equipped and highly skilled V can make those challenges more manageable and enjoyable.
Finding the Right Balance
The best approach often involves striking a balance between progressing the main story and exploring side content.
A suggested approach is:
- Complete the Watson lockdown area: This provides a solid introduction to the world and gameplay mechanics.
- Progress in the Main Story Until “Transmission”: This unlocks the Phantom Liberty DLC.
- Complete Side Content and Gigs: Explore areas of Night City, complete available gigs, and undertake side missions that interest you. This will help you level up and acquire better gear.
- Alternate Between Main Story and Side Content: Progress through the main story, and interspersed, tackle side quests to level up and enhance your understanding of Night City.
- Consider Phantom Liberty: You can tackle Phantom Liberty at any time after completing the “Transmission” main job. Phantom Liberty adds another ending to the game, so completing the main story’s initial endings first may be preferable.
- Finish the Main Story: Once you feel satisfied with your exploration and character development, focus on completing the main story and experiencing its various endings.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. There is no wrong way to play Cyberpunk 2077. Experiment with different approaches and find what works best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do you need to finish Cyberpunk 2077 before playing Phantom Liberty DLC?
No, you don’t need to finish Cyberpunk 2077 before playing the Phantom Liberty DLC. As mentioned earlier, the expansion is largely separate and integrated into the main game after completing the “Transmission” main quest.
2. Should I finish the main story before Phantom Liberty?
It’s recommended to experience the original endings of Cyberpunk 2077 before diving into Phantom Liberty. The DLC offers an alternate ending to the main game, and experiencing all available outcomes provides a more complete and satisfying conclusion to your journey.
3. Can you keep playing Cyberpunk after finishing the main story?
Yes, you can free roam in Cyberpunk 2077 after completing the main story. The game world remains open for exploration, allowing you to finish side quests, gigs, and other activities you may have missed. The game will ask you if you want to go back to your save right before meeting Hanako, effectively placing you before the ending choice, allowing you to get alternate endings or finish side content.
4. What order should I play Cyberpunk missions?
A suggested order:
- All of the gigs in Watson.
- Whatever NCPD things I run across.
- The Heist.
- All of Wakako’s gigs because she doesn’t have many and most are pretty fun.
- Meet Takemura at the diner to advance the main quest a bit.
- Meet with Judy at Lizzy’s to advance that plot a bit.
- Complete the “Transmission” Main Job to unlock Phantom Liberty.
5. Which Cyberpunk start is the best?
Nomad is the friendliest option for beginners, Street Kid is effective for role-playing, and Corpo offers a unique experience for those who have played the game before.
6. How long is Cyberpunk 2077 main story?
The Cyberpunk 2077 base game main story averages around 24 and a half hours, excluding side missions or extra activities.
7. How many endings does Cyberpunk have?
Cyberpunk 2077 has five different endings, influenced by dialogue options, main jobs, and side jobs. Phantom Liberty adds an additional ending.
8. What is the max level in Cyberpunk?
The max level in Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 is 60, an increase from the original level cap of 50.
9. Does V get cured in Phantom Liberty?
Phantom Liberty has a cure for Songbird or V – but not both. This cure is achieved by making specific choices during the DLC storyline.
10. What happens when you finish the main story in Cyberpunk?
After the credits roll, player controls resume with V in front of the Embers building from Act 2: Nocturne Op 55 N 1. Inventory and experience carry over, and you are free to roam Night City.
11. What is the best ending for Cyberpunk?
The most fitting ending is subjective, but “The Sun” is often favored. You infiltrate Arasaka Tower with Rogue’s help and leave as V, becoming a legend of Night City with your own penthouse.
12. Does Cyberpunk have more than 1 ending?
Yes, to unlock the “regular” endings in Cyberpunk 2077, you must complete optional questlines involving Panam and Johnny/Rogue. Phantom Liberty adds an additional ending.
13. How long is Cyberpunk 100%?
100% completion of Cyberpunk 2077, including the main story, side missions, achievements, and gearing out your character, takes just over 100 hours.
14. What is the best Sandevistan?
The iconic Militech “Apogee” Sandevistan is easily the best Sandevistan. When active, time is slowed by 85% for everyone but the user and increases headshot damage multiplier by 10%.
15. Does V survive in any 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 more impactful if you experience the full scope of the original story first.
Remember, the beauty of Cyberpunk 2077 lies in its freedom and player agency. Play the game in a way that resonates with you, and you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience. The Games Learning Society recognizes the power of games like Cyberpunk 2077 to engage players and explore complex themes. You can learn more about how games can be used for education and research at GamesLearningSociety.org.