Should You Give the Relic to Dex or Evelyn in Cyberpunk 2077?
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The short answer? It doesn’t matter. In Cyberpunk 2077, the decision of who you intend to give the Relic to – Dexter DeShawn (Dex) or Evelyn Parker – is essentially a moot point. The narrative is designed to play out in a specific way, regardless of your expressed intentions. Both V and Jackie are ultimately screwed over, and Dex betrays V, irrespective of your allegiance. The heist goes sideways no matter what you do. This might seem like a frustrating illusion of choice, but it’s a critical plot device to propel the story forward.
The Illusion of Choice: Siding with Dex or Evelyn
The game presents you with dialogue options that suggest you can influence the outcome. Perhaps you tell Dex you’re going to backstab Evelyn, or you reassure Evelyn that Dex is untrustworthy. These choices, while seemingly important, have minimal immediate impact on the overall story arc. The betrayal and subsequent events are scripted to unfold in a predetermined manner.
Why the Illusion?
This narrative design serves several purposes. First, it reinforces the Cyberpunk theme of corporate power and individual helplessness. Even with the best intentions and carefully laid plans, individuals are often pawns in a larger game controlled by powerful entities like Arasaka and NetWatch. Second, it ensures that the core narrative beats are hit. The heist’s failure, Jackie’s death, and V’s implantation with the Relic are all critical to setting up the rest of the game. Finally, it adds a layer of moral ambiguity. There is no “right” choice in Night City. Everyone is trying to survive, and betrayals are commonplace.
The Unfolding Disaster: What Actually Happens
Regardless of your declared allegiance, here’s what you can expect:
- The Heist Goes Wrong: Yorinobu Arasaka unexpectedly murders his father, Saburo Arasaka, throwing the heist into chaos.
- Escape and Betrayal: V and Jackie manage to escape with the Relic, but Jackie is mortally wounded.
- No Payday: Neither V nor Jackie receives the agreed-upon payment.
- Dex’s Double-Cross: V meets with Dex at the No-Tell Motel, where Dex shoots V in the head.
The fact that these events are predetermined highlights a key theme within the world of Cyberpunk 2077: control. Ultimately, despite the player’s attempts to control the narrative and outcomes, the world and the characters within it, frequently defy attempts to change them.
The Importance of the Relic
The real catalyst of events is the Relic itself. It’s not just a valuable biochip; it contains the engram of Johnny Silverhand, and its presence in V’s head fundamentally alters the course of their life. The fact that both Dex and Evelyn want the Relic is important, but their motivations are secondary to the chip’s true nature and what it unleashes.
Evelyn sought the Relic to sell it to NetWatch in exchange for money, protection from the Voodoo Boys, and a new identity. Dex, on the other hand, was trying to secure a pardon by giving the Relic to the Voodoo Boys. These individual desires are overshadowed by the larger narrative implications of the Relic and the presence of Johnny Silverhand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Relic and Its Consequences
Here are some frequently asked questions to provide further clarity on the Relic and its significance in Cyberpunk 2077:
1. Should I tell Dex I have the Relic?
Telling Dex about the Relic doesn’t drastically alter the immediate outcome. He will be appreciative, but the core events of the heist and subsequent betrayal remain unchanged. If you withhold the information, you’ll get a second chance to disclose it.
2. Why did Evelyn want the Relic?
Evelyn wanted the Relic to sell it to NetWatch. She sought their protection from both the Voodoo Boys and Arasaka, along with a new identity and financial security.
3. Can you save Evelyn in Cyberpunk?
You can save Evelyn from the Scavengers, but you cannot save her from her ultimate fate. The trauma she experiences leads her to take her own life later in the game.
4. Is it better to betray Dex or Evelyn?
As previously stated, your choice to betray either Dex or Evelyn has little to no effect on the overall storyline. The heist goes wrong regardless, and V is betrayed by Dex.
5. Does V live after Dex kills them?
Technically, no. Dex kills V, but the Relic intervenes. It repairs the damage to V’s brain and begins to overwrite it with Johnny Silverhand’s engram, effectively bringing V back to life, albeit with significant consequences.
6. What was Evelyn going to do with the Relic?
Evelyn planned to sell the Relic to NetWatch for protection, money, and a new identity. She saw it as a way to escape the dangers of Night City.
7. Why didn’t Dex take the chip?
Dex wanted to distance himself from Arasaka and the Relic. He viewed it as “toxic” and dangerous, preferring to leave it with V rather than risk being caught with it himself.
8. Who killed Dex DeShawn?
Takemura, Saburo Arasaka’s bodyguard, tracked down and executed Dex after Dex had recovered a newly resurrected V.
9. Does the game end when Dex kills you?
No, the game does not end. Dex’s betrayal marks the end of Act 1 and the beginning of the main storyline, where V must deal with the consequences of the Relic and Johnny Silverhand’s presence in their mind.
10. Can you romance Evelyn in Cyberpunk?
No, Evelyn is not a romanceable character in Cyberpunk 2077.
11. Can V survive Cyberpunk?
Yes, V can survive in some endings of the game, though often at a great cost. Some endings offer a more hopeful outlook than others, but there is no guaranteed happy ending.
12. Is it worth betraying Dex in Cyberpunk?
Betraying Dex only has a minor impact on the Heist mission and has no lasting repercussions later in the game.
13. Why did Dexter Deshawn want the relic?
Dexter wanted the Relic so he could get pardoned in Pacifica by giving the relic to the Voodoo Boys.
14. Why does Dex betray V?
Dex betrays V because the heist went sideways due to Yorinobu’s unexpected murder of his father, Saburo Arasaka, and he felt that V brought too much heat on him.
15. What happens when Dex kills you?
When Dex kills you, you are reborn. The chip repairs the damage and replaces your engram with Johnny Silverhand.
Conclusion: Embrace the Ride
In Cyberpunk 2077, the illusion of choice is a key element of the narrative. While you may feel powerless to change the outcome of the heist and Dex’s betrayal, these events set the stage for the rest of the game. The focus shifts from whether you can control the situation to how you deal with the consequences of the Relic and Johnny Silverhand’s presence. Understanding this helps you appreciate the larger themes of the game and embrace the ride, even if it’s a bumpy one. You can learn more about the educational aspects of gaming and game design at the Games Learning Society website.