Should I Keep V or Johnny? Navigating Cyberpunk 2077’s Endings
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Deciding whether to keep V or let Johnny Silverhand take over in Cyberpunk 2077 is arguably the most impactful choice a player makes, shaping the narrative’s conclusion and V’s ultimate fate. There’s no single “right” answer; the optimal choice hinges entirely on your personal preferences, your connection to each character, and the kind of ending you desire.
If you value V’s agency and strive for an ending where they retain control, choosing to keep V is the better option. This leads to endings where V, despite facing a shortened lifespan, continues to fight for survival, either seeking a cure beyond Night City with the Aldecaldos or embracing their legend within the city. However, this means Johnny will not continue.
Conversely, if you believe Johnny deserves a second chance at life and are willing to sacrifice V’s physical existence, then letting Johnny take over offers closure for him. He gets a chance to experience life anew, albeit in V’s body, and leaves Night City to forge his own path. This ending provides a poignant resolution for Johnny’s character arc, allowing him to escape his past and embrace an uncertain future.
Ultimately, the “best” choice depends on which character you’re most invested in and which ending resonates most deeply with your personal values. It’s a deeply personal decision that should be guided by your unique gameplay experience and emotional connection to the world of Cyberpunk 2077.
Understanding the Endings
The Consequences of Choice
The choice between V and Johnny isn’t merely a plot point; it’s a reflection of the game’s core themes of identity, mortality, and the meaning of life. Each decision carries significant weight, impacting not only the characters involved but also the overall tone and message of the ending.
Giving the body to V means facing a ticking clock with an uncertain future. This ending can be bittersweet, acknowledging the limitations imposed by V’s condition but also highlighting their resilience and determination. In endings where V keeps their body, they get to live their remaining life as a legend of Night City, or spend their remaining life with Panam and the Aldecados, who offer a glimpse of hope for the future.
Letting Johnny take over is a form of sacrifice on V’s part. It’s an act of empathy, allowing Johnny to escape the digital prison of the Relic and experience the world in a way he never could before. This ending is tinged with melancholy, as V’s consciousness is effectively extinguished, but it also offers a sense of redemption for Johnny.
The Impact on Night City
The fate of Night City also hangs in the balance, depending on your choices. Different endings see V embracing their legendary status, leaving the city behind, or even becoming a pawn of Arasaka. These outcomes shape the city’s future and leave a lasting impression on the world you’ve come to know.
Some endings cement V’s place as a legend, with the city buzzing with tales of their exploits. Others see V severing ties, seeking solace and a possible cure beyond the city’s borders. Ultimately, your decisions determine whether V becomes a symbol of hope or a cautionary tale in the dystopian landscape of Cyberpunk 2077. This is one of the major concepts the Games Learning Society studies in the context of video game narrative and impact. You can learn more about this at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which ending is considered the “best” ending in Cyberpunk 2077?
There is no universally agreed-upon “best” ending. It depends entirely on your personal interpretation and values. Some consider “The Sun” ending, where V becomes a Night City legend, to be the most satisfying. Others prefer the ending where V leaves with the Aldecaldos, offering a glimmer of hope for a cure.
2. Does my relationship with Johnny Silverhand affect the available endings?
Yes, your relationship with Johnny significantly impacts the game. A relationship of 70% or higher unlocks the secret ending “Don’t Fear the Reaper.” This ending allows you to storm Arasaka Tower solo, with potentially dire consequences.
3. How do I increase my relationship with Johnny Silverhand to 70%?
To increase your relationship with Johnny, focus on completing his side quests and choosing dialogue options that align with his values during those quests, particularly in the “Chippin’ In” side job. Key quests include Automatic Love, Transmission, Life During Wartime, Tapeworm, Search and Destroy, Blistering Love, Holdin’ On, and A Like Supreme.
4. What happens if I let Johnny take over V’s body?
If you let Johnny take over V’s body (“Temperance” ending), V’s consciousness fades, and Johnny assumes control. He then leaves Night City to start a new life, leaving V behind.
5. What happens if V keeps their body?
If V keeps their body, they face a grim reality: they only have six months to live. However, this allows V to pursue potential cures or spend their remaining time on their own terms, fighting for their own survival or living as a legend.
6. Can V and Johnny both survive in Cyberpunk 2077?
No, there is no ending where both V and Johnny permanently survive in their respective forms. The core conflict revolves around the Relic’s impact on both characters, forcing a choice between their existences.
7. Is there an ending where V gets cured of their condition?
While there’s no definitive “cure,” the ending where V leaves with the Aldecaldos hints at the possibility of finding a solution outside Night City with their help, or the new Phantom Liberty ending.
8. What is the “secret ending” and how do I unlock it?
The “secret ending” is “Don’t Fear the Reaper.” To unlock it, you need a relationship of 70% or higher with Johnny and must wait silently during the final rooftop choice for Johnny to offer the option. This ending allows you to storm Arasaka Tower solo.
9. Does the “secret ending” guarantee a better outcome for V?
Not necessarily. The “Don’t Fear the Reaper” ending is incredibly challenging and has a high risk of failure. Even if successful, it doesn’t guarantee a cure for V’s condition. It mainly offers a different path to the same ultimate choices.
10. Does it matter who helps me attack Arasaka Tower?
The main story path leading up to the final choice remains largely consistent, regardless of whether you ally with Rogue or Panam. The specific missions and characters involved differ, but the ultimate decision between V and Johnny remains.
11. What is the “Temperance” ending?
The “Temperance” ending occurs when V chooses to let Johnny take over their body permanently. V’s consciousness fades, and Johnny leaves Night City to start a new life elsewhere.
12. What happens to Rogue in the different endings?
Rogue’s fate varies depending on your choices. In some endings, she accompanies V to Arasaka Tower and dies during the assault. In others, like “The Sun” ending variant, she survives because V chose a different path.
13. Is Johnny Silverhand a hero or a villain?
Johnny is a complex character with both heroic and villainous traits. He’s a rebellious rockerboy fighting against corporate oppression but is also impulsive, reckless, and prone to using others. He is a multifaceted personality, making him a compelling character.
14. Does V get to keep Johnny’s arm in Cyberpunk 2077?
No, V doesn’t permanently equip Johnny’s arm. However, during the “Chippin’ In” side quest, V briefly uses Johnny’s iconic cyberarm, but it’s not a permanent addition to their cyberware.
15. What is the significance of the dialogue choices in the “Chippin’ In” side job?
The dialogue choices you make during the “Chippin’ In” side job are crucial for building your relationship with Johnny. Choosing options that acknowledge his past, show empathy, and allow him to express himself increases your affinity with him and progresses you toward unlocking the secret ending.