Should I Side With Hanako in Cyberpunk 2077?
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The decision of whether or not to side with Hanako Arasaka in Cyberpunk 2077 is a pivotal moment in the game, leading to what is often called the “Devil” ending. It’s a choice laden with consequences and moral ambiguity, prompting players to question who they can trust in the cutthroat world of Night City. The short answer is: it depends on what you’re looking for in an ending. This ending is arguably the most bittersweet and potentially the most frustrating for many players, so it’s vital to understand the ramifications before making your choice.
Understanding the Arasaka Ending
The Arasaka ending, triggered by agreeing to meet with Hanako at Embers, presents a seemingly straightforward path to potentially saving V’s life. Hanako, daughter of the deceased Saburo Arasaka, offers to help remove the Relic from V’s brain. This offer is appealing because V is rapidly dying due to the Relic’s influence, and Hanako appears to be the only entity with the resources to perform such a complex operation.
However, this seemingly safe route hides a darker reality. By choosing to work with Arasaka, you’re effectively aligning yourself with the very corporation that caused so much suffering and conflict throughout the game. It’s an alignment that Johnny Silverhand strongly opposes. He views corporations like Arasaka as the root of all evil, and his feelings influence V’s own perceptions.
The Illusion of Safety
The conversation with Hanako itself is largely inconsequential; the dialogue choices you make have no impact on the ending. What matters is that you agree to proceed with her plan. Inside Embers, Hanako presents her plan: she seeks to unseat her brother Yorinobu and take control of the Arasaka corporation. She promises to remove the Relic as part of this plan. This conversation gives players some time to consider their position before moving forward.
Upon accepting Hanako’s offer, V is taken to the Arasaka Orbital Station. Here, they undergo testing and preparations for the operation. This path sees V increasingly becoming a cog in the corporate machine, a stark contrast to V’s rebellious, independent nature. The culmination of this path is a soul-crushing journey into the heart of Arasaka’s machinations, leaving many players feeling manipulated and exploited.
Why Players Might Not Side with Hanako
The bitterness and frustration associated with the Arasaka ending stem from a few key factors:
- Loss of Control: V is effectively relinquishing their agency to Arasaka. The character who fought so hard for independence is now entirely dependent on a corporation.
- Johnny’s Betrayal: The decision to side with Arasaka is perceived as a betrayal of the bond that V and Johnny have developed. Johnny views it as a corporate sell-out, emphasizing that you are selling out everything you’ve fought for.
- The Corporate Machine: The Arasaka path leads to a cold, sterile conclusion. V becomes a corporate puppet, potentially even losing their identity to the Arasaka system.
- Uncertainty of the “Cure”: The operation that Hanako promises is not a guaranteed cure. There is a strong implication of long-term consequences, even if V is temporarily saved from the Relic.
- Moral Compromise: Choosing this ending often feels like giving in to the forces V has been fighting against throughout the game.
Alternatives to the Arasaka Ending
It’s vital to remember that the Arasaka ending is not the only option. Other endings offer varying degrees of hope and fulfillment, and are considered more satisfying by the majority of players:
- The Sun Ending: Achieved by working with Rogue, this ending sees V become a legend of Night City, a fitting conclusion for those seeking power and recognition. You infiltrate Arasaka Tower with Rogue’s help and leave as V. This route sees V take over the Afterlife and become a legend in Night City.
- The Star Ending: This ending involves working with the Aldecaldos nomads. It represents a chance for V to find peace and a life outside of the city, escaping the corporate grasp. This ending is considered the happiest as it promises a peaceful existence.
- The Temperance Ending: This ending sees Johnny take over V’s body, letting V find peace in the afterlife.
- The Secret “Don’t Fear the Reaper” Ending: Only available if V has a close relationship with Johnny, this ending sees V storm Arasaka Tower alone. This is considered by many as the most difficult but ultimately the most rewarding.
The best ending is subjective, but the Arasaka route is widely seen as a “bad” ending in comparison.
Phantom Liberty’s Impact
The Phantom Liberty expansion adds another layer to the equation. One of the endings in Phantom Liberty can offer a cure for V’s condition by undergoing surgery. In this ending, however, V loses Johnny and is in a coma for two years, returning to a very different world. It is not explicitly a “good” ending but does present a way to eliminate the Relic. This expansion does not alter the impact of the Arasaka ending but offers an alternative if the priority is saving V’s life.
A Warning Before the Point of No Return
The game will warn you that once you start the meeting with Hanako at Embers you will be locked into the end game quests. At that point all the other stuff will be put on hold.
Conclusion: Weigh the Consequences
In conclusion, the choice to side with Hanako is one that requires careful consideration. While it appears to be the path of least resistance and the best chance of saving V’s life, it carries a heavy price. It’s essential to understand that this is often regarded as the most bitter ending and that other endings offer a much greater sense of achievement and satisfaction.
It’s critical to weigh the potential benefits of the Arasaka ending against its drawbacks. Consider V’s ideals, Johnny’s perspective, and the larger themes of corporate control versus personal freedom that define the world of Cyberpunk 2077. Your decision should reflect the story you want to tell and the fate you want for V.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens if I say no to Hanako?
Saying “no” to Hanako during your conversation has no effect on the ending. You will still be able to choose to proceed along this path, this conversation has no consequences on the game’s ending.
2. Does meeting with Hanako end the game?
Yes, once you commit to meeting Hanako at Embers, you will begin the endgame sequence and will be locked into the final missions. All other missions will be put on hold until the main storyline is completed.
3. Can I do side missions after meeting Hanako?
No, once you begin the quest line associated with meeting Hanako, you are unable to do side missions until the main story line is completed. The game will make it clear that a point of no return is coming up before you initiate the conversation at Embers.
4. What is the best ending in Cyberpunk 2077?
The “best” ending is subjective, but “The Sun” or a variation of it is considered the most fitting for many players, allowing V to become a legend of Night City and the living legend they always wanted to be. “The Star” is often also considered the most happy.
5. What is the “Devil” ending?
The “Devil” ending is the name often given to the ending where you choose to side with Hanako Arasaka and trust her to help remove the Relic.
6. Does V get cured in Phantom Liberty?
One of the Phantom Liberty endings does offer a cure for V, but this cure comes at a cost, it is not straightforward and has significant repercussions.
7. What is the true ending to Cyberpunk 2077?
The secret “Don’t Fear the Reaper” ending is often considered the “true” ending by many players, as it requires a high relationship level with Johnny Silverhand and is viewed as the most challenging and rewarding.
8. How do I get the secret ending?
The secret ending is unlocked by having a 70% or higher relationship with Johnny Silverhand and waiting at the rooftop menu when choosing your final plan, after about 5 minutes Johnny will offer a secret alternative to the main plans.
9. Should I trust Arasaka?
Trusting Arasaka leads to a bleak ending where V becomes a corporate pawn. It’s not recommended if you prefer a more empowering ending for V.
10. Does Johnny Silverhand betray you?
Johnny does not betray V, but will have a strongly negative opinion if you choose the Arasaka ending, as it goes against his core beliefs. By engaging in The Devil ending, V has betrayed Johnny Silverhand.
11. Does V become a cyberpsycho?
No, V does not become a cyberpsycho. Cyberpsychosis is characterized by uncontrollable violent behavior, while V is able to make conscious choices, regardless of how those choices affect other people.
12. Why does V only have 6 months to live?
V only has 6 months to live due to the Relic’s effect on their body. The Relic’s presence is destroying V’s neural network.
13. Can V live longer than 6 months?
In most endings, V’s lifespan is still limited to those six months. However, the Phantom Liberty expansion provides an ending that will cure V, at the cost of Johnny and a two year coma.
14. How do I get Johnny to 70% relationship?
You need to complete specific side missions and make particular choices during conversations that are related to Johnny. These include but are not limited to: Automatic Love, Transmission, Life During Wartime, Tapeworm, Search and Destroy, Blistering Love, Holdin’ On, and A Like Supreme.
15. Is there an ending where V lives peacefully?
While the “peaceful” aspect is debatable, “The Star” ending is considered the closest to a peaceful and happy ending for V as they leave Night City and start anew.