What Happens When You Beat Cyberpunk 2077?
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Cyberpunk 2077’s ending is far from a simple “The End” screen. Instead, you’re presented with a series of diverse and often emotionally impactful conclusions that heavily depend on the choices you made throughout the game. Completing the main storyline unlocks a unique epilogue tailored to your specific path, leaving you to contemplate the consequences of your actions and V’s fate.
Unveiling the Endings: A Detailed Look
The game’s finale hinges on several key factors, primarily your relationships with the characters of Night City and the decisions you make during crucial missions. Let’s explore the core endings and their ramifications:
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The Devil (Arasaka Ending): This ending becomes accessible if you sided with Hanako Arasaka and trusted them. You’ll undergo a process to upload your engram to Mikoshi and potentially become a construct within Arasaka’s system. This ending is generally considered the “bad” ending by many players, showcasing Arasaka’s ruthlessness and V’s potential loss of autonomy. The epilogue usually involves a bleak outlook, with V trapped in Arasaka’s digital space or undergoing further experimentation. You might get a glimpse into the future, revealing Arasaka’s plans and the questionable nature of their promises.
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The Star (Nomad Ending): This ending requires a strong bond with the Aldecaldos. You join them as they leave Night City in search of a cure for V’s condition. The tone is hopeful, focusing on camaraderie and a new beginning outside the corporate control of Night City. You’ll share heartfelt moments with the Aldecaldos, solidifying your place within their family. However, the underlying tension of V’s ticking clock remains, casting a shadow over the newfound freedom.
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The Sun (Rogue Ending): This ending necessitates a solid relationship with Rogue Amendiares or having Johnny Silverhand take control to pursue the final mission. It leads to V becoming a Night City legend, potentially taking over the Afterlife. While it showcases V’s ambition and power, it also emphasizes the isolation and dangers of such a position. The epilogue highlights the risks and rewards of being a top player in Night City, leaving you to wonder if the cost of fame is worth the price.
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Temperance (Silverhand Ending): In this ending, Johnny Silverhand permanently takes over V’s body, and V fades away. Johnny leaves Night City to start anew, seeking a different kind of life. This ending focuses on the concept of sacrifice and the complex relationship between V and Johnny. While it allows Johnny a chance at redemption, it comes at the ultimate price for V.
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The Secret Ending (Don’t Fear The Reaper): This ending requires a very high relationship level with Johnny Silverhand. If achieved, V can choose to assault Arasaka Tower solo. If V dies during this mission, the game ends immediately with a special game over screen. Successfully completing it unlocks a unique path leading to a variant of one of the above endings (usually considered closer to “The Sun”). This ending is seen by many as the “best” ending, given V’s independent choice and display of power. It represents the ultimate gamble and a test of V’s skills and resolve.
What Happens After the Epilogue?
After experiencing any of these endings, you’re given the option to return to the point of no return, right before the final mission, with any rewards you gained during the epilogue. This allows you to explore other choices and witness the different endings without having to replay the entire game. You retain your character’s progress, including level, skills, and inventory. The game acknowledges that you’ve seen the ending through character dialogue.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions players have after completing Cyberpunk 2077:
1. Can I continue playing after the ending?
Yes, you can return to the point of no return before the final mission, allowing you to complete side quests, explore Night City, and pursue different endings.
2. Do I keep my gear after beating the game?
Yes, you retain all your weapons, cyberware, clothing, and items when you return to Night City after the epilogue.
3. Does the ending I choose affect future playthroughs?
Not directly, but knowing the consequences of each choice can influence your decisions in subsequent playthroughs, leading to different relationships and outcomes.
4. Is there a “true” ending to Cyberpunk 2077?
No, there is no definitively “true” ending. The game emphasizes player choice and the subjective nature of morality, making each ending valid and meaningful.
5. How do I unlock the secret ending?
The secret ending, “Don’t Fear The Reaper,” requires a very high relationship with Johnny Silverhand. Choose dialogue options that support and understand him throughout the game.
6. What is the “point of no return” in Cyberpunk 2077?
The “point of no return” is the mission “Nocturne Op55N1,” where you meet with Hanako Arasaka. Once you proceed past this point, you’ll be locked into the final mission sequence.
7. Can I get all the endings in one playthrough?
No, you can only experience one ending per playthrough. However, you can reload a save before the “point of no return” to explore the other options.
8. What happens if V dies during the secret ending mission?
If V dies during the “Don’t Fear The Reaper” mission, the game ends immediately with a unique game over screen, and you’ll have to reload a previous save.
9. Does the romance I choose affect the ending?
Yes, your romance options can influence the ending, particularly with the Nomad ending (The Star) if you’re in a relationship with Panam Palmer, or the Rogue ending if you build a relationship with her.
10. Are there any post-game quests or activities?
While there aren’t specific “post-game” quests in the traditional sense, you can still complete any unfinished side quests, gigs, and NCPD scanner hustles after completing the main storyline.
11. Does the ending I choose affect the sequel or future DLC?
It’s uncertain how the endings will impact future content, but CD Projekt Red has stated that the game’s world will continue to be expanded. It is likely some endings will have more weight than others.
12. What is Mikoshi?
Mikoshi is a virtual construct within Arasaka Tower where engrams (digital copies of people’s consciousness) are stored. It plays a crucial role in several endings.
13. How does my lifepath (Nomad, Streetkid, Corpo) affect the ending?
Your lifepath primarily affects the game’s prologue and some dialogue options, but it doesn’t significantly alter the main ending choices.
14. Does the ending explain V’s condition and potential cures?
Some endings offer glimpses into potential cures or treatments for V’s condition, but none provide a definitive solution, leaving the future ambiguous. The Nomad ending, for instance, sees V seeking treatment outside Night City.
15. Is there any reward for seeing all the endings?
While there isn’t a specific in-game reward, experiencing all the endings provides a complete understanding of the game’s narrative and the various fates that can befall V, leading to a richer and more satisfying experience. Each ending offers a unique perspective on the themes of identity, mortality, and the cost of survival in Night City.