Cyberpunk 2077: Unpacking the Most Heartbreaking Death in Night City

Choosing the “saddest” death in Cyberpunk 2077 is like picking a favorite shard of broken glass – each one cuts deep in its own way. However, considering the narrative weight, emotional investment, and potential for what could have been, Jackie Welles’s death during The Heist stands out as the most profoundly heartbreaking. It’s a pivotal moment that fundamentally alters V’s trajectory, robbing them (and the player) of a genuine, ride-or-die friendship, and setting in motion the events that define the rest of the game.

The Anatomy of a Tragedy: Why Jackie’s Death Hits Hard

Jackie’s death isn’t just a plot point; it’s a carefully orchestrated emotional gut punch. Several factors contribute to its devastating impact:

• Early Investment: The prologue establishes Jackie as V’s best friend, a brother in arms. The montage showcasing their escapades and shared dreams quickly forges a bond with the player. This makes his loss feel personal, not just a narrative necessity.

• Unfulfilled Potential: Jackie has ambitions, dreams of making it big, and a strong moral compass. He represents the hope and camaraderie in a city as cynical and isolating as Night City. His death extinguishes that light, leaving a void that echoes throughout the rest of the game.

• The Heist’s Failure: The Heist goes disastrously wrong, and Jackie is mortally wounded protecting V. The mission’s failure highlights the brutal realities of Night City and the futility of ambition in a world dominated by corporations and violence.

• The Relic Complication: Jackie’s body, now carrying the Relic containing Johnny Silverhand’s engram, becomes a catalyst for V’s own impending demise. It transforms a personal tragedy into an existential crisis.

• Lack of Agency: Despite V’s efforts, there is no way to save Jackie. This lack of player agency reinforces the themes of helplessness and the deterministic nature of fate prevalent in Cyberpunk 2077.

• The Aftermath: The choice of where to send Jackie’s body – to his family or Vik – forces the player to confront the consequences of his death and make a difficult decision that will further shape V’s relationships and the narrative. The “Heroes” questline, triggered by sending Jackie to his family, is a poignant tribute to his memory and allows for further character development for both V and Mama Welles.

While other characters meet tragic ends in Night City, Jackie’s death is unique. It’s a foundational loss, one that colors V’s perception of the world and motivates their actions throughout the game. It’s a reminder that even in a world of cybernetics and immortality, human connection is fragile and precious. The profound connection that players create with Jackie so early on gives this death an added emotional impact. The Games Learning Society might even consider studying the way Cyberpunk 2077 creates impactful relationships, like the relationship between Jackie and V, to better understand the impact of video game narrative on player emotions. More information about the GamesLearningSociety.org can be found on their website.

The Echo of Loss: Other Contenders for Saddest Death

While Jackie’s death takes the top spot, other characters meet tragic fates that resonate with players. Characters like Evelyn Parker, whose story is one of exploitation and dashed dreams, and even Johnny Silverhand, whose rebellious spirit is ultimately consumed by corporate greed, all evoke a sense of sadness and loss. Even Rebecca from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners meets a very abrupt and emotional death. However, these deaths often occur later in the game, after players have already weathered the initial storm of Jackie’s loss.

FAQs: Unpacking the Tragedies of Night City

1. Can you save Jackie in Cyberpunk 2077?

Unfortunately, no. Jackie’s death is a scripted event in Cyberpunk 2077. Regardless of your choices during The Heist, he will succumb to his injuries. This is a key plot point that drives the story forward.

2. What are the options for Jackie’s body?

After Jackie’s death, you have the option to send his body to his family (Mama Welles) or to Viktor Vektor, the local Ripperdoc. Sending him to his family unlocks a side quest called “Heroes.”

3. What happens if you send Jackie to Vik?

If you send Jackie’s body to Vik, you will not receive the “Heroes” side quest. Vik will mention that he’ll take care of the body, but you won’t get to attend a memorial service.

4. Who kills Johnny Silverhand?

Adam Smasher kills Johnny Silverhand during the assault on Arasaka Tower on August 20, 2023. This event is a crucial part of Cyberpunk lore and is referenced throughout the game.

5. Can Johnny and V both live?

The game explores this question extensively. Ultimately, in most endings, either Johnny or V gets to live, but not both, in the same body. One ending has V beyond the Blackwall, allowing Johnny to live.

6. What is the “best” ending in Cyberpunk 2077?

The concept of a “best” ending is subjective. Many consider the secret ending (Don’t Fear the Reaper) to be the most fulfilling, as it allows V to undertake the final mission alone, potentially saving more lives.

7. Does V survive in any of the endings?

In some endings, V survives, but their long-term prognosis is uncertain. They may have limited time left due to the effects of the Relic.

8. Who is the main antagonist in Cyberpunk 2077?

While several characters act as antagonists at different points, Adam Smasher is often considered the main antagonist, representing the ruthlessness and dehumanization of corporate power.

9. Who betrays V during The Heist?

Dexter DeShawn betrays V after The Heist, shooting them in the head and leaving them for dead.

10. Why does Dex betray V?

Dex betrays V likely for money and self-preservation. He is a fixer who prioritizes his own interests above all else.

11. What is the Relic?

The Relic is a biochip containing the engram (digital consciousness) of Johnny Silverhand. It is implanted in V’s head during The Heist and slowly overwrites their personality.

12. What is Arasaka Tower?

Arasaka Tower is the headquarters of the Arasaka Corporation in Night City. It is a symbol of corporate power and control. Johnny Silverhand and his crew famously blew up the tower in 2023.

13. What is Night City Holocaust?

The Night City Holocaust refers to the detonation of a nuclear device that destroyed Arasaka Tower, killing a quarter-million people. This event shaped the city’s landscape and its history.

14. What is the Blackwall?

The Blackwall is a digital barrier that separates the Net from rogue AIs and dangerous entities beyond. It is a crucial element of the Cyberpunk universe.

15. Can you get a drink named after Jackie in Cyberpunk 2077?

While there isn’t a specific drink named after Jackie, Got Escargot? is a consumable item that is reminiscent of Jackie’s refined tastes. Jackie Welles is also a consumable in the game.

In conclusion, while other deaths in Cyberpunk 2077 are tragic and impactful, Jackie Welles’s demise stands out as the most heart-wrenching due to the early investment players have in his character, the unfulfilled potential of his life, and the ripple effects his death has on V’s journey. It’s a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of human connection in the dystopian world of Night City.