Decoding Night City’s Fate: Unraveling the True Ending of Cyberpunk 2077
The “true” ending of Cyberpunk 2077 is a matter of perspective and interpretation, heavily influenced by individual player experiences and preferences. However, if we’re looking for the ending that best encapsulates the game’s core themes of mortality, legacy, and the fight for control, the “Don’t Fear The Reaper” secret ending arguably holds the most weight. This ending, unlocked by achieving a high relationship with Johnny Silverhand, forces V to confront their fate head-on, making the ultimate decision about their future without relying on external forces. It’s the ending where V truly takes charge, showcasing their growth and the complex bond they’ve formed with Johnny.
Delving into the Endings: A Matter of Choice
Cyberpunk 2077 doesn’t offer a singular, definitive “true” ending in the traditional sense. Instead, it presents a tapestry of outcomes, each reflecting different choices made throughout the game. To determine the most meaningful ending, we must understand each path’s unique consequences.
The Arasaka Endings: “The Devil” and “Path of Least Resistance”
These endings involve trusting Arasaka to “cure” V, leading to vastly different yet equally bleak scenarios. “The Devil” ending sees V signing away their consciousness to Arasaka, essentially becoming a digital construct and potentially serving the corporation indefinitely. This path is often considered the worst ending, as it strips V of their agency and free will. The “Path of Least Resistance” or “Suicide” ending sees V giving up hope and ending it all aboard the Arasaka space station. It is also deemed the worst ending as V does not go out fighting.
The Aldecaldos Ending: “The Star”
In “The Star,” V joins the Aldecaldos nomads and leaves Night City in search of a cure beyond the city’s borders. This ending is frequently hailed as the “happiest” because it offers V a semblance of hope and a found family. It signifies V’s rejection of Night City’s cutthroat world and a pursuit of something more genuine. However, even in this ending, V’s remaining time is still limited, and the cure is far from guaranteed.
The Rogue Ending: “The Sun”
“The Sun” finds V partnering with Rogue to assault Arasaka Tower, ultimately becoming a legend in Night City’s underworld. V takes over the Afterlife. While this ending grants V notoriety and influence, it also underscores the fleeting nature of fame and the underlying tragedy of V’s condition. It is also the only ending that you can continue playing Cyberpunk 2077.
“Don’t Fear The Reaper”: The Lone Wolf Option
This secret ending, accessible only with a high level of affinity with Johnny, is arguably the most challenging but also the most rewarding. V, without relying on anyone, storms Arasaka Tower alone. This ending showcases V’s strength and self-reliance. Regardless of the outcome, V owns their destiny. The risk of total failure is high, but the potential reward – a chance at a different outcome – is equally enticing. It allows for the most “V-centric” conclusion.
Why “Don’t Fear The Reaper” Resonates
Several factors contribute to the “Don’t Fear The Reaper” ending’s status as a strong contender for the most impactful or “true” ending:
- Player Agency: This ending demands the most from the player, requiring skill and strategic decision-making. It embodies the player’s investment in V’s journey.
- Character Development: V acts independently, reflecting their growth and ability to make difficult choices.
- Thematic Relevance: It directly addresses the central themes of mortality and taking control of one’s fate.
The Phantom Liberty Expansion: A Potential Shift
The Phantom Liberty expansion introduced a new ending that adds another layer of complexity to the question of Cyberpunk 2077’s “true” ending. This ending involves a bargain with the NUSA (New United States of America) that offers V a chance to live, but at a severe cost: the removal of their cyberware and the loss of their combat abilities, essentially making them an ordinary person.
Whether or not the Phantom Liberty ending is the “best” ending is debatable. While it offers V a longer lifespan, it also represents a significant compromise, potentially stripping them of the skills and identity they developed throughout the game.
The Verdict: A Personal Truth
Ultimately, the “true” ending of Cyberpunk 2077 isn’t a single, predetermined outcome. It’s the ending that resonates most deeply with the player, the one that best reflects their choices and interpretations of the game’s themes. The diverse range of endings allows players to craft their own unique narrative conclusion, making Cyberpunk 2077 a deeply personal and unforgettable experience.
Cyberpunk 2077 is a game that teaches us about life and death, and you can learn more about how other games are being used for education and change at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Cyberpunk 2077 Endings
1. Does V survive in any ending of Cyberpunk 2077?
In most endings, V’s survival is uncertain. “The Star” offers a glimmer of hope for a cure outside Night City, but success isn’t guaranteed. “The Sun” ensures V lives out their remaining months as a legend. “Don’t Fear The Reaper” ends with V’s fate undetermined depending on the choices made. The Phantom Liberty ending offers a more guaranteed long life, but at the cost of V’s cyberware and abilities.
2. Which ending is considered the happiest ending in Cyberpunk 2077?
“The Star” is generally considered the happiest, as V leaves Night City with the Aldecaldos, seeking a new life and a possible cure.
3. What is the secret ending in Cyberpunk 2077, and how do I unlock it?
The secret ending is “Don’t Fear The Reaper.” You unlock it by achieving a high relationship (around 70%) with Johnny Silverhand. During the final decision-making sequence on the rooftop, wait for Johnny to suggest an alternative plan – storming Arasaka Tower solo.
4. Can Johnny and V both survive in any ending?
Not in the traditional sense of “living.” In some endings, like “Temperance,” Johnny’s engram leaves Night City in V’s body. In “The Star,” V takes their body and leaves Night City, while Johnny’s engram stays in cyberspace. It’s more about which consciousness gets to continue.
5. What is the best ending for V’s personal growth?
“Don’t Fear The Reaper” shows the most growth. It forces V to rely on their skills and make independent decisions, demonstrating self-reliance.
6. Does the Phantom Liberty expansion change the original endings?
No, the original endings remain. Phantom Liberty adds a new ending branch, which can alter V’s fate significantly, offering a trade-off between survival and identity.
7. Is there a canon ending for Cyberpunk 2077?
CD Projekt Red hasn’t declared a definitive canon ending. The choice is left to the player, allowing for a highly personalized experience.
8. Why are there so many bittersweet endings in Cyberpunk 2077?
The endings reflect the core themes of the Cyberpunk genre: the dangers of unchecked technology, the struggle for identity, and the inevitability of mortality. A “perfect” happy ending would arguably undermine these themes.
9. What factors determine which endings are available to me?
Choices made throughout the game, particularly regarding relationships with key characters like Johnny Silverhand, Panam Palmer, and Rogue, determine the available ending options. Completing specific side quests is also crucial.
10. In “The Sun” ending, does V actually become a Night City legend?
Yes, V gains significant notoriety and influence in the Afterlife. However, the ending also highlights the hollow nature of fame in a world like Night City.
11. What happens to Judy Alvarez in the different endings?
Judy’s fate varies. In “The Star,” she leaves Night City with V and the Aldecaldos if V romanced her. In other endings, she might stay behind in Night City, her future uncertain.
12. How does V’s relationship with Johnny Silverhand affect the endings?
The relationship with Johnny has a major impact. A high affinity unlocks the “Don’t Fear The Reaper” ending and influences the dialogue and choices available in other endings.
13. Does choosing to give V’s body to Johnny result in a good or bad ending?
Choosing to let Johnny take V’s body leads to the “Temperance” ending, where Johnny leaves Night City to start a new life. Whether it’s “good” or “bad” is subjective, depending on your perspective on V’s sacrifice and Johnny’s redemption.
14. Is the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime canon to the Cyberpunk 2077 game?
Yes, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is considered canon and expands the world of Cyberpunk 2077, though it doesn’t directly affect the game’s ending choices.
15. Can you continue playing Cyberpunk 2077 after finishing the main story?
Yes, after most endings, the game returns you to a point before the final mission, allowing you to explore Night City, complete side quests, and pursue other storylines. You can even unlock and play the Phantom Liberty expansion.