Where to Send Jackie’s Remains: A Cyberpunk 2077 Dilemma

The question of where to send Jackie Welles’ remains in Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the first truly impactful choices you make in the game. It’s a gut-wrenching decision, fraught with emotion and potential consequences. The most ‘reasonable human being’ response, as the saying goes, is to send him home to his family. However, Cyberpunk 2077 delights in making things complicated, and each option—sending him to his family, sending him to Vik Vektor, or keeping the body in the cab—has its own unique ramifications for your gameplay experience. Ultimately, sending Jackie back to his family is the best option for most players because it unlocks the “Heroes” side quest.

Choosing to send Jackie to his family initiates the deeply moving “Heroes” side quest, a tribute to Jackie’s memory. This quest is arguably the most rewarding in terms of narrative closure and the emotional weight it carries. You’ll attend Jackie’s ofrenda at El Coyote Cojo, meet his mother Mama Welles, and receive the key to Jackie’s garage, which houses his beloved motorcycle. This side quest allows you to connect with Jackie’s family, learn more about his life, and ensure he receives a proper memorial.

Sending Jackie to Vik Vektor locks you out of the main bulk of the “Heroes” quest. You’ll still get the key to Jackie’s bike but won’t be invited to the ofrenda. However, sending Jackie to Viktor allows him to study Jackie’s body, potentially providing insights into the Relic and its effects.

Keeping Jackie in the cab is generally considered the least fulfilling option, offering no additional content and feeling disrespectful to Jackie’s memory.

Understanding the Consequences: A Detailed Breakdown

Sending Jackie to his Family: The Path of Honor

Choosing to send Jackie’s body to his family is the recommended course of action for most players.

• The “Heroes” Side Quest: This is the primary reward for this choice. The quest is triggered shortly after Act 2 begins when you receive a call from Mama Welles, inviting you to Jackie’s ofrenda at El Coyote Cojo.

• Mama Welles: Interacting with Mama Welles is a powerful experience. She is grateful for your friendship with Jackie and provides insight into his character. She will gift you the key to Jackie’s garage as well.

• Jackie’s Motorcycle: The iconic motorcycle becomes accessible as a reward for completing the side quest. It is a cool vehicle and a tangible reminder of your fallen friend.

• Emotional Closure: Participating in the ofrenda provides a sense of closure to Jackie’s story, allowing you to honor his memory and say goodbye properly.

Sending Jackie to Vik Vektor: The Scientific Route

Choosing to send Jackie’s body to Vik Vektor leads to a different, less emotionally rich, set of consequences.

• Locked Out of “Heroes”: You will not receive the invitation to the ofrenda or have the opportunity to participate in the side quest as intended.

• Viktor’s Perspective: Vik might perform an autopsy on Jackie, but this isn’t actually seen in the game. The game tells you that Mama Welles will not be upset with the decision and will wish you the best.

• Early Access to Jackie’s Bike: You still receive Jackie’s bike, regardless of where you send his body. Mama Welles leaves it outside your apartment with a message.

Leaving Jackie in the Cab: The Path Least Traveled

Leaving Jackie’s body in the cab is, quite frankly, a poor choice.

• No Rewards: You gain nothing from this decision. No quests, no items, and no closure.

• Negative Narrative Impact: It comes across as callous and disrespectful, impacting your relationship with other characters who knew Jackie.

FAQ: Addressing Your Burning Questions About Jackie

H3 Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I avoid Jackie’s death? No, Jackie’s death is a scripted event and cannot be avoided, which serves as a catalyst for the game’s main plot.

2. Does my choice of lifepath affect where I should send Jackie? While your lifepath provides context for your relationship with Jackie, it doesn’t impact the consequences of your decision on where to send his remains. Choosing to send him home to his family will always unlock the “Heroes” side quest.

3. What happens if I refuse Jackie’s bike? Refusing Jackie’s bike is possible, but you would be missing out on a unique vehicle with sentimental value. If you take the key, the bike should be available in your vehicle list.

4. Can I visit Jackie’s grave later in the game? Yes, V can visit Jackie interred in the North Oak Columbarium. The epitaph on his tomb reads: “Good night, sweet prince.”

5. Does sending Jackie to Vik have any long-term story consequences beyond the “Heroes” quest? Not significantly. While it alters the immediate quest availability, it doesn’t drastically change the overarching narrative.

6. Is it possible to meet Jackie’s engram if I send him to Vik? According to various player experiences, if you send Jackie’s body to Viktor after The Heist, you will not meet his engram after you jack into Mikoshi.

7. What is Jackie Welles’ favorite drink? Jackie’s preferred drink is a variation of a Moscow Mule: vodka on the rocks, lime juice, ginger beer, and “a splash of love.”

8. Does my relationship with Misty affect my decision? Misty is Jackie’s girlfriend, and knowing this informs the emotional weight of the decision, but it doesn’t change the gameplay consequences.

9. What happens if I don’t attend Jackie’s ofrenda? If you don’t attend the ofrenda, you will miss out on the “Heroes” side quest and the chance to honor Jackie’s memory with his family.

10. Can I replay the decision of where to send Jackie’s body? Only by reloading a previous save file. The choice is permanent once made.

11. Does Johnny Silverhand have any opinions on where I send Jackie? Johnny will comment on the situation, but his reactions are largely the same regardless of your choice.

12. Are there any mods that expand on the consequences of each choice? Yes, the Cyberpunk 2077 modding community is vibrant. Check Nexus Mods for mods that may add depth to the consequences of your decision.

13. Does Arasaka have any involvement with Jackie’s body? Yes, after his death, Arasaka takes Jackie’s body and uploads his consciousness into Mikoshi.

14. Is it possible that Jackie could have been saved in Arasaka? As confirmed by Goro Takemura after talking with him, Jackie had been used to create a construct in Mikoshi.

15. Can you save Evelyn in cyberpunk? In terms of saving Evelyn from the Scavengers, V can. Saving her in the long run, however, is not an option.

Making the Right Choice For You

Ultimately, the decision of where to send Jackie’s remains is a personal one. While sending him to his family unlocks the most content and provides emotional closure, the other options offer different, albeit less significant, outcomes. Consider the following:

• Your personal attachment to Jackie: If you feel a strong connection to Jackie, honoring his memory with his family is the most fitting choice.

• Your desire for content: If you want to experience all the game has to offer, the “Heroes” side quest is a must-play.

• Your roleplaying preferences: If you’re playing a character who is cold or detached, sending Jackie to Vik or leaving him in the cab might be more in line with your character’s personality.

No matter what you choose, the decision is a poignant moment in Cyberpunk 2077, highlighting the game’s ability to create meaningful and emotional connections between players and its characters. Just like the way the Games Learning Society fosters community and knowledge sharing in the realm of game-based learning and simulations, understanding the narrative and emotional impact of choices in games like Cyberpunk 2077 can enhance the overall gaming experience and provide valuable insights into storytelling and character development. Further your knowledge and connect with like-minded individuals through GamesLearningSociety.org.