Unraveling Evelyn Parker’s Ambition: Why She Desired the Relic in Cyberpunk 2077

Evelyn Parker, a pivotal character in Cyberpunk 2077, desires the Relic for a complex web of motivations revolving around profit, protection, and a desperate escape from her current life. She sees the Relic, containing the engram of the legendary rockerboy Johnny Silverhand, as her ticket to a new existence far removed from the exploitative world of Night City. Her plan involves betraying both Yorinobu Arasaka, from whom she steals the Relic, and Dexter DeShawn, the fixer who hires V and Jackie to retrieve it. Evelyn’s ultimate goal is to deliver the Relic to NetWatch in exchange for significant compensation, a secure new identity, and protection from potential enemies.

The Layers of Evelyn’s Motivation

Evelyn’s actions aren’t solely driven by greed; they are born out of a need for self-preservation and a yearning for autonomy. As a doll at the Clouds establishment, she is subjected to constant manipulation and exploitation. This experience likely fueled her desire to seize control of her destiny.

Here’s a breakdown of her primary motivations:

• Financial Gain: Evelyn understands the immense value of the Relic. She believes NetWatch will pay a substantial sum for it, providing her with the financial resources to start a new life.
• Protection: Evelyn is aware of the dangers associated with possessing the Relic, particularly the wrath of Arasaka and the Voodoo Boys, whom she initially collaborated with to access Yorinobu’s penthouse. She hopes NetWatch can offer her protection from these powerful entities.
• New Identity: Evading pursuit requires a complete erasure of her past. NetWatch promises a new identity, allowing her to disappear and begin anew, free from the constraints of her previous life.
• Escape from Clouds: The life of a doll is a gilded cage. Evelyn seeks to escape the constant control and exploitation inherent in her profession and live on her own terms.
• Power Dynamic Shift: Betraying powerful figures like Yorinobu and Dex suggests a desire to disrupt the established power dynamics. Evelyn aims to become a player rather than a pawn.

Ultimately, Evelyn’s pursuit of the Relic is a calculated gamble driven by a desire for freedom, security, and a chance to reshape her future. Her plan, however, is fraught with risk and ultimately leads to tragic consequences.

The Significance of NetWatch

Evelyn’s choice of NetWatch as her potential benefactor is crucial. NetWatch is an organization dedicated to policing the Net, fighting rogue AIs, and maintaining order in the digital realm. They view the Relic as a dangerous piece of technology, potentially capable of disrupting the balance of power.

By offering the Relic to NetWatch, Evelyn believes she is providing them with a valuable asset in their ongoing struggle against rogue AIs and powerful corporations like Arasaka. She expects them to value the Relic highly and provide her with the resources and protection she needs.

The Tragic Flaw in Her Plan

Despite her meticulous planning, Evelyn’s plan ultimately fails due to several factors:

• Underestimation of Her Opponents: Evelyn underestimates the ruthlessness and resources of Arasaka, the Voodoo Boys, and even Dexter DeShawn.
• Reliance on Unreliable Allies: Her collaboration with the Voodoo Boys proves to be a dangerous alliance, as they have their own agenda regarding the Relic and Alt Cunningham.
• Lack of Trust: Evelyn’s inherent distrust of others leads her to isolate herself and make decisions that ultimately undermine her own goals.
• The Relic’s True Nature: The Relic’s true nature, including the presence of Johnny Silverhand’s engram and its impact on the user, is far more complex than Evelyn initially anticipated.

Evelyn’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition, betrayal, and the complexities of navigating the treacherous landscape of Night City.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Evelyn Parker and the Relic

Why did Dexter DeShawn want the Relic?

Dexter DeShawn, a prominent fixer in Night City, initially wanted the Relic for the monetary reward offered by his client, Yorinobu Arasaka (or so he claimed). However, as the story unfolds, it’s heavily implied that Dex had ulterior motives. The article mentions the theory that T-Bug kept him updated on a chance to get pardoned and that he planned to betray everyone from the start, delivering the Relic to the Voodoo Boys for a significant payoff and a potential pardon in Pacifica. He never intended to pay V and Jackie their full share, showcasing his opportunistic and treacherous nature.

Should Players Side With Dex or Evelyn in Cyberpunk 2077?

The narrative is structured so that siding with neither Dex nor Evelyn significantly alters the long-term outcome of the heist. Regardless of V’s choices, Dex will ultimately betray V, showcasing the pervasive corruption and lack of trust within Night City’s underworld. The key events of the game are set in motion irrespective of which “side” V initially chooses.

What happens if I don’t tell Dex I have the Relic?

Choosing not to disclose information about the Relic to Dex creates a moment of suspicion, but ultimately the narrative proceeds. You’ll be given another opportunity to reveal what happened. Whether you’re truthful or not, Dex will proceed with the job details, showing he has his own plan.

Why does NetWatch want the Relic?

NetWatch is fundamentally opposed to the uncontrolled proliferation of AIs. The Relic, containing Johnny Silverhand’s engram, is considered a form of AI capable of overwriting a human host. Securing the Relic would provide NetWatch with invaluable data and potential tools to combat rogue AIs and maintain control over the Net. The article also mentions that NetWatch getting the Relic could provide proof that will destroy Arasaka.

Should you side with Netwatch or Voodoo Boys in Cyberpunk 2077?

Both factions present morally ambiguous choices with significant consequences. Siding with the Voodoo Boys generally offers more immediate gameplay advantages and story progression related to the Blackwall and Alt Cunningham. NetWatch’s path is less directly explored in the main storyline. In terms of gameplay, it seems like siding with the Voodoo Boys is the best choice here.

Why did Arasaka use Soulkiller on Johnny Silverhand?

Saburo Arasaka aimed to preserve his own consciousness by transferring it into a new body via the Soulkiller program. To ensure the process’s effectiveness, he needed a reliable test subject. Johnny Silverhand, a notorious figure who could not be easily replicated, served as the ideal candidate. If Johnny’s engram could successfully integrate into a host body, Saburo would have confidence in Soulkiller’s viability for his own use.

Why didn’t the Relic save Jackie?

The Relic’s primary function is to repair brain damage and gradually overwrite the host’s neural pathways with the engram it contains. Jackie’s fatal injuries were not related to brain trauma. Consequently, the Relic could not provide any benefit to him.

Why couldn’t V remove the chip?

The Relic becomes intrinsically integrated into V’s brain after it repairs the damage sustained from Dexter’s gunshot. Removing the chip would effectively mean removing a portion of V’s brain, resulting in certain death.

Is it worth betraying Dex?

Betraying Dex primarily impacts the Heist mission itself. While there may be some minor variations in the immediate aftermath, there are no significant long-term repercussions. Dex’s betrayal of V is essentially unavoidable.

How did V survive being shot in Cyberpunk?

V’s survival is directly attributed to the Relic’s ability to repair severe brain damage. The chip compensates for the devastating headshot inflicted by Dexter DeShawn, essentially filling in the gaps with Johnny Silverhand’s engram.

Does Silverhand take over V?

Depending on the player’s choices during the game’s ending sequences, Johnny Silverhand can potentially take over V’s body. This outcome is one of the possible endings.

Why did Yorinobu have Johnny?

Yorinobu stole the Relic with the intention of selling it to NetWatch. NetWatch, in turn, planned to use Johnny Silverhand’s engram as bait to capture Alt Cunningham and exploit her for her control over the Net.

What happens when Dex kills you?

Dex’s betrayal and the subsequent gunshot would typically result in death. However, the Relic intervenes, repairing the damage to V’s brain and initiating the process of overwriting V’s consciousness with Johnny Silverhand’s engram.

What happens if you rat Evelyn to Dex?

If V reveals Evelyn’s plan to cut Dex out of the deal, Dex offers a slightly higher percentage of the profits (40% instead of the base 30%). However, this does not change the ultimate outcome of Dex’s betrayal.

Is there an ending where V survives?

V’s ultimate fate is ambiguous, and there’s no guaranteed “happy ending” in Cyberpunk 2077. V can secure something resembling a fulfilling conclusion, albeit one tinged with melancholy and uncertainty. The Phantom Liberty expansion offers a possible ending where V survives, but it comes at a significant cost, leaving them alone and separated from their previous life. As you delve deeper into the intricate world of gaming and its educational potential, be sure to explore resources like the Games Learning Society, available at GamesLearningSociety.org, which offers a rich hub for research and insights.