Cyberpunk 2077 is a big game full of choices. Unlike many other titles, choices can make a significant impact here. Specifically, there are four different endings with multiple variations in the base game and another that is attainable through the Phantom Liberty expansion. That’s a lot. So, which is the “best?”
What is the best ending in Cyberpunk 2077?
I understand that “best” is going to be purely subjective. What one persons considers “best” won’t be another person’s. With that in mind, let’s consider what the core motivation for the main character, V, is to try and ascertain what one might consider best for V. This is your spoiler warning. Don’t read ahead if you don’t want to know what happens.
After a failed heist, V has a biochip inserted in them with an engram of Johnny Silverhand on it. Due to the gunshot wound sustained by V, the biochip is overwriting their neural pathways with Johnny’s data. Essentially, V will eventually be overwritten and all that will remain is Johnny in V’s body. Despite everything else happening in Night City, V’s primary goal is to save their own life.
With that in mind, only one ending fits this criteria: The Tower. To obtain “The Tower” ending, players will need the Phantom Liberty expansion. From there, a bevy of choices need to be made. Players can either choose to help Songbird escape or make a move to capture her. From there, the two branches come back together.
- Help Songbird escape in Firestarter.
- Call Reed during The Killing Moon and holster your weapon when he takes her away.
- Complete Through Pain to Heaven.
- Choose to capture Songbird during Firestarter.
- Complete Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos and refuse to kill Songbird during Somewhat Damaged.
- Ask President Myers about the cure in Leave in Silence.
- Complete Four Score and Seven.
- Call Reed in Who Wants to Live Forever.
- Complete Things Done Changed.
So, what happens if you pull all of this off? President Myers and Reed keep their word to V and actually deliver a cure. However, we all know there aren’t any happy endings in Night City.
After calling Reed, a chopper will pick up V and take them to Washington D.C. While the surgical team is able to remove the Relic, thus killing Johnny, there were complications that left V in a coma for two years. Time, as it does, kept moving and so did V’s friends and love interests. As if this weren’t bad enough, there was also significant damage to V’s brain and this prohibits them from using cyberware ever again.
V can then head back to Night City to get a second opinion from Vik. Upon arriving, Misty’s shop is gone. Vik confirms the bad news and that V will have to live as a purely organic meatbag in a world where everyone else has cyberware.
This has immediate ramifications as V is mugged outside Vik’s clinic. Misty makes one final appearance to aid V before she too leaves. With everyone they know and love gone and unable to continue their career as a legendary merc, V disappears as another face in the crowd.
Published: Oct 10, 2023 04:53 pm