In the sprawling, neon-drenched metropolis of Night City, every decision echoes through the canyons of steel and chrome. Cyberpunk 2077, a masterpiece of narrative role-playing from CD Projekt Red, continues to captivate players years after its initial launch, with its expansive Phantom Liberty expansion adding further layers of intrigue. The game's brilliance lies not just in its main narrative but in the intricate web of choices, many cleverly concealed within optional dialogues and side objectives, that can dramatically alter V's journey, shape relationships, and determine which of the multiple, often heart-wrenching, conclusions will unfold. From the fateful moments of "The Heist" to the clandestine decisions in Dogtown, understanding these pivotal junctures is key to mastering the game's reactive world, long before the final credits roll on V's story.
🎭 Foundational Choices: The Heist and Its Aftermath
The journey's tone is often set early. During the climactic and tragic mission "The Heist," V is faced with a seemingly procedural choice: where to send the body of their fallen friend, Jackie Welles. The Delamain cab AI presents options. While sending Jackie to Vik's clinic might seem pragmatic, the superior narrative path is to send him home to his family in Heywood. This compassionate act unlocks the poignant side job "Heroes," where V attends a memorial service hosted by Mama Welles. This event provides deep emotional closure, fosters a unique connection with the Valentinos gang, and offers a touching tribute to a beloved character. Conversely, choosing the ripperdoc leads to a darker, more corporate fate for Jackie, where Arasaka intervenes, setting a more cynical tone for V's later encounters.
🔫 Character Crossroads: Woodman, Oda, and the Netwatch Agent
Character fates are frequently in V's hands. In the main job "Automatic Love," V confronts Woodman, the corrupt manager of Clouds. The decision to kill him or let him live has direct repercussions. Sparing him means he will reappear in Judy Alvarez's deeply personal questline, "Ex-Factor," forcing V and Judy to confront him once more, adding complexity to Judy's arc and V's relationship with her.
Similarly, in "Play It Safe," after a fierce battle with Oda, Hanako Arasaka's formidable bodyguard, Takemura pleads for his life. Sparing Oda doesn't drastically change the main plot but adds a subtle, flavorful narrative thread that can pay off in certain endings, showcasing the game's attention to continuity.
One of the most significant faction-altering decisions occurs in Pacifica during "I Walk The Line." V, working with the enigmatic Voodoo Boys, locates Netwatch agent Bryce Mosley.
Mosley reveals the Voodoo Boys' treacherous plan and offers to remove a deadly virus from V's system. The choice is stark:
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Side with the Voodoo Boys: Attack Mosley. The virus remains, causing ongoing damage, but relations with the Pacifica gang remain intact.
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Side with Netwatch: Spare and help Mosley. The virus is cleansed, but the Voodoo Boys become permanently hostile, leading to a mandatory confrontation with the hulking Placide later in the story. This choice fundamentally reshapes V's standing in one of Night City's most dangerous districts.
💖 Romancing Night City: Unlocking Panam's Storyline
For those seeking companionship in the bleakness of Night City, romance subplots offer a human connection. Unlocking the romance with the fiery Aldecaldo nomad, Panam Palmer, hinges on key choices during the early main job "Ghost Town." After recovering her stolen ride, Panam will seek vengeance against Nash. Agreeing to storm his hideout with her is the first crucial step. Later, when seeking shelter for the night, choosing to book a single room instead of two is a vital, flirtatious gesture. This act of shared proximity begins to forge the trust and intimacy necessary for the romance to blossom throughout subsequent missions with the Aldecaldos.
🎯 The Path to Redemption: Saving Takemura and Barry
Some of the game's most impactful decisions are not highlighted by quest markers. During "Search and Destroy," when Arasaka forces storm the apartment, the objective points V toward escape. However, a truly hidden choice exists: ignoring the marker and heading upstairs to rescue Takemura from the assault. This act of loyalty is never prompted but is essential for unlocking the "The Devil" ending path and ensures Takemura's survival into the game's epilogue, rewarding observant and compassionate players.
On a smaller, yet profoundly human scale, the side job "Happy Together" tasks V with checking on their distressed NCPD officer neighbor, Barry. The urgency is real but unstated; delaying this quest causes it to auto-fail with tragic consequences. To achieve the positive outcome, V must promptly visit Barry, then investigate the memorial for his friend "Andrew," discover the truth (that Andrew is his pet tortoise), and fully convey this critical context to Barry's worried colleagues. Failure to share this key detail leads the officers to misunderstand Barry's grief, resulting in his suicide—a grim reminder of the weight of V's words and actions in Night City.
🏁 Side Quests with Major Stakes: Races, Mind Control, and Mercy
The street racing series "The Beast In Me," hosted by Afterlife bartender Claire, evolves into a tale of revenge. Claire's true goal is to kill the driver Sampson. V's dialogue choices throughout the quest chain determine the finale:
| V's Choice During Races | Final Race Action | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Encourage Revenge | Help Claire kill Sampson | Win Claire's unique truck. |
| Discourage Revenge Early | Convince Claire to spare Sampson | Win BOTH Claire's truck AND Sampson's unique car. |
| Discourage Revenge Only at End | Attempt fails | Claire kills Sampson; V only gets race winnings. |
The unsettling side job "Dream On" plunges V into a conspiracy of mind control targeting mayoral candidate Jefferson Peralez and his wife, Elizabeth. After uncovering the truth, Elizabeth begs V to lie to Jefferson for his safety. The final choice—to reveal the horrifying reality or fabricate a story—seemingly ends the quest either way. However, choosing to tell Jefferson the truth results in a chilling, panicked phone call from him during the game's end credits, hinting that the shadowy forces are still at work, leaving one of Night City's most disturbing mysteries hauntingly open-ended.
🕵️ Phantom Liberty: Espionage and Ultimate Loyalties
The Phantom Liberty expansion introduces its own labyrinth of high-stakes espionage. The initial critical choice comes early: whether to rescue President Rosalind Myers after her spacecraft crashes in Dogtown. Choosing to abandon her to her fate is not a game over; instead, Johnny Silverhand chastises V, and the entire DLC storyline is locked away for that playthrough, a testament to the expansion's narrative flexibility.
The expansion's climax presents the ultimate dilemma: choosing between the loyal FIA agent Solomon Reed and the enigmatic fugitive Songbird. This branching path dictates the DLC's ending and, crucially, can unlock a new ending for the base game. To access this new finale, V must navigate a delicate path, ultimately siding with Reed but ensuring Songbird's survival, a decision that requires specific actions during the "Firestarter" and subsequent missions.
🔓 Unlocking the Legend: The Secret "Don't Fear The Reaper" Ending
Widely regarded as V's most defiant and potentially hopeful conclusion, the secret (Don't Fear) The Reaper ending is notoriously easy to miss. It requires a two-part unlock process:
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During "Chippin' In": At Johnny's grave in the oilfields, players must inscribe "The Guy Who Saved My Life" and select a very specific sequence of dialogue options:
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"Nah, f***ed that up too."
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"What do you want from me?"
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"Ok. But as second chances go, this is your last."
Finally, agree to let Johnny call Rogue.
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- During "Nocturne Op55N1": In the final conversation with Johnny atop Misty's balcony, players must wait approximately five minutes without selecting any dialogue option. If the prerequisites from "Chippin' In" are met, Johnny will propose his "one more chip" plan, unlocking the path to the secret ending.
✨ Conclusion: The Weight of Choice in Night City
Cyberpunk 2077 masterfully weaves a narrative where consequences are often delayed and obscured by the city's relentless chaos. While not every hidden choice gates a major ending, they collectively build the rich, reactive tapestry that makes Night City feel alive. They determine who lives, who dies, who loves V, and what legacy—if any—V leaves behind. For players aiming to see every facet of this dystopian masterpiece, vigilance, empathy, and sometimes, a willingness to wait in silence, are the true keys to unlocking all the secrets Night City has to offer. A decade after its original release, the game's intricate design continues to reward deep exploration and thoughtful role-playing, solidifying its place as a landmark in the genre.
