Cyberpunk 2077 Main Endings Overview
The Path of Least Resistance
This is known as the easiest and least confrontational ending in the game. Here, V ultimately chooses to side with the Arasaka corporation without taking any aggressive or rebellious action against it.
To get this ending, V needs to take a passive approach during key story moments, avoiding major conflicts and not siding with Johnny Silverhand's radical anti-corporate stance. You don’t form any strong alliances with other factions like the Nomads or the Aldecaldos. Instead, you allow Arasaka to absorb you into their fold.
While it's not necessarily about being a corporate stooge, it is about taking the "safe" route, avoiding major confrontations, and taking what seems like the least risky choice. In the end, V ends up in a deal with Arasaka and is promised a future within the corporation, potentially with a chance for recovery.
The Devil
The Devil is the corporate ending, also requiring you to ally with the Arasaka Corporation. Here, V chooses to fully ally with Arasaka, but it's a more active choice to work with the corporation rather than simply avoiding conflict.
With this version of the ending, V sides with the Arasaka Corporation, and after a series of decisions, gets the opportunity to re-enter the corporate world. It’s the ending where you work under the Arasaka umbrella, with a chance to restore your life and future.
V’s active engagement with Arasaka and embrace of the corporate world ties their future to the corporation, requiring a high degree of personal sacrifice involved in maintaining the deal.
The Star
Also referred to as the Nomad ending, The Star requires V to side with the Nomads and help them in their quests.
After developing a strong bond with Panam, the Nomad faction becomes central to this path. During this ending, V chooses to leave Night City and start a new life with the Nomads. In return, Panam and her crew will help V escape the corporate or city conflicts.
This ending grants V a fresh start, and is often seen as the most hopeful and freeing version. It allows you to escape the overwhelming power struggles of Night City and join the Nomads for a chance at a new, simpler life.
Temperance
The Temperance ending, which ensures Johnny Silverhand’s Legacy, requires you to follow the right steps, like ensuring Johnny and V build a close relationship and then choosing to let Johnny take over V's body in the final mission.
Johnny takes control of V’s body, living out a life that he never got the chance to fully experience. V’s consciousness might fade or find peace, depending on the exact choices you make throughout the game.
This ending is about V potentially sacrificing their physical existence for the greater cause or legacy of the character.
The Sun
The Sun ending is solo, and to achieve it, you need to maintain a high level of trust with Johnny Silverhand. You also need to choose the option to confront Hanako Arasaka during the final mission.
During this ending, V decides to go it alone, taking on Arasaka and the larger corporate forces without Johnny or anyone else by their side. You will end up in a power struggle within Arasaka, and V can either survive or die due to the digital ghost of Johnny within them.
V's survival or death depends on your choices during the finale, but the main outcome is a rather solitary one with a focus on achieving personal goals.
The Tower
The Tower ending came with the introduction of the DLC, Phantom Liberty, and occurs if you fail to unlock the secret ending or make specific choices during the final moments of the game that result in a tragic outcome for V and Johnny. In this version, V confronts Arasaka in the final mission but ultimately ends up trapped or lost, with no successful resolution to the situation.
Depending on the decisions you make, it will ultimately lead to V's death or inability to escape Night City. This ending is considered the “bad ending” because it’s the most bleak of the possible outcomes.
Here are some factors that contribute to getting the bad ending:
If you don’t do the necessary side quests like “Chippin’ In,” you’ll be locked out of the secret ending. If you complete the DLC Phantom Liberty, and make the right choices (saving Songbird), you’ll have the option to choose the Tower here.
You make the wrong dialogue choices during Johnny’s side quests.
You don’t side with Johnny, or you fail to agree to take the risk of storming Arasaka Tower with him in the "Chippin' In" side job. This would result in Johnny’s ghost taking a backseat and potentially leaving V to fight their own battles with the corporation.
Reaching the Secret Ending
Unlocking the secret ending in Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the most exciting and rewarding ways to experience the game. It’s a chance to take the ultimate risk, teaming up with Johnny Silverhand for an explosive finale that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
With the right choices, gear, and combat strategy, you can conquer the odds and make a lasting impact on Night City. So, follow the steps carefully, prepare yourself for a wild ride, and enjoy the unique and intense journey that only the Don't Fear the Reaper ending can deliver.