Night City offers no happy endings, but it does offer choices. Navigating the complex web of loyalties and betrayals in Cyberpunk 2077 leads to several distinct conclusions, each shaped by the alliances formed and the risks taken throughout the journey of V and Johnny Silverhand. Since the release of the Phantom Liberty expansion, the narrative landscape has shifted further, introducing a somber, grounded conclusion that bypasses the traditional Arasaka Tower assault entirely. Understanding how to unlock these outcomes requires a grasp of the mission structure, specific dialogue choices, and the completion of vital side arcs.

The Point of No Return: Nocturne Op55N1

The endgame of Cyberpunk 2077 begins with the mission "Nocturne Op55N1." This triggers when V meets Hanako Arasaka at Embers. Upon approaching the restaurant, the game generates a manual save and warns that this is the point of no return. Once inside, the path to the credits is locked in.

After meeting Hanako and collapsing in Vik’s clinic, V ends up on a rooftop with Johnny Silverhand. This conversation is the most critical moment in the game. It is here that the final path is chosen based on the side quests completed and the relationships fostered. If certain conditions haven't been met, many options will be greyed out, leaving V with only the most basic choices.

The Devil Ending: Trusting Arasaka

The "Devil" path is the default ending available to every player, regardless of side quest completion. It involves accepting Hanako Arasaka’s proposal to take down her brother, Yorinobu, in exchange for removing the Relic.

How to Unlock

During the rooftop conversation in "Nocturne Op55N1," select the option: "Think trusting Arasaka's risky but worth it." Then, take the Omega Blockers to suppress Johnny.

Key Variables and Consequences

A major factor in this ending is the fate of Goro Takemura. If he was saved during the mission "Search and Destroy," he will appear in the epilogue. If he died, he is replaced by Anders Hellman.

The mission sequence involves rescuing Hanako from the Arasaka estate, storming Arasaka Tower with her security forces, and eventually confronting Yorinobu. Following the assault, V is taken to a space station, Orbi’tal Air, for surgery. The Relic is removed, but the damage to V's body is terminal. V is then presented with two final choices:

  1. Sign the Contract: V’s psyche is uploaded to the "Secure Your Soul" program (Mikoshi), hoping for a new body in the future.
  2. Return to Earth: V leaves the station to spend their remaining six months of life in Night City.

Rewards: The "Devil" tarot card and the Goro Takemura achievement (if he survived).

The Star Ending: Leaving with the Aldecaldos

Widely regarded as the most optimistic conclusion, "The Star" sees V enlisting the help of Panam Palmer and the Aldecaldos nomad clan to tunnel into Arasaka Tower.

How to Unlock

V must complete Panam’s entire questline, ending with "Queen of the Highway." On the rooftop, select: "Gonna ask Panam for help." Take the Omega Blockers.

The Path and Consequences

This path involves a massive assault using a Militech Basilisk tank and a massive drill to enter the tower from below. Saul and Panam lead the charge. During the confrontation with Adam Smasher, Saul is killed, marking a heavy cost for the clan.

Inside Mikoshi, V meets Alt Cunningham. To achieve "The Star," V must choose to return to their body while Johnny goes with Alt into the Net beyond the Blackwall. The epilogue shows V leaving Night City with Panam and the Aldecaldos, seeking a possible cure in the Badlands or across the border. If V romanced Judy, she will accompany the group.

Rewards: The Aldecaldos Bolero Jacket and the iconic revolver, Amnesty (if the shooting challenge was completed during the mission).

The Sun Ending: Becoming a Legend

In this ending, V allows Johnny to take control of their body to lead an assault on Arasaka Tower alongside Rogue Amendiares. It fulfills the dream of becoming a legend of the Afterlife.

How to Unlock

V must complete Rogue’s questline, ending with "Blistering Love." On the rooftop, select: "Think you and Rogue should go." Johnny will then take the Pseudoendotrizine to assume control.

The Path and Consequences

Johnny, Rogue, and a merc named Weyland use an AV to crash into the tower’s upper floors. Rogue is killed by Adam Smasher during the descent to Mikoshi. After defeating Smasher, V (as Johnny) enters cyberspace. To achieve "The Sun," Johnny must choose to cross the bridge into the Net, effectively giving the body back to V.

V wakes up months later as the King/Queen of the Afterlife, living in a luxurious penthouse. The story ends with V embarking on a high-stakes heist of the Crystal Palace space casino, orchestrated by the mysterious Mr. Blue Eyes, with the hint that success might provide a permanent cure.

Rewards: The iconic pistol Pride (looted from Rogue) and the shovel Caretaker's Spade.

The Temperance Ending: Johnny Keeps the Body

"Temperance" is an alternative conclusion to either the Panam or Rogue paths. Instead of V returning to their body, Johnny stays in the physical world while V’s consciousness joins Alt Cunningham beyond the Blackwall.

How to Unlock

Trigger either the Aldecaldos assault or the Rogue assault. Once in Mikoshi, instead of V choosing to stay, V (or Johnny) chooses to cross the bridge into the digital void, leaving the physical shell to the other entity.

Consequences

The epilogue follows a somber Johnny Silverhand in V's body. He has changed his ways, showing a quieter, more reflective personality. He pays respects to memorials for V and Rogue (if she died) and eventually takes a bus out of Night City, seeking a fresh start in a life he never expected to have.

The Tower Ending: The Phantom Liberty Cure

Introduced in the Phantom Liberty expansion, "The Tower" is a starkly different conclusion that can be triggered before the final mission of the base game. It offers a definitive cure for the Relic, but at a massive personal cost.

How to Unlock

This requires specific choices during the DLC. V must either:

  1. Side with Reed in "Firestarter," capture Songbird, and then spare her in "Somewhat Damaged."
  2. Side with Songbird in "Firestarter," but then turn her over to Reed at the spaceport during "The Killing Moon."

After these events, Reed will contact V to arrange the surgery. This can be initiated at any time by calling Reed on the rooftop during "Nocturne Op55N1."

The Path and Consequences

V undergoes surgery at an NUSA facility. The Relic is removed successfully, but the process puts V into a coma for two years. When V wakes up, the world has moved on. V can no longer use combat cyberware due to neural damage. Panam and the nomads have cut contact, and Night City has become even more corporate-dominated.

V meets with Reed, who offers a desk job, but V ultimately chooses to disappear into the crowd of Night City as an ordinary person. It is an ending where V survives but loses their identity as a mercenary and legend.

Rewards: The ability to continue playing is removed as the game goes straight to credits, though you can reload to a point before the surgery.

The Secret Ending: Don’t Fear the Reaper

This is the most difficult ending to achieve, involving a solo suicide mission against Arasaka Tower. It requires V to have a specific relationship dynamic with Johnny Silverhand, though it is not strictly tied to the 70% relationship meter as previously thought.

How to Unlock

The unlock condition is tied to specific dialogue during the side quest "Chippin' In" at Johnny’s grave. You must select:

  • "The Guy who Saved My Life."
  • "Nah, fucked that up too."
  • "What do you want from me?"
  • "OK. But as second chances go, this is your last."

During "Nocturne Op55N1" on the rooftop, when prompted to choose between Arasaka, Panam, or Rogue, simply wait. Look at Johnny, then the gun, and wait for about five minutes. Johnny will eventually suggest a different plan: a solo assault on the front door of Arasaka Tower.

The Path and Consequences

This mission is exceptionally difficult. There are no checkpoints; if you die, the credits roll immediately. V enters through the main lobby and fights through waves of high-level Arasaka security alone. If successful, V reaches Mikoshi. From there, V can choose between "The Sun" or "Temperance" epilogues. The primary difference is that Rogue remains alive, and V’s reputation as a legend is solidified by the fact that they took down the corporation entirely on their own.

The Path of Least Resistance: Suicide

This is the quickest and most tragic ending. It is a choice to end the struggle without further bloodshed for V's friends.

How to Unlock

On the rooftop during "Nocturne Op55N1," choose any of the main paths. When Johnny asks if you are sure, select: "Could also just put all this to rest." V then tosses the pills away.

Consequences

V and Johnny have one final, peaceful conversation looking over Night City before a gunshot is heard. The credits roll to a series of heartbreaking holocalls from V’s friends and love interests, who are devastated by the decision. There are no rewards for this ending.

Critical Dialogue and Relationship Management

Beyond the final choices, several hidden mechanics influence the nuances of these endings. For example, romancing specific characters like Judy Alvarez, Panam Palmer, River Ward, or Kerry Eurodyne will change the dialogue and the characters' presence in the epilogues.

In "The Star" ending, a romanced Judy will leave Night City with V, providing a rare happy outcome for her character arc. In "The Sun" ending, a romanced Kerry or River will stay in the city, but their relationship with V becomes strained as V becomes increasingly obsessed with their legendary status and the impending threat of death.

Managing the relationship with Johnny is also paramount for the "Temperance" ending. If V and Johnny are on good terms, the handover of the body feels like a sacrifice made in friendship. If they are on poor terms, the dialogue is significantly more bitter.

Summary of Ending Rewards

Completing the game and choosing "Just one more gig" when returned to the main menu allows V to keep several rewards earned during the final missions. These items are added to V's inventory at the save point before Embers:

  • Gorilla Arms: Rewarded for most endings, often in legendary tier.
  • Smasher's Access Token: Found on Adam Smasher's body. This allows V to unlock the door to Smasher's private vault on the Ebunike ship, containing the crafting spec for the legendary Ba Xing Chong smart shotgun.
  • Amnesty: Iconic Revolver (The Star).
  • Pride and Prejudice: Iconic Pistols (The Sun).
  • Caretaker's Spade: Iconic Melee (The Sun).
  • Genjiroh: Iconic Smart Pistol (The Devil path, found in the Arasaka estate).

Choosing an ending in Night City is less about winning and more about deciding what kind of legacy V leaves behind. Whether it is the quiet survival of the "Tower," the blaze of glory in the "Sun," or the freedom of the "Star," every conclusion carries the weight of the choices made throughout V's journey.