So, You Finished Cyberpunk 2077? Now What, Choomba?
You’ve raced through Night City. You battled corpo goons. You might have even romanced Judy or Panam. The credits rolled on Cyberpunk 2077. Congrats, you made it… or did you?
But is that really it? Are you just thrown to the main menu? Do you stare blankly at “New Game,” feeling the urge for more? Don’t worry. Night City still has things for you, even after the big finale.
Free Roaming After the Final Showdown: Yes, You Can!
Good news, edgerunners! Cyberpunk 2077 lets you keep playing. It’s not like some gigs that end for good. You can absolutely keep going even after credits. It’s like ‘V’ got a cosmic rewind. The game takes you back to the moment before the final mission. It’s your chance to check your cyberware, grab ammo, and finally reply to that Regina Jones text.
Why the rewind? It isn’t lazy design. It’s smart. This allows you to clean up side quests and gigs you missed while focusing on the main story. Night City is huge, full of stories. You’ve probably only scratched the surface. The post-ending free roam offers you a shot at becoming a true Night City legend, completing every hustle and gaining street cred.
Let’s be clear. Cyberpunk 2077 lacks a traditional post-game like other RPGs. Don’t expect fresh storylines or big changes after the end. It’s more like a ‘cleanup’ phase, where you tie up loose ends and explore before diving back into another ending.
Phantom Liberty DLC: The Plot Thickens (Even After the “End”)
If you own the Phantom Liberty DLC, you have more reasons to linger in Night City post-main story. Phantom Liberty fits into the main game. It’s playable even after finishing Cyberpunk 2077’s core story. Just like the base game, finishing Phantom Liberty sends you back to your pre-final mission save. It’s like the game says, “Cool ending. But what if…?”
Phantom Liberty introduces a new ending to Cyberpunk 2077. V can actually survive the Relic situation. That feels like a win after all the dread. But wait, this survival comes at a steep cost. We mean ‘lose-everyone-and-everything’ kind of cost. It’s a Faustian bargain, Cyberpunk style.
Decoding Cyberpunk 2077’s Multiple Endings (Because One Just Isn’t Enough)
Cyberpunk 2077 gives you choices that shape V’s fate. We’re not just discussing dialogue options. We’re talking about branching paths leading to five distinct main endings. Yes, five! Each offers a bittersweet cyberpunk reality. Your choices throughout dictate which ending you’ll unlock. Not happy with your first ending? You have homework to do!
Let’s peek at some fates:
- The Sun Ending: V becomes a Night City legend. Sounds good? Well, Johnny Silverhand ends up trapped inside Mikoshi. Legendary status at a cost, eh?
- The Star Ending: V lives, but it’s not perfect. Think of it as the ‘leaving Night City behind’ ending. It’s a ‘better’ outcome than some, but still comes with sadness.
- The Devil Ending: V survives due to a deal with Arasaka. Spoiler: deals with megacorps do not end well. Happiness isn’t on the menu.
- The Tower Ending (Phantom Liberty): This is the “V survives, but…” ending from DLC. Handing Songbird to Myers saves V but costs their entire Night City life. Ouch.
- The Temperance Ending (Phantom Liberty): A hopeful note amidst darkness. V and Johnny “live,” but apart. V finds a new life outside Night City. Johnny forges his path. A glimmer of hope!
And yes, for completionists, even after seeing these endings and replaying the final mission “Nocturne Op55N1,” rewards are still there. Specific tarot cards and iconic weapons can be added. Night City rewards you for exploring every tragic outcome. How generous!
Phantom Liberty DLC: Is it Worth Diving Back Into Dogtown?
Short answer? Absolutely. Phantom Liberty isn’t a mere side story. It’s a robust expansion that enriches Cyberpunk 2077. Think of it as a spy thriller in Night City. The story is great, lore deepens, and visually, it’s stunning. CD Projekt Red nailed Dogtown as a distinct location.
Phantom Liberty fits into the base game seamlessly. No need to start anew to access it. Play it after tackling the Voodoo Boys questline in the main story. However, seasoned mercs suggest saving Phantom Liberty for later, after exploring major storylines in the base game. Why? It adds layers to the narrative and introduces a new ending that changes your understanding of V’s journey.
Hoping for new romance options in Phantom Liberty? Lower your expectations. No fresh characters to woo. Existing romantic interests receive new dialogue and scenes in the expansion. So, if you romance Judy, Panam, River, or Kerry, expect extra content with them. Think of it as relationship DLC.
Does Phantom Liberty affect the base game? Not much. Your Dogtown adventures won’t drastically change main quests, aside from one optional ending. CD Projekt Red kept the expansion self-contained yet crucial to the Cyberpunk 2077 experience.
Cyberpunk 2077: Random Tidbits for the Curious Merc
Craving more Cyberpunk trivia? Here are some nuggets for your databanks:
- New Game Plus? Nope. Sadly, there’s no New Game Plus mode. CD Projekt Red has no plans for one. Replay means starting fresh from level one. Perfect chance to try different builds and choices.
- V’s Age: Our favorite mercenary is 23 at the start (born in 2053). Plenty of time to become a legend or burn out.
- Canon V Gender? Both! Male or female V? Both are canon. It’s your V, your story.
- Level Cap: Maximum level in Cyberpunk 2077 is 60. Enough levels to become a cybernetic demigod.
- Adam Smasher Showdowns: Interestingly, you don’t fight Adam Smasher in two of the five main endings (or six counting the secret ending). He isn’t always the final boss depending on choices. Sometimes, the real boss is existential dread.
- Johnny Silverhand in Phantom Liberty: Keanu Reeves is back! His role in Phantom Liberty adds weight to the narrative.
- Panam Palmer’s Age: For those who care, Panam is officially 33. Just putting that out there.
So, there you go, choomba. Cyberpunk 2077 after the ending isn’t a barren wasteland. It’s an opportunity. Explore, complete quests, or find a less dreary ending (good luck with that in Night City). Now get back out there and make some eddies, or at least look cool doing it.
