Unlocking All Endings in Cyberpunk 2077: The Ultimate Guide
Cyberpunk 2077, developed by CD Projekt Red, stands out for its intricate branching narrative and the multitude of endings that reflect your choices as V in Night City. Whether you’re a completionist aiming to see every possible fate or simply curious about the consequences of your decisions, this comprehensive guide will walk you through how to unlock every ending—including secret and DLC conclusions. If you enjoy exploring multiple outcomes in games, you might also be interested in our complete guide to unlocking all endings in Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
Understanding Endings in Cyberpunk 2077
The game features several main endings, each with unique requirements and consequences. Your relationships, side quests, and key decisions all play a role in determining which options are available to you at the story’s climax. The critical branching point is the main job “Nocturne Op55N1.” Once you initiate this mission, you’re locked into the endgame sequence, so it’s highly recommended to create a permanent manual save beforehand.
Main Endings Overview
- The Devil (Arasaka Ending)
- The Star (Aldecaldos/Nomad Ending)
- The Sun (Rogue/Mercenary Ending)
- Temperance (Johnny Silverhand Ending)
- Path of Least Resistance (Suicide/Bad Ending)
- Secret Ending (Don’t Fear the Reaper)
- Phantom Liberty Endings (DLC: The Tower, King of Wands, King of Cups, King of Swords, King of Pentacles)
For a detailed breakdown of side quests, check out IGN’s Cyberpunk 2077 Side Quest Guide.
Prerequisites for All Endings
Before reaching the point of no return, ensure you:
- Complete key side quests for major characters (Panam, Rogue, Johnny, Judy, River, Kerry).
- Build strong relationships with allies, especially Johnny Silverhand (aim for 70%+ relationship for secret endings).
- Save your game before entering Embers, as this is your last chance to freely explore Night City.
How to Unlock Each Ending
1. The Devil (Arasaka Ending)
Requirements:
- At the rooftop with Misty, choose to call Hanako Arasaka.
Steps:
- Complete “Last Caress,” “Totalimmortal,” and “Where is My Mind?”
- Accept Arasaka’s help and follow through with their plan.
Outcome:
V’s fate is left ambiguous; Johnny is erased. V either becomes a construct in Mikoshi or returns to Earth with a short prognosis.
2. The Star (Aldecaldos/Nomad Ending)
Requirements:
- Complete Panam Palmer’s questline, including “Queen of the Highway.”
Steps:
- At the rooftop, ask Panam for help.
- Finish “We Gotta Live Together,” “Forward to Death,” and “Belly of the Beast.”
- Choose to cross the border with the Aldecaldos.
Outcome:
V leaves Night City with the Nomads, seeking a new life. If you romanced Panam or Judy, they may join you.
3. The Sun (Rogue/Mercenary Ending)
Requirements:
- Complete Rogue’s questline, including “Blistering Love.”
- Build a strong relationship with Johnny Silverhand.
Steps:
- Let Johnny take over and ask Rogue for help.
- Play as Johnny in “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.”
- Decide whether V or Johnny stays in the body.
Outcome:
V becomes a legend of Night City, or Johnny leaves for a new journey.
4. Temperance (Johnny Silverhand Ending)
Requirements:
- Available during the Rogue or Panam ending paths.
Steps:
- At the end, let Johnny keep V’s body.
Outcome:
Johnny lives on in V’s body, while V’s consciousness fades.
5. Path of Least Resistance (Suicide/Bad Ending)
Requirements:
- At the rooftop, choose to “take the pills” and end it all.
Outcome:
V commits suicide, ending the story abruptly.
6. Secret Ending: Don’t Fear the Reaper
Requirements:
- Maximize your relationship with Johnny Silverhand (at least 70%).
- Complete all of Johnny’s side quests, including “Chippin’ In.”
- During the rooftop conversation, do not make a choice for several minutes. Johnny will eventually suggest a solo assault.
Steps:
- Survive a challenging solo run on Arasaka Tower.
- Choose who stays in the body at the end.
Outcome:
A unique, high-difficulty ending with special dialogue and consequences. For more, see GameSpot’s Secret Ending Guide.
7. Phantom Liberty Endings (DLC)
The Phantom Liberty expansion introduces new endings that can override the base game’s conclusions. The critical branching point occurs during the main quest “Firestarter.”
Key Outcomes:
- The Tower: Side with Reed, accept the NUSA cure. V is cured but loses cyberware and two years of life; Johnny is gone.
- King of Wands: Help Songbird escape to the Moon. Songbird escapes; V returns to base game ending paths.
- King of Cups: Help Songbird escape, then hand her to Reed. Songbird is captured; V returns to base game ending paths.
- King of Swords/Pentacles: Help Reed capture Songbird (alive or dead). Unlocks The Tower ending.
For a full breakdown, visit Polygon’s Phantom Liberty Endings Guide.
Quick Reference Table
| Ending Name | Key Requirement | Final Choice Location |
|---|---|---|
| The Devil | Call Hanako | Misty’s Rooftop |
| The Star | Complete Panam’s Quests | Misty’s Rooftop |
| The Sun | Complete Rogue’s Quests | Misty’s Rooftop |
| Temperance | Let Johnny keep the body | Cyberspace |
| Path of Least Resistance | Take the pills (suicide) | Misty’s Rooftop |
| Secret Ending | Wait, then accept Johnny’s plan | Misty’s Rooftop |
| The Tower (DLC) | Finish Phantom Liberty, side with Reed | Dogtown/Afterlife |
| King of Wands/Cups | Help Songbird (DLC) | Dogtown |
Tips for Unlocking All Endings
- Keep multiple save files before “Nocturne Op55N1” and before “Firestarter” in Phantom Liberty.
- Pursue all major side quests for Panam, Rogue, Johnny, and other key characters.
- Pay attention to dialogue choices that affect relationships, especially with Johnny.
- Consult online resources like the Cyberpunk 2077 Wiki for detailed quest walkthroughs.
- Multiple Playthroughs: To see all variations, consider replaying with different choices and lifepaths.
- Check Your Journal: The game often provides clues about potential outcomes or relationship statuses.
Factors That Influence Ending Variations
- Romance Options: Your chosen romance partner will appear in certain endings (e.g., Judy in The Star, Panam in The Star, Kerry in The Sun).
- Side Quests: Some, like “Chippin’ In,” “Queen of the Highway,” and “Pyramid Song,” are essential for unlocking specific endings.
- Epilogue Variations: Each ending has multiple epilogue scenes based on who you romanced, which friends survived, and your lifepath.
Achievement Hunters’ Checklist
- Create a manual save before “Nocturne Op55N1.”
- Complete all side quests before proceeding.
- Unlock each ending one by one, reloading your save.
- The “Breathtaking” achievement requires the secret ending.
For more on achievements in other games, see our total number of achievements in Hollow Knight.
Conclusion
Unlocking every ending in Cyberpunk 2077 is a rewarding journey that showcases the depth of CD Projekt Red’s storytelling. By following this guide, you’ll experience every possible fate for V and Johnny, from the darkest to the most hopeful. Whether you seek glory, freedom, a cure, or simply an escape, Night City offers many paths—each with its own unique conclusion. Good luck, choom—and remember, in Night City, your choices always matter.
For more tips, news, and guides, check out the official Cyberpunk 2077 website or the community wiki.
If you enjoy unlocking secrets and characters in other games, explore our guides on how to unlock all characters in Genshin Impact, how to unlock secret characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and how to unlock all characters in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.