Cyberpunk 2077 Endings Guide

Publisher: CD Projekt

Developer: CD Projekt RED

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia (discontinued)

Type: Endings Guide / Community Ranking Guide

Genre: Action RPG

Release Date: December 10, 2020

Last Updated: July 6, 2026

Game Version: Update 2.3 + Phantom Liberty Expansion

Quick Verdict

Choosing the right ending in Cyberpunk 2077 can dramatically change how V's story concludes. While every ending is well-written, the community has spent years debating which finale delivers the best emotional payoff, the most satisfying gameplay, or the strongest narrative.

This guide explains every major ending, ranks them according to long-term player opinion, shows how to unlock each one, and helps you decide which ending best fits your version of V.

In This Guide

• Community ranking of every ending

• How each ending is unlocked

• Which ending is best for first-time players

• Which ending offers the happiest conclusion

• Secret ending requirements

• Phantom Liberty ending explained

• Comparison of every ending

• Frequently asked questions

• Tips for seeing every ending in a single playthrough

Trailer / Gameplay Video

Ending Unlock Requirements

Before choosing an ending, it's important to understand that Cyberpunk 2077 doesn't simply ask you to pick one from a menu. Your available options depend on the allies you've met, the side jobs you've completed, and the decisions you've made throughout the story. Several endings can be missed entirely if certain questlines are ignored.

Boss Fights / Hard Missions

Don't Fear the Reaper (Secret Mission)

Recommended Level

Level 55-60 (or maximum level available)

Although technically possible at lower levels, most experienced players recommend tackling this mission only after obtaining high-end cyberware and legendary weapons.

Recommended Gear

• Legendary Assault Rifle

• Legendary Katana

• Smart SMG

• MaxDoc Mk.3

• Blood Pump

• Second Heart Cyberware

• High Armor Clothing Mods

• Fully upgraded Operating System

Strategy

This mission removes every safety net. Unlike other endings, no allies accompany V into Arasaka Tower. Every encounter must be handled alone.

Players should:

• Focus on eliminating netrunners first.

• Use cover constantly.

• Save healing items for elite enemies.

• Avoid rushing large groups.

• Build around either maximum Critical Damage or Quickhacks.

Patience is often more important than raw damage.

Common Mistakes

❌ Entering below Level 50

❌ Running out of healing items

❌ Ignoring enemy netrunners

❌ Using an unfinished character build

❌ Assuming the mission is balanced like normal story quests

Best Endings

🥇 1. The Star

Community Rating: 10/10

The overwhelming majority of players consider The Star the definitive ending of Cyberpunk 2077.

Instead of pursuing endless fame inside Night City, V leaves alongside the Aldecaldos in search of a new beginning.

Why Players Love It

• Most hopeful ending

• Strong emotional payoff

• Best Panam romance conclusion

• V gains a true family

• Escapes Night City's cycle of violence

• Leaves room for future hope

Best For

• First playthrough

• Emotional storytelling

• Romance-focused players

• Players seeking optimism

🥈 2. Don't Fear the Reaper

Community Rating: 9.8/10

The most legendary ending.

Players storm Arasaka Tower completely alone without risking their allies.

Highlights

• Hardest mission

• Most exciting gameplay

• Heroic conclusion

• Rogue survives - she doesn't participate in the assault, so she isn't killed by Smasher

• No ally casualties during the raid

• Incredible replay value

Best For

• Veteran players

• Challenge seekers

• Action lovers

🥉 3. The Sun

Community Rating: 9.3/10

For players who dreamed of becoming a Night City legend.

V reaches the top of the mercenary world but discovers fame doesn't solve every problem.

Strengths

• Legendary status

• Epic final mission

• Amazing cinematics

• Strong ending for ambitious V

• Rogue fights alongside V in the assault

Key Events

Rogue sacrifices herself fighting Adam Smasher so V can push forward to Mikoshi. Her death is one of the most emotionally charged moments in the game.

Read our Cyberpunk 2077 Review: A Corrupted Masterpiece Finally Worth Playing

4. Temperance

Community Rating: 8.8/10

Johnny receives a second chance while V makes the ultimate sacrifice. This ending focuses on redemption rather than survival.

Best Features

• Incredible character growth

• Philosophical storytelling

• Memorable emotional scenes

5. The Tower

Community Rating: 8.0/10

Exclusive to Phantom Liberty. V survives-but pays an enormous personal price.

Why It's Divisive

• V finally lives

• Loses combat cyberware

• Friends move on

• Career effectively ends

Worst Endings

6. The Devil

Community Rating: 6.5/10

Arguably the strongest corporate ending. Unfortunately, it also represents Arasaka's ultimate victory.

Why Players Dislike It

• Johnny loses

• Arasaka wins

• Emotionally cold

• Little hope for V

Despite ranking near the bottom, many players praise its writing quality.

💀 7. Path of Least Resistance

Community Rating: 5/10

The saddest ending in Cyberpunk 2077. Rather than fighting until the end, V chooses to give up. The emotional voicemail sequence during the credits has become one of the game's most unforgettable moments.

Why It Ranks Last

• No hopeful future

• Devastates companions

• Lowest replay value

• Emotionally exhausting

Community Ranking Summary

Secrets

Unlock the Secret Ending

Requirements:

• Build a strong relationship with Johnny Silverhand throughout the game.

• Select the correct dialogue at the Oil Fields during Chippin' In (specifically the sequence ending in "Yeah. I'll call Rogue.").

• During the Nocturne OP55N1 rooftop conversation, wait several minutes without choosing an option.

• Johnny will eventually suggest attacking Arasaka Tower alone.

Reward:

• One of the most memorable missions in the game.

• Rogue survives - she does not participate and is therefore not killed by Smasher.

• Access to one of the community's highest-rated endings.

Note: After completing the solo assault and reaching Mikoshi, you still choose between The Sun (V keeps their body) and Temperance (Johnny keeps V's body) based on your dialogue choice in cyberspace.

Unlock Every Ending in One Playthrough

Instead of replaying the entire game:

1. Complete Panam's questline.

2. Complete Rogue's questline.

3. Finish Johnny's side missions.

4. Create a manual save before meeting Hanako at Embers.

5. Reload the save after each ending.

Doing this allows you to experience nearly every base-game ending without starting a new save.

Phantom Liberty Secret

The Tower ending is only available through a specific path:

1. During Firestarter, choose to help Songbird escape (not Reed).

2. During The Killing Moon, call Reed and strike a deal to deliver Songbird to him.

3. Complete the follow-up missions Through Pain to Heaven and Who Wants to Live Forever.

Choosing to help Reed capture Songbird in Firestarter instead leads to completely different Phantom Liberty endings and permanently locks out The Tower.

Missable Content

Be careful not to skip these side jobs:

• Riders on the Storm

• Queen of the Highway

• Chippin' In

• Blistering Love

Missing these quests can permanently lock certain endings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ending is the happiest?

Most players agree that The Star provides the happiest and most hopeful conclusion.

Which ending has the best gameplay?

Don't Fear the Reaper offers the most intense combat and is widely considered the best final mission.

Is there a true ending?

No.

CD Projekt RED intentionally designed every ending to represent a different interpretation of V's story.

Can I unlock every ending?

Yes.

By keeping a save before entering Embers and completing the required side quests, you can experience almost every ending in a single playthrough.

Does Phantom Liberty replace the original endings?

No.

It adds an additional ending path without removing the original conclusions.

Which ending is best for Panam romance?

The Star is considered the definitive ending for players who romance Panam.

Which ending is the saddest?

Path of Least Resistance.

Its emotional impact during the credit sequence is widely regarded as the strongest in the game.

Is the Secret Ending worth it?

Absolutely.

Although difficult, it contains some of the best gameplay and most satisfying action in Cyberpunk 2077.

Final Tips

Before beginning Nocturne OP55N1, complete as many major side quests as possible. Many of Cyberpunk 2077's best endings depend on relationships you've built throughout the game, and rushing the main story can permanently lock you out of fan-favorite conclusions.

If you're playing the game for the first time, The Star is generally the best choice for players seeking an emotional and hopeful ending. Once you've experienced that finale, return to your manual save to explore Don't Fear the Reaper, The Sun, and Temperance. Each ending offers a unique perspective on V's journey and reveals different themes that make Cyberpunk 2077 one of the most memorable RPGs of its generation.

Finally, don't judge an ending solely by whether V survives. One of the game's greatest strengths is showing that success isn't measured only by life or death, but by the choices you make, the people you protect, and the legacy you leave behind.

Community Sources

• Reddit

• Reddit

• Reddit