What it Means to Live: Cyberpunk 2077's Path of Least Resistance Ending
A luxurious life is not something anyone can just afford in Night City, but at least being able to choose your ending is. Cyberpunk 2077 teaches us that: the value of life, death, and happiness.
It has been a few years since Cyberpunk 2077 was released, and people were charmed by its world and story. The game puts out tons of material to discuss, from Night City and well-thought-out characters to extensive dialogue options and real-life references.
While I appreciate the extensive discussions about the game, there is one thing that I wish was talked about more. It is, in my opinion, one of the most daring choices developers have ever made in video game history.
It is the choice to end your life with your own hands; the Path of Least Resistance ending.
What is the Path of Least Resistance Ending?
I accidentally stumbled upon this ending while streaming with my friends. So, I think you should experience it the way my friends and I did.
The ending starts with V learning that he only has a little time left before succumbing to the biochip erasing his identity. This leads us to the rooftop of Misty’s Esoterica, where V and Johnny Silverhand weigh down their options to find a cure.
While contemplating with V and Johnny, one dialogue option will pop up, and choosing it will lock you to the Path of Least Resistance ending.
I chose this, and it says…
"Could also just put all this to rest."
It was intriguing. Peaceful. Sinister. Foreboding.
I had a hunch when I read this, but I kept it far back in my head. They would never put such a choice in a game, or would they?
Despite this unnerving feeling, curiosity got to me. This felt like the most sincere and consistent option for V’s character.
After choosing this option, Johnny responds that if we do not try anything, then we are just as good as dead.
“[Toss pills] I know. Exactly what we're gonna do."
This option pops up, and I choose it. Slowly, V’s mind unravels before us.
V explains to Johnny that this is the cleanest and safest way to go without getting anyone involved. No needless deaths. No needless sacrifices.
Johnny, while unsure of V’s reasoning, agrees with his decision and the two say their final goodbyes.
Before V remarks how beautiful Night City is despite its shortcomings, a hint of hesitation is shown from Johnny.
“Is it time?”
The scene hard cuts to a view from the rooftop of Misty’s Esoterica, then farther back to a wide shot of Night City, then farther, and farther, and farther…
Until the screen turns black and a distant gunshot is heard, silencing the subtle murmurs of Night City.
With that one dialogue option, we chose the Path of Least Resistance for V and Johnny — literally.
What comes after this are recordings from V’s colleagues in Night City. Each friend, foe, and fellow mercenaries sent messages filled with anger, sadness, disbelief, and remorse.
Simply writing these down does not justify the recordings' passion and emotions. Yet oddly enough, I felt like this was the game’s most realistic part.
Point of No Return
When the recordings of V’s colleagues were playing, I told my friends who were watching “I understand this ending. I could see him doing this.”
Instead of receiving empathetic responses, I was met with disagreeing — and some aggressive — responses.
“What? You should fight back.”
“That ending sucks.”
“V would never do that.”
“It’s better to go out with a bang!”
“Just ask for help from Rogue or Panam!”
I understand them as well, yet it irks me to see their dismissiveness of the situation. It feels rather weak, lazy, and unappreciative.
On one hand, I understand the struggle to live. On the other hand, I can relate to the futility and helplessness V felt at that moment.
So why? Why did I feel this way? How come I feel like The Path of Least Resistance is one of, if not the, most compelling endings in Cyberpunk 2077?
I think the answer lies in between: the point where both arguments intersect, and where people rarely look back. So, let’s try to look back.
The Protagonist, You.
An irremovable aspect of our experience in Cyberpunk 2077 is that we are a player roleplaying as V in Night City. As the player, the game provides us with a multitude of skills, abilities, and freedoms to do inhuman feats we can only imagine in real life.
Cyberpunk 2077 also makes us capable of great kindness as we are of heinous violence. The ability to do good and bad, to choose right from wrong, and to be judge, jury, and executioner makes us truly feel like the protagonist. It makes us believe we are V, we are the “Chosen One.”
We believe we shape the world of Night City. We believe we are the heroes of Cyberpunk 2077.
However, one thing remains true in this game. Every character and story interaction are framed through a lens; you are a PLAYER.
The Mercenary, V.
As much as we want to be the protagonist, we are mere puppeteers of a character made by Cyberpunk 2077’s writers.
V has a personality and backstory we can never truly change; we can only influence him moving forward — aside from the Life Path choices which are also predetermined by the developers. I believe this aspect should not be completely removed from our experience and should be in mind when playing the game.
This also means that V has experienced a lifetime in the corporate world before we met him. All the pain, violence, neglect, and injustice brought about by megacorporations are already there.
And then V sees the final nail in his coffin. Through one failed heist, he loses his best friend, experiences death himself, and resurrection. But his resurrection is not a happy one, he will suffer slowly before meeting Death once again.
His only hope of survival is to drag his or her colleagues to Hell for help or plunge headfirst into it alone. Both of which would most likely lead to death.
What Binds Us All
In my long contemplation and self-reflection, I only found one reason why I relate to this ending. It is the one thing that V, You, and I have in common: Suffering.
While V has been shown many times in a state of pain, anger, and suffering, I believe the Path of Least Resistance ending showed the different effects of a person reaching a breaking point and making amends with it.
On one hand, V would rather die in peace than drag everyone else. Despite being desperate and having a broken will, V still cares for others. It showed the human side of V that often gets overlooked by the gamified world of Cyberpunk 2077.
On the other hand, it also showed the effects of V’s “fruitless martyrdom.” From Viktor’s disbelief and Mama Wells’ prayers to Panam’s anger and Judy Alvarez’s heartrending cries. These should shake something inside you.
Without us, V is just another name in Night City doomed to be lost in the noise and smog of the corporate world. Yet without V, the worlds of many Night City residents are changed for the worse.
What it Takes to Live
Don’t get me wrong, I do not advocate what V does in this ending. However, I think it is valuable to humanize V and people going through extremely difficult times.
I think it is important to look at video game characters and real people who go through tragic situations from their perspective. This means their backstory, experiences, mannerisms, thoughts, and behavior.
Likewise, I think it is important for people who go through these hard times to think carefully before taking drastic measures. Despite the futility of life, you still matter to yourself, to me, and to everyone around you.
In fact, my friends were right about the ending. Asking for help is not such a bad thing.
Immersion is one of the goals RPG games try to fulfill. It aims to bridge our in-game experiences with reality, and I believe Cyberpunk 2077 hit it home with this ending.
This ending talks about death, suffering, hope, and happiness. Most importantly, it talks about what it takes to live for different people in different situations.
Postface
This article started with me wanting to talk about how human and realistic V was with the Path of Least Resistance ending.
However, I wanted to discuss more as I explored more about V’s bouts of depression and imminent death. It took me quite a while to reframe and rewrite my story but I either got too technical or too preachy.
Instead, I had to be satisfied with leaving just one piece of advice so I can get my main thoughts across without being obnoxious or too academic.
Anyway, there should have been some way to put this part in the main article, but I couldn’t do it. So, I consider this piece of writing a failure. Still, I hope you enjoyed reading it.