Decoding the Choices in Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty DLC: Unmasking Solomon Reed's Fate
In the world of Cyberpunk 2077, the Phantom Liberty DLC offers players a multitude of choices that impact the narrative's ending. A pivotal decision in this plotline involves Solomon Reed, where players can either agree to his proposition or decide against it. This choice occurs late in the game and can significantly influence the final outcome.
The Path To The "The Killing Moon" Mission
Before the player can make a decision about Reed, they must first navigate their way to "The Killing Moon" mission. This mission activates after siding with Songbird in the "Firestarter" mission, leading the player to the NUSA transport ship. Here, they learn about Songbird's deceptive actions surrounding the neural matrix. At this point, the player has the choice to contact Reed about Songbird's actions or wait for events to unfold naturally.
Navigating The Choices In "The Killing Moon"
During the journey to the NUSA transport ship, the player has the option to "Pick Up Songbird" or "Call Reed." If the player decides not to contact Reed, they can proceed to the ship with Songbird once the train stops. Either way, Reed will appear, and the player will need to decide between him and Songbird during the final moments.
Exploring The Consequences Of Contacting Reed
If the player chooses to contact Reed, he commits to helping them find a cure as promised earlier. This decision branches into several other choices, which can significantly influence the ending of Phantom Liberty. The player can agree to Reed's deal, surrender Songbird without accepting the cure, or refuse the deal outright. The third option won't block the new ending, but the first two can.
The Aftermath Of Agreeing To Reed's Proposition
Accepting Reed's deal at the end of Phantom Liberty DLC locks the player into a specific ending. Reed ties Songbird to the NUSA transport ship, promises to assist in finding a cure, and departs. This ending is similar to the outcome if players surrendered Songbird earlier in the storyline, albeit with a few additional elements. However, this choice bars the player from experiencing the final climax of Phantom Liberty. Despite this, it does pave the way for V to undergo surgery in DC.
Denying Reed's Offer: The Impact
If players refuse Reed's offer, the ending mirrors the one mentioned above, with some variations depending on whether they gave up Songbird or not. If the player chooses to deny Reed's proposition completely, they unlock the "Draw weapon" option. Choosing this option and successfully defeating Reed before he retaliates terminates the game at this point. Post this, V can still put Songbird on the ship, which is followed by a conversation with Johnny after the credits roll. This choice leads to a different ending and blocks the "Through Pain To Heaven" mission from unlocking.
Given the consequences, only players seeking this specific ending would likely opt to deny Reed's offer. This path does not provide any particular benefits and excludes the "Through Pain To Heaven" mission from the post-game narrative. Hence, while it could be intriguing to see how denying Reed's offer influences Cyberpunk 2077's ending, it might not be the best choice for players aiming to unlock Reed's post-game mission.
