Cyberpunk 2077 has gone through a remarkable transformation since launch. With the 2.1 patch and the Phantom Liberty expansion, the main story is now the tight, branching RPG CD Projekt RED promised years ago. This guide walks you through every main mission, flagging the decisions that change major outcomes without spoiling the specifics of any scene.
Act 1: The Prologue
Your opening mission is determined by your Lifepath. All three converge on the heist that defines Act 1, but exclusive scenes are worth the replay later.
- The Streetkid / Nomad / Corpo prologue — about 15 minutes each.
- The Rescue — first serious combat encounter. Save before the elevator.
- The Ripperdoc — install your starter cyberware.
- The Pickup — your first major choice. Siding with Meredith Stout unlocks a side quest chain; refusing preserves a neutral route.
- The Information — talk to Evelyn. She remembers whether you took Meredith’s chip.
- The Heist — the fork that ends Act 1. No real “choice” exists here — the outcome is scripted.
Key takeaways for Act 1
- Don’t sell iconic weapons from story missions — they scale as you level up.
- Spend initial attribute points in Body or Reflexes — raw combat output matters most early.
- Complete The Gig before proceeding to Act 2 to stock up on Eurodollars.
Act 2: Finding a Way Out
The open world unlocks. You now have four major story paths, each tied to a different character: Panam, Judy, River and Rogue. Completing all four is required for the secret ending.
| Path | Key mission | Unlocks |
|---|---|---|
| Panam / Nomads | Ghost Town | Aldecaldos ending |
| Judy / Moxes | Both Sides, Now | Judy romance (F V only) |
| River / NCPD | The Hunt | River romance (F V only) |
| Rogue / Afterlife | Chippin’ In | Solo / secret ending |
Phantom Liberty expansion
Phantom Liberty introduces Dogtown, a lawless district, and a brand-new spy-thriller storyline that can be started as early as mid-Act 2. Do note that the expansion has its own unique ending that overrides the base-game endings if you follow it through.
Recommendation: finish at least one base-game romance arc before locking into Phantom Liberty — some character reactions are gated behind existing relationships.
Getting the best ending
Without spoiling the specific outcome: the “secret” ending requires completing Johnny’s full friendship arc. Be honest with him in every heart-to-heart, complete all three Chippin’ In sub-quests, and choose the third dialogue option at a specific rooftop conversation late in Act 2. If you’ve done it right, a new dialogue choice appears at the point of no return.
Point of no return checklist
Before the final mission, make sure you’ve:
- Unlocked every cyberdeck tier you can afford.
- Maxed at least one combat skill tree (Blades, Handguns, Stealth are most effective).
- Completed all four Act 2 character arcs.
- Saved a separate manual slot labelled “point of no return” — endings lock your save.
Final thoughts
Cyberpunk 2077’s main story is roughly 25–30 hours on its own; 60+ with side content and Phantom Liberty. Treat it as an RPG where decisions compound, not a shooter — and your ending will feel earned.