In Cyberpunk 2077 players can “romance” different NPCs. MeinMMO author Johanna Heuck usually doesn’t care for romancing in video games but tried it with this game. However, this particular game breaks her heart for the first time.
I have never really been interested in romancing options in games. For me, they never had a profound purpose, but rather a practical one.
I only took Ysolda from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim as my wife because she was a merchant in Whiterun. That way, every time I came home, I could collect part of her income from the shop and trade with her at the same time.
That was quite handy, but had no romantic meaning. Sorry you had to find out this way, Ysolda!
However, with Cyberpunk 2077, I decided to explore Judy’s romancing options. I had no idea that my first deeper romancing experience would break my heart.
Judy, my chosen one
You meet Judy in the main quest of Cyberpunk 2077. She’s a hacker who helps you find important clues in a braindance relatively early in the main story.
Once you complete the quest section she appears in, you can finish another side quest with her. This side quest is also the way to romance her. There is no other way into the heart of an NPC.
She is also the only women-loving woman you can enter into a relationship with. But that’s okay because she is wonderful. I am in love, and she is also in love with me when I finally complete her questline.
As a conclusion to our romance, we go on a dive together. She tells me a lot about her life, and then, well, okay, I almost die down there, and she has to save me.
I know, I can flirt. But it’s all intentional. I just wanted to get closer to her.
After we had a romantic date, got closer, and swore eternal love to each other (well, I did at least in front of my PlayStation), she gives me access to her apartment.
Fateful separation
So now that I am in a committed relationship with obligations, I play a bit further and complete other quests.
In between, I keep receiving messages from Judy. She calls me “my little pumpkin”. She surely calls no one else that, just me. Everything is perfect.
I advance in the quests of Phantom Liberty. I choose the ending where a saving operation is promised to me by Solomon Reed.
Just before I decide to undergo this, I get the chance to say goodbye to my friends. Of course, Judy also gets a message. I tell her I have to leave Night City for about three months, then I will be back.
Eventually, I wake up after some dream sequences. Solomon Reed explains to me that the operation went well, but I can never have combat cyberware implanted again and oh, I was in a coma for two years and no one knew where I was. Ah, okay, cool.
Actually, that’s not so bad. After all, I intended to ride into the sunset with Judy and settle down. So everything is fine, right?
I pull myself together and call Judy first. She has a different hairstyle but still looks like the angel I fell in love with back then. When I talk to her, she is very cool.
Then the shock: she’s no longer in Night City and has a girlfriend. A loud “What!?” escapes me, and I can hear my heart shattering.
I mean, of course, I’ve been gone for two years. Without any sign of life. So, I get it, but my heart…
The further progression of the ending is even more depressing. I have no one by my side and am doomed to walk through Night City like an NPC for the rest of my life.
No happy ending, but still happy
For the first time, I actually cared about a romancing NPC and about a happy ending, and then this.
Cyberpunk 2077 did something right with its storytelling. Judy and also V himself are tragic characters who lost a lot in Night City, and as a player, you wish for nothing but a happy ending.
But CD Projekt Red doesn’t give us that, and while it breaks my heart, I also find it beautiful at the same time. This (love) story is not fair, and that makes it real. And real stories are what appeal to me the most.
It’s a story that has impressed me and one I will always remember. A run-of-the-mill hero-and-they-ride-into-the-sunset story wouldn’t keep me occupied for so long. Even though I would really have liked to get a happy ending with Judy.
Maybe it’s just karma coming back to me after I’ve always married NPCs like Ysolda for practical reasons.
As they say: the first love always hurts the most, huh? If you could excuse me now, I’ll load a save slot where I’m still with Judy, and everything is fine.
Not only was romancing a foreign concept in video games for me, but also the shooter genre. However, I definitely wanted to try out Space Marine 2. You can read about my experiences and my newfound love for the lore here: Space Marine 2 made me eager for Warhammer 40,000, even though I really suck at it
Your opinion is important to us!
Do you like the article? Then let us know!