Just as is pretty much everything else in Cyberpunk 2077 is heavily dependent on how you act and react, the very backstory of your character, V, depends on your choice. In fact, one of the very first things that you’ll have to choose in Cyberpunk 2077 is your lifepath and it will have a significant effect on your character. In particular, in how the opening sequence, the Prologue, plays out. Below, we’ll talk about what Cyberpunk 2077 lifepath options are available in the game, as well as how much they really affect gameplay.
What are the Different Cyberpunk 2077 Lifepaths?
Cyberpunk 2077 has three different lifepaths: Nomad, Corpo, and Street Kid. Choosing a lifepath in Cyberpunk 2077 will affect the backstory of your character, V, as well as affect certain things in the game. Albeit it won’t be to the extent where something/some content is exclusive only to players who choose a particular lifepath. In summary, these are the main differences between the three life paths:
The story of the Prologue as each lifepath starts you off in a different location in Night City, as well as introduces you to a different set of characters from the start of the game. Although you’ll get to meet Jackie Welles in the Prologue of Cyberpunk 2077 regardless of your lifepath choice, how (and how well) you know him will differ depending on your lifepath of choice. As already mentioned, certain options will be available only to players of a particular lifepath in different situations throughout the game. Even if it isn’t as severe as to drastically affect outcomes of Side Jobs and Main Jobs, how other in-game characters react and interact with V will depend on your lifepath. For example, you’ll be able to talk freely with other corporate employees if you started with a Corpo lifepath. At the same time, a Nomad lifepath will make other nomads more receptive to V. Certain Side Jobs are available only to specific lifepaths. However, it’s important to keep in mind that these Side Jobs won’t have any bearing on the ending of the game.
Just to be clear, your Cyberpunk 2077 lifepath of choice won’t influence the romance options available for V. Instead, what will affect your romance options in Cyberpunk 2077 is your choice of body type, genitalia, and voice tone. Your lifepath will also not dictate your build and playstyle. Not to mention, after the Prologue section of the game, all lifepaths will lead to the same starting point. In any case, once you’ve finished choosing your lifepath in Cyberpunk 2077, you’ll then be able to proceed with customizing how V looks and more.
Each Cyberpunk 2077 Lifepath Explained
Corpo
Choosing the Corpo lifepath in Cyberpunk 2077 will open up unique dialogue options and interactions when dealing with the megacorporations that run Night City. The game will start you off in the Arasaka Tower, where you are currently employed, as you get called to the office of your superior where you catch him watching a meeting with the rest of the European Space Council. Let’s just say that the meeting doesn’t go well and your boss, Arthur Jenkins, decides to let you handle a special task. From there, you’ll meet up with a friend and party it up at a nightclub. However, instead of saying goodbye to your worries, you’ll find yourself in even deeper trouble, and the game pretty much fast forwards to six months later when you’ve already left Arasaka Corp to live the life of a mercenary. What’s also great about the Corpo lifepath is that it gives you access to the earliest Easter Egg available in Cyberpunk 2077. The main disadvantage is that you’ll have little experience dealing with the gangs of Night City, as well as the ins and outs of the streets, which is pretty much where you’ll be spending most of your time playing Cyberpunk 2077.
Nomad
From the high-rise buildings that the Corpo lifepath will expose you to, the Nomad lifepath starts you off literally outside of Night City. Choosing this lifepath will give you a backstory of a V who just left his Nomad clan so that he or she can try his luck venturing it out on the world alone. The story doesn’t take its time going from bad to worse as you find yourself needing your car repaired. Then, one thing leads to another, and before you know it, you’re asked to smuggle something inside Night City. Unfortunately, things take a turn for the worst and don’t go as planned. Eventually, you’ll find yourself in Night City anyway, and later on, in the game, you’ll get a unique mission that lets you recover your car from the start of the game.
Street Kid
Born and raised in the Watson district of Night City, choosing the Street Kid lifepath gives you a backstory of someone who was raised in the streets, but went away somewhere else, only to find his way back home. As a Street Kid, you’re famous with the local populace. Everyone, especially local fixers, know who you are. The story starts with you going to your local bar where the barman is facing some trouble and asks for your help in fixing this. You then go and get things sorted out, make a friend, and pretty much welcome yourself back to Night City in arguably the best backstory available in Cyberpunk 2077.
