#i actively avoided beating the game for 300 hours because i didn't want to say goodbye to johnny

[dirtboy-merc]

SPOILER ALERT FOR THE ENDING OF CYBERPUNK 2077 DON’T READ IF YOU HAVEN’T BEATEN IT 

the way johnny and V’s relationship develops and evolves is such a powerful thing to me. it’s one of my favorite parts of the game. they start off opposing each other, wanting to get rid of each other - always clashing. johnny wants to destroy arasaka and wants to use V to do it. V just wants johnny out of their head. it’s a very... strained relationship to say the least.

but as time goes on, the two start to develop a type of bond that feels so genuine and real. they still bicker and push against each other, but in a warm way. they start to genuinely care about each other. johnny’s goal of wanting to fuck up arasaka is still there, but in the end, his true goal is to save V’s life. and that’s really something. johnny was such a raging asshole in life. selfish, arrogant, rude, destructive... he only did things for himself, and used whoever he needed to achieve that. johnny could have just waited for the relic to do its thing. take over V’s body. live again. instead, he rejected that notion and willingly sacrificed himself for V. a selfless johnny silverhand.

their goodbye in mikoshi made me fuckin’ cry like a baby. the way their little bickering dynamic was still present, but it hurt. they knew this was the end of the line, and it was painful. johnny completely rejects the idea of taking over V’s body and tells them not to do it. V lashes out at him, telling him he had no idea what this feels like, and johnny says, “we know that attitude. see, V? staying with you whether you like it or not.” and V doesn’t want to accept that. they say, “for fucks sake, defend yourself. you’re not even trying!” johnny not fighting or pushing back really means it’s the end. this is the end and V doesn’t want to accept it.

johnny is looking away from V, and you can tell it’s because this is really emotionally difficult for him. saying goodbye to the only person who saw him for everything he was and accepted him. he can’t look at V because it’s too hard. and he talks about what V has taught him, and how even though they were separated, a part of him will always be with V. it’s such a contrast to our first interaction with johnny, which was actively hostile and very aggressive. but here, there’s only warmth and love between the two, and you can feel it. because saying goodbye to johnny is equally as hard for V.

couple that with the music, and the way johnny places his hand on V’s shoulder and says goodbye. the look on his face. it’s so fucking heartbreaking and i cried like an absolute bitch.

i see a lot of people ragging on johnny and really disliking him as a character, and i mean, i can see why. he’s a jerk. but the way you can knock those barriers down and actually develop this strong bond with him and seeing how it changes both johnny and V... i think it’s something special.