Cyberpunk 2077 will feature a ‘Lifepath’ system as a part of the character customization. Similar to Mass Effect’s Pre-Service History and Psychological Profile system, you can choose what kind of backstory you want for V, the game’s main character. It will also change how parts of the story play out and how you end up meeting with your in-game partner, Jackie Welles.
Through the latest gameplay trailer in the latest ‘Night City Wire’ update and a Q&A section with IGN, Cyberpunk 2077 Quest Design Coordinator Phillip Weber and Pawel Kapala delve deeper into how this Lifepath system works.
Street Kid
As a Street Kid, you are familiar with the ups and downs of Night City slums like the back of your hands. Knowing gang members and shady people through this Lifepath will open up unique opportunities in Cyberpunk 2077. One of them is meeting a ‘fixer’ named Padre early.
A fixer is an intermediary who contracts low-lifers like V to fix ‘problems’ for someone with loads of money. Problems that, probably, involves violence and forcefully taking things from people. Fixers are territorial. Padre works in Haywood, the neighborhood your Street Kid V grew up in. Others like Dexter DeShawn controls other places. Even if you end up choosing another Lifepath, don’t worry. You will still be able to find him when you need jobs in Haywood.
Corpo
In contrast to Street Kid’s rough upbringing, as a Corpo, you already enjoyed the high-life lifestyle of Night City. You will start as a corporate member of the Arasaka Corporation. Since your V rose through corporate ranks as a cunning businessman, you will be suave in conversations or when doing ‘business’. Reading “between the lines” to predict people’s minds and gain the upper hand in negotiations is like child’s play with this Lifepath.
Nomad
Part of the Nomad clan and family who roamed the harsh desert areas surrounding Night City, the Badlands. For one reason or another, you left them and decided to make a new life in the glitz and glamour of the city.
Compared to the two other Lifepaths, this one has a completely different opening. Your game will start with how to get into Night City from the outside world instead of you already inside.
Lifepath Differences in Cyberpunk 2077 Missions
Of course, choosing a backstory for V won’t just affect what opening you get and which NPCs you can unlock early. For example, Weber chose a mission where you have to steal a Flathead robot from the Maelstrom Gang. The Maelstrom stole it first from corporate transport. The transport owner, Meredith Stout, will give you an optional objective when you are going to take that robot back.
As a Corpo, you will be able to read Meredith’s own goal for keeping that robot to herself. Then you can either make a deal with her – or backstab her with the Gang for other business opportunities. As a Nomad, your knowledge about the Gang’s modus operandi in stealing robots from high-tech paramilitary organizations like Meredith’s will open up more dialogue options.
Meanwhile, you won’t get any extra dialogue with Meredith as a Street Kid since you don’t know anything about either party. Later though, you might encounter a moment to bond with a Maelstrom Gang member regarding “illegal substance.”
Cyberpunk 2077 is planned to be released on November 19th, 2020. Which backstory will you choose then? Tell us what you think of Cyberpunk 2077‘s Lifepath systems in the comments below.
