Where I Would Love to See Additions Inside the Story

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Before launching in to this, I should lay it out that I basically see the game in four phases.

1. Essentially ACT 1, which has some of the best missions in the game, solid characters, and good writing. Its only weakness is that it is quite short, and that some of the character development referenced later in the game doesn't get time to blossom. Side gigs are flavorful if not too complex, and generally decently thought out.

2. Probably the weakest phase of the game, think of it as ACT 2A. Starts off with a bang - but then gets a bit lackluster. The main arcs for Takemura and Panam are decent, with some cool set piece moments, but not stellar. The Judy-Ev story is good. The relationship with Johnny and the Relic is kind of...arbitrary in it's development. Short bursts of jarring exposition rather than a smooth evolution. And the side gigs are the most filler-esque.

3. But then you finish up with the VDBs and all of a sudden the game explodes. Call it ACT 2.5 It's a pity it keeps trying to shove you to Nocturne, because more or less all of the best character arcs happen here, the side gigs get better again, more and more arc'd gigs come in, and just generally speaking you go "Ah! This is where the Witcher side-quest team went!" but you'll never know unless you ignore that auto-default to the end game.

4. Then the endings. I actually really like the whole endgame sequence, including the endings. I think this is strong, though I realize there are those who disagree.

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Great, so why bother saying any of that? Because this is where I would love to see the current story buffed up before we start playing with Romancing the Crystal Palace or whatnot.

1. Maybe just one more main line mission in act 1 before the Konpeki trio. Something to really flesh out the relationship between Jackie, T-Bug, and V, and most importantly to cement this idea that yes, Jackie and V really do both want to be legends/rich. That particular thread is referenced on and off haphazardly, yet is supposed to be a central motivation to kick start V's rise.

2. Expand the Johnny-V relationship in phase 2. Just a few more conversations, maybe short named gigs, to smooth the transitions, expand on Johnny's view on things (and et V respond to it) between "I'm just using you to attack 'saka!" and "V, have these tags". In addition, since the game has a running thing about what makes an identity an identity, your relationship with death, ship of Theseus, and of course at what price glory...you know, it wouldn't be bad to have a couple talks/gigs related to those ideas.

3. For the love of god, please improve the early-mid game side gigs.

4. If you did the thematic set up work in 1 and 2, I bet any will feel less blindsided by some of the endings.
 
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This is what I want. You should have the option to save Jackie and T-Bug and then proceed to work with them. Both Jackie and Judy, along with other characters V interacts with have ties to gangs, but we can't really interact with the gangs. If we help those characters we should get introduced to their respective gangs, and even though we can't join, we should be able to become their allies if we choose. Same with corpos, maybe even the cops. V knows about as many cops as gang members.

Of course being allies with certain factions would mean other factions become hostile to V, helping the Moxes means the Tyger Claws may try to kill V on sight. This could also lead to a shift in the balance of power in Night City, as groups that don't normally have anything in common suddenly do. If V is working with Militech and the Moxes, then Militech might back the Moxes, as it would be the answer to the Arasaka/Tyger Claws relationship.

Why they didn't do this I have no idea, as the Panam quest line could basically be used as a template to implement the rest of these ideas.

edit forgot to say that Takemura/Hanako route is basically like the thread that ties everything together
 
Of course being allies with certain factions would mean other factions become hostile to V, helping the Moxes means the Tyger Claws may try to kill V on sight. This could also lead to a shift in the balance of power in Night City, as groups that don't normally have anything in common suddenly do. If V is working with Militech and the Moxes, then Militech might back the Moxes, as it would be the answer to the Arasaka/Tyger Claws relationship.
Just thinking out loud.

There are 5,500 Tyger Claws in the Night City vs. 250 Moxes and V is single mercenary. Tyger Claws also has backing from the Arasaka. If situation escalated with Moxes, like in the past, why would they focus on single mercenary when logical step would be take it on Moxes? Why wouldn't they did the same they did in the past and take out leadership, like they did with Lizzie?

It was the city wide riot that caused Tyger Claws to back down to current status quo, not Moxes power, they are smallest gang in city.

Why would Militech back up Moxes when Moxes has very little to do with power dynamics to begin with? They want to run their own business at peace, that's it. Or why in the world would Moxes wanted to get mixed up in Arasaka / Militech conflict where they have no power to cover themselves from being stabbed in the back?
 
1. Maybe just one more main line mission in act 1 before the Konpeki trio. Something to really flesh out the relationship between Jackie, T-Bug, and V, and most importantly to cement this idea that yes, Jackie and V really do both want to be legends/rich. That particular thread is referenced on and off haphazardly, yet is supposed to be a central motivation to kick start V's rise.

What am I missing - why does V want to be a legend? Jackie sure - he could not wait to be one and dragged us into this mess we have to deal with. But why V?

2. Expand the Johnny-V relationship in phase 2. Just a few more conversations, maybe short named gigs, to smooth the transitions, expand on Johnny's view on things (and et V respond to it) between "I'm just using you to attack 'saka!" and "V, have these tags". In addition, since the game has a running thing about what makes an identity an identity, your relationship with death, ship of Theseus, and of course at what price glory...you know, it wouldn't be bad to have a couple talks/gigs related to those ideas.

I am not sure the lack of interactions with Silverhand is the problem. Imo the main quest just needs better pacing. My first time I barely had the time to do a few side missions since I was not willing to headcanon why I am doing side missions instead of important stuff:)

...but I wouldn't say no to a playable 6 months:)
 
2. Expand the Johnny-V relationship in phase 2. Just a few more conversations, maybe short named gigs, to smooth the transitions, expand on Johnny's view on things (and et V respond to it) between "I'm just using you to attack 'saka!" and "V, have these tags". In addition, since the game has a running thing about what makes an identity an identity, your relationship with death, ship of Theseus, and of course at what price glory...you know, it wouldn't be bad to have a couple talks/gigs related to those ideas.
I disagree with this. The game has enough Johnny. Bordering on too much. What they need is more missions about V, and V alone. Not being second fiddle to some objective. I'm doing this mission for myself. Example. The Peralze side missions. I was beyond mad that these bastards hacked into V. And I was like: Why couldn't I sick ALT on them at the end of the game. Or just walk up to them and blow them away. I took down Arasaka. These jokers mean garbage.

This is what I want. You should have the option to save Jackie and T-Bug and then proceed to work with them.
No. This is basically making a completely different game. Not realistic. Act one needs to be extended to properly introduce us to the ignored characters. Not rewrite the game.
 
I disagree with this. The game has enough Johnny. Bordering on too much. What they need is more missions about V, and V alone. Not being second fiddle to some objective. I'm doing this mission for myself. Example. The Peralze side missions. I was beyond mad that these bastards hacked into V. And I was like: Why couldn't I sick ALT on them at the end of the game. Or just walk up to them and blow them away. I took down Arasaka. These jokers mean garbage.


No. This is basically making a completely different game. Not realistic. Act one needs to be extended to properly introduce us to the ignored characters. Not rewrite the game.
You basically said the same thing adding stuff to act one is basically rewriting codes and all that is no different than this

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and btw what you said literally explains why people are so divided and confused with story half of the stories we go through are literally unfinished and people can't crack the right answers Alt is basically a AI at this point but the person who Hacks you is also an AI Mr blue eyes in no shape of form we ever get to actually solve this mistery nor with vodoo boys nor with Alt nor with anything which literally could tie so many other factions in Militech,Malstrom,Arasaka and so much more but we see none of that as far as im concerned this game needs to be re made from scrap or atleast put their 100% effort in an expansion to make it actually worth all that
 
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put their 100% effort in an expansion to make it actually worth all that

please this....but probably wishful thinking on my part, as I don't know if they will take such a big risk at this point:)
Edit: To take this even more offtopic - now that Silverhand is gone, we can start the REAL game!
 
please this....but probably wishful thinking on my part, as I don't know if they will take such a big risk at this point:)
Edit: To take this even more offtopic - now that Silverhand is gone, we can start the REAL game!
I mean it has to happen imagine if this happened to a starwars game or anything who is high rated cyberpunk lore is as packed as harry potter and starwars for how many things are involved in it last thing that this game needs is more questions than answes
 
Well, we know V does want to be a big-shot at some point. We hear about it in clouds, its implied with talks with Jackie and dex, and it's an ending. Plus all the marketing material. And, you know, because otherwise you'd never take the Arasaka job to begin with, which would cut the story off real quick.

The problem is that while the story is kind of dependent on it (and the player certainly reinforces it, playing bigger and bigger jobs for more cash, more street cred, and bugger ) it only gets mentioned here and there. It's clearly supposed to be a thing, so let's cement that thing.

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Re: Johnny. We get a lot of him, just not a lot explaining how he gets from A to B. I suspect actually having visible character development with less "Step Function" would actually make him a far better character.
 
Ofcourse V wants to be successful...it's just that I always thought of 'legend' as someone who is ready to die to get that status (and get drink in afterlife), misunderstanding on my part I guess....my bad:)
Still don't understand why you think more Johny will be a step towards fixing the game.

...now I keep thinking of the scene when you first go to Afterlife and discover how the drinks are named. Wish there was a toast 'to never becoming legends').....Jackie's reaction would have been so amusing:)
 
Well, we know V does want to be a big-shot at some point. We hear about it in clouds, its implied with talks with Jackie and dex, and it's an ending. Plus all the marketing material. And, you know, because otherwise you'd never take the Arasaka job to begin with, which would cut the story off real quick.

The problem is that while the story is kind of dependent on it (and the player certainly reinforces it, playing bigger and bigger jobs for more cash, more street cred, and bugger ) it only gets mentioned here and there. It's clearly supposed to be a thing, so let's cement that thing.

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Re: Johnny. We get a lot of him, just not a lot explaining how he gets from A to B. I suspect actually having visible character development with less "Step Function" would actually make him a far better character.
we'll get more of johnny or atleast a little more context just because of the arasaka bomb situation there were so many characters involved in that plan that we havent seen much of them like morgan blackhand, when johnny first encounters adam the scene cuts and we don't know the rest but we know he got out of that fight somehow but then he fell off the heli

with this being said as much as i love lore and i want to know more about it i'm dead tired of johnny
 
I recently finished my first playthtough as a jack of all trades street kid exploring most of the side content.
Now I'm in tge beggining of act 1 as a Nomad that will be mostly techy and body, some reflexes.
I'm having fun in the beggining of this playthrough cause at the start of act 1 I recorded Jackie's holocall to meet him downstairs so I can replay it later and I went out the building without talking to him and all the watson side stuff opened up except car sales and psycokiller missions, that I'm aware so far. Also more stuff opens up as street cred goes up. But it's been good to have this time to rank my character up a bit and explore the city as a nomad that doesn't know much of it yet and have the low merc feelling goung on. In that sense the early gigs don't feel so out of place, because I'm not ignoring a first major gig with Dexter Deshawn to do these. Later when I'm ready to start trying to hit the major leagues as they say I'll go to V's apartment, go to bed and replay the video of the call XD
 
I guess i completely disagree. Act 1 is serviceable, act 2 is fine, act 3 is abrupt. The endings are an atrocious disaster, no amount of tinkering with early portions is going to make that horrid mess anything but the poison to the rest of the game that they are.
 
One of the ideal places to have a bit of character development would be during the fast forward part before the heist. Maybe do some hacking jobs with Tbug or a few jobs with Jackie. Maybe even get some introductions to some people that aren't relevant yet

Oh and only make the OP55N1 mission the default mission once the other main story lines are complete. I t seems like i spend half the game with that as the mission .
 
Just thinking out loud.

There are 5,500 Tyger Claws in the Night City vs. 250 Moxes and V is single mercenary. Tyger Claws also has backing from the Arasaka. If situation escalated with Moxes, like in the past, why would they focus on single mercenary when logical step would be take it on Moxes? Why wouldn't they did the same they did in the past and take out leadership, like they did with Lizzie?

It was the city wide riot that caused Tyger Claws to back down to current status quo, not Moxes power, they are smallest gang in city.

Why would Militech back up Moxes when Moxes has very little to do with power dynamics to begin with? They want to run their own business at peace, that's it. Or why in the world would Moxes wanted to get mixed up in Arasaka / Militech conflict where they have no power to cover themselves from being stabbed in the back?
The Tyger Claws don't want another riot, and the current leader of the Moxes is anti conflict so that works in the Tyger Claws favor.
V isn't a Mox so the Tyger Claws can wipe them out without problems. V could be an extremely powerful ally to the Moxes however as V has worked with and for some very powerful people in night city.
The Moxes could be used by Militech to gather information on certain important clients, and in return get money and equipment. Its not like they have to announce their partnership. Also it would keep Militech personal away from certain Tyger Claw businesses.

Also it was just an example I came up with. To really counter the Arasaka gang combo you would need multiple gangs, as The Tyger Claws and the Maelstrom both have ties to Arasaka.
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I disagree with this. The game has enough Johnny. Bordering on too much. What they need is more missions about V, and V alone. Not being second fiddle to some objective. I'm doing this mission for myself. Example. The Peralze side missions. I was beyond mad that these bastards hacked into V. And I was like: Why couldn't I sick ALT on them at the end of the game. Or just walk up to them and blow them away. I took down Arasaka. These jokers mean garbage.


No. This is basically making a completely different game. Not realistic. Act one needs to be extended to properly introduce us to the ignored characters. Not rewrite the game.
They wouldn't have to do a rewrite. Everything could basically work the same up until T-Bug and Jackie die, V saves them, T-Bug goes into hiding, Jackie goes to receive medical care, and that leaves V to get shot by Dex. The main Goro/Hanako route remains unchanged, they just add more branches to play.
 
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This diagram is really silly. "What we wanted" is a game that has four times more content and that is absurd. Its even more laborious than the number implies because its four times more content that has to be designed and structured in such a way that accounts for millions of players doing things out of sequence and generally doing what players do, which is break everything.

Don't even get me started on things like "work with gangs". The gangs of Cyberpunk are the most abhorrent people in the in-game universe. We are talking people who participate in snuff porn, human trafficking, torture and rape (sometimes all four at the same time).
 
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This diagram is really silly. "What we wanted" is a game that has four times more content and that is absurd. Its even worse than that because its four times more content that has to be designed and structured in such a way that accounts for millions of players doing things out of sequence and generally doing what players do, which is break everything.

Don't even get me started on things like "work with gangs". The gangs of Cyberpunk are the most abhorrent people in the in-game universe. We are talking people who participate in snuff porn, human trafficking, torture and rape (sometimes both all of them at the same time).
Its no different then the Panam and Sliverhand questlines. That is why in my post the Goro/Hanako quest line remains the thread that ties them together.
Also V gets hired to kill and help smuggle people, so?
 
The Tyger Claws don't want another riot, and the current leader of the Moxes is anti conflict so that works in the Tyger Claws favor.
V isn't a Mox so the Tyger Claws can wipe them out without problems. V could be an extremely powerful ally to the Moxes however as V has worked with and for some very powerful people in night city.
The Moxes could be used by Militech to gather information on certain important clients, and in return get money and equipment. Its not like they have to announce their partnership. Also it would keep Militech personal away from certain Tyger Claw businesses.
I mean Padre side quest Valentinos get hired behind padre's back to go attack an arasaka facility with geared provided by Militech meaning that during V story militech is getting ready to counter Arasaka for what its worth anyone would be willing to counter a corpo if there is money involved If mister blue eyes works for militech and if at the secret meeting those were militech agents that means that maelstrom is basically doing the same thing sadly we never get the chance to explore any of it same with Suzie Q a poor leader who we never actually get to know is forced to run his gang like an actual business club and so forced to leave lizzie's legacy behind. Would be great to explore those
 
Panam and Silverhand's questlines are a substantial part of the game with a large amount of bespoke assets - unique action set pieces, scripted events, unique dialogue and mo-cap animations. This is not something you can copy paste all over the map and just replace the model with Jackie's.

V is a solo, which in the lore is a freelancer with no allegiance to any faction. Why the hell would anyone want to work with the Tyger Claws? These are people who extort women into doll work for poverty wages - a kind of sex work where they are not even aware of their own rape. This is an organisation with people like Jotaro in it. You know, the guy who scrolls virtus of himself raping, torturing and murdering prostitutes and selling the scrolls on the XBD market.

I can't believe you are even equivocating. V gets contracted to put people like that down because they use their power and influence to harm the most vulnerable people in society.
 
Panam and Silverhand's questlines are a substantial part of the game with a large amount of bespoke assets - unique action set pieces, scripted events, unique dialogue and mo-cap animations. This is not something you can copy paste all over the map and just replace the model with Jackie's.

V is a solo, which in the lore is a freelancer with no allegiance to any faction. Why the hell would anyone want to work with the Tyger Claws? These are people who extort women into doll work for poverty wages - a kind of sex work where they are not even aware of their own rape. This is an organisation with people like Jotaro in it. You know, the guy who scrolls virtus of himself raping, torturing and murdering prostitutes and selling the scrolls on the XBD market.

I can't believe you are even equivocating. V gets contracted to put people like that down because they use their power and influence to harm the most vulnerable people in society.
I never said the Tyger Claws, and that wouldn't make any sense as they have ties to Arasaka, who V works against most of the game. Also the scavengers and Maelstrom made the really bad porn videos, the ones with Evelyn. Maelstrom same as the Tyger Claws have ties to Arasaka. Again the Scavengers don't make sense because of the initial rescue mission. Wanako if I recall helped set up Evelyn's selll, but V still works with her.
 
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