Ok first of all I have to say that cp2077 is probably the only RPG that has kept me interested enough to finish the game. Not only once, but to see the 3 main endings, and opted for V to live on. I don't play much RPG from start to finish, so this says alot about this game, well, for me at least.
I really enjoyed the story, the characters, the dialogs, the freaking awesome sound track, Le Destroy - Pain, top track. The look and feel of Night City was on overdrive, supercharged. I had this game running on psycho settings with RTX on quality on a 21:9 screen and I can say, it's almost like I was in another world.
That was how hooked I was, up until the end... Not to say the endings were bad, it is good enough to get a reaction out of me. Just would like to share my opinion, so spoilers ahead.
My issues with the endings are, there is really no proper ending for Female V and her lover, in this case, Judy. (Excluding Ward, he didn't get any action.)
The reason why I say this is, the best outcome I can see is the ending with the Aldecaldos. After going though an awesome side story for the two lovebirds, it felt wrong for the Female V sitting next to Panam in the final cut scene... I mean what the f? Why didn't Female V ride off with Judy? Mitch coulda jumped into the panzer with Panam. Female V should have been driving one of the cars with Judy by her side, holding each other hands or something... that's what partners do... Not jump in someone's ride lol.
That final scene didn't quite work for me. It should have been Female V and Judy. Poor girl is gona die and she doesn't even have a proper ending with her lover Judy...
To me that ending was geared towards Male V. Perfect for Male V. The last scene Panam with Male V.
Also something to note, Judy was standing next to Carol, back at camp before leaving. For some reason, that sent vibes that Carol could have been a potential match up for Judy... perfect round up for the Male V ending too, gives Judy hope there for happiness.
The Arasaka ending, where Female V calls Judy on the space station and Judy says she wants her back! like yesterday! and when Female V finally leaves, in the credits, Judy ditches Female V. *crickets* What da f...? That was a kick in the teeth lol. I'm gona chalk that up as a bug... A massive story breaking one... crash and burn hard.
This was the first ending I chose, because it was the only option I can see that did not get any living friends killed. Poor Johnny is the sacrifice I would have given. No hard feeling, I like the man, but something have to give.
There should have been a following scene after the space shuttle, where Female V returns to Judy's apartment. Leave NC or not, agree with V's decision or not, to side with Arasaka, but at least it gives a nice touch to the ending, they still have one another till the end in the hell hole. That coulda been a Female V and Judy ending. It would have rounded that up nicer.
I mean, Judy did say do what you must, so the reason for the breakup is not about siding with Arasaka... something is not right there... I mean, if Female V sided with Clouds, yeah fair enuff, a break up would be believable.
Male V has a decent lover ending, why not Female V?
I can understand Johnny's ending. That one is fine, because in the end its about Johnny. we get f'ed over doom and gloom, fair enuff. Even in that ending Judy doesn't leave, she is still waiting... that's dedication. Poor thing doesn't cop a break in that ending. But somehow, she cbf waiting a few days on the Arasaka ending... go figure.
I can accept the dark doom and gloom vibe, it gives the game character. V was pretty much f'ed the first place when they took the heist. But give a few of the endings some light even though she is gona die months down the track. Just a little hope goes a long way.
The other thing to be thrown back into the last save point before meeting up with Hanako was pretty emersion breaking too. I don't know, could have teleported you back to your apartment or something and just have that quest marked completed. it woulda have more of a completion feel to it.