On my first play through, I chose the Arasaka ending and rejected the contract. After some research about the other endings, let me give you a list of why I think my choice leads to the best ending.
1. Any other choice results in Soulkiller removing Johnny's engram or V dying. Now, I personally have a huge issue with using Soulkiller in my play through so it was never an option. Anytime a copy of the mind is used in fiction, it is treated as if the 'ego' survives when the copy is transferred into a vessel. It does not.
Here is a mental experiment to try and convince you: Imagine a copy of your mind/soul/whatever is made and you SURVIVE THIS PROCESS. The copy is transferred to a physical clone of you and is kept in a lab. You go on with your own business but death befalls you as you are accidentally struck by a speeding truck. The copy replaces you in society and everyone is none the wiser. In this scenario, you have experienced death and are no longer conscious. Thus, In my opinion, 'you' have not survived.
2. So you get sent back to Earth with EVERYTHING YOU STILL HAD BEFORE. That romantic relationship? Still there. No one died unnecessarily. Rogue? Alive. Still family with the Avocados? Yep. How is this ending any different to the Panam ending minus the scenery? (I do regret not going back for Takemura though)':
3. A few people mention that you should stick it to Arasaka like somehow it was your duty to do so. I feel like destroying Arasaka is a pointless exercise fueled by petulant self interest. So what if you adhere to whatever principals you had and took Arasaka down a peg? Cool? Now Militech and the other megacorps get to eat away at some of that Arasaka real estate you freed up. Great job.
I'm keen to hear what you guys think. By all means, take the discussion as seriously as you want but be civil.
1. Any other choice results in Soulkiller removing Johnny's engram or V dying. Now, I personally have a huge issue with using Soulkiller in my play through so it was never an option. Anytime a copy of the mind is used in fiction, it is treated as if the 'ego' survives when the copy is transferred into a vessel. It does not.
Here is a mental experiment to try and convince you: Imagine a copy of your mind/soul/whatever is made and you SURVIVE THIS PROCESS. The copy is transferred to a physical clone of you and is kept in a lab. You go on with your own business but death befalls you as you are accidentally struck by a speeding truck. The copy replaces you in society and everyone is none the wiser. In this scenario, you have experienced death and are no longer conscious. Thus, In my opinion, 'you' have not survived.
2. So you get sent back to Earth with EVERYTHING YOU STILL HAD BEFORE. That romantic relationship? Still there. No one died unnecessarily. Rogue? Alive. Still family with the Avocados? Yep. How is this ending any different to the Panam ending minus the scenery? (I do regret not going back for Takemura though)':
3. A few people mention that you should stick it to Arasaka like somehow it was your duty to do so. I feel like destroying Arasaka is a pointless exercise fueled by petulant self interest. So what if you adhere to whatever principals you had and took Arasaka down a peg? Cool? Now Militech and the other megacorps get to eat away at some of that Arasaka real estate you freed up. Great job.
I'm keen to hear what you guys think. By all means, take the discussion as seriously as you want but be civil.