Except the story often feels like punishes V if he doesn't side with Jhonny.Here is the thing. You DON'T have to listen to anything that Silverhand tells you.
Some of the more interesting outcomes are when you don't listen to him. (Avoiding spoilers) The fact that most people will listen to Silverhand instead of making up their own mind is more telling about the human psyche than anything else. It's what sci-fi is all about.
I'm not just blowing smoke. The data shows it. Cool thing about Steam is it shows people's % that have done what content via achievements. If you think the game is rail-roading you it's because you let it.
The idea I guess is that you two already are rolling in the same circles and are in the same boat. The montage is a corner cut to force the idea of a best buddy friendship on you. You even move in with Jackie, which begs the question. Where did you live before?!I said this in other topics but the street kid one doesn't make sense to me. In the sense that you become best buds with Jackie after he tried to carjack you.