In Cyberpunk 2077 you play as V, a mercenary outlaw looking for glamour and glory to become a legend on the streets of Night City. You can choose how they look, what skills you’re going to focus on and most importantly where their Lifepath comes from. In Cyberpunk 2077 your first big decision will come when you choose between the three Lifepaths that define V’s background.
As we mentioned in our everything we know about Cyberpunk 2077 article, this is a weighty decision that will affect your story, dialogue and certain quests and romance options in the game. It won’t affect your stats or ability but it will determine your introductory start into the game. As well as your interactions and dialogue choices with the residents of Night City and the Badlands.
There are three Lifepaths to choose from – Corporate, Nomad and Street Kid. In this article, we’re going to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each Lifepath.
Corporate Lifepath
“Few leave the corporate world with their lives – fewer still with their souls intact. You’ve been there – you’ve bent the rules, exploited secrets, and weaponized information. There’s no such thing as a fair game, only winners and losers.“
Are you a high functioning psociopath that only thinks of themselves? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to climb up that corporate ladder? Well congratulations you’re Handsome Jack, welcome to the Corpo life.
In this life, V starts off as an up-and-coming employee working in the counterintelligence division of Arasaka. One of those giant megacorporations that run the world. But life in a megacorp is not easy, everyone tries to screw you over for their position or to be your successor. To prove your worth to your boss Arthur Jenkins your first mission is to eliminate his competition in the company so that he can get her promotion.
Effect Of The Corporate Life
The Corpos in Night City are the elite and the people will automatically treat you as such. Choosing this Lifepath automatically comes with more respect from the people, opposed to the Nomad and Street kid.
As a Corpo your character is all business and his dialogue options can be very deceitful and manipulative. They’ll have access to critical information about the wonderful world of megacorporations. And they’ll be more skilled at obtaining information as well as conducting blackmail to get people to do what they want. If you want the Lifepath that will let you talk your way out of situations opposed to using violence than the Corpo life is for you.
Nomad Lifepath
“Roaming the Badlands, looting scrapyards, raiding fuel depots – life on the road wasn’t easy. But growing up in a nomad clan has its perks. Honest, integrity, and a love of freedom – qualities that few in Night City possess, and no amount of money can buy.“
That slimy, suit-wearing corporate life not for you? Do you want the freedom and honesty to express yourself no matter the situation? Then get out of Night City and move to the Badlands. It’s the Nomad’s life for you.
As a Nomad, you start off in the Badlands, an arid stretch of desert that surrounds Night City. Nothing comes easy and you have to take from others on a daily basis. You’ve broken away from your clan and you’re traveling solo, but you won’t be alone for long. You’re leaving Southern California and making your way to Night City to begin a life there, but there’s a job to do first. There’s some questionable cargo that needs to be taken across the border and it’s on you to ensure it slips through safely.
Effect Of The Nomad Life
Starting fresh off in Night City is both a blessing and a curse. You have no ties to anyone and you get to experience the city for the first time with fresh eyes. Unfortunately to the people of Night City you’re an unwelcome guest in their home and they don’t take kindly to strangers. Don’t expect the respect of the Corpo or the kindess as a Street Kid. People won’t be happy to see you and will naturally be suspicious and untrusting.
Nomad’s are honest with a good set of moral principles, something that’s extremely rare to find in the City. Some people may value that in a person and it’ll be helpful during conversations. Most of the time though too much honesty is going to get you in trouble and that’s when you’ll need to use the Nomad’s years of tough fighting experience.
Street Kid Lifepath
“They say if you wanna understand the streets, you gotta live ’em. Gangs, fixers, dolls, small-time pushers – you were raised by them all. Down here the law of the jungle dictates the weak serve the strong – the only law in Night City you have yet to break“
Born and riased in the streets of Night City. You know how the city ticks and like the people in it you try to thrive and survive. You can name the best bars, shops and food stops to visit in an instance. The gang-ridden warzones and shady alleys you learned better to avoid. As a Street Kid you have one dream – to make it big in Night City.
Your story begins in the El Coyote Cojo Bar in Heywood, where you’ll take on a job to help your friend, who’s having some money troubles. This intro gives you a brief glimpse of the friction between gangs in the area, and you can see that tensions are running high. Your job – steal a car from the Arasaka corporation.
Effect Of The Street Kid Life
Street Kid V has deep roots in this city and lots of connections going back years will give you an edge. Unlike the other two Lifepaths, you’ll start off the game with a fair amount of already pre-established relationships with other characters. When speaking to other gang members, you’ll have more options to extract information without parting with cash or having to use force.
The Street Kid’s unique dialogue options are spread all over the city, unlike let’s say the Nomad, which appear mostly in the Badlands. This V knows the names, the slang and the history of Night City. As well as what’s going on in the “lower life” aspects.
Which Lifepath Will You Choose?
Choosing between each of the three Lifepaths will vary your story in Cyberpunk 2077 differently. And it’s all a matter of how you want to play. Will you be the cut-throat Corpo? The freedom-loving Nomad? Or the wise-ass Street Kid. All of the storylines will give your character a different feel and it’s definitely motivation for replaying with the other two Lifepaths. It’s not like you’ll be going out for New Year’s anyway.
If you’re looking for more Cyberpunk 2077 guides be sure to check out our everything we know article here.
