How to Play Every Cyberpunk 2077 Quest in a Highly Acclaimed Narrative Order

How Many Quests Are in Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition?

As of Patch 2.1, Cyberpunk 2077 has evolved into a massive RPG with a structured hierarchy of content. Understanding the volume and type of quests is essential for planning a playthrough that feels cohesive rather than overwhelming. The game categorizes its content into four distinct buckets, each serving a different purpose in V's journey through Night City.

The Main Jobs form the spine of the story, focusing on V's survival and the Relic in their head. According to official mission data , there are 33 Main Jobs in the base game. The Phantom Liberty expansion adds an additional 18 Main Jobs, though these branches are mutually exclusive depending on your choices in the expansion's finale. This brings the total main story volume to 51 missions, though no single playthrough can experience all 51 due to these branching paths.

Beyond the main story, the game features several other quest types:

• Side Jobs : These are significant narrative arcs involving major characters like Judy Alvarez, Panam Palmer, River Ward, and Kerry Eurodyne. These are not "filler"; they are essential for unlocking different game endings.
• Gigs : Mercenary contracts provided by Fixers. In Patch 2.1, these are released in tiers, rewarding players for consistent work in specific districts.
• NCPD Scanner Hustles : Short combat encounters that provide world-building through "shards" (text logs) and are a primary source of early-game experience and eddies.

The Ultimate Edition integrates these quests more seamlessly than the launch version. Previously, players were bombarded with phone calls the moment they entered a new district. Now, the Fixer Tier system ensures that Gigs unlock gradually, preventing the map from becoming a cluttered mess of icons and allowing for a more natural progression of V's reputation.

What Is a Top Narrative Order for the Main Story?

Following a specific "narrative flow" prevents what players call ludonarrative dissonance—the feeling of V dying of a brain hemorrhage while simultaneously taking a break to play professional street racing for three weeks. To maintain the tension of the story, a balanced approach is highly recommended.

The Prologue and Act 1

The Prologue (Lifepath specific) and Act 1 are essentially a long tutorial. During this phase, you are locked into Watson. It is widely considered a top choice to clear most of Regina Jones's early Gigs and NCPD hustles here to reach level 10-12 before "The Heist." This makes the escape from Konpeki Plaza feel more earned and gives you enough attribute points to handle early skill checks.

The Three Branches of Act 2

After "Playing for Time," the game opens up into three main branches. While you can do them in any order, many veteran players suggest this sequence for the best character development:

1. The Evelyn/Judy Branch: Start with "Automatic Love." This branch deals directly with the fallout of the heist and feels the most urgent.
2. The Panam Branch: Move to "Ghost Town" next. This introduces the Badlands and provides V with much-needed allies outside the city.
3. The Takemura Branch: Save "Gimme Danger" for last in this cycle. Takemura’s plans involve high-level corporate espionage that feels more appropriate once V has established themselves as a top-tier mercenary.

When Should You Start the Phantom Liberty Expansion?

The Phantom Liberty expansion is triggered by a phone call from Songbird after you complete the Voodoo Boys questline ("Transmission"). While you can enter Dogtown immediately, doing so may disrupt the pacing of the base game. According to community narrative guides , the "sweet spot" for starting the DLC is after you have finished the primary arcs for both Panam and Judy.

Why wait? The relationship between V and Johnny Silverhand evolves significantly throughout the base game. If you enter Dogtown too early, Johnny’s dialogue—which ranges from hostile to begrudgingly respectful—might feel inconsistent with your progress in the main story. Furthermore, the DLC introduces a "Point of No Return" during the quest "Firestarter." Once this begins, you are locked into a high-octane finale that makes it difficult to justify going back to Night City to help a friend move apartments.

Using the Immersive Chronology for Maximum Atmosphere

Night City is a character in itself, and certain quests feel "correct" only at specific times of day. Using the "Skip Time" mechanic isn't just for refreshing vendor inventories; it's a tool for narrative immersion. The following table suggests the top times to initiate specific major quests based on their environmental design.

How to Avoid Missing Secret Side Quests and Fail-States

Cyberpunk 2077 features several "hidden" fail-states where quests can become unavailable or end poorly if you don't meet specific criteria. These are rarely highlighted by the game's UI, making them easy to miss for first-time players.

• The "Happy Together" Trap: Shortly after the heist, you can talk to the NCPD officers outside your apartment. To save Barry, you must choose the optional objective to visit his friend Andrew’s niche in the Columbarium before talking to the officers again. Failing to do this results in a tragic end for Barry.
• The "Love Rollercoaster" Expiration: This quest in Pacifica allows you to ride the roller coaster with Johnny. However, it disappears entirely if you complete the Voodoo Boys main arc ("Transmission") before doing it.
• Scorpion’s Last Rites: The quest "I'll Fly Away" is a touching tribute to a fallen friend. It must be completed immediately after it appears; if you finish Panam’s "Queen of the Highway" first, this quest is locked forever.

How the New Fixer Tier System Works in Patch 2.1

One of the most significant advancements in the Ultimate Edition is the overhaul of Gigs. In the launch version, every Gig was visible from the start. Now, Fixers like Regina Jones and Dakota Smith release work in Tiers . You must complete a set number of Gigs in a district before the Fixer trusts you with more sensitive (and higher-paying) contracts.

This system rewards completionists with unique items. For example, completing all 23 of Regina's Gigs rewards you with the "Neo-Fiber" Cyberware, while Dakota Smith will gift you the Mackinaw "Saguaro" truck for clearing the Badlands. If you happen to miss an Iconic weapon during a main quest—such as the Kongou pistol during The Heist—Patch 2.1 allows you to purchase it from the Black Market vendor in Dogtown , ensuring your collection remains complete.

The Matrix for Unlocking Every Ending

The finale of Cyberpunk 2077 is triggered by the quest "Nocturne Op55N1." When you enter the elevator at Embers, the game will warn you that you are at a "Point of No Return." Your choices in side quests throughout the game determine which options Johnny presents to you on the rooftop.

To unlock all paths, you must meet these specific requirements:

• The Star (Nomad Ending): You must complete Panam Palmer's entire questline, ending with "Queen of the Highway."
• The Sun (Legend Ending): You must complete Rogue’s side jobs, specifically "Blistering Love."
• The Tower (DLC Ending): You must complete the Phantom Liberty main story and choose to help Reed capture Songbird (or turn her over later).
• The Secret Ending (Don't Fear the Reaper): This is widely regarded as one of the most challenging paths. During the quest "Chippin' In," you must choose specific dialogue at the oil fields. According to IGN's 2.0 guide , you must be critical but fair to Johnny, specifically choosing "The Guy who Saved My Life" and "Nah, fucked that up too."

Handling Cyberpsycho Sightings and Skill Checks

Cyberpsycho sightings are 17 unique mini-boss fights scattered across Night City. A common misconception is that you need non-lethal weapons to spare them. In Patch 2.0+, the game automatically treats a Cyberpsycho as "incapacitated" when they reach 0% HP, provided you don't hit them again after they fall. Sparing all 17 leads to a unique interaction with Regina Jones and a significant credit reward.

For players who haven't invested heavily in the Body attribute, Gorilla Arms are a top-tier tool. Equipping them provides a flat bonus (ranging from +2 to +6 depending on tier) to Body stat checks. This allows "Netrunner" or "Reflex" builds to force open doors or win the "Beat on the Brat" boxing matches without respeccing their entire character.

Frequently Asked Questions