*Spoilers* Phantom Liberty Ending: Lazy Writing Or NUSA Meddling?

[KirbyTeaParty]

I still have mixed feelings about the ending, with V essentially losing everything and being forced to start from scratch. It seemed like lazy writing that shoved characters that we literally risked our life for to drop us like trash. However the more I thought about the ending the more suspicious I grew about the NUSA.

From the NUSA's perspective, V is an enormous liability; they know too much, especially depending on which ending you went with (like siding with So Mi), learning about the things the NUSA and President Myers have done. If left unchecked V could deal significant damage to the global order. So, the NUSA tied up a loose end, so to speak.

When you boarded the medical transport, one of the surgeons was there scanning and observing V's brain and nervous system. He remarked the damage was significant, but fixable, in a matter-of-fact way that led me to believe that the surgery and recovery time of one to two months was within reason. Now I'm just supposed to accept that being knocked out in a coma for two full years was necessary? And during that time absolutely no one had the time to keep tabs on V's incoming communications and assets? Especially since we, the player, reached out and let people know we'd be gone for an extended period of time? V saved the president for goodness sake!

My theory is that the NUSA never intended to do so, and intentionally isolated and disabled V to be unable to fight back once back in Night City, which so happens to now be controlled by the NUSA and Militech. What a coincidence that such a powerful mercenary is now completely out of commission in a city they now have control over.

I still have complaints about the writing, like the fact that V, of all people, wouldn't think to have a firearm on them when they return to Night City. Don't need cyberware to pull a trigger. But there are too many factors about the ending that fall squarely in the NUSA's favor to be coincidental.

[aivaras355]

This is my theory as well. They did this on purpose so V is no longer a threat and offered that job to keep him/her close. People say this ending is good or makes sense.. Its written really well, cant argue with that but I hate it. How hard was it to make one of these four new endings a bit better.. Also the point of no return is insane. I was expecting the same thing as the main game, you finish your ending and you are back just before the mission starts, even with the loot you collected. Nope, your save is ruined, and I had still some gigs in Dog Town and main city as well. I dont see myself scrolling through autosaves just to go back and pretend nothing happened or starting a new playthrough (i started dlc on my old save) it just sucks.

[$CRWD]

Neuro-regenerative therapy is already established canonically in 2077's lore, and indeed you routinely hear ads about its commercial availability while driving around NC as early as act 1. (Let's also not forget behavioral chips exist, are not combat implants, and can provide the host with skills equivalent to someone with combat implants.)

As such, I veer on the side of it being a plot hole - or an attempt to exaggerate V's mortality - rather than outright lazy. I don't think it's possible to have a team of 10 writers, and to have anything "lazy" come of their efforts.

Apart from that, I agree, and that is how I saw it. Especially if you take the oath. V is a liability, and it is in the interest of NUSA's national security to keep him as an asset at the FIA. They were an established personality in Night City, had connections, and skillsets that any bureau would need to train potential future agents. So naturally, they would forgo this treatment to keep them at Langley, Washington, or wherever.

I did find V's return underwhelming, however. V did just fine prior to the Heist, without any implants. They wouldn't need any to continue merc work, or fixer work. I suppose it is still open-ended enough to allow these things.

[kome360]

Just keep in mind that they had to use an experimental AI, that AI is now deleted as a result of ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ old corporation standards built into its container, and V had brain cancer.

They needed test subjects and V saved the president, so they showed their gratitude. I'm thinking that they decided to cut funding to save V all the way because the alternative was spending billions of eurodollars to try even more experimental treatments on top of a black-box treatment in the hopes that it may work. V might be good, but they're not Shepard good.

[Silverbane7]

Yeah, I found myself thinking this too.

Think they felt the combination of V (super merc) and Silverhand (raging a$$hole rockerboy with non corpo tendencies) was dangerous. Too dangerous.

Not sure how presidency works for the NUsa but I get the feeling Rosalind isn't quitting (getting voted out) any time soon.
And she sure as hell won't want V pi$$ing in her porridge.
But V is useful. Like Reed. Can be a teacher, trainer or specialist.

So, how to neuter someone that has detes on you? Discredit them is fairly easy.
But this way....take everything from them....leave them with so few options they CHOOSE what you want them to do, as if it was their decision...
Yeah, that's Whitehouse style.

Yes, I get this ending is the 'naked survival' version. V gives up everything on the chance it will work. Only to find that while it did work....it cost you everything you have.
And what makes it even worse is that you don't even get the option to accept Reed's offer of working in Washington.

You just get railroaded back to NC to 'fade into the crowd'...you mean, 'get shanked in a back alley somewhere' while being homeless, eating out of trashcans and not being able to get work.
Yeah, even if you call Rogue (afaik) she tells V to stay away from Afterlife, let your 'legend' remain.

If she had offered to help you 'rebuild yourself' go get some facial reconstruction done (just plastic surgery to look new) then bring you in as a new 'fixer in training' wouldn't be so bad.
"Hi, I'm Valerie/Vincent and Rogue's helping me learn the ropes of being a Fixer." then you might at least stand a chance. Yes, V *could* be resourceful enough to survive in the city...but all their contacts are gone.

As a nomad, you will get shunned because for some inexplicable reason, the City higher ups don't want Nomads around, even tho the only reason the damn city didn't starve to death, or eat each other back after the Towers was the Nomads reopened the food supply chains from Canada. The Aldecaldo's in fact, helped rebuilding efforts with container homes.

As a Corpo, sure...maybe you can become a low level flunky in some mini corp. But that's as far as V will get since V can't use cyberware now. And don't expect a Corp to invest edds in Bioware replacements. V is not worth that amount of cash.

And as a Streetkid? Well the Padre lost his perch, so he's out. Wakako is ruthless and will very likely not care (after so many husbands, guess she's all out of compassion. And she sure as hell won't want to do to V, what was done to her back in the day, forcibly make them a gang member, just to keep them safe)
So yeah.... 'Naked Survival' might suit some, but for a lot of us, its a kick in the head....

[spicyLEGO]

This whole thread reads like Arasaka propaganda
In the Devil's Ending, Arasaka instead of curing you, just makes your their guinea pig for their Relic Project

NUSA/Militech actually cured you of the implications from the relic. Sure it took 2 years for you to recover, but you can't deny they were dealing with medical conditions that no one has ever had. NUSA could have simply killed you instead of curing you, and no one would have known. NUSA and Reeds even offers you a job so you can start over again easily.

Yes, loosing your friends is depressing, but in the end you get to survive. Even Johnny wants you to survive and he bid us farewell.

[♀⛤WitchyWoman⛤♀]

Speaking from military experience, one thing I found stupid was the fact that no one needs cyberware (now or in the future even) to be a skilled marksman or hand to hand fighter. Having the backstreet thugs kick her butt in the end was a very weak part of the story. She would not of lost her street smarts or her fighting skills. She would of still had advantages in a fight without the abilities she lost. Even without the weapon grip or cyberarms.

[$CRWD]

Originally posted by ♀⛤WitchyWoman⛤♀:

Speaking from military experience, one thing I found stupid was the fact that no one needs cyberware (now or in the future even) to be a skilled marksman or hand to hand fighter. Having the backstreet thugs kick her butt in the end was a very weak part of the story. She would not of lost her street smarts or her fighting skills. She would of still had advantages in a fight without the abilities she lost. Even without the weapon grip or cyberarms.

I don't know if I'd be compelled to believe that someone waking up from a 2-year coma would have the musculature, let alone reflex to handle a mugging. Being bed ridden for a month is no joke, much worse in the case of 2 years.

I don't see it as unreasonable, but I certainly see it as an exaggeration, as EVERYONE in Night City is in possession of a firearm when they're practically handed out at vending machines on every corner.

[Kryll]

Originally posted by spicyLEGO:

This whole thread reads like Arasaka propaganda
In the Devil's Ending, Arasaka instead of curing you, just makes your their guinea pig for their Relic Project

NUSA/Militech actually cured you of the implications from the relic. Sure it took 2 years for you to recover, but you can't deny they were dealing with medical conditions that no one has ever had. NUSA could have simply killed you instead of curing you, and no one would have known. NUSA and Reeds even offers you a job so you can start over again easily.

Yes, loosing your friends is depressing, but in the end you get to survive. Even Johnny wants you to survive and he bid us farewell.

Militech hands wrote this.

[spicyLEGO]

Originally posted by Kryll:

Originally posted by spicyLEGO:

This whole thread reads like Arasaka propaganda
In the Devil's Ending, Arasaka instead of curing you, just makes your their guinea pig for their Relic Project

NUSA/Militech actually cured you of the implications from the relic. Sure it took 2 years for you to recover, but you can't deny they were dealing with medical conditions that no one has ever had. NUSA could have simply killed you instead of curing you, and no one would have known. NUSA and Reeds even offers you a job so you can start over again easily.

Yes, loosing your friends is depressing, but in the end you get to survive. Even Johnny wants you to survive and he bid us farewell.

Militech hands wrote this.

Yes I work at Militech, how can you tell?

[kome360]

Originally posted by Pietro:

Originally posted by ♀⛤WitchyWoman⛤♀:

Speaking from military experience, one thing I found stupid was the fact that no one needs cyberware (now or in the future even) to be a skilled marksman or hand to hand fighter. Having the backstreet thugs kick her butt in the end was a very weak part of the story. She would not of lost her street smarts or her fighting skills. She would of still had advantages in a fight without the abilities she lost. Even without the weapon grip or cyberarms.

I don't know if I'd be compelled to believe that someone waking up from a 2-year coma would have the musculature, let alone reflex to handle a mugging. Being bed ridden for a month is no joke, much worse in the case of 2 years.

I don't see it as unreasonable, but I certainly see it as an exaggeration, as EVERYONE in Night City is in possession of a firearm when they're practically handed out at vending machines on every corner.

Actually, there are vending machines in the game that sell common-quality guns. No, seriously.

[Silverbane7]

Originally posted by kome360:

Originally posted by Pietro:

I don't know if I'd be compelled to believe that someone waking up from a 2-year coma would have the musculature, let alone reflex to handle a mugging. Being bed ridden for a month is no joke, much worse in the case of 2 years.

I don't see it as unreasonable, but I certainly see it as an exaggeration, as EVERYONE in Night City is in possession of a firearm when they're practically handed out at vending machines on every corner.

Actually, there are vending machines in the game that sell common-quality guns. No, seriously.

Yup.
We used to call these guns 'polymer one-shots'
Crude, mass printed plastic guns in bright colours. They had a tendency to jam, backfire or explode. Juve's and gonks would use them, since they were cheap and disposable (just like them lol).
Many edgerunners used to keep them lying about in their safehouse areas and flophouses, so there was something visible and easy to klep, especially if your safehouse was hidden *inside* a rat infested flophouse or derelict building. Was a good way to misdirect the dumpster divers and scavers (who were not 'Scavs' gang members.)

[Id]

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3049223734

It is in fact lazy writing and inconsistent

[Greed23]

Mmm no, PLs NUSA ending is just bad writing. You can play the entire game without combat cyberware. You start the game doing many gigs without combat implants. There is zero reason you wouldnt be able to crash on Mama Welle's couch, or Vik's, or Rogue's, or go with Misty, or hell, even Judy's, just until you're back on your feet. V's insistence on being in Night City is just... Lazy writing and removing player agency. I would have taken the Langley position. But again, V could still be a merc without implants; They need physical rehab and training, clearly, but thats normal for a 2 year coma. The fact they can walk around immediately after it is proof enough V is built different.

[Kryll]

Originally posted by Greed23:

You can play the entire game without combat cyberware. You start the game doing many gigs without combat implants.

Gameplay isn't supposed to line up with canon lore and logic of the world. V with implants that can tank grenade blasts also died from one bullet to the head in a cutscene. Adam Smasher, a global legend everyone fears, can also die to a zero-implant V.

[Suomipoika11]

Theory - In Tower ending, V's plugged into cyberspace in FIA's version of "Perfect world", with netrunners using V's friends cyberware net connections to come up with simulated excuses to give V a cold feet. Except Pan Am who has no cyberware installed on her. (She still uses a mobile phone, after all. )
Other sus details:
- When Helping Reed , Plugged So-Mi lives in cyberspace past of her life, before V starts breaking the facade. No reason FIA wouldn't pull same to you.
-Laptop news claming that EVERY NC homeless vanished to thin air. Good luck with that
- Thugs giving polite punch down the stairs other than just killing V outright. In NC standards, that'd be akin to pat on shoulder for good luck.
-V losing the good luck charm. Even Arasaka lets V keep it, and they're considered the "Cold, ruthless" party here.

Far from perfect theory, I know, but , you know, food for tought.