How to pick the right Lifepath in Cyberpunk 2077

The very first decision Cyberpunk 2077 presents in front of players is picking a Lifepath. With three options on offer, this choice has an impact on gameplay scenarios and dialogue options throughout the game. Here’s how to pick the right Lifepath in Cyberpunk 2077.

Cyberpunk 2077 takes CD Projekt Red’s distinct RPG formula and applies it to a dystopian world. The end result is a sprawling open world in the form of Night City, brimming with quests, vehicles, weapons, and much more.

At the center of it all is your character, named V. Players have full control over the character’s appearance and decisions, and can even determine their origins. This is where Lifepaths come into play, providing a background for V before they slotted Johnny Silverhead into their heads.

The game presents three different Lifepaths for players to pick from. So here’s how to pick the right Lifepath for you in Cyberpunk 2077.

• Cyberpunk 2077: Lifepaths
  • Corpo Lifepath
  • Nomad Lifepath
  • Street Kid Lifepath
• Cyberpunk 2077: How to pick the right Lifepath

Cyberpunk 2077: Lifepaths explained

Lifepaths in Cyberpunk 2077 provide a brief 25-minute intro depending upon your choice. These intros give a taste of Night City before thrusting you into the world of mercenary work. All three intros will see you meet Jackie Welles but in different scenarios.

Additionally, all Lifepaths carry unique dialogue choices that will reveal themselves throughout the game. These range from mission-altering options to lore expositions and can pop up during both main and side quests. It’s also important to note that all three Lifepaths carry at least one side quest exclusive to them.

Here’s a glance at the different Lifepaths in Cyberpunk 2077:

Corpo Lifepath

The Corpo Lifepath in Cyberpunk 2077 sees V start off as an Arasaka employee before getting embroiled in an espionage plot. It gives a quick glance at the corruption and treachery laced within Arasaka tower which lets players know exactly how cutthroat Night City is. Eventually, things go belly up, and V has to resort to mercenary work to make ends meet.

Corporates run Night City, so much so that the NUSA’s president was formerly the CEO of Miltiech. Naturally, knowing the ins and outs of this world is sure to come in handy. The Corpo Lifepath’s unique dialogue choices are most prominent while interacting with fellow ‘Corpo rats.’ They help V level with many characters using diplomacy as opposed to raw force.

Nomad Lifepath

CD Projekt Red

The Nomad Lifepath in Cyberpunk 2077 starts you off in the dusty outskirts of Night City known as the Badlands. V is essentially a stranger to the neon-lit streets of the city, having spent most of their life as a member of a closely-knit clan. Their journey kicks off with a small smuggling op which eventually goes south but at least you befriend Jackie along the way.

Nomad V is all about principles, and their beliefs are reflected strongly through the unique dialogue choices. These pop frequently while dealing with characters in the Badlands, with Panam and her clan being a solid example.

Street Kid Lifepath

The Street Kid Lifepath in Cyberpunk 2077 is basically a swift induction into Night City’s gangs. V is dealing with shady characters from the get-go and also experiences a bit of rivalry between factions. Having grown up in the crime-riddled district of Heywood, all this is rather familiar to them. In this Lifepath, Jackie is introduced as an adversary but thankfully that doesn’t take long to change.

Street Kid V is extremely well-versed in the city’s greasy underworld, and as such, the Lifepath offers tons of dialogue that provides additional context about gangs, fixers, and merc work. This helps you get up to speed with Night City pretty quickly.

Cyberpunk 2077: How to pick the right Lifepath

Picking the right Lifepath in Cyberpunk 2077 really boils down to personal preference. The Lifepaths themselves largely offer only a bit of background and some unique dialogue options. Beyond this, they have no significant impact on the gameplay experience. After the varied 25-minute intro, players are thrown into the mercenary world via the same cutscene.

With this in mind, it’s best to pick the Lifepath that aligns with how you envision your V. If you want a glimpse into the major players, go with the Corpo Lifepath. If you take sound morality seriously, opt for Nomad. If you want to be a street-smart merc with a chip on your shoulder, the Street Kid Lifepath offers exactly that.

That was how to pick the right Lifepath in Cyberpunk 2077. For more on the game and Phantom Liberty, check out our other guides:

All Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty missions | Best bikes in Cyberpunk 2077 | How to fast travel around Night City in Cyberpunk 2077 | How long is Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty? | How to claim Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty Twitch rewards | Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty features secret ending | Cyberpunk 2077: How to beat the Chimera in Phantom Liberty