Cyberpunk 2077 lifepaths: Which is best to choose?

A guide to the three lifepath options in Cyberpunk 2077

After years of waiting, players have finally got their hands on Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red’s ambitious new sci-fi RPG.

The game, available on PS4, Xbox One, PC and Stadia, with fully optimised PS5 and Xbox Series X upgrades due to arrive next year, places players in the shoes of “V”, a mercenary operating in the dystopic Night City.

At the beginning of the game, players are allowed to extensively customise V’s appearance, including their face, hairstyle, tattoos and even genitals.

Players are then given the option of three distinct “lifepaths”, which will dictate their character’s backstory, and drastically alter the opening of the game.

But how do lifepaths affect your playthrough of Cyberpunk 2077  – and which one should you choose? Find out all you need to know about life paths below…

Read more: Cyberpunk 2077 is so immersive your head will spin – review

The three life paths you can choose between are “Nomad”, “Street Kid” and “Corpo”.

Each life path comes with its own idiosyncratic prologue, lasting half an hour or so, and is set in a different location, featuring different characters. 

Whatever lifepath you choose, you will always meet up with Jackie Welles, albeit through different means. 

The lifepath system also has no effect on the abilities you can upgrade or your customisable appearance.

Throughout the game, your chosen lifepath will present unique dialogue options and interactions. Here’s a brief breakdown of what each category means.

Nomad

The beginning of the Nomad storyline (CD Projekt Red)

As a Nomad, you begin the game in the Badlands outside Night City. While most Nomads are part of a clan, you start as a loner, tasked with smuggling a package across the border into the city with Jackie.

Throughout the game, Nomads are able to easily gain information from other Nomads, and make chit-chat about vehicles and machinery.  You may find yourself out of your depth, however, when dealing with gangs or the upper echelons of Cyberpunk’s society. 

Street Kid

The beginning of the Street Kid life path in Cyberpunk 2077 (CD Projekt Red)

In the Street Kid prologue, V returns from Atlanta and agrees to help out a friend in need.

As a Street Kid, you are able to seamlessly interact with gang members and gain knowledge of Night City’s criminal scene without resorting to hacking or violence.

However, Nomad and Corporate interactions will see Street Kid V as a fish out of water.

Corpo

The beginning of Cyberpunk’s Corpo-Rat storyline (CD Projekt Red)

As a Corpo, you begin the game as a member of the sinister Arasaka corporation, the huge organisation at the centre of Cyberpunk’s main story.

You will be able to access unique Corpo dialogue options when interacting with Arasaka and members of other corporations, such as Militech.

V will also see through double-dealings and schemes laid in place by his corporate nemeses, though will be clueless when it comes to the local gangs and nomads.

Cyberpunk 2077 is out now on PS4, Xbox One, PC and Stadia.