During the “I Walk The Line” main job in Cyberpunk 2077, players are presented with a critical choice: side with the NetWatch agent or remain loyal to the Voodoo Boys. This decision primarily affects the immediate events of the quest and the disposition of certain characters, though it does not significantly alter the game’s main story path in the long term. The NetWatch agent will reveal that Placide, a key Voodoo Boy, intends to betray and kill V after the objective is completed, offering V a chance to turn on the Voodoo Boys instead.
The Choice at a Glance
The “I Walk The Line” quest culminates in a confrontation with a NetWatch agent who has been the target of the Voodoo Boys’ operation. V’s primary objective, set by Placide, is to eliminate this Netrunner to free captured Voodoo Boys. However, the NetWatch agent intercepts V, exposing Placide’s plan to kill V once the task is done. This revelation forces V to decide whether to trust the Voodoo Boys, who are wary of outsiders and operate out of the crime-ridden Pacifica, or to believe the NetWatch agent, an operative of a powerful government-funded organization tasked with protecting the Net and maintaining the Blackwall. The Voodoo Boys, primarily Haitian netrunners, aim to break down the Blackwall to access rogue AIs, putting them in direct opposition to NetWatch.
| Faction | Primary Goal (in this quest) | Agent’s Claim (to V) |
|---|---|---|
| Voodoo Boys | Eliminate NetWatch agent to free captured members. | (Implied by NetWatch agent) Placide plans to kill V after the objective is complete. |
| NetWatch | Protect the Net and Blackwall; keep rogue AIs in check. | Placide intends to betray V. Offers V a chance to switch sides and spare the agent. |
This choice is presented rapidly, and players may find it difficult to make an informed decision without prior knowledge of the factions. Both groups operate in morally gray areas, typical of Night City, making an “outright good” or “bad” decision challenging to identify.
Siding with NetWatch
If V chooses to side with the NetWatch agent, V will spare the agent’s life. The agent reveals that the Voodoo Boys’ true motive is to retrieve Brigitte and Ti, not necessarily to help V. The NetWatch agent also confirms Placide’s treacherous intentions towards V.
Consequences of Siding with NetWatch:
- Immediate Outcome: The NetWatch agent is spared.
- Voodoo Boys Reaction: Placide and the Voodoo Boys will react negatively to V’s betrayal.
- Subsequent Quest Difficulty: The immediate aftermath of this choice can make the subsequent quest, “Transmission,” more challenging due to the Voodoo Boys’ hostility.
- Main Story Impact: This choice does not significantly alter the main story of Cyberpunk 2077. It primarily affects the immediate interactions and the specific path taken through the next few moments of the narrative.
- Character Interactions: V will face direct hostility from Placide and other Voodoo Boys.
This path aligns V with an organization dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the Net against threats like rogue AIs, which the Voodoo Boys actively seek to exploit. While NetWatch is a powerful, government-funded entity, their motivations are also self-serving, aiming to protect their interests within the Net.
Siding with the Voodoo Boys
If V chooses to remain loyal to the Voodoo Boys, V will proceed to eliminate the NetWatch agent as originally instructed by Placide. This aligns V with the Voodoo Boys’ goal of breaching the Blackwall to harness AI programs.
Consequences of Siding with the Voodoo Boys:
- Immediate Outcome: The NetWatch agent is killed.
- Voodoo Boys Reaction: V maintains their standing, albeit temporary, with Placide and the Voodoo Boys.
- Betrayal Confirmed: As the NetWatch agent predicted, Placide will indeed attempt to betray and kill V shortly after the objective is completed. This confirms the agent’s warning about Placide’s true intentions.
- Main Story Impact: Similar to siding with NetWatch, this choice does not significantly alter the main story of Cyberpunk 2077. The betrayal by Placide is a scripted event regardless of V’s initial loyalty, reinforcing the cynical nature of Night City.
- Character Interactions: V will experience the planned betrayal from Placide firsthand, leading to a confrontation.
Choosing this path demonstrates V’s initial trust in the Voodoo Boys, despite their reputation for being wary of outsiders and their morally ambiguous objectives. The Voodoo Boys are masterful netrunners with strong ties to Haitian culture, operating in Pacifica, an area largely abandoned by NCPD due to its high crime rate.
Overall Impact
The choice between the NetWatch agent and the Voodoo Boys in “I Walk The Line” is a memorable event that adds a twist to the quest. However, it’s important to note that this decision does not have a significant long-term impact on the main story of Cyberpunk 2077. The primary consequences are immediate: who V fights, who lives or dies in the short term, and the specific dialogue and encounters in the subsequent “Transmission” quest.
Ultimately, both options lead to V facing betrayal or hostility, reflecting the pervasive deception in Night City. Players should consider which faction’s immediate goals or perceived trustworthiness aligns more with their role-playing preferences, as there isn’t a definitively “good” or “bad” outcome in terms of overall story progression. The game is designed to challenge V’s trust, regardless of the path chosen here.
FAQ
Does this choice affect the game’s ending? No, the choice to side with NetWatch or the Voodoo Boys in “I Walk The Line” does not significantly affect the main story or the game’s endings.
Is there a “best” choice between NetWatch and the Voodoo Boys? There is no objectively “best” choice. Both options lead to immediate complications or betrayals, reinforcing the morally gray nature of Night City. The “best” choice depends on player preference for role-playing and which immediate challenges they prefer.
What happens if I side with NetWatch? If you side with NetWatch, you spare the agent, who confirms Placide’s intention to betray you. The Voodoo Boys will become hostile, potentially making the subsequent “Transmission” quest more difficult.
What happens if I side with the Voodoo Boys? If you side with the Voodoo Boys, you kill the NetWatch agent. Placide will then attempt to betray and kill you as the NetWatch agent predicted, leading to a confrontation.
Do the Voodoo Boys or NetWatch appear later in the game? While both factions are integral to the lore and world of Cyberpunk 2077, this specific choice’s impact is localized to the “I Walk The Line” and “Transmission” quests. Their broader presence in the game remains, but not directly influenced by this specific decision.