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CD Projekt Red has done a great job in creating larger-than-life characters, and ones that even after they leave V’s lifepath, remain entirely memorable for their interesting quirks and stories. Many NPCs that can be found throughout Night City in Cyberpunk2077 deserve an eyebrow-raising mention.
10 Joshua Stephenson
When V picks up a gig to play hitman, things quickly go awry, and they find themselves conversing in a police vehicle with the very man they were hired to kill. Joshua Stephenson is that man, someone that was convicted of many murders and robberies, but also a man who despite the harshness of Night City, has found God.
What results, is an entire complex and broken individual, who seeks to sacrifice his life the same way that Jesus Christ did to create a studio-funded braindance recording that could be witnessed by millions. Joshua wants to do anything to seek forgiveness for his crimes after becoming devoted to God, even if that’s at his life’s sacrifice and exploitation from corporations.
9 Bes Isis
It’s harder to get more famous and interesting than the former keyboardist for one of the most legendary bands in Cyberpunk, Samurai. Bes Isis ended her music career to become an investigative journalist, and while working with Network News 54, she uncovered many interesting mysteries around Night City.
Bes Isis dedicates herself to covering difficult events, even with such a famous career behind her. It shows that she puts integrity above all, and isn’t afraid to get herself in the mud against Maelstrom, and corporations that might stop her investigative work.
8 Zen Master
Night City certainly lacks peacefulness. Zen is hard to come by, as is a balanced center and inner peace. Even the monks that explore Night City are tormented for their resentment of chrome. However, there’s one monk in particular that remains rather interesting to V, as this monk will help guide V through meditative braindance, and then disappear without a trace.
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Zen Master can be found in many different locations in Night City, all with a unique meditation to be had, with him as a guide. He’s a true mystery, where he goes, and what he wants, is completely unknown, but it certainly makes V feel good about themselves.
7 Lizzy Wizzy
With the professional name of Lizzy Wizzy, this musical artist excels as one of Night City’s top celebrities. She has award-winning albums and appearances in other performative arts. What makes Lizzy Wizzy most peculiar, is her full-body modifications, in which she has replaced herself entirely with chrome. Doing so is no cheap or mentally easy task, as it’s a surefire way to catch cyberpsychosis.
V can receive a mission from Lizzy Wizzy, and investigate her boyfriend. Lizzy Wizzy is a dangerous character, as she seems to lack any sympathy, and has blank spots in her memory. As a key celebrity in Night City, one can only question where Lizzy’s story will go next, with cyberpsychosis surely on the rise in her psyche.
6 Brendan, The Sentient S.C.S.M.
Outside of Megabuilding H8 in Japantown, players will find a rather odd-looking Spontaneous Craving Satisfaction Machine. This “S.C.S.M.” calls out to V and asks for help in moving the trash that has been dumped in front of him, blocking his view of the city and potential customers. What ensues, is a unique interaction with a vending machine, a conversation with sentient AI.
Brendan wants to talk to people and finds the deepest parts of their lives. He’s a great conversationalist and acts almost like a therapist. However, V can be very creeped out by Brendan, when the S.C.S.M. tells V that he knows that they are dying.
5 River Ward
Corruption is everywhere in Night City. Whether that’s in the highest politician or even the police department. The Night City Police Department is always overwhelmed with criminal activity from the many different gangs in Cyberpunk 2077. Some crimes they don’t even investigate, due to their lack of manpower or care. However, River Ward is a shining example of what the NCPD used to stand for.
River Ward is a detective for the NCPD and prides himself on his morality. River will always do what’s right for the city, and his family, and seeks truth and justice at every turn. River faces off against gangs, and other sick individuals, in the hopes that one day Night City will become a better place.
4 Max Jones
Corporations tend to have a few ways to silence journalists that begin researching a hit piece on them. Either they pay them off, or they take them out of the game for good with a contracted killer. Everyone knows this, which is why there aren’t many real journalists left in Night City. That is, apart from Max Jones.
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There are few journalists in Night City like Max Jones, a man who is willing to risk his own life for the latest scoop, or a story that could blow the lid on a corporate scandal. His lack of fear makes him a threat to corporations, and they want his head for it.
3 Delamain’s Children
The famed taxi company known as the Delamain Corporation is run by the AI, Delamain. As the story progresses, V finds themselves a victim of one of Delamain’s taxis, which crudely crashes into them. V discovers that Delamain’s AI-driven cabs are wreaking havoc over Night City, with what Delamain can only assume is a virus. However, Johnny Silverhand believes that a higher force is at play, and Delamain’s malfunctions could be the first signs of sentient AI.
There are many great AI characters from Delamain’s children, even if they are all a tad murderous and creepy. However, a debate rages on what life is worth saving more: Delamain or his rogue AI children. It leads to interesting philosophy, and perhaps a few laughs.
2 Ozob Bozo
As any sane person would, Ozob Bozo had his nose ripped off with a pair of pliers in a fight with his brother, and decided to replace it with an active grenade, due to it fitting his style. Ozob seems unaware that he looks like a clown, literally. Ozob is a mercenary in Night City and a distinct one due to his bizarre appearance and personality.
Throughout the game, players can find Ozob and become somewhat of a friend to the strange character. However, they can get into a friendly fistfight with Ozob, just be sure not to punch him in the nose one too many times, as Ozob will become fireworks.
1 Garry, The Prophet
When walking through Urmland Street in Kabuki, players will find a man wearing a garbage bag as his attire. However, this is not the most interesting part about Garry, who spouts grand conspiracy theories that are often bizarre, but with a sprinkle of truth. Garry can ask for donations, to stop the lizard men from Alpha Centauri and Arasaka.
When players keep coming back to listen to Garry’s rambles, they will find themselves in a conspiracy themselves, in which V will steal a data chip, and return to find Garry abducted and missing. What’s even more peculiar about this open-ending, is the fact that Garry has the same signet ring that many powerful figureheads in the game wear.
Cyberpunk 2077 is available now on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PC, and Stadia.
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