Cyberpunk 2077 Guide | Top 5 Worst Decisions You Can Make

Cyberpunk 2077 is packed with choices, but not all of them are created equal. While many decisions have little impact on the game's overall story, a few can have major consequences—locking you out of content, cutting off characters, or making key battles much harder.

Some of these bad choices are obvious, while others are shockingly easy to overlook. Here are the five worst decisions you can make in Cyberpunk 2077.

1. Letting Takemura Die

During one of the game's most intense missions, Takemura kidnaps Hanako Arasaka, hoping to convince her to hear you out. Before that can happen, Arasaka's forces blow up the building, leaving you stranded in the wreckage. Johnny urges you to escape, making it seem like Takemura is dead—but he isn't.

Instead of following the waypoint, you can turn back, find an opening in the wall, and fight your way upstairs to rescue him. Saving Takemura is crucial, especially for The Devil's ending. Without him, the final battle becomes significantly harder, particularly for glass cannon builds.

His absence also creates awkward dialogue gaps, as many lines assume he is still around. Beyond gameplay, he is one of the most honorable characters in the Arasaka storyline. Letting him die makes the ending feel incomplete, much like playing The Star ending without Panam.

2. Getting River Killed/Not Helping

River Ward may not be the most exciting love interest, but he's one of the game's few genuinely good cops. His quest revolves around rescuing his kidnapped nephew, Randy, but it's easy to make mistakes that ruin his story.

During the "On the Hunt" mission, River asks if you'll stay and help. If you refuse, he will cut all ties, ending his storyline prematurely. If you investigate incorrectly, you might go to the wrong farm, wasting precious time and dooming Randy. River, devastated, will take matters into his own hands, determined to kill the perpetrator himself.

The worst mistake happens just before storming Edgewood Farm. If you abandon River at the last moment, he will charge in alone and be killed immediately. When you return, he is lying dead, and Randy is lost forever. Joss, River's sister, will send a final text blaming you for both deaths, making this one of the game's darkest possible outcomes.

3. Locking Yourself Out of the Secret Ending

Johnny Silverhand starts as an annoying presence but gradually becomes a true friend. Your relationship with him determines whether you can access Don't Fear the Reaper, an ending where you storm Arasaka Tower solo. Reaching 70% affinity with Johnny is the key, but it's surprisingly easy to lock yourself out of it.

The critical moment happens during Chippin' In at the oil fields. If you pick the wrong dialogue options, you will permanently lose access to the secret ending. You need to hold Johnny accountable for his past mistakes and give him a chance to redeem himself.

Acknowledging that he messed up, recognizing his attempt at change, and offering him one last shot at redemption will ensure this ending remains available. If you fail, you will miss out on one of the most exhilarating sequences in Cyberpunk 2077.

4. Punching Fingers

Ripperdocs are essential for upgrading cyberware, but one of them—Fingers—has access to exclusive implants that no other vendor offers. During the “Automatic Love” mission, you will discover that he sold out Evelyn Parker. Many players, upon learning this, instinctively punch him in the face.

This feels satisfying but has a major consequence. Punching Fingers permanently locks you out of his shop, meaning you can no longer purchase some of the best cyberware in the game. This includes the QianT Mk.4 Sandevistan, a crucial component for certain builds, as well as legendary upgrades for mobility and resistance.

The only workaround is to buy everything from him before Automatic Love, but this requires grinding street cred and money much earlier than most players would naturally have. Many first-time players don't even realize that hitting him has consequences, making this an easy mistake to regret.

5. Betraying Panam

Among the game's many possible mistakes, betraying Panam is by far the worst. Her storyline is one of the richest in Cyberpunk 2077, filled with exciting missions and a deeply personal arc. However, there is one choice that can completely ruin it.

During the "With a Little Help from My Friends" mission, Panam and a group of Aldecaldos plan to steal the Basilisk tank. Saul, the clan leader, is strongly against the idea, considering it too risky. While Panam assumes you'll have her back, the game offers an unexpected option—ratting her out to Saul.

If you tell Saul about the plan, Panam will call you immediately, furious at your betrayal. In her rage, she explains that Saul humiliated her in front of the entire clan, making her an outcast. As a result, the Aldecaldos relocate, and you will permanently lose access to their camp, the Queen of the Highway quest, and The Star ending. If you were romancing Panam, she would cut ties with you completely.

The only silver lining to this decision is a free car. But in exchange, you lose one of the best characters, a major questline, and an entire ending. There is absolutely no situation where this is worth it.

Final Thoughts

Cyberpunk 2077 gives players freedom, but some choices come with brutal consequences. Letting Takemura die, getting River killed, missing the secret ending, locking yourself out of cyberware, or betraying Panam are all choices that can significantly impact your playthrough.

Also, check our Cyberpunk 2077 Review, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Review, and other guides below:

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