Cyberpunk 2077: The "Second Conflict" and Its Affect on the Narrative
Being a story-driven RPG, Cyberpunk 2077 offers a lot of missions where the player character, V, has decisions that affect the storyline of the game. One such mission, "Second Conflict," calls V to decide between Denny or Henry, two characters fighting for a place on a Samurai reunion performance. Although Cyberpunk's several endings are not much affected by the hunt itself, the choice offers a moral conundrum that players could find interesting.
Examining "Second Conflict" Deeper Still
The moniker "Second Conflict" alludes to Kerry Eurodyne's solo album, which was out following the major game event of Samurai's dissolution. Though small in the whole narrative, this side work has importance since Johnny Silverhand's search line revolves around those closely connected to his rockerboy past. The decisions the player makes in past quests—especially "The Pickup," where V aids Jackie in retrieving a Militech robot from members of Maelstrom gang—have an impact on the result of this mission. V's activities in "The Pickup" show up as the identity of the new Maelstrom leader, Brick, Patricia, or Dum Dum. But this decision has little effect on the "Second Conflict" itself since Cyberpunk's complex network of linked decisions and their different effects is what defines it.
Selecting Denny: a Minimal Consequence Road Map
Should V pick Denny, she accepts the gig offer, therefore resolving the matter directly without involving either side more extensively. Denny tosses her Gold-Plated Baseball Bat into her pool—a sought-after Iconic-tier melee weapon for Cyberpunk builds. This decision also sets off a short sequence whereby Johnny shows up and sits silently next to the depressed Henry, meditating on their common past. Denny steps on stage for the gig; Henry is missing, leaving unresolved business.
Selecting Henry: An Interpretive Account of Regret and Atonement
Choosing Henry instead of Denny produces a like but more emotionally charged result. Denny throws her bat as usual, but the emphasis moves to Henry, who yearns to perform at the reunion as a means of atone for previous mistakes. He says he is desperate for a second opportunity, unlike Denny's more laid-back attitude to the task. Henry's attendance in the reunion is evidence of his quest at atonement.
The Underlying Conflict and Consequences
The core of the issue is found in Denny and Henry's past, full of unsaid bitterness. Henry's prior addiction and Denny's past rejection of him help to explain his destructive deed of cement filling her pool. Their disputes expose their different motives: Denny's residual bitterness, maybe resulting from Henry's earlier behavior, and Henry's great need to be at the reunion. Though suspicious of their arguing, Johnny provides information on Henry's prior drug usage and Denny's covert motivations for turning down Henry's plea for assistance. In the end, the choice between Denny and Henry emphasizes the complexity of their past and their different wants for the reunion.
A Decision with Little Story Impact
Though apparently small in the overall story of Cyberpunk, the "Second Conflict" offers a moral decision that compels V to examine the pasts, motivations, and opposing viewpoints of the individuals. The choice itself has little effect on the major plot despite the emotionally packed tale. V can still collect the award, the Gold-Plated Baseball Bat, independent of their choice, and the selected Samurai member performs their part during the gig without incident. Eventually, "Second Conflict" acts as a mirror on the players' perspective on the characters and their challenges, therefore influencing their experience.
