Explore the Futuristic Dystopia of Cyberpunk 2077: Making the Choice - To Kill or Spare Songbird?

If players chose to assist Solomon Reed in the Firestarter mission of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, they will now confront a critical task that will determine the destiny of So Mi, also known as Songbird. With the stakes at their highest, time is running out to rescue both V and Songbird in Cyberpunk 2077.

In this mission, players are assigned to investigate the wreckage of the MaxTac transport truck, engage in a tense battle with a relentless robotic pursuer, and ultimately decide the fate of Songbird. This particular mission in Cyberpunk 2077 carries significant emotional weight, putting Solomon Reed's mission to save So Mi to the ultimate test. V will face a challenging decision regarding their promise.

Investigate the Area

Follow the Traces

Somewhat Damaged occurs immediately after the previous mission, with players assigned the objective of exploring the aftermath of Songbird's devastating rampage through Pacifica. Accompanied by MaxTac, players venture into the area using the charred remains of a MaxTac transport truck. Walking through a gaping hole in a wall, they discover the truck engulfed in flames. Despite Songbird's absence, evidence of her presence can be found inside the truck. The task that follows involves tracing the Blackwall residues to locate Songbird.

After tracing the path from the past the truck, players will come across a door that is jammed. To open this door, they will need a Strength level of 20. Alternatively, if they choose not to proceed through the locked gate, they can turn around and spot a grate below. Regardless of their Attributes, players can open this grate and descend into the cold waters, navigating through the area by swimming. Once they emerge from this damp section, they will spot Johnny in the distance, gazing into a deep abyss that they will soon have to descend into.

Jump Down the Shaft

After a brief conversation with Johnny regarding the current situation of Songbird and the verification of her identity, the next step entails leaping down from the great height and descending into the waters below. The impact will be broken by the water, ensuring no harm is sustained. Subsequently, players will have the opportunity to swim to the nearest shore and proceed up the steps. On the left side of the corridor, a hole in the wall will be visible, leading players to their final destination: Cynosure, the concealed Militech facility.

Connect to the Terminal

Described by Johnny as the "Cyberspace equivalent of a nuke," this highly confidential military facility naturally attracts the attention of Songbird. Once inside this room, players must connect to the terminal. However, midway through the process, Songbird seizes control of the technology, revealing herself on all the screens. She proceeds to crash all the systems, leaving V with no choice but to turn 180 degrees away from the terminal. Only then can the door be opened with a minimum Attribute requirement of 3 Strength.

Take the Elevator Down

Players need to enter the large room through the door and proceed to the elevator. Once inside, they should select the -01: Restricted Area option. The elevator will then transport them on a lengthy descent, during which they have the opportunity to complete an optional objective by conversing with Johnny and questioning their motivations. Is it for themselves, Reed, or Songbird?

As the elevator continues to descend, Songbird assumes control of the Relic, deactivates Johnny, and disconnects the signal with Reed, leaving V alone. To progress, players must follow the trail left by Songbird, located just down the ramp from where the elevator stops. Upon reaching the end of the doorway, turn right and proceed through the vents.

Locate Alpha and Bravo Dataterminals

Once players descend from the vents, they will come across a conversation unfolding between Hansen and Songbird, a fragmented memory trapped within the Relic. Positioned beside Songbird is a Data Map that players can gather and access at any moment by pressing Right on the D-Pad. As soon as the conversation concludes, players can proceed along the Blackwall trail to catch a glimpse of Songbird, standing by a colossal open doorway. As they approach it, the door will abruptly shut, initiating a lockdown protocol.

Players will be assigned the task of deactivating the Alpha and Bravo Dataterminals, which can be located from the door where they were initially thrown back from Songbird. In order to reach Alpha, players must take the first right they encounter, leading them into the Server Room. Once there, they should Jack In and successfully complete the data breach minigame. It is not detrimental to fail, as the minigame will automatically reset. Upon completion, the hatch behind and below them will open, and players should then drop and hang to the right, allowing them to ascend the ladder and locate the Bravo dataterminal.

After gaining access to dataterminal Bravo, players are forcefully expelled by Songbird, narrowly escaping death. In order to disable the malicious entity, they must scan it meticulously and maneuver underneath the dataterminal to detach the cables. Once this challenging task has been accomplished, players can crawl back out, only to find themselves startled by a falling grate. Acting swiftly, they must remove the grate and bear witness to the robot's ferocious onslaught. Songbird, however, intervenes by hacking the robot, diverting V into a separate room. Regaining control, players must swiftly navigate to the left, then left again, and finally take a third left to skillfully jump down into the ventilation system. Progressing through the narrow passageway, they must then veer to the right and subsequently to the left, ascending a ladder. As they ascend, the hatch slams shut, initiating a treacherous game of cat and mouse.

Find Dataterminal Victor and Sierra

In the event players are apprehended by the roaming robot within the halls, they must conceal themselves to evade detection. If spotted, the game abruptly ends and V meets a grim demise. Since there is no viable means to combat the robot, players are compelled to elude it through a combination of hiding and evasive maneuvers. The video presented below provides comprehensive guidance on a secure route to access the Victor and Sierra dataterminals during the mission titled "Somewhat Damaged." It also reveals a strategic escape route, enabling players to evade the clutches of the robot unscathed.

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How to Avoid the Robot

Listen to Songbird. She will warn V on when they need to hide.

Don’t run or fire weapons, as the sound will draw the robot close.

Stay patient, and hide in safe areas waiting for the robot to pass.

Listen for the robot and watch the screen. The screen will flicker if it is near.

The game will often Quicksave itself once the robot has left the area.

To access the dataterminal Sierra, players should proceed to the checkered tile room and proceed through the left exit door. From there, they need to head right and take the subsequent right turn, which will lead them to the Engineering sector. Within this sector, they must immediately turn right once again to proceed through another set of doors. The Sierra dataterminal can then be found in this area. In order to progress, players must successfully complete the Daemon Code Sequence. It is important to note that the robot may enter or exit this room before or after this particular event, so it is advised to remain concealed until it departs.

To reach dataterminal Victor, players should exit the Engineering sector by turning left and then taking two consecutive right turns. Once outside, they will notice the Security Room on their left in the long corridor. Upon entering the room through both sets of doors, players should quickly hide in the small room on the left to avoid detection by the investigating robot. When the robot departs, players can safely return through the window and proceed to the Security Room. Inside, they will be assigned another task of completing a Daemon Code Sequence. Afterward, players should move to the right of the dataterminal and position themselves behind the boxes, as the robot will inspect the room.

Escape to Sector 3

After disabling the dataterminals, players are required to return to the left gate and input the command into the computer terminal. To allow the computer sufficient time to process the request, players should seek cover in the Security Room and await the unlocking of the door. Once unlocked, players must swiftly navigate through Sector 3.

The most convenient method for running is to utilize double jumps and dashes, swiftly maneuvering around or over the obstacles along the path. Players should aim to advance through the extensive hallway and enter the left door, where they must access the computer screen to unlock it. Subsequently, they should locate another computer screen within the room in order to securely close the door and prevent the robot from entering. Progressing further will reveal yet another one of So Mi's memories, bringing players closer to the core.

Initiate Core Shutdown

From within the Core, V will establish communication with Songbird. Players will be tasked with initiating the shutdown procedures for the Core. To do this, access the terminal. However, the Datafort Command, Neural Network Control, and Thermic Control will encounter failures, requiring players to manually deactivate them. They can begin by returning up the stairs located opposite the terminal, then proceed to the Labs on the left.

Neural Network Shutdown

To locate the Neural Network room, players should proceed down the left hallway. Upon reaching the room, players must then activate the terminal, only to encounter its automatic shutdown. Using their scanner, players need to examine the cables connecting the computer on the floor. Approach the three cables distributed throughout the room and unplug them. Once the cables are disconnected from the Neural Network System, the robot will enter the room. To evade detection, players must guide the robot in a circular path around the central panels until it exits.

Datafort Central Command Shutdown

Beyond the corridor and past the Observation Room, players must venture into the Datafort Central Command room located to the left. Upon traversing the hallways, players will utilize their scanner to locate Firewall Systems positioned on each corner of the walls. Players have the option to employ Quickhacks or firearms to disable them. In any case, the destruction of all these Firewall Systems is imperative. There are a total of 6, with 4 situated within this particular room. To identify their precise whereabouts, scan the computer terminal, which will display a conspicuous blue line leading players to each active Firewall. Damaging the Firewalls will summon a robot, so take cover behind the terminal until it departs. The remaining 2 Firewalls can be found outside the Datafort Central Command room, positioned in the corners to the left and right of the terminal.

Thermic Control Shutdown

After emerging from the Datafort Central Command room, players must proceed through a corridor that leads to the Lab in order to locate the Thermic Control room. Upon reaching the control terminal, players must attempt to access it using their personal link, only to be forcefully ejected and their link damaged in the process. Despite this setback, players can employ the scanner to trace the path of the cables, ultimately leading them to a set of industrial shutters concealing a broken window. By opening the shutters and venturing through the window, players can then gain control over the panel that secures the Thermic Control, thereby overriding its functions.

Return to the Core Control Room

Once all three systems are offline, it is imperative to make way to the Core Control Room. However, V's triumph does not sit well with the robot. Consequently, the robot will trap V in the Lab and embark on a relentless pursuit within its constricted confines. Players must conceal themselves and evade the robot's vigilant gaze. Only after a considerable amount of time without being detected will the robot depart from the room, granting V the opportunity to retrace their steps and access the Neural Network Control room, ultimately leading back to the Core Control. It is here, in this crucial location, that V can utilize the computer and initiate the shutdown process.

Talk to So Mi

Enter the Core

With the activation of the shutdown, the robot will once again rise to confront V. This time, there will be no means of escape as V is whisked away into a recollection of So Mi's apartment in Brooklyn. Players have the opportunity to engage in conversation with Songbird, delving into her life alongside her lover, Lucas, and exploring the complexities of her relationships with friends and her initial encounter with Solomon Reed. Each memory unravels further fragments, gradually enveloping the Brooklyn apartment with the ominous presence of the Blackwall, symbolizing Songbird's surrender. To exit, players can bid farewell to Songbird through a farewell hug.

Songbird, having regained control of her mind, will deactivate the Cerberus robot. Players can seize the Behavioral System Component from the salvaged robot to obtain additional loot. As players advance into the Core, Reed will make contact via phone. Upon entering, Songbird will be found on the floor, and players will face a crucial decision that will determine the outcome of the ending: to either save or eliminate her.

Kill Or Spare So Mi

Players have arrived at a pivotal moment in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. The fate of So Mi lies in their hands, as they must decide whether to spare or eliminate her. The choice to spare or kill Songbird will ultimately determine the ending that players will experience for assisting Reed in the Firestarter quest. It is strongly recommended to create a save file at this point, since there is no turning back. Let's now explore the consequences of both outcomes in Somewhat Damaged and what unfolds if players choose to kill So Mi or spare her:

Outcome 1: Spare So Mi

Rejecting Songbird’s plea, V finds renewed hope in the value of life, believing that both So Mi and themselves can find a cure. Against So Mi's desperate request for a mercy killing, V adamantly refuses, resulting in her collapsing unconscious. Subsequently, Solomon Reed ventures into the Core, leading to a significant time shift where V and Reed embark on a journey out of Night City to rendezvous with President Myers alongside other agents of the FIA.

Myers rewards V with:

30,000 Eurodollars

Presidential Medal

A promise to help cure V and So Mi

This could be considered the most favorable outcome, as So Mi has been successfully rescued, even though it was not what she desired. V has adamantly refused to allow So Mi to take her own life and ultimately saved her. However, does this mean that she will now become a mere subject for the president's experiments? The potential consequences may be burdensome, uncertain, and everlasting, but the prospect of being saved outweighs the urge to dismiss it. Following conversations with Myers and Reed, the narrative will wrap up, and once the credits roll, players will awaken in their Watson apartment.

Outcome 2: Kill So Mi

If players eliminate So Mi in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, Reed will enter the Core and collapse in sorrow, dropping to his knees. Soon after, a time-skip occurs where V and Reed drive to meet other FIA agents outside of Night City. Reed openly expresses his dissatisfaction, stating that V made no effort to convince Songbird that life held value.

President Myers, in response to their failure to fulfill the mission of capturing So Mi alive, awards V a mere 5,000 Eurodollars, with no Presidential Medal or promise of aid in curing their Relic condition. Despite this, V remains confident in their actions, having fulfilled So Mi's wish to die. Reed instructs V to return to Night City, and the credits begin to roll. V then awakens in their Watson apartment.

Should You Kill or Spare Songbird?

In the Somewhat Damaged quest, it is recommended to avoid killing So Mi. Aside from Reed's promise to save Songbird, keeping So Mi alive is crucial for obtaining assistance from the NUSA. Having the President as an ally is a significant advantage that V cannot afford to lose. This decision is not driven by honor, rewards, or money, but rather the hope for their own survival. Additionally, sparing So Mi holds the potential for saving Songbird through the Neural Matrix and curing her of the Blackwall's corruption. Just as V managed to overcome being shot in the head and find a chance at life again, sparing So Mi presents a similar opportunity. However, the question remains: can happy endings truly exist in Cyberpunk 2077? Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is currently available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.