CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077 may be notorious for many things, but its romance options were more or less well-received by fans. The expansive RPG's woes are well documented, but Cyberpunk 2077 has still managed to claw back some of the goodwill it lost upon its release, and many gamers are excited to see where the upcoming expansion Phantom Liberty might take them. With an unnamed sequel also on the horizon, things might be looking up for the IP, but at least the base game did get some things right.
From casual hookups to meaningful connections and everything in between, Cyberpunk 2077 does give players some choice when it comes to who they romantically entangle themselves with. Of course, they can also choose to go it solo, but romance in role-playing games has always been a popular element. With some freedom across the options depending on the sex of V's body and the voice they've chosen, Cyberpunk 2077's various love interests present some intriguing avenues for the relationships gamers can choose to pursue.
S-Tier
Judy Alvarez - Probably among the most popular options in the player community, Judy Alvarez is a standout Cyberpunk character even without the choice to romance her. Gamers meet the tough Braindance technician early on in the game, and she shows up for plenty of story quests after that as well. She may be a little protective and prickly to start with, but as her story progresses – and as she and V go through more than their fair share of traumatic experiences together – players see her softer side. Although Judy is only romanceable by a V with a female voice and body type, she's definitely one of the top-tier choices.
Panam Palmer - As an ex-Nomad and a part of the Aldecaldos gang, Panam is another Cyberpunk NPC that plays a big part in V's journey. Just like Judy, Panam hasn't had an easy ride, and she definitely knows how to take care of herself. Unlike some of the other romance options, Panam's character and backstory feel fleshed out and emotionally engaging, and gamers choosing to play as a V with a male body type can get to see the many different sides to her as the story unfolds. Panam is also the only main romance option that focuses mostly on the areas outside Night City, so she serves as a cool conduit to explore the Badlands through.
A-Tier
River Ward - For Vs with a female body type, River is the only male romance option. This NCPD officer is a good foil for the hardly law-abiding protagonist and is the only main romance option that gamers won't automatically meet during the course of the story. His personal chain of quests may be brief, especially compared to characters like Judy and Panam, but his clear sense of right and wrong set him apart from many of the other residents of Night City and make him one of the few genuinely good people in the game. If players pursue River in Cyberpunk 2077, he does make some big demands toward the end of their journey, but this does make the romance seem a little more nuanced and weighted, given the impact it could have on V's decisions as the story wraps up.
B-Tier
Meredith Stout - While players don't exactly have a long and intimate relationship with Meredith, their romantic encounter can still make an impact. The Senior Operations Manager for Militech might not seem like the most obvious choice of partner for a mercenary trying to make a name for themselves, but that's what makes the pairing so interesting. Any V can have the chance to meet Meredith in the motel room, and as it's a one-time no-strings-attached kind of affair, it can offer something a little different from the other entanglements. Some have also theorized that Meredith could make a return in Phantom Liberty, which could add another dimension to the short-lived romance.
Kerry Eurodyne - A returning face from Johnny Silverhand's rock and roll past, former bandmate and ex-member of Samurai Kerry is only available to masculine Vs with the corresponding body and voice type. Players can indulge in a number of different side quests related to Kerry starting with Second Conflict, with a few compelling twists and turns along the way. Not only that, but there's a pretty unique and temperature-raising intimate encounter that involves burning boats for players to enjoy too. His ending isn't quite as hopeful or emotional as some of the other choices, but Kerry's still a cool character who represents some of Cyberpunk 2077's most intriguing lore.
C-Tier
Rogue Amendiares - Another throwback to Johnny's past, Rogue is the owner of the Afterlife nightclub and an ex-love interest of the rebellious rocker. Players could miss the romantic side story between Johnny and Rogue if they're not careful, and pass up the chance to reunite these two former flames. The Rogue-related quests also give players a chance to strengthen their friendship with Johnny, in addition to peeking into his complicated backstory. It might be short-lived and not develop much beyond an initial date, but the fling with Rogue is still a memorable one and helps to shape Johnny into a more realized character.
Joytoys - While not really an official romance option per se, Joytoys are an unavoidable part of Night City's tumultuous society. One of the most harrowing Cyberpunk 2077's missions – Automatic Love and its associated quests – centers around these often-maligned sex workers, and V can also choose to procure their services for themselves as well. This fleeting type of romance might not make much of an impact on the story, but it adds another layer of choice for how gamers want to approach their V's personal storyline.
Ruby - Another blink-and-you-miss-it romance, players can only have a short fling with Ruby in the quest A Cool Metal Fire while Johnny is controlling V's body. The brief fumble in the car and the subsequent crash put a decisive end to the encounter, and Ruby can even die later in the game for helping V if Jeremiah Grayson survives. It's not Cyberpunk 2077's most memorable or meaningful relationship, but it's an episode that highlights the difficulties of V and Johnny sharing a body and how this can complicate aspects like romance and desire.
Cyberpunk 2077 is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
