In Cyberpunk 2077, Judy Alvarez is one of the most beloved romanceable characters, but can male V pursue a romantic relationship with her? The short answer is no. Judy is exclusively interested in a female V with a feminine body type and voice. However, male V can still form a strong friendship with her. This guide explores Judy’s romance requirements, alternative romance options for male V, and key details about Cyberpunk 2077's relationship mechanics.
Understanding Judy's Romance Requirements
Judy Alvarez is one of the main romance options in Cyberpunk 2077, offering a deeply emotional and story-driven relationship. However, not all players can pursue a romantic relationship with her, as her preferences and narrative constraints limit who can engage in a romance with her. Below is a breakdown of the key requirements and steps needed to successfully romance Judy.
Judy's Sexual Orientation and Player Requirements
Judy is a lesbian character in Cyberpunk 2077, meaning that she is only available as a romance option for players who choose a female V with a female body type and voice. If the player selects a male character, regardless of voice or body type, Judy will only engage in a platonic relationship.
Key Missions to Romance Judy
To successfully romance Judy, players must complete a series of missions that establish a relationship with her. These missions are part of the Automatic Love questline and subsequent side quests.
- Automatic Love – This is the first major storyline mission where players meet Judy while searching for Evelyn Parker. Completing this mission allows players to interact with Judy further.
- The Information – While not directly part of the romance path, this mission involves Judy assisting V with a braindance session.
- Both Sides, Now – After progressing in the story and finishing the main quest involving Evelyn, Judy will contact V, setting up further interactions.
- Ex-Factor – A side quest where V helps Judy resolve issues with Maiko Maeda at Clouds. Choosing to support Judy in her decisions strengthens the relationship.
- Talkin’ ‘Bout a Revolution – Another significant side quest where V helps Judy plan a rebellion against the Tyger Claws. Showing support and siding with her will improve the chances of romance.
- Pisces – A critical mission where players must make key choices. To keep Judy's trust, avoid siding with Maiko or accepting any monetary rewards from her.
- Pyramid Song – This is the final romance-defining mission. If all previous interactions were handled correctly, Judy will invite V to a secluded cabin, where the romance culminates in an intimate scene.
Dialogue Choices and Key Decisions
Throughout Judy’s questline, players should express empathy, support, and interest in her concerns. Key decisions that influence the romance include:
- Always siding with Judy in conflicts, particularly during Pisces.
- Avoiding hostile or dismissive dialogue options.
- Choosing to stay overnight at the lake house in Pyramid Song, which triggers the romance scene.
Post-Romance Relationship
If V successfully romances Judy, she will become their partner, occasionally sending messages and expressing affection. In certain game endings, Judy will leave Night City if V fails to sustain a future with her, whereas in others, she stays by V’s side.
Can Male V Romance Judy?
No, male V cannot romance Judy. If playing as a male character, Judy will remain a close ally and friend but will not engage in a romantic relationship. Players seeking romance options for male V can pursue Panam Palmer, River Ward, or Meredith Stout instead.
Romance Path Prerequisites
Romance in Cyberpunk 2077 requires meeting specific conditions based on the character's preferences, storyline progression, and player choices. Each romanceable character has unique prerequisites that must be fulfilled to unlock their romance path. Below is a breakdown of the key factors that influence romance eligibility.
Gender and Body Type Requirements
Each major romance option in Cyberpunk 2077 has specific gender and body type preferences that determine whether V can pursue a romantic relationship with them:
- Judy Alvarez – Requires V to have a female body type and voice. Male V cannot romance Judy.
- Panam Palmer – Only available for male body type V.
- River Ward – Only available for female body type V.
- Kerry Eurodyne – Requires V to have a male body type and voice.
If V does not meet the gender or body type requirement, the romance path for that character will not be available, and interactions will remain platonic.
Key Story Missions
To unlock romance paths, V must complete specific story missions that introduce and develop relationships with romanceable characters. These missions often include crucial dialogue choices that influence the outcome of the romance.
- Judy Alvarez – V must complete her main questline, starting with Both Sides, Now and progressing through Pyramid Song.
- Panam Palmer – Requires completing her questline, beginning with Ghost Town and culminating in Queen of the Highway.
- River Ward – Romance is unlocked by completing his quests, starting with I Fought the Law and concluding with Following the River.
- Kerry Eurodyne – V must finish Chippin' In and then complete Kerry’s questline, ending with Boat Drinks.
Dialogue and Choice-Based Requirements
Romanceable characters in Cyberpunk 2077 respond to specific dialogue choices that indicate interest and compatibility. To successfully pursue a romance, players should:
- Select flirtatious or supportive dialogue options.
- Avoid rejecting or dismissing romantic advances.
- Follow through with character-specific side quests to deepen relationships.
- Make choices that align with the character’s personal values and goals.
For example, Judy values trust and emotional connection, so choosing empathetic responses strengthens V’s bond with her.
Additional Conditions for Romance
Some romance options require additional conditions beyond gender and dialogue choices:
- Judy Alvarez – Completing Pyramid Song and choosing to stay overnight with her is crucial for triggering romance.
- Panam Palmer – Supporting her throughout her questline and accepting her invitation during Queen of the Highway is necessary.
- River Ward – During Following the River, accepting River’s advances leads to a romantic relationship.
- Kerry Eurodyne – Flirting with Kerry in Off the Record and Boat Drinks ensures the romance path remains open.
Meeting these prerequisites ensures a successful romance with the desired character, allowing for deeper relationship moments and unique story outcomes.
Romance Restrictions and Limitations
While Cyberpunk 2077 offers multiple romance options, there are several restrictions and limitations based on player choices, character gender, and storyline progression. Understanding these constraints is essential for players aiming to pursue specific romance paths.
Gender-Based Romance Restrictions
Romantic relationships in Cyberpunk 2077 are significantly influenced by V’s gender and voice tone selection. Each main romanceable character has specific preferences:
- Judy Alvarez – Only available for a female V with a feminine voice. Male V cannot romance her.
- Panam Palmer – Only available for a male V. Female V can build a strong friendship but cannot pursue a romance.
- River Ward – Only available for a female V. Male V cannot romance him.
- Kerry Eurodyne – Only available for a male V. Female V cannot romance him.
These restrictions mean that some romance options are entirely locked out depending on the chosen gender at character creation. Players should consider this when planning their desired romance path.
Story Progression Requirements
Each romanceable character has specific quests and interactions required to build a relationship. Missing key missions or making the wrong dialogue choices can prevent romance options from becoming available.
- To romance Judy, players must complete her entire questline, including "Both Sides, Now," "Ex-Factor," "Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution," "Pisces," and "Pyramid Song."
- Panam's romance requires progressing through her quests, including "Ghost Town," "Lightning Breaks," "Life During Wartime," "Riders on the Storm," and "Queen of the Highway."
- River's romance path is accessible through his questline, starting with "I Fought the Law" and followed by "The Hunt" and "Following the River."
- To romance Kerry, players must first progress through Johnny Silverhand’s storyline and then complete "Chippin' In," "Holdin’ On," "Second Conflict," "Rebel! Rebel!," "I Don't Wanna Hear It," "Off the Leash," and "Boat Drinks."
Failing to engage in these quests or making choices that alienate the character will prevent romance from occurring.
One Major Romance Limitation
Players can only maintain one serious romance at a time with the main romanceable characters. If V engages in a romance with one character, they cannot pursue another afterward. Attempting to do so may result in rejection or breaking off the existing relationship.
However, short-term flings, such as encounters with Meredith Stout or Rogue Amendiares, do not affect V's primary romance and can be pursued without consequences.
Limited Romance Interactions Post-Relationship
Once a romance is established, interactions with the partner may become limited. While V can receive calls and occasional messages from their partner, there are no extensive post-romance storylines. Some characters will appear in the game's ending sequences, but their involvement depends on the specific choices made throughout the game.
Impact on Game Endings
A romantic relationship can influence Cyberpunk 2077’s ending. If V successfully builds a relationship with Judy, Panam, River, or Kerry, they may play a role in the final events of the game. Some characters, like Judy and Panam, may even suggest a future together depending on the chosen ending. However, romance does not drastically alter the main storyline's outcome, only providing an emotional and narrative addition to V’s journey.
By understanding these restrictions and limitations, players can make informed choices to ensure they successfully pursue their desired romance in Night City.
Alternative Romance Options
While Cyberpunk 2077 features four primary romance options—Judy Alvarez, Panam Palmer, River Ward, and Kerry Eurodyne—players also have the opportunity to engage in alternative romantic encounters. These options may not lead to long-term relationships but can still provide unique interactions and story elements. Below are the alternative romance options available in the game.
Meredith Stout
Meredith Stout, a high-ranking Militech agent, offers a short-lived but memorable romantic encounter.
How to Romance Meredith Stout:
- During the mission "The Pickup," side with Militech by using the virus-infected shard she provides.
- Avoid antagonizing her during dialogue interactions.
- After completing the mission, you may receive a message from her later in the game.
- Reply positively to her message to arrange a meeting at a motel, leading to an intimate scene.
Limitations:
- The relationship with Meredith does not evolve beyond a single encounter.
- There are no further interactions or story developments after the romance scene.
Rogue Amendiares
Rogue Amendiares, the legendary fixer of Night City, is another alternative romance option, though the circumstances are unique.
How to Romance Rogue:
- The romance with Rogue occurs during Johnny Silverhand’s storyline rather than V’s main narrative.
- In the mission "Chippin' In," Johnny takes control of V’s body, allowing him to reconnect with Rogue.
- Later, in the mission "Blistering Love," Johnny (through V) can take Rogue on a date, leading to an intimate moment.
Limitations:
- Since the romance occurs while Johnny is in control, it does not impact V’s own romantic relationships.
- The relationship does not continue beyond the event.
Other Potential Romantic Encounters
Cyberpunk 2077 also features several additional characters with whom V can have brief romantic interactions. These encounters typically occur during specific missions or within the nightlife of Night City.
Joytoys:
- Joytoys are available for paid encounters in Night City, specifically in the Japantown district.
- These interactions are purely transactional and do not affect the story or relationships.
While these alternative romance options do not provide long-term relationships or deep emotional arcs, they add to the immersive experience of Night City and allow players to explore different aspects of V’s personal life.
Romance Impact and Outcomes
Influence on Story and Endings
Romantic relationships in Cyberpunk 2077 can significantly affect the game's narrative, particularly in how characters interact with V and the available ending options. While romance does not drastically alter the main storyline, it adds depth to character arcs and unlocks exclusive scenes.
For example, if V successfully romances Judy Alvarez, she plays a more prominent role in certain endings, and her involvement can influence V's final fate. Similarly, romancing Panam Palmer can lead to her assisting V in specific story resolutions.
Exclusive Scenes and Interactions
Each major romance option provides unique dialogue, cutscenes, and interactions that deepen the connection between V and their chosen partner. These moments offer additional context on the character's background and motivations, making the romance feel more personal and immersive.
For instance, players who pursue Kerry Eurodyne will experience exclusive moments tied to his past as a musician and his struggles with fame. On the other hand, River Ward's romance path introduces more family-oriented interactions, revealing a different side of Night City's law enforcement.
Post-Romance Relationship Development
Once a romance is established, some partners will continue to check in on V through calls and messages throughout the game. In certain cases, they may offer additional side content or optional missions that expand their stories even further.
However, not all romances lead to long-term relationships. Some characters, such as Meredith Stout, only have brief encounters with V, meaning their impact on the game is minimal compared to main romance options.
Impact on Game Endings
Romantic partners can influence which ending paths are available. For example:
- If V romances Panam, she plays a crucial role in the "Aldecaldos" ending, helping V escape Night City.
- A relationship with Judy may lead to her accompanying V in select endings, provided certain choices are made.
- Kerry and River also provide unique epilogues if they are romanced.
While romance does not drastically change the core story, it personalizes the ending experience, making V's choices feel more meaningful.
Can You Romance Judy as a Male V?
Judy Alvarez is only available as a romance option for a female V with a feminine body type and voice. If playing as a male V, players can still develop a strong friendship with Judy, but romance is not possible. This restriction is based on Judy's character preferences, which are an intentional part of the game's storytelling.
Conclusion on Romance Impact
While romance in Cyberpunk 2077 is optional, it can add emotional depth to the story and influence V's journey in meaningful ways. Pursuing a romantic relationship unlocks exclusive content, shapes character interactions, and plays a role in certain ending variations, making it an important consideration for players looking to experience everything the game has to offer.
While male V cannot romance Judy in Cyberpunk 2077, players can still engage in her rich storyline and friendship. For those looking for alternative romance paths, Panam Palmer and Kerry Eurodyne are viable choices depending on V’s gender and body type. Regardless of romance, Judy remains an important and compelling character throughout the game.
