The best Cyberpunk 2077 lifepath and how they change the game

Cyberpunk 2077 lifepath
(Image credit: CD Projekt Rad)

What is the best Cyberpunk 2077 lifepath? Should you pick Street Kid, Corpo or Nomad as you character's background? In reality, it's not as major a decision as you'd think, influencing a couple of elements and a mission or two early on, but generally fading out once you're past the tutorial section with the occasional reminder of your humble origins or extra choice based upon it.

Below I'll run through what the respective Street Kid, Nomad, and Corpo choices actually offer a prospective player, and how the different lifepaths change Cyberpunk 2077. It probably goes without saying that there'll be minor spoilers as a result of this, but it's only regarding the first hour or so of the game. Otherwise, let's leap into the Cyberpunk 2077 lifepaths and what they each do for you.

All Cyberpunk 2077 lifepath options explained 

Cyberpunk 2077 lifepath options explained

(Image credit: CDPR)

At the start you'll have to pick a lifepath from Street Kid, Nomad, and Corpo in Cyberpunk 2077. It's essentially a backstory for your character - who they are and where they come from. Each has a separate opening story mission and that is largely the only difference. Once you've played through whatever you've gone for every choice will end up in the same apartment, with the same clothes, weapons, mods and so on. Nothing meaningful is lost of gained depending on the choice you make. You'll get the occasional distinct lifepath dialogue options, but these mainly, again, are more about adding color and don't actually change anything. 

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Cyberpunk 2077 Nomad lifepath

Cyberpunk 2077 Nomad lifepath

(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

Playing as a Nomad starts you out in the Badlands, having just recently left your Nomad clan to go it alone. You'll start getting your car repaired after it broke down, before being run out of town by the sheriff. You'll then meet with a client looking for help smuggling something into Night City. Together you cross the border and while things don't go smoothly it all ends with you living in Night City ready to take on the world.

Cyberpunk 2077 Corpo lifepath

Cyberpunk 2077 Corpo lifepath

Cyberpunk 2077 Corpo lifepath

(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

Starting out as a Corpo means your game begins in Arasaka Tower, which becomes quite an important location later in the game for the main story. You get called to the big bosses office, where he's watching a meeting with the European Space Council. Things turn… sour, Jenkins gives you a special task, and off you go to meet with a friend at a nightclub to mull things over. You're followed, however, and things go from bad to worse for you. Fast forward six months, you've left Arasaka Corp, and you're ready to take on Night City as a mercenary from your apartment in Megabuilding H10.

Cyberpunk 2077 Street Kid lifepath

Cyberpunk 2077 Street Kid lifepath

(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

Choosing the Street Kid lifepath means you're a child of Night City. Born and raised in Watson, you're well-known in the area but you've been away for a couple of years having tried and failed to make a life elsewhere. Plenty of the local fixers know your name, and plenty of others are pleased to see you back. The barman at your local is having some trouble, and the fact you're known to be a reliable merc, means he comes to you for help. He's got himself in a bit of debt with Kirk, a fixer with quite the reputation for being a troublemaker. You'll go and visit Kirk and offer to do him a job in return for clearing the debt, but of course not everything is quite as easy as Kirk claims when it comes to actually getting said job done. But you do make a fast friend off the back of it, and really kick off your return to Night City in style. 

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Leon Hurley
Managing editor for guides

I'm GamesRadar's Managing Editor for guides, which means I run GamesRadar's guides and tips content. I also write reviews, previews and features, largely about horror, action adventure, FPS and open world games. I previously worked on Kotaku, and the Official PlayStation Magazine and website.