Cyberpunk 2077 has had its ups and downs, but in its current state, Judy Alvarez and Panam Palmer continue to be its two best romance options. Characters are one of this game’s greatest strengths, with some of its most emotional moments coming from side content involving specific people. This makes romance even more difficult for V, who must choose between very well-written and deep figures within the story.

Among all of Cyberpunk 2077’s romance partners, Judy and Panam stand out beyond just a few interesting moments or some fun banter. The sheer level of emotional connection players can reach with these two is astounding, with each character’s side stories revealing so much about their background and stories within Night City. Unfortunately, there are some limitations tied to character creation that could determine who you learn more about.

What Happens If You Choose Panam?

Closer Connections To The Main Story Give V’s Journey Greater Weight

Panam’s romance in Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the best in the game, mainly for how compelling Panam is as a character. The story of Panam largely takes place outside the city, in the badlands and outskirts beyond the techno-urban environments. As a Nomad and part of the Aldecaldos, Panam is someone heavily connected with V’s journey in the main story, meaning you’ll see her a lot naturally as you play.

This alone gives you more opportunities to talk to her, but also fight with her in the action-packed badlands. This region has tons of unique story beats, with both grandiose firefights and soft moments of reflection creating authentic emotion around campfires outside the sickening pressure of the corporate-controlled Night City. Even Cyberpunk 2077 players who don’t romance Panam will find her to be a character that endears herself to players quickly, as V and her deal with a variety of shared events.

Many of Panam’s stories involve her relationship with the Aldecaldos, with developed connections between specific members driving her forward, especially their leader Saul. The predicaments Saul finds himself in show how supportive Panam is, a trait she shares with V as soon as she warms up to them. Fierce, loyal, and strong-willed, Panam’s story and personality is sure to appeal to a broad number of players.

The strengthened bond between V and Panam that comes from the struggles they face together in the story makes any blossoming romance feel earned in many ways. Unfortunately, Panam only prefers a V with a masculine body type, meaning she won’t be an option for everyone. But for those who are able and willing to pursue a deeper relationship with Panam, recent updates to the game have made it even more compelling.

Extended romance sequences from Cyberpunk 2077 in its 1.5 update have made connections with Panam feel larger than before. With the Phantom Liberty DLC adding new dialogue for the character too, features like text messages and the ability to wake up next to Panam gives new opportunities for bonding. Although someone whose trust takes a long time to earn, Panam is someone whose dedication to V and the Aldecaldos form a strong-minded bedrock for a solid relationship.

What Happens If You Choose Judy?

Patience And Careful Decisions Can Lead To One Of The Game’s Deepest Connections

While Panam’s ex-Nomad lifestyle takes V away from Night City, Judy Alvarez does almost the polar opposite. Only available to players with a feminine body and voice, Judy’s romance is incredibly detailed, but only if you take a lot of time to earn her trust. At first, Judy can seem standoffish, acting in a brusque manner early when you meet her in Cyberpunk 2077‘s story. This savvy Braindance editor has great talent, helping you throughout your journey.

With an introduction made by Evelyn Parker, who contracts DeShawn to orchestrate the Konpeki Plaza heist, Judy quickly shows her value as an ally. Unfortunate circumstances related to Evelyn quickly bring Judy and V closer together, evolving into an emotional storyline that is full of heartbreak. In many ways, Judy’s story gives her more depth than probably any other character in Cyberpunk 2077.

Thankfully for fans, Cyberpunk 2077’s 1.5 patch made romancing Judy even more compelling. Although it takes a long time to warm Judy up to you, once she does, a truly sweet and supportive relationship can form. Multiple stories and quests expand upon Judy’s life, with many emotional moments in the main narrative also tying her and V together through shared experiences. Discovering small sides of Judy she normally locks away can lead to something that feels real in the fake greed-driven landscape of Night City.

Which Romance Is Better Between Judy & Panam?

Both Options Have Their Pros And Cons

Ultimately, it’s up to which character you prefer to romance in Cyberpunk 2077, but your options are narrowed down based on the character you made. The game respects both Judy and Panam’s agency and preferences, so your character has to match those first before any sort of romance can be pursued. At the same time, the preferences of both Panam and Judy in Cyberpunk 2077 mainly come down to who players personally enjoy connecting with more.

For many players, Judy is sometimes considered the better romance for how much the character reveals through an emotional connection. This comes with no offense to Panam, whose story and character are also fantastic and have likely created satisfying moments with players who pursue a relationship with her. Yet, players can agree that Panam is a character who is easier to understand from the moment you meet her, while Judy’s guarded nature makes her development even more interesting.

Judy’s heartbreaking tale is full of nuance that you won’t get right away, as you’ll have to complete many side missions and extra content to earn her trust. This adds a layer of real effort to her romance, graduating it into something larger as it goes. The depth of characterization shown by Judy makes each small step in her romance compelling as you go along with it, peeling back layers to learn about the real person underneath.

Compared to other romance content in the game, both Panam and Judy simply have more content in connection with a focus on the main story. This gives both a chance to shine, moreso than some characters who should’ve gotten romances with some added depth. At their core, each romance for Cyberpunk 2077 is one that shows the game when it is firing on all cylinders: lots of heart, an immersive world, and some truly memorable characters.

Systems

Released

December 10, 2020

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

Engine

REDengine 4