Let me tell you, choom, diving into Cyberpunk 2077 is like stepping into a living mixtape of the future. As a seasoned runner who's spent years in Night City's neon-soaked streets, I've come to appreciate the little details—and one of my favorite quirks is how the developers named some of the most memorable gigs after classic tunes. It's not just a cool naming convention; it's like the missions themselves are riffing on the songs' vibes, weaving their themes right into the gritty, chrome-plated heart of the story. You don't need to play them all to see the credits roll, but honestly, you'd be missing out on some of the game's wildest, most soulful moments. It's the kind of touch that makes this world feel lived-in, like the devs left little audio-logs of their own personalities scattered around for us to find.
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out 🎸
Man, this one hits different. Named after The Smiths' 1986 melancholic masterpiece, this quest is... well, a trip. It starts with your buddy Bill—and let's just say things go south fast, no matter how slick your chrome is. The mission gets real weird, diving into some heavy, controversial stuff that'll leave you sitting back in your chair when it's over, I promise you that. It's got that same desperate, clinging-to-hope feeling as the song, even when everything's falling apart. A real standout for how it blends sheer absurdity with a gut-punch of emotion.
Ghost Town 👻
This one's a marathon, not a sprint. Inspired by The Specials' 1981 ska classic born from a recession, the "Ghost Town" mission with Panam is all about bleak choices in a broken world. You get a ton of agency here—do you hunt down Nash for revenge, or play it cool and talk later? The song painted a picture of urban decay, and the mission drops you right in the middle of it, where every decision about pursuit or peace feels heavy. The cool part? You can actually stop Panam's revenge cycle for some sweet rewards. It's a lesson in pragmatism over passion in a city that eats both for breakfast.
Losing My Religion 🙏
Ever helped a monk on the street? This side gig, named for R.E.M.'s 1991 hit about being at your absolute limit, starts just like that. A monk with unwanted implants needs you to save his brother from Maelstrom gangers. Here's the kicker: you can go in guns blazing or try a pacifist approach. Either way, don't expect a fat stack of eddies or a shiny new gun—your "reward" is purely in the story. Seeing the monk, who's all about peace, briefly crack a smile when he hears the good news... it's a small, human moment in a city that tries to crush them. The song's about the edge of violence, and the mission makes you dance right on that line.
Happy Together 🐢
Okay, this one's a heartstring-tugger. Based on The Turtles' sweet 1967 love song, "Happy Together" is a police side job that seems simple: check on Officer Barry. But it spirals into this... deeply sad search for his best friend, Andrew. And Andrew's a tortoise. The mission mirrors the song's theme of clinging to something precious—in this case, a memory of friendship—even when the world thinks you've lost it. It's a wild goose chase that says more about loneliness in a megacity than any bombastic firefight ever could. A real hidden gem, this one.
Space Oddity 🚀
David Bowie's 1969 epic about Major Tom drifting in space gets a wonderfully grounded twist. Your job? Go get a painting. From the moon. Because apparently, "half the Louvre is up in space." It's this perfect, cynical Night City take on the song's themes of unreachable goals and cosmic isolation. You're running around Earth for a piece of art that's literally out of this world, feeling just as disconnected as Bowie's astronaut. It's a brilliant, funny mission that captures that specific vibe of chasing something you know you'll probably never really grasp.
Killing In The Name 🤖
Rage Against the Machine's 1992 explosive anthem about questioning authority comes to life through... a fortune-telling bot. No, really. You find this anti-establishment machine spitting truth to power, and you get to choose: hack it to spew nonsense, or let it keep sticking it to the man? It's a tiny, perfect slice of cyberpunk ethos. The song screams about not following orders blindly, and this little side gig puts that power directly in your hands. Do you become part of the machine, or help a glitch in the system? Choom, the choice is yours.
War Pigs ⚔️
Black Sabbath's 1970 classic anti-war roar finds its home in a classic Corpo rat-race scenario. If you start the game as a Corporate, this mission opens up, and it's all about the slimy politics and backstabbing that the song condemns. You can make a choice that leads to a guy named Frank buying the farm. Is it the right thing? Probably not. But if you want your hands on a seriously overpowered pistol... well, let's just say Night City has a way of twisting your morals. It's a dark reflection of the song's message: the powerful profit while everyone else pays the price.
The Fool On The Hill 🃏
The Beatles' 1967 tune about the wise fool gets a full-blown collectathon mission. Your task? Hunt down 20 Tarot cards scattered across Night City. You bring them all back to Misty, and she gives you a cryptic reading about your potential fate in the main story. It feels like a fool's errand—a ton of work for a vague prophecy. But just like the "fool" in the song who sees more than anyone realizes, scouring the city for these cards makes you observe its details, its stories, its soul. You end up knowing the place in a way most mercs never do.
Don’t Fear The Reaper 💀
And then there's this beast. Blue Öyster Cult's 1976 romantic rock ballad about facing death with your lover becomes the game's secret, brutally hard finale. This mission is the ultimate test. No continues. No second chances. It's just you, your guts, and your will to become a legend or die trying. The song's message—that love makes facing the end worthwhile—transforms into a pure gameplay gauntlet. It's a fitting, epic capstone that demands you live up to the song's title. You can't fear the reaper here; you have to stare him down.
So, what's the big deal with all these song names? It's more than a cute reference. It's like the missions are in conversation with the music. They take a song's feeling—be it desperation, rebellion, love, or isolation—and build a whole Night City story around it. Finding these connections as you play... it's one of the things that makes this game stick with you. It's not just a playlist in the background; the music is in the very concrete and blood of the city. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some more gigs to run. The lights of Night City never do go out, after all.