Introduction
“The Ride” is a critical early main mission in Cyberpunk 2077, following the events of “The Ripperdoc.” It marks the beginning of protagonist V’s entry into Night City’s upper criminal circles and introduces key players in the game’s central heist narrative. While the mission involves no combat, it is packed with character development, worldbuilding, and narrative choice.
Debriefing With Jackie
After receiving vital cyberware upgrades from Viktor Vektor, V exits Misty’s shop and meets up with Jackie Welles. The two take a brief walk through the rain-soaked streets of Watson, exchanging reflections on mercenary life and the state of the city. Jackie provides insight into Night City’s hierarchy, explaining how fixers control job access and how a merc’s reputation determines their future.
This moment helps reinforce the bond between Jackie and V, grounding the story in a sense of camaraderie and shared ambition.
The Ride Across Night City
Jackie offers to drive V to meet with a major fixer: Dexter “Dex” DeShawn. The car ride offers a quiet, cinematic interlude, with views of the urban sprawl and neon-lit infrastructure that define Night City. Players are encouraged to absorb the atmosphere while Jackie explains who Dex is — a legendary fixer known for his wealth, influence, and sharp mind.
This sequence represents a shift: V is no longer just a street-level merc, but someone about to step into high-stakes jobs with powerful players.
Meeting Dexter DeShawn
Upon arrival, V is picked up by Dex’s personal driver and escorted to a luxury AV (aerial vehicle). Inside, they meet Dexter DeShawn himself — a large, smooth-talking fixer who immediately dominates the conversation with confidence and authority.
Dex lays out the premise for a high-profile job: stealing a prototype Relic biochip from Arasaka Corporation. However, before V can officially be part of the team, Dex insists they meet with a corporate insider who has more details — Evelyn Parker.
This meeting is a test. Dex is gauging V’s initiative, professionalism, and ability to handle delicate negotiations. It becomes clear that V’s performance in the upcoming meeting with Evelyn will influence Dex’s trust and willingness to move forward with the plan.
Setting the Stage for the Heist
“The Ride” ends with V preparing to meet Evelyn at Lizzie’s Bar, which leads directly into the next main mission, “The Information.” From this point on, the heist plot begins to take shape, with each decision made by the player affecting how events unfold later.
The mission sets the tone for the rest of Act 1 — blending personal ambition, trust, betrayal, and power struggles into a tightly woven narrative.
Conclusion
While “The Ride” contains no combat or hacking, it’s a pivotal moment in Cyberpunk 2077’s early game. It introduces key players, builds relationships, and reinforces the game’s themes: reputation, loyalty, and the dangerous game of upward mobility in Night City.
V is no longer a small-time merc — this mission officially puts them on the map, but the road ahead will be anything but smooth.