The Phantom Liberty expansion for Cyberpunk 2077 introduces several gripping side gigs that test V's moral compass in Dogtown. Among these, "Shot by Both Sides" stands out as a tense confrontation involving corporate espionage, personal motives, and conflicting loyalties. Players must navigate a delicate situation between an independent journalist, Bree Whitney, and a Militech operative, Dante Caruso.
Understanding the Conflict in Dogtown
The quest begins when Mr. Hands contacts V to assist Bree Whitney, a reporter who has infiltrated an abandoned Militech facility in Dogtown. Bree is searching for sensitive corporate data regarding illegal sub-dermal cyberware experiments. As V guides her through the facility's hazards, hidden truths about the operation begin to emerge.
The situation escalates dramatically when Dante Caruso, a Militech fixer, interrupts the recovery effort. Dante claims that Bree is not a heroic whistleblower, but rather a greedy informant planning to sell corporate secrets to the highest bidder on the black market. Players keeping up with daily gaming news often point to this gig as a prime example of Cyberpunk's nuanced storytelling.
Siding with Bree Whitney
If V chooses to side with Bree and neutralize Dante, she successfully extracts the confidential data from the facility. Following the confrontation, Bree thanks V and leaves the area to publish her story or deal with her buyers. Shortly after completing the quest, Mr. Hands sends a follow-up message with V's financial payment.
However, choosing this path has long-term implications that players discover later in the game. News reports eventually reveal that Bree sold the data to NetWatch before mysteriously disappearing, likely targeted by Militech assassins. While this option grants immediate eddies and resolves the mission quickly, it leaves a lingering sense of corporate cynicism.
Siding with Dante Caruso
Choosing to align with Dante results in the elimination of Bree before she can escape with the files. Dante explains his perspective, arguing that preventing the data leak protects vulnerable individuals from retaliatory corporate violence. After the dust settles, Dante offers V a reward for assisting in containing the sensitive breach.
This outcome provides a more grounded resolution regarding corporate containment within Dogtown's chaotic borders. V receives compensation from Dante and maintains a neutral standing with Militech's covert operations. The decision highlights how individual survival often outweighs ideological idealism in Night City.
Confronting Both Parties and Finding Nuance
Players who explore every dialogue branch can press both characters for details before making a final lethal decision. Utilizing high technical or cool attributes allows V to interrogate their motives more effectively. This critical dialogue phase reveals that neither character is entirely innocent or truthful.
Ultimately, "Shot by Both Sides" showcases Cyberpunk 2077's commitment to gray moral choices where no single outcome is perfectly clean. Whether V chooses corporate stability or journalistic freedom, each path yields unique rewards, narrative consequences, and character insights. Evaluating these trade-offs ensures players experience one of Phantom Liberty's most memorable narrative encounters.
