I know I’m probably not the first person to spiral about this, and the "Player is Canon" theory has been floating around since launch, but after my latest playthrough, I’m seeing the Relic in a completely different light.
We always talk about the war between V and Johnny, but if you look at the way V survives things they definitely shouldn't (especially in the "Don't Fear the Reaper" ending), the math doesn't add up for just two people.
Think about the meta-lore here:
● The Cyberpsychosis Buffer: Mike Pondsmith said Johnny acts as a buffer, but we are the ones choosing the chrome and managing the humanity. We are the "ego" that keeps V from snapping.
● The Glitches: The visual artifacts aren't just V’s brain melting; they’re the universe struggling to contain a "User" entity that doesn't belong in Night City’s code.
● The Choice: In Mikoshi, we aren't just playing as V. We are an outside "Judge" deciding the fate of two digital souls. We are the only thing in Night City that is truly Free
I saw it put perfectly the other day:
"Next time you're standing on a rooftop looking over Night City, remember: Johnny is the passenger, V is the car, but You are the Driver.
Is the Player basically a "Data Demon" from beyond the Blackwall? Even if this has been asked before, how does this change the way you view the "Save/Load" mechanic in the lore?