How Deep the Bullet Lies
- Liz Church
- Apr 19
- 2 min read
So, last week was Part 2 of our Goro Takemura deep dive, which delved into the heart of his character’s contradictions in his decisions and ulterior motives. While yes, a lot of it covers the gig for the parade, it also uncovers a myriad of underlying issues, making his character all the more complex and intriguing.
Brian and I spent a lot of time going over Takemura’s loyalty to Saburo Araska and the dynasty itself. Even after Saburo’s death, Takemura is still acting in service to his legacy. This loyalty often leads him to make decisions that may seem questionable to us, but we question whether that kind of devotion is admirable or naive. Does he truly believe in the Arasaka vision, or is he clinging to the last structure that gave his life meaning?
To have meaning in Night City and to have purpose, you have to have drive.
What struck both of us was how Takemura doesn’t seem to fully grasp the world he’s moving through. He talks like a man of principle, but he’s constantly aligning himself with power, even when that power is corrupt. Every decision he makes goes back to his values, morals, and what he believes is honorable. Although V and Goro frequently butt heads, when V helps him, it raises questions about their values and the impact of their decisions on others. Does anyone in Night City think about how it may impact someone else?
Or are they driven purely by their selfishness?
Meh.
We’re here again this week with the same wonder—what will someone do to get on top in Night City—to make something of themselves and have a purpose?
Although the search for the missing client can be a short quest compared to looking for Hellman or getting a word with the Heart of Arasaka, it’s a damn dark road. Ethical dilemmas force the player to question their decisions…and their impact.
We’ve talked about Ev before and have some issues with her, from how she pushes people to get her way to her manipulative tactics. Still, while we’re looking for Evelyn, infiltrating Clouds, searching for clues, and demanding answers, questions about morality and ethics can’t be ignored.
It all comes down to decisions—and how they hurt someone else. Sometimes, they end up hurting themselves.
