Even in 2026, years after its initial rocky launch, the world of Cyberpunk 2077 continues to spark intense discussions and fresh analyses during player replays. One particular conversation that has resurfaced with surprising vigor centers on a potential plot hole in the game's pivotal Heist mission. This mission, where Yorinobu Arasaka's fateful actions set the entire core conflict in motion, has players asking a seemingly simple yet profound question: Could the ensuing chaos have been easily avoided if the protagonist, V, had just used their high-tech cyberware to record the shocking event they witnessed?

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The Heist mission is the game's major turning point. Players, controlling V, find themselves in a precarious position, hiding behind a transparent wall in Yorinobu Arasaka's suite at Konpeki Plaza. From this vantage point, they become unwilling witnesses to a patricide: Yorinobu confronting and ultimately killing his father, the tyrannical "Emperor" Saburo Arasaka. The Arasaka Corporation itself is portrayed as a globally dominant, villainous megacorp, wielding power through military might, economic strangleholds, and shadowy manipulations via assassins and the Yakuza. Saburo's death, orchestrated by his rebellious son Yorinobu, who has long worked against the family empire, triggers the tsunami of events that V must navigate.

This leads to the central fan debate: Why didn't V simply record the murder? 🤔

V is equipped with "top-shelf" Kiroshi optical implants, which are canonically shown to have scanning, tagging, and recording capabilities throughout gameplay. The optics are a core tool for a mercenary in Night City. The Reddit user who reignited this discussion framed it bluntly: "Is V stupid?" The argument is compelling. Had V captured clear footage of Yorinobu committing the act, that evidence could theoretically have been leveraged to:

  • Exonerate themselves and Jackie from blame.

  • Undermine Yorinobu's position immediately.

  • Potentially short-circuit the manhunt and political fallout that defines the rest of the story.

It's a moment that, if handled differently, could have led to a far less exciting—but arguably more logical—campaign. The fact that V, a seasoned street mercenary, doesn't even attempt to record such a world-altering crime feels like an oversight to many players.

Of course, the Cyberpunk 2077 community isn't without its defenses and theories. Some players have proposed in-universe explanations to patch this potential plot hole:

  • The Wall Was a Jammer: Perhaps the transparent wall V hid behind wasn't just for show. It could have been a one-way, recording-proof security barrier standard in Arasaka's top-tier suites, specifically designed to prevent exactly this kind of corporate espionage.

  • Panic Mode: V and Jackie were there to steal the Relic, not document a family execution. The sheer, visceral shock of witnessing the murder of the most powerful man in the world could have short-circuited V's tactical thinking. Survival instinct overrode evidence collection.

  • Self-Preservation: Recording the murder also means recording your own presence at the scene of a historic crime. Having that data could make V an even bigger target, a loose end that both Yorinobu and anyone else seeking power would want to eliminate immediately.

Yet, even these explanations feel somewhat unsatisfying to critics. In a world where people record everything instinctively, the absence of even a thought about recording is notable.

However, other fans counter that even if V had a recording, it might not have changed anything. Welcome to Night City in 2077, where "deepfake" technology is mundane and trust is a extinct currency. 🔫

  • Evidence is Meaningless: As one insightful commenter noted, altered video footage is commonplace. Arasaka's counter-intelligence could instantly dismiss any leak as a sophisticated forgery created by rivals (like Militech) to destabilize the corporation. Who would believe a lowly mercenary's footage over the word of the new Arasaka CEO?

  • The Truth is Irrelevant: The game's story quickly moves beyond a simple "whodunit." The key players—Hanako Arasaka, the board members, NetWatch, the Voodoo Boys—likely already have their own intelligence about what transpired. The ensuing conflict isn't about proving Yorinobu's guilt; it's about the political power vacuum, control of the Relic technology, and the soul of the corporation. V, unfortunately, is largely a pawn—or a bullet—in this larger game, and a video file wouldn't elevate their status much.

Argument For Plot Hole Argument Against / In-Universe Explanation
Kiroshi optics clearly have recording functions. The secure environment may have blocked recording tech.
V is a pro merc; gathering intel is second nature. Extreme panic and shock can override standard procedure.
Footage could have cleared V's name early on. Footage would also implicate V at the crime scene.
It's a logical action the player expects. In 2077, digital evidence is easily dismissed as fake.

The debate highlights a fascinating aspect of engaging with complex narratives. Sometimes, what appears to be a writing oversight can open up deeper discussions about the story's themes: the futility of truth in a corrupt world, the overwhelming nature of corporate power, and the sheer chaos of being an ordinary person caught in extraordinary events. While Cyberpunk 2077 might have its share of continuity errors and dropped storylines, this particular "hole" serves more as a catalyst for fan theory and analysis than a simple mistake. It forces players to consider the bleak, cynical rules of Night City, where even video proof of a CEO's murder might just be another piece of irrelevant data in the endless, violent noise of the future. 🏙️💀

Ultimately, whether you see it as a glaring oversight or a narrative element consistent with the game's dystopian logic, the conversation keeps Cyberpunk 2077's world alive and kicking in the minds of players years later. The game remains available across all major platforms, inviting new and returning users to judge this pivotal moment for themselves.