Sinnerman is one of three quests in Cyberpunk 2077 pertaining to the same storyline surrounding Joshua, a devout prisoner that escaped and plans to star in an upcoming braindance. The entirety of this story is certainly one of Cyberpunk 2077's most disturbing quests, but it's also become a fan favorite in the year since the game's release because of how interesting and unique it is.
Players learn more about Joshua and his plans as the story goes, and V can be as involved as they wish to be, with many opportunities to leave the Cyberpunk quest while still completing it and possibly even getting paid without seeing it through to its end. While this isn't necessarily a true content warning, at least, not in the traditional sense, it's an interesting tactic of warning players of what's to come, and it should become a trend in video games that discuss difficult or disturbing topics.
The Events of the Sinnerman Questline
After the fixer Wakako assigns V the Sinnerman quest, the initial plan is simply for V to off Joshua at the request of Bill, who wants the prisoner dead. However, once V approaches the NCPD vehicle carrying Joshua, the prisoner steps out and requests that the mercenary be taken with them. Though it's not yet explained what the group holding Joshua is doing, this is the first chance for V to walk away while still completing the quest. Then, during There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, they arrive at the house of the sister of the man Joshua murdered. Zuleikha, a religious woman, has forgiven Joshua and helped him down the path of redemption.
It's then revealed that he's struck a deal with a braindance studio to perform in an upcoming production that would have Joshua crucified as he's already on death row. Unfortunately, the braindance studio is simply taking advantage of his religious beliefs for a profit based on shock value, but Joshua believes that he's doing it for God and it would change the world. After V and Joshua are kicked out of the house comes another opportunity for V to back away from the job, and Rachel will offer to pay V double for doing so. And at this point, the player is fully aware of what's about to happen.
Before the final event, the Cyberpunk 2077 protagonist will learn more details about the braindance production. After some time passes, V will be invited to the studio where the recording is taking place to calm Joshua's nerves. Here, he asks if V wants to be a part of the braindance as well, and this is another chance for V to avoid watching the horrifying ending of the quest. And if players choose to participate in the crucifixion rather than watch, they have a few options to quit during this portion of the quest as well via the dialogue options, and another actor will immediately take over.
Subtle But Effective Content Warnings
Cyberpunk 2077's take on the Sinnerman questline is a unique but effective way of delivering content warnings without breaking the fourth wall. Rather than ignoring the quest or choosing not to continue while leaving a task open in the docket, there are ways to finish the quest as soon as it starts by killing Joshua and collecting Wakako's bounty, but the group will ask V time and time again if they want to proceed both before and after fully informing them of the plan and its consequences. And not only is it favorable that Cyberpunk 2077 offers players various levels of participation, but they can also canonically back out of it as it's happening, if the image of nailing a person to a cross is too overwhelming.
It would be great to see other games taking this stance on content warnings. Because of how immersive games can be, content and trigger warnings play a big part in the player experience, though some unfortunately feel that it pulls them out of the experience or is unnecessary. But Cyberpunk 2077's many warnings is a happy medium between the two. Players are fully aware of what's to come if they proceed and are able to back away from it at any time while still receiving the payment, but the warnings are weaved through the dialogue and narrative of the quest itself while putting complete control over the content and outcome into the hands of the player.
Cyberpunk 2077 is out now for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One with PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions in development.