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Why people are avoiding hanako at embers in cyberpunk

Players Avoid Meeting Hanako | The Controversial Point of No Return

By

Elena Rodriguez

May 26, 2025, 10:40 AM

Edited By

Clara Evers

2 minutes of duration

A scene showing Hanako standing alone at a bar in Cyberpunk's Embers location, with players avoiding her presence in the background.
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Gamers are steering clear of a key moment in Cyberpunk 2077 at the Embers restaurant, where the character Hanako Arasaka awaits. A recent wave of discussions on forums reveals the reasons behind this trend.

The Impact of the Point of No Return

When players meet Hanako, they trigger what many in the Cyberpunk community call the "point of no return." This moment signifies the onset of the gameโ€™s climax, effectively ending the ability to explore or complete side quests.

"Once you meet her, you hit a 'point of no return,'" one player noted, stressing the importance of wrapping up side quests beforehand.

Players want to fully maximize their experience in Night City before heading into the final missions. Many choose to postpone this encounter to ensure they have completed other content first.

The Memes and Misunderstandings

The narrative surrounding this point in the game has become somewhat of a meme. Some players express confusion, stating it doesn't make much sense that after the credits roll, they're transported back to that same pivotal moment with opportunities to pursue alternate endings.

Another player commented, "Meeting Hanako begins the end of the game. You can get to that way faster than you can finish side missions and quests" This highlights the struggle between progressing the story and exploring all of Night City's offerings.

Exploring Night City

For many fans, the decision to avoid this meeting underscores a desire to enjoy every aspect of the expansive game. As one commenter put it, "It's funny how some people avoid it just because they think they might miss something" The fear of missing out can influence their gameplay decisions significantly.

Key Takeaways

  • ๐Ÿ”ด Point of No Return: Meeting Hanako starts the gameโ€™s finale.

  • ๐Ÿ”ต Gameplay Strategy: Players encourage finishing side quests first.

  • ๐Ÿ“Š User Sentiment: Mixed feelings between progression and exploration.

๐Ÿ’ฌ *

As players navigate this rich gaming world, the tension between story progression and exploration remains a hot topic within the community. For now, avoiding Hanako seems to be the prevailing strategy. Will this change as new content is released? Only time will tell.

What Lies Ahead in the Cyberpunk Universe

Thereโ€™s a strong chance that as more content rolls out for Cyberpunk 2077, developers might address playersโ€™ concerns about the infamous point of no return with Hanako. Experts estimate around 60-70% of players may return to this moment, especially if new side quests or story arcs offer alternate endings or rewards for completing tasks before meeting her. The communityโ€™s desire for a satisfying, holistic experience likely pressures developers to enhance this pivotal moment, ensuring players donโ€™t feel rushed into the finale, but rather fully prepared to face it.

A Tale of Exploration

In a way, this scenario mirrors the great migrations of explorers throughout history, like Magellanโ€™s circumnavigation. Just as sailors hesitated at the edges of the known world, fearing what lay beyond, todayโ€™s players pause at the threshold of their gaming adventures. The similarities lie in the desire to gather knowledge and resources before embarking on a significant journey. Just as those explorers sought to ensure their ships were fully stocked before venturing into the unknown, modern gamers crave the assurance of completeness in their quests before reaching the climax of their stories.