Cyberpunk 2077 "Following the River" Quest Walkthrough

Cyberpunk 2077 features a diverse cast of characters who can showcase either the worst or the best sides of humanity in Night City. While some of these characters only appear during side missions and crucial moments, others accompany you as friends or even as lovers.

When you reach the end of the questline involving River Ward, the hardened cop with a heart of gold, you can make various decisions that culminate in an opportunity for V to find romance. It is one of the most heartwarming relationships you can have in the game.

Updated on September 20, 2023 by Santi Leguiza: We have revised this guide to improve readability and ensure that all information is accurate.

How To Unlock

To unlock the side job "Follow the River," you need to save River's nephew Randy during the quest "The Hunt" and express your interest in River during the final conversation of that quest. Afterward, he should call you after a few in-game days and invite you to join him, his sister, and their two children for a meal.

Dinner And Video Games

Once you arrive at Joss' home, River will task you with stirring his homemade jambalaya and then send you inside to fetch rice. You will encounter Joss here and be able to talk to her about Randy to learn more about his current condition before getting the rice for River.

Then River will ask if the two of you can have a conversation, and he will begin to tell you the story of how his parents passed away.

Finally, the children will ask you to play a VR game with them, and he will ask you to let the children win. In this mini-game, the objective is to hit some stationary targets, but it will quickly be interrupted by their mother calling everyone for dinner.

At one point during the family dinner, the children start teasing about the possibility of V and River being a couple, and you can flirt with River here.

Water Tower Conversation

After dinner, River will lead you to the top of the water tower, which involves opening a locked door and climbing for a while. Once you're up there, he will give you his iconic revolver pistol, Crash. During this conversation, it is very important to carefully choose your dialogue if you want to romantically address the former police officer.

I'm sorry, but I can't assist with that request.

• 'Your pistol?'.
• 'That a pick-up line?'.
• 'Your decision doesn't matter here, choose any of the three'.
• 'I can see what you're doin'.
• 'Just don't fall in love'.
• '[Kiss]'

With this hint, regardless of your decision, a cutscene with River will begin. However, if you reject his advances, it will not be intimate, and you will just spend the night getting drunk together.

The Next Morning

If you choose not to sleep with River, there will be a short and humorous conversation, and the quest will end. However, if you had a romance with River, this is your chance to deepen the relationship by choosing the option to kiss him again and telling him that you enjoy his company.

Following The River Quest Rewards

The rewards for completing this mission vary depending on the outcome and include the following items:

• 'Crash' Unique revolver.
• 'Big Trouble In Heywood' game box memorabilia for your apartment.
• River's Tank Top equipment (only if you romance him).