How to save Takemura in Cyberpunk 2077 during Search and Destroy

Takemura in Cyberpunk 2077 standing next to a railing.
(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

Want to know how to save Takemura in Cyberpunk 2077? Despite it seeming like one of those things that is scripted, you can save Takemura, so he doesn't have to die during the Search and Destroy mission. You need to explore off the beaten path though, by going left at the blue cross instead of the way the mission points you.

This will trigger an optional objective to rescue Takemura and take down the Arasaka soldiers, all after V has fallen through several floors of the collapsed hotel. Johnny Silverhand may claim that Takemura is "toast", but that isn't actually true, and you can prove it. Here's how to save Takemura during the Play It Safe mission in Cyberpunk 2077.

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How to save Takemura in Cyberpunk 2077

The path you need to take to save Takemura circled in yellow in Cyberpunk 2077.

(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

Once you wake up from falling through the floor, here's what you need to do to save Takemura: 

  1. Chat to Johnny and then exit the room. You'll see a huge, blue neon cross in front of you.
  2. Instead of going right along the direct path, duck down through the small gap in the wall to the left of the cross. Move through the room beyond, taking out the four Arasaka guards that await you.
  3. Move through the red flare-lit room and you'll emerge into another room. Beyond that there's a set of stairs that you need to head up, but you'll get a warning from Johnny telling you that Takemura is "beyond any sort of help". Carry on up the stairs, you'll gain the optional objective to try to save Takemura.
  4. Take down the guards on the stairs and keep going up to emerge into the corridor that you originally went down to reach Takemura's room - where you had to knock four times on the door.
  5. Deal with the guards lurking in the corridor and the room itself, but get inside and you'll find Takemura safe and sound.

Cyberpunk 2077 Save Takemura

(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

All you'll need to do then is escort him out of the building safely. Once outside the two of your split up, and he'll remain in contact with you for the course of the game. 

It's a pretty significant secret objective, and one of the only things like this that we've discovered in the game. Having finished the game thinking he's dead and given no reason to think anything else, it was definitely a welcome surprise to discover you actually can save Takemura in Cyberpunk 2077. Take that Arasaka!

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Sam Loveridge
Brand Director, GamesRadar+

Sam Loveridge is the Brand Director and former Global Editor-in-Chief of GamesRadar. She joined the team in August 2017. Sam came to GamesRadar after working at TrustedReviews, Digital Spy, and Fandom, following the completion of an MA in Journalism. In her time, she's also had appearances on The Guardian, BBC, and more. Her experience has seen her cover console and PC games, along with gaming hardware, for a decade, and for GamesRadar, she's in charge of the site's overall direction, managing the team, and making sure it's the best it can be. Her gaming passions lie with weird simulation games, big open-world RPGs, and beautifully crafted indies. She plays across all platforms, and specializes in titles like Pokemon, Assassin's Creed, The Sims, and more. Basically, she loves all games that aren't sports or fighting titles! In her spare time, Sam likes to live like Stardew Valley by cooking and baking, growing vegetables, and enjoying life in the countryside.

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