You’re standing in the middle of a flooded construction site in Dogtown. Bullets are whining past your ears, the Barghest soldiers are closing in, and your health bar is blinking a frantic, stressful red. This is exactly where Cyberpunk 2077 balls to the wall gameplay earns its name. It isn't just a catchy phrase or a suggestion for how to handle the combat; it's the literal name of one of the most chaotic, narrative-heavy side jobs in the Phantom Liberty expansion.
Honestly? It’s also a perfect metaphor for how CD Projekt Red salvaged this game.
A lot of players missed this quest because it doesn't pop up immediately. You have to be poking around the edges of the map, specifically near the entrance to Dogtown, to find two guys sitting on a couch. They look like they’ve seen better days. One of them, Paco, is a Barghest soldier who’s gotten himself into a mess that involves stolen generators and a very angry Colonel Kurt Hansen.
What actually happens in the quest?
The mission starts with a drug-induced flashback. Paco gives you a hit of "Deep Dive," a specialized drug that lets you inhabit his memories. Suddenly, you aren’t V anymore. You are Kurt Hansen.
This is the first time the game truly lets you feel the power gap between a mercenary and a warlord. Playing as Hansen during the Cyberpunk 2077 balls to the wall sequence gives you a massive health pool and a unique weapon set. You get to see how the other side lives. You’re not dodging and weaving; you’re a tank. You’re tearing through waves of enemies with a light machine gun and a knife that feels like it weighs twenty pounds.
The story Paco tells is a classic Dogtown tragedy. He tried to do something nice—or maybe just something profitable—and it backfired. He stole some tech to sell on the side, thinking he was smarter than the Colonel. He wasn't.
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The branching paths of Paco and Babs
Most people think side quests in modern RPGs are linear. They aren't in Phantom Liberty. Depending on what you tell Paco and his friend Babs, the ending of the mission changes drastically.
If you tell them to make a run for it, you’re basically signing their death warrant or a one-way ticket to a very lonely life. If you call in a favor from your friends—like Panam Palmer or River Ward—you can actually get them out safely. But calling Panam requires you to have finished her main questline in the base game. It’s a great example of how the DLC integrates with the world you’ve already built.
There is a darker path, though.
If you suggest they frame someone else, things go south. Fast. You’ll eventually find Paco’s body hanging from a needle in the middle of the city. It’s a grim reminder that Dogtown doesn't have heroes, only survivors and statistics.
Why the combat style matters
Beyond the quest, the community uses the term "balls to the wall" to describe the 2.0 and 2.1 update playstyles. Before the 2.0 overhaul, Cyberpunk was a bit of a stat-check game. You had higher numbers, so you won. Now? It’s about momentum.
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If you’re running a "Reflex" build with a Katana, you can’t stay still. You have to keep moving to trigger your mitigations. You’re dashing through the air, deflecting bullets back at snipers, and using the "Sandevistan" to slow time to a crawl. It’s exhausting. It’s brilliant.
The Cyberpunk 2077 balls to the wall approach isn't just about being loud. It’s about using the new Cyberware Capacity system to its absolute limit. You’re basically turning V into a walking tank that is constantly one glitch away from cyberpsychosis.
- The Sandevistan/Katana Combo: This is the gold standard for high-octane play.
- Berserk and Gorrila Arms: For those who want to literally punch a car until it explodes.
- Netrunning Overclock: Burning your own health to upload "Suicide" or "Cyberpsychosis" hacks to an entire room of people.
Let’s talk about Kurt Hansen
Hansen is the villain we deserved in the base game. He’s tactical, he’s physically imposing, and he’s smart. When you play as him during Paco’s story, you realize why he’s in charge of Dogtown. He isn't just a thug with a crown.
The quest manages to humanize the enemy. You see the internal politics of Barghest. You see how easy it is for a young soldier like Paco to get swept up in the charisma of a strongman.
Technical hiccups and things to watch for
It wouldn't be Cyberpunk without a few quirks. Sometimes the quest triggers weirdly. If Paco isn't appearing at his tent near the stadium, you might need to wait 24 in-game hours or finish the initial "Lucretia My Reflection" mission.
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Also, the rewards.
If you finish the quest "successfully" (meaning they live), you get a unique weapon. It’s a Power Assault Rifle called Carmen. It’s specially tuned for Dogtown combat. It has a higher crit rate when you’re sprinting or sliding. Basically, it’s a gun that rewards you for playing aggressively.
How to get the "Best" ending for Paco
Don't just pick the first dialogue option.
- Listen to Paco’s whole story. Don't skip the "Deep Dive" sequences.
- When the choice comes, check your contact list.
- If you have the "Aldecaldos" connection, use it. It’s the safest route for them.
- If you don't, tell them to leave the city immediately, but be prepared for them to struggle.
- Check back a few days later. You’ll get a text message or find a loot crate near their old spot.
Cyberpunk 2077 balls to the wall represents everything the game does right now. It mixes dark, gritty storytelling with gameplay that actually makes your heart rate spike. It doesn't hold your hand. If you make a bad call, characters you like will die.
The real takeaway here is that Dogtown is a pressure cooker. Whether you’re playing the literal mission or just roaming the streets of the EBM Petrochem Stadium, the game wants you to stop playing it safe. Stop hiding behind cover. Use your chrome.
Actionable Steps for your next session
- Audit your Cyberware: Go to a Ripperdoc and check your "Armor" stat. If it's not maximized, you aren't playing "balls to the wall" yet. Look for the "Cocking" or "Epimorphic Skeleton" upgrades.
- Find Paco: Head to the south-east of the Dogtown stadium entrance. Look for the yellow quest marker near the tents.
- Equip the Carmen: Once you get the rifle, change your playstyle. Stop aiming down sights. Start hip-firing while sliding into groups of enemies.
- Experiment with Edgerunner: If you haven't unlocked the "Edgerunner" perk in the Technical Ability tree, do it. It lets you exceed your Cyberware capacity at the cost of your health. It’s the ultimate high-risk, high-reward mechanic.
Dogtown doesn't give out participation trophies. You either go big or you end up like the guys Paco was worried about. Load up your saves, get your Sandevistan ready, and stop playing like a scav.