Why Cyberpunk Lucretia My Reflection is the Quest That Actually Breaks You

Why Cyberpunk Lucretia My Reflection is the Quest That Actually Breaks You

You’re standing in a dimly lit corner of the Black Sapphire. The bass from the party upstairs is a dull thud in your skull, and the air smells like expensive gin and desperation. If you've played Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, you know this moment. It’s the quiet before the storm. Cyberpunk Lucretia My Reflection isn't just a mission title—it’s a mood, a reference to a Sisters of Mercy song, and the exact point where the expansion stops being a spy thriller and starts being a tragedy.

It hits hard.

Most people talk about the boss fights or the flashy chrome, but this specific quest is where the game forces you to look in the mirror. You’ve just rescued Myers. You’re hunkered down in a dusty, abandoned apartment in Dogtown. The stakes are massive, yet the scene is claustrophobic. It's brilliant.

What Actually Happens in Lucretia My Reflection

The quest kicks off right after the chaos of "Spider and the Fly." You’ve survived a giant robot death machine, and now you have to play bodyguard to the President of the New United States (NUSA). This isn't about shooting anymore. It's about politics, survival, and the slow realization that you are way out of your depth.

You take Myers to a safehouse. It’s a dump. There's no power, no food, just a lot of tension. This is where the writing shines. You see Rosalind Myers—one of the most powerful people on Earth—trying to fix a fuse box. It’s a grounding moment that makes her feel human, which, as any veteran player knows, is exactly when you should start being suspicious.

Meeting Solomon Reed

This mission is the grand entrance of Solomon Reed, played by Idris Elba. When you finally track him down at a local diner, the vibe shifts. Reed is a relic. He’s a man who gave everything to a country that basically threw him away, yet he’s still standing. Talking to him feels heavy. Every word he says carries the weight of a decade of betrayal.

Honestly? Reed is the heart of why Cyberpunk Lucretia My Reflection works. He’s the personification of the "Reflection" in the title. He looks at V and sees a tool, but he also sees a mirror of his younger, more idealistic self.

The Sisters of Mercy Connection

CD Projekt Red loves their music references. "Lucretia My Reflection" is a 1987 goth-rock anthem by The Sisters of Mercy. The lyrics talk about an empire crumbling and the "hard reign" coming down.

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"I hear the empire down..."

It’s not just a cool name. The song describes the inevitable decay of power. In the context of the game, the NUSA is that crumbling empire. Myers is trying to hold onto the past while the world moves toward a fractured, corporate-dominated future. When you're sitting in that apartment, listening to the wind howl outside, the song’s themes of isolation and relentless pressure feel incredibly literal.

Why This Quest Is a Narrative Masterclass

Most RPGs struggle with pacing. They give you a high-octane opening and then drop you into a boring "go here, talk to three people" loop. Phantom Liberty avoids this by making the dialogue feel like a combat encounter.

During the stay at the safehouse, you have the option to drink with Myers. Do it. Don't skip the dialogue. This is where you learn about her history with Songbird. You start to see the cracks in the NUSA facade. You realize that while you're trying to save your own life (because of the Relic), Myers and Reed are playing a much bigger game where people like V are just collateral damage.

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The pacing is deliberate. The mission forces you to slow down. You have to wait. You have to reflect.

The Appearance of Jacob and Taylor

Midway through, two Dogtown locals, Jacob and Taylor, stumble into the safehouse. This is a crucial "human" moment. You have a choice: kill them or talk to them.

If you’re playing a "burn the world" V, maybe you pull the trigger. But if you talk to them, you get a glimpse into what life is actually like for the people living in Kurt Hansen’s shadow. They aren't soldiers or spies; they're just guys trying to find a place to sleep that doesn't have a leak.

Including these characters was a smart move. They serve as a foil to the high-stakes political maneuvering of Myers and Reed. It reminds you that while the "greats" fight over data and power, the little people are just trying to survive the night.

Getting through the tunnels can be a pain if you aren't paying attention. The map in Dogtown is vertical and messy.

  1. The Steam Valves: When you’re escorting Myers through the tunnels, you’ll hit a section with scalding steam. Don’t just run through. Look for the yellow valves. They aren't always right next to the pipes. Sometimes they're tucked behind crates.
  2. Scavenge Everything: The safehouse has some decent loot, but more importantly, it has shards. Read the shards. They provide the backstory for why that specific apartment was abandoned. It adds a layer of "lived-in" tragedy to the environment.
  3. The Diner Meeting: When you go to meet Reed at Capitan Caliente, don't rush. The area is crawling with Barghest soldiers. You can sneak in through the back or use the old-school tech approach to bypass the main entrance.
  4. The Phone: You’ll need to use an old analog phone to contact Reed. If you’re a younger gamer, it might take you a second to realize how those things work. It’s a nice touch of retro-futurism that fits the "outdated spy" theme.

The Lingering Impact of the Choice

By the time you finish the mission and Reed takes Myers away to a "safer" location, the tone of the game has shifted. You’ve officially entered a contract with the NUSA.

Is it a good idea? Probably not.
Does V have a choice? Not really.

That’s the core of the Cyberpunk genre. It’s about the illusion of choice in a world that’s already decided your fate. Cyberpunk Lucretia My Reflection is the moment V realizes they aren't the lead actor in this play; they’re just the stagehand trying to keep the lights on while the theater burns down.

Actionable Insights for Your Playthrough

If you want to get the most out of this quest and the subsequent Phantom Liberty storyline, keep these points in mind:

  • Trust No One: Not even Reed. Especially not Myers. Everyone has an agenda that involves using V as a pawn. Watch the body language during the safehouse scenes. The way Reed avoids eye contact says more than his dialogue.
  • Invest in Technical Ability: A lot of the shortcuts in the tunnels and the diner require a decent Tech score. If you're playing a pure "Reflex/Cool" build, you'll have to take the long way around.
  • Listen to the Soundtrack: The music during this mission is specifically composed to build dread. If you play with the volume low, you're missing half the experience. The low-frequency hums in the safehouse are designed to make you feel uneasy.
  • Save Your Progress: There are a few dialogue checks with Jacob and Taylor that can go south quickly. If you want the "peaceful" outcome, make sure you don't come off too aggressive.

The mission ends, but the weight of it stays. You're left standing in the rain, watching the NUSA's black vans drive away, wondering if you just saved the world or sold your soul. Or both. Probably both.

Go find the nearest Ripperdoc. You're going to need more than just a reflection to survive what's coming next in Dogtown. Check your cyberware capacity and ensure your combat hacks are slotted, because once the reflection fades, the real fighting begins.