Dogtown is a mess. If you’ve spent any time in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, you know the vibe—crumbling concrete, neon lights that flicker like they’re gasping for air, and a power vacuum that’s about to get real ugly. When Kurt Hansen finally kicks the bucket, everyone starts looking at the throne. This brings us to Cyberpunk Run This Town, a side job that basically feels like a high-stakes political thriller jammed into a sci-fi RPG. It’s not just about shooting people. Honestly, it’s about the theater of power.
You get a call from Mr. Hands. He’s usually the guy lurking in the shadows of Pacifica, but here, he’s ready to step out and shape the future of the district. He wants to pick the next leader of Dogtown. Why? Because a predictable dictator is better for business than a chaotic one.
The Face in the Mirror
The core of the mission is the Behavioral Imprint-synced Faceplate. It’s a terrifying piece of tech when you actually think about it. You aren't just wearing a mask; you’re becoming Aguilar, a legendary Cuban assassin whose name alone makes people's blood run cold. When you step into Aguilar’s shoes, the game changes. Your walk changes. Your voice drops an octave. Suddenly, V isn't the most dangerous person in the room—this ghost from the past is.
CD Projekt Red did something clever here. They took the "disguise" trope and made it feel heavy. You aren't just sneaking around; you’re performing. You meet with Jago and Bennett, the two main contenders for Hansen’s spot, and you have to decide who gets to wear the crown. Or, if you’re feeling particularly manipulative, how they can share it.
Jago vs. Bennett: The Lesser of Two Evils?
Choosing between Jago and Bennett isn't a simple "good guy vs. bad guy" scenario. This is Night City. Everyone has dirt under their fingernails.
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Bennett is a brute. He’s loyal to the old ways, a soldier who thinks might makes right. He’s got Arasaka backing him, which is usually a red flag for anyone who’s been paying attention to the main story. If you want Dogtown to remain a militant fortress, he’s your guy. But he’s also impulsive. That’s a dangerous trait for someone holding the keys to a black-market kingdom.
Then there’s Jago. He’s the brains. The accountant. The guy who knows where all the bodies are buried because he’s the one who paid for the shovels. He’s smarter than Bennett, but he’s also more cowardly. He’s terrified of Aguilar—of you.
When you confront Jago in that dark park, the tension is thick. You have to decide how much to squeeze him. If you lean too hard, you might lose the nuance of the deal. If you’re too soft, nobody respects the new regime. It’s a delicate balancing act that Cyberpunk Run This Town forces you to navigate without a clear "win" state.
The Funeral Scene: A Masterclass in Tension
The climax happens at Hansen’s wake. It’s a bizarre, grim setting. You show up as Aguilar, and the room goes dead silent. This is where your choices actually matter. If you haven't done your homework—if you didn't check Bennett’s background or listen to Hands' specific instructions—this can go south fast.
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I’ve seen players walk in and just start blasting. Sure, you can do that. But you miss the point. The real victory in Cyberpunk Run This Town is walking out of that room with the new leadership exactly where Mr. Hands wants them.
- The Shared Power Approach: You can force them to work together. It’s the most stable outcome for Dogtown, but it requires you to have leverage. You need to show Bennett that Jago is indispensable and show Jago that Bennett provides the muscle he lacks.
- The Solo Ruler: You can side entirely with one. Bennett usually ends up being more volatile. Jago is more compliant to Mr. Hands’ whims.
- The Bloody Exit: If you mess up the dialogue or get aggressive, bodies start dropping. Mr. Hands won't be happy. Your paycheck might reflect that.
Why This Mission Matters for the Lore
We talk a lot about the "Cyberpunk" aesthetic—the rain, the chrome, the cynical one-liners. But the "Run This Town" quest dives into the "Punk" part of the equation by showing how easily the system can be rigged. It highlights the influence of Fixers. Mr. Hands isn't a hero. He’s a kingmaker. By the end of this mission, you realize that while you were the one holding the gun, Hands was the one pulling the strings.
It also bridges the gap between the street-level merc work and the high-level corporate espionage that defines the later stages of the game. You’re dealing with the succession of a micro-state. That’s heavy stuff for a merc who started out stealing a car in a parking garage.
Getting the Best Outcome
If you’re looking to get the most out of this quest, don't rush the dialogue. Listen to the way the NPCs react to Aguilar. The game gives you subtle cues. When you’re at the meeting with Jago, use the "Aguilar" persona to its full extent. Don't be "V" trying to be Aguilar. Be the legend.
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Before you head to the wake, make sure you’ve read every shard Mr. Hands sent you. There’s information about Bennett’s secret dealings with Arasaka that can be used as a massive hammer during the negotiations. If you confront him with it privately before the funeral, he becomes much more "cooperative" when the public ceremony begins.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Playthrough
To truly master Cyberpunk Run This Town, keep these specific steps in mind during your next run through Dogtown:
- Check Your Inbox: Before meeting Jago, read the encrypted shards from Mr. Hands. They contain the leverage needed to force a peaceful resolution.
- Lean Into the Role: When playing as Aguilar, choose the dialogue options that are cold and brief. The persona is built on intimidation; acting like a "chatty" merc ruins the immersion and can lead to less favorable reactions from NPCs.
- Complete "Intermission" First: This quest only triggers after a certain point in the Phantom Liberty main story (usually after "Firestarter"). Don't go looking for it too early.
- The Secret Reward: If you manage to resolve the conflict according to Mr. Hands' specific vision—forcing a partnership—he provides a significantly higher reward and unique dialogue later in the game that acknowledges your finesse.
- Save Your Game: There are several dialogue checks that rely on your "Cool" and "Intelligence" stats. If your build is low in these areas, you might need a few tries to find the right conversational path that avoids a total bloodbath.
Dogtown is a place where legends go to die, but in this mission, you get to play one that refuses to fade away. Whether you leave Bennett in charge or create a fragile coalition, you’ve fundamentally changed the map of Night City. Just don't expect a thank-you note from the people living in the slums. They’re just trading one tyrant for another, and that’s about as Cyberpunk as it gets.