Night City is a fascinating place where the future feels both incredibly advanced and gritty at the same time. In the open-world game Cyberpunk 2077, players are thrown into a vast urban sprawl filled with danger, opportunity, and everything in between. But amidst all the chaos and glamor of this dystopian setting, it’s the characters that truly shine. In a game as immense and intricate as Cyberpunk 2077, the characters aren’t just background figures; they’re the driving force behind the narrative, shaping every decision and consequence. Among them is Panam Palmer, a character who leaves a lasting impression on both the protagonist V and the player throughout the game’s storyline.
From the moment you encounter her, Panam exudes a sense of purpose and determination that immediately catches your attention. But it’s her hidden depths and complex motivations that truly set her apart, making her a character worth getting to know in Cyberpunk 2077’s vivid yet unforgiving world.
Who is Panam Palmer?
Credits: IGN
Surprisingly, Panam’s backstory is relatively brief, and even years after the game’s release, we still don’t know much about her origins – an ironic fact, considering how she’s managed to capture the hearts of so many gamers.
What we do know is that from a very young age, Panam was part of the Aldecaldos nomad tribe. At some point, the tribe relocated to the badlands outside Night City, following the lead of their leader, Saul. This decision, however, led to a strong disagreement between Panam and Saul. He sought to strike a deal with the Biotechnica corporation for consistent work, a move Panam vehemently opposed, believing it essential for the tribe to maintain its independence from corporate control. With her opinion disregarded, Panam ultimately decided to leave the clan and venture into Night City herself, taking up work as a mercenary.
V: … Know any hick mercs?
Rogue: Just one. Panam Palmer. She can’t count on her clan anymore, but she’s a true nomad She knows those lands. And she will help you. Won’t have a choice.
In terms of her character, Panam is a strong-willed, passionate woman with a sassy, badass edge. More than capable of defending herself, she doesn’t rely on hacking enemies or rushing into combat headfirst – Panam is a tactician and a damn good sniper with her rifle ‘Overwatch,’ which she eventually gifts to V. What makes her skills even more impressive is that she’s one of the few characters with virtually no cyberware enhancements.
Panam is highly intelligent and capable, a fact made evident when she comes up with a legitimate, viable plan for you to hijack the Kang-Tao AV within minutes, having it prepped and ready to go in just hours. Even the legendary Rogue recognizes Panam’s abilities, urging her not to get herself killed chasing after the infamous Raffens. She’s the person people turn to for help, which is why so many are willing to lend her aid and heed her counsel.
Yet, beneath that tough exterior, Panam also has a distinctly silly, goofy side that surfaces, especially in her playful banter with V. This duality – the fierce warrior meshing with a more lighthearted, humorous persona – makes Panam a genuinely well-rounded, multi-layered character that players can’t help but be drawn to.
Panam: Yeah, this would make for a decent little motel, wouldn’t it? Little fireplace, booze… grumpy guy at reception is the one thing missing.
V: Have everything you need, ma’am?
Panam: [resting her legs on V’s lap] Mm-hm, I couldn’t ask for more.
V: Ma’am, I’m sure you’d be cozier with your shoes off.
Panam: [chuckles] After a full day in them? I’d fear a health code violation.
V: Nonsense. After a day as full as today, you deserve to kick back.
Panam: Oh? And what did you have in mind?
V: Here at the Independent California, customer satisfaction is job one. Your wish is our command.
Panam: Careful, you can’t know what I’d wish for.
However, there’s an undeniable loneliness that pervades Panam’s character. The game’s developers nailed her facial expressions throughout the early parts of the Ghost Town mission, with subtle hints of regret, sadness, and loneliness etched across her features. Despite her tough exterior and unwavering determination, Panam carries with her an air of melancholy, a solitary soul who has perhaps grown accustomed to keeping others at arm’s length. It’s a nuanced touch that adds surprising depth to her character, making her feel like more than a gruff mercenary archetype.
In those fleeting moments where her guard is down, players catch glimpses of the emotional weight Panam bears, lending her an unexpected vulnerability that humanizes her in a world often ruled by cold cynicism. It’s a deft character touch that makes Panam all the more compelling and relatable as a flawed, complex individual simply trying to find her place.
Credits: GameRant
Panam Palmer’s Relationships
As a member of the Aldecaldos Nomad Clan, her relationship with them is strained by the time the game’s events unfold, but Panam’s allegiance to her family and clan remains unwavering. Her role extends far beyond mere membership; she’s a leader, a strategist, and a trusted confidante to those who call the Badlands their home. Yet what keeps her at bay from fully rejoining the Aldecaldos is her fundamental disagreement with the clan’s leader, Saul. Despite clearly caring for one another in a father-daughter dynamic, their stubborn differences make seeing eye-to-eye seemingly impossible.
On the other side of the divide lies Night City, that glittering, seductive yet utterly unforgiving metropolis. For Panam, it represents both an escape from the constraints of her nomadic roots and a harsh reality check on the trade she’s chosen as a mercenary in the urban jungle. Her very presence in the city is a study of contrasts and conflicting identities (this is a big reason why I believe the nomad path for V is the best for story purposes)
Credits: CD Projekt Red
When fate intertwines Panam’s path with V’s, her world is forever altered. Whether as a reluctant ally or potential love interest, their interactions are defined by a profound sense of trust, respect, and camaraderie that transcends the boundaries of their vastly different backgrounds. Through her actions, charm, and unwavering support, Panam proves herself to be one of the few characters to provide actual value to V’s journey. She aids them in their struggle with illness, extends an invitation to join the Aldecaldos family, and selflessly helps storm the imposing Arasaka Tower despite the immense risks and losses suffered – all without a moment’s hesitation, regardless of whether a romantic path is pursued.
It’s little wonder, then, that fans widely regard Panam as the game’s best romantic option. Theirs is not only the longest, most detailed romance arc (it blows Judy out of the water) but also one layered with nuance and depth. From their very first encounter during the Ghost Town mission, every subsequent quest builds upon the developing relationship between the rugged mercenary V and Panam, the self-styled “Queen of the Highway.” What begins as a tenuous alliance gradually blossoms into something more meaningful, more profound.
Panam Palmer’s Character Development
Credits: IGN
From a solitary wanderer roaming the desolate badlands to a central player in the gripping saga of Night City, Panam Palmer’s path is one defined by profound growth, transformation, and ultimately, self-discovery.
Having left the Aldecaldos clan behind, Panam developed deep-seated trust issues – an understandable defense mechanism in her unforgiving world. The first time she took a chance by placing her faith in an outsider, she was betrayed by Nash and, to an extent, even Rogue. As Mitch warned her: “In Night City, you’ll have to contend with everyone, dog-eat-dog.”
However, her time spent solitary in the urban jungle slowly rekindled Panam’s appreciation for the importance of family and a true sense of home. When V entered her life, her instinct was to keep her emotional barriers firmly raised. But through their deepening bond and shared experiences, Panam came to understand just how privileged she was to have a loyal clan – a stark contrast to V’s profound loneliness as a terminally ill outsider merely surviving in Night City’s dystopia.
The death of Saul, her father figure and the Aldecaldos’ leader, catalyzed the final arc of Panam’s transformative journey. Always somewhat rebellious towards his authority, she had simultaneously craved and resented the safety of walking in Saul’s formidable shadow. As Mitch insightfully observed, part of her had been reluctant to fully embrace the immense responsibility his role entailed.
Mitch: They’re trying. They might even have started to see eye to eye in their own way. Hell, by now they both know what’s expected of them, what the clan expects of them.
V: Least tell me Saul offered Panam a seat at the table.
Mitch: And what gave you the idea Panam wants a seat to begin with?
With Saul’s passing, that void needed to be filled, and Panam rose to the occasion. She assumed the mantle of leadership for the clan, boldly steering them in a new direction – literally and metaphorically – as seen in the game’s Star ending path. What had begun as an aimless existence was reforged into a purposeful new vision for her family’s future.
Credits: YouTube
Panam Palmer’s Reception
Panam’s compelling personality and rich storyline tend to get overshadowed within the fandom. While her undeniable attractiveness is frequently discussed, far less attention gets paid to her keen intelligence and quick wits.
From the efficient plan she devises to take down the AV with minimal prior knowledge, to the smoothly executed rescue of Saul, to recognizing the value of the powerful Basilisk tech enough to sway veterans like Mitch to her cause – Panam repeatedly demonstrates her mental capabilities. And ultimately, if you choose the Aldecaldos ending, it’s her stratagem that saves V’s life while positioning the clan to profit from the appropriated Arasaka technology.
In case it hasn’t become glaringly obvious, Panam is one of my favorite characters in the game. She defies tired tropes that too often flatten female characters into shallow stereotypes. Panam is influential because she willingly assumes the role of voice for the Aldecaldos who oppose Saul.
I also believe Panam is one of the most tragically misunderstood characters in Night City. Too often, players are quick to dismiss her as “bratty” and “impulsive.” However, a closer look reveals an intelligent young woman (and yes, 33 is still young) simply exhausted by the self-destructive path her father figure is leading their family clan down. In a game world filled with truly reckless decision-making, like Kerry’s frankly idiotic and petty stunt against Us Cracks, Panam’s moves are calculated acts of self-preservation – for herself and her embattled family.
That said, I can understand why some view her character as a bit too overtly favored by CDPR’s writers – after all, she’s the only romance option afforded her own singular ending path in the main storyline. Regardless of that critique, Panam’s multilayered persona, from her leadership qualities to her fierce loyalty to V, cements her as one of Cyberpunk 2077’s most memorable characters in my eyes. An underappreciated tour-de-force of writing and character work that tragically gets reduced to mere “hot merc” status in many fan discussions.
Conclusion
Credits: Pinterest
Panam is a ride-or-die companion who doesn’t hesitate to charge into the most dangerous situations by your side. In that regard, she shares some distinct parallels with The Witcher’s iconic Yennefer of Vengerberg.
Both are fierce, uncompromising women who have carved out their paths in worlds that frequently seek to subjugate the feminine spirit. They are forces of nature in their own right – wielding immense personal power yet still shaped by vulnerability and tragic pasts. And above all, when their loyalty is earned, it is absolute and all-consuming, defying any odds.
Like Yennefer shadowing Geralt through his darkest hours, Panam stands resolute at V’s side, her devotion fueled by that nomadic code that cherishes the simple bonds of chosen family above all else. Where others shy from mayhem, these two women charge headlong, finding whatever joy and purpose they can amid the turmoil.
Whether you love Panam or find her overrated, one cannot deny her integral role in shaping the overarching narrative tapestry of Cyberpunk 2077. And if there’s one thematic throughline her character illuminates, it’s this deceptively simple wisdom:
“Triple A – it’s all you need to live the good life. That and the occasional cold beer.”
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