It's been nearly three years since CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077 hit the scene, and it's been quite the journey with its fair share of highs and lows. From its rocky launch in 2020 to its recent resurgence fueled by its anime counterpart, Cyberpunk 2077 has been a unique tale in the world of game development. As we near the end of its redemption arc, the Phantom Liberty expansion and massive 2.0 update mark the culmination of CDPR's efforts to refine Cyberpunk into a polished, complete experience. And they've succeeded.
The Phantom Liberty DLC for Cyberpunk 2077 hits all the marks of a great expansion. It delivers a compelling new storyline that can stand toe-to-toe with the best arcs in the main game and introduces new characters who seamlessly fit into the gritty world of Night City. But that's just one part of the equation; the 2.0 update transforms the game, bringing it closer to the RPG experience it was meant to be. Together, Phantom Liberty and Update 2.0 provide a compelling reason to dive back into Night City or to experience Cyberpunk for the first time.
While the main story of Cyberpunk 2077 focuses on the perilous life of a mercenary navigating the dark underbelly of Night City—dealing with Corpos, Arasaka, and anyone else in the way of freeing themselves from Johnny Silverhand's grip—Phantom Liberty expands V's journey to the broader landscape of the future's New United States of America. In this expansion, V's responsibilities shift from running gigs to reporting directly to the President of the NUSA. Though it may seem out of character for a protagonist known for defying authority, V finds themselves in this position at the behest of a mysterious government agent named Songbird, who promises a cure for V's Silverhand dilemma in exchange for a quick escort mission for the President.
In true espionage style, nothing is as it seems when dealing with spies, shadow agencies, or even the President of the NUSA herself, and things escalate quickly. It's challenging to fully explore what makes Phantom Liberty so compelling without risking spoilers, as the twists and turns begin from the moment the title screen appears until the credits roll. However, rest assured, CD Projekt Red delivers an emotional and tense experience with Phantom Liberty, surpassing even some of the base game's storylines. The DLC presents tough decisions with real consequences that impact the main story, reaching emotional depths rarely achieved in the base game, thanks to the strong writing.
The expansion introduces two new main characters: Songbird, a young FIA agent, and Soloman Reed, a seasoned spy portrayed by Idris Elba. These characters feel incredibly real and fleshed out, with flaws and complexities that add depth to their personalities. Idris Elba's performance is particularly noteworthy, providing a compelling counterpart to Keanu Reeves's portrayal of Johnny Silverhand. Soloman Reed's character is conveyed with subtlety, often revealing his thoughts with just a glance. In fact, many of the new characters in Phantom Liberty stand out more than those in the base game, thanks to the intricately woven storylines that connect them.
Of course, when discussing characters in Cyberpunk 2077, the setting of Night City cannot be overlooked. Night City is more than just a backdrop; it's a character in its own right, and Phantom Liberty's Dogtown continues the tradition of creating immersive and atmospheric environments. From the moment players step into the dilapidated streets of Dogtown, it's evident that the same attention to detail that went into crafting Night City has been applied here. Dogtown feels distinct yet familiar, with its own unique blend of industry and culture, contributing to the overall richness of the Cyberpunk universe.
Nestled in Night City's Pacifica region, Dogtown operates as an autonomous zone under the control of the Barghest military group, led by Kurt Hansen. Hansen promises Dogtown residents a better life away from the corporate oppression of Night City but abuses his power for personal gain. The interplay between the villain and the setting is evident, with Hansen's Black Sapphire headquarters towering over Dogtown, symbolizing his dominance.
Although Dogtown isn't a sprawling district within Night City, CD Projekt Red's portrayal makes it feel expansive. Through dialogue, descriptions, and interactions, Dogtown comes alive, giving players a sense of its grandeur and complexity. The narrative immerses players in their surroundings, adding depth to the experience.
With a main story length of fourteen hours, Phantom Liberty delivers everything fans could want from a Cyberpunk story and more. It's tense, emotional, and offers a glimpse into the universe CD Projekt Red has crafted. Despite setbacks, the DLC showcases the studio's commitment to Cyberpunk 2077, offering a compelling experience with significant consequences for V.
Phantom Liberty is just one part of the recent resurgence of Cyberpunk 2077. Update 2.0 has arrived, and it's a substantial improvement across the board. This revamped version of the game introduces changes to the skill tree, cyberware, and the police system, along with several quality-of-life enhancements that significantly enhance the gameplay experience. Update 2.0 moves Cyberpunk 2077 closer to its potential as a true role-playing experience.
The skill tree rework stands out as one of the most impactful changes, elevating the core gameplay experience to new heights. Skill trees are now linear, requiring players to invest attribute points to unlock sections within each tree. Furthermore, perks within each tree have been redesigned to have a more pronounced impact on play styles.
This redesign forces players to make thoughtful decisions about their play style and weapon preferences, discouraging the creation of a jack-of-all-trades character. Instead, players must focus on specializing in two skill trees, with a third serving to complement their build up to level 50. While this may seem like a reduction in player options, it encourages long-term planning and enables players to fully embrace their chosen role, whether it's a netrunning ninja or a cyborg brute, without spreading themselves too thin across various skills and perks.
Another significant improvement is the reworked connection between armor and cyberware, which elevates the importance of the player's cybernetics. Previously, cyberware often felt like an afterthought, overshadowed by perk and skill points. Now, players must carefully consider which cyberware to integrate into their bodies, as it directly affects carry weight. The removal of the "Pack Mule" perk and the detachment of carry weight from the Athletics tree signal a shift towards a more nuanced approach to character building and role-playing within the Cyberpunk world.
CD Projekt Red has also addressed the shortcomings of Cyberpunk 2077's police system and introduced vehicle combat, fulfilling promises made in previous roadmaps. Although these systems are not incredibly intricate, they bring the game closer to the standards set by other open-world titles. Night City's police now employ a star-rating wanted system, similar to Grand Theft Auto, escalating conflicts and deploying armored MaxTac units to hunt down the player. Vehicle combat, while simple, adds to the chaotic atmosphere of Night City as gangs engage in shootouts while driving past each other. These additions enhance the overall experience of Cyberpunk 2077, bringing it closer to the standard it should have always aimed for.
With the release of Phantom Liberty and Update 2.0, Cyberpunk 2077 finally feels like the game it was meant to be, or at least very close to it. The journey from its rocky beginnings to this point has been tumultuous, but it's also been a redemption story that few studios could pull off under such challenging circumstances. While it may not perfectly match the vision showcased at E3 2018, Cyberpunk 2077 in 2023 is as complete and satisfying as it has ever been—a significant achievement in itself.
As the culmination of CD Projekt Red's efforts to rectify Cyberpunk 2077, Phantom Liberty and Update 2.0 showcase the studio at its finest. They deliver an emotionally resonant and refreshing story, meeting the high expectations fans have come to associate with CDPR, while also refining the game into its best and likely final iteration. If this marks the conclusion of Cyberpunk 2077, then we eagerly anticipate what CD Projekt Red has in store for the franchise next. It's clear that there are more stories to be told in this richly detailed world, whether within Night City or beyond its borders.
