Cyberpunk 2077: Unveiling the Number of Acts

In Cyberpunk 2077, players can explore Night City and engage in various activities, offering plenty of distractions from the main storyline. While the main campaign has an estimated duration of 20 hours, it is intriguing how the narrative is structured.

Traditionally, narrative fiction follows a three-act structure, consisting of an introduction, a middle with escalating tension, and a resolution to the conflicts presented in the story. Occasionally, certain narratives expand the middle and adopt a five-act structure. However, the main storyline in Cyberpunk 2077 departs from this convention as it features significantly fewer acts.

Updated October 27, 2023 by Erik Petrovich: Despite the 2.0 release, the quantity of acts available for exploration in Cyberpunk has technically remained unchanged. Initially, players could anticipate a rather brief prologue based on their chosen life path, followed by Act 1 and a considerably longer duration in the significantly larger Act 2, culminating in the conclusion of the game and its epilogue. However, with the introduction of the Phantom Liberty expansion, the actual number of acts within the game has not changed; there are still only two. Nevertheless, Phantom Liberty brings forth such a substantial enhancement to the original game and branches off naturally from Act 2, effectively lengthening the overall experience of Cyberpunk 2077. Therefore, while the number of acts in Cyberpunk remains the same, the volume of content that players can enjoy has certainly expanded.

Number of Acts in Cyberpunk 2077 Base Game

At the start, players will gain further insights into the game world through the prologue, which is shaped by the choices they make while creating their character. Following its conclusion, Act One commences, serving as the primary setting for the game's storyline.

Apex Legends fans may recognize some familiar voices bringing this story to life. In Act Two, players will unlock a larger portion of Night City to explore after a significant development in the story. Please note that once the final job is started, free exploration will no longer be possible as it approaches the end of Cyberpunk 2077.

After successfully completing the final job, players will enter the epilogue, where the choices made throughout the game will be reflected. The conclusion of the epilogue marks the end of the main storyline, allowing players to freely return to Night City, starting from the point just before the final job, to explore and complete any unfinished side quests. With a map spanning over 20 square kilometers, there's a vast and exciting world waiting to be discovered in Night City.

Phantom Liberty Adds Another Act's Worth Of Content To CP2077

In addition to its unique features, such as its two-act structure, prologue, and epilogue, Cyberpunk 2077 offers players an array of engaging activities to immerse themselves in. One of these activities includes the pursuit of iconic weapons, which adds another layer of excitement to the gameplay. Furthermore, the Phantom Liberty DLC introduces a fascinating optional side "act" towards the later stages of the standard second act, transporting players to the vibrant setting of Dogtown.

While not officially labeled as the third act of Cyberpunk 2077, the Phantom Liberty expansion can be considered as such. With the base game typically taking 25 to 40 hours to complete, defeating Phantom Liberty adds an additional 13 to 20 hours, effectively extending the game's length by 50%.

The Phantom Liberty DLC introduces Dogtown, a new area in Night City, along with a captivating storyline and exciting side missions. This DLC was launched right after the 2.0 update for Cyberpunk, which brought significant enhancements to the game's core systems. With the addition of these two elements, players can anticipate a plethora of fresh content to explore.

Dubbed as the game's Act 2.5, Phantom Liberty can be accessed just before reaching the conclusion of Act 2. While players have the option to begin a new file from the beginning of the expansion, it is recommended to start with a brand new character and naturally uncover the wonders of Phantom Liberty. The base game areas also contain new items and missions, providing even experienced Cyberpunk fans with an opportunity to refresh their knowledge of the game's world before embarking on this new story.

Cyberpunk 2077 is available now for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One, and will release for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2021.