The Witcher 3 vs Cyberpunk 2077: Unveiling the Ultimate Showdown!

Highlights

Phantom Liberty is Cyberpunk 2077's sole DLC, unlike The Witcher 3, which offered two significant expansions. As a result, the anticipation for Phantom Liberty is heightened, with hopes for it to provide double the content or surpass the quality of The Witcher 3's DLCs. Given Cyberpunk 2077's troubled release, there is added pressure on Phantom Liberty to not only meet expectations but also potentially revive the game's reputation. Despite the stark contrasts between the two games, comparisons are likely to be made.

CD Projekt Red is gearing up for the release of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty this September, and the excitement surrounding the game is growing steadily along with the company's extensive marketing efforts. With the upcoming DLC, there is potential for Cyberpunk 2077 to reshape its legacy, and early indications appear promising. However, overshadowing this release is the shadow cast by The Witcher 3.

Prior to Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red earned a stellar reputation through the success of The Witcher trilogy. While the first two installments had their own achievements, it was the third game, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, that catapulted CD Projekt Red into the ranks of the most beloved RPG studios in the industry. A significant factor contributing to The Witcher 3's triumph were its two DLCs: Heart of Stone and Blood and Wine. These expansions were met with such overwhelming positivity that many fans regard them as indispensable components of the game rather than mere optional additions.

The Witcher 3 DLCs Set a High Bar for Phantom Liberty to Clear

Phantom Liberty has received positive feedback from reviewers, but the true quality of the complete package remains uncertain. One inevitable challenge that the DLC will face is the inevitable comparisons to the DLCs for The Witcher 3. These expansions were CD Projekt Red's previous ventures into the world of expansions and are widely regarded as some of the best in their genre. Each DLC was expansive, offering unique content separate from the base game, including fresh maps, characters, and abilities.

Furthermore, Phantom Liberty is the solitary planned DLC for Cyberpunk 2077, while The Witcher 3 had two substantial expansions. While having Phantom Liberty as the sole DLC may be a strategic decision for the long-term success of Cyberpunk 2077, there will likely be expectations for it to deliver twice the amount of content or twice the level of quality compared to The Witcher 3's DLCs, especially if audiences start comparing the two games.

Context and public perception are also important factors to consider. The Witcher 3 received widespread praise from both audiences and critics upon its release, making its well-crafted expansions feel like a triumphant celebration for the game. However, the situation is quite different for Cyberpunk 2077. It's no secret that CD Projekt Red's sci-fi RPG had a rough start, with numerous bugs and missing content that disappointed many gamers.

While Cyberpunk 2077 has made strides in redeeming itself through updates, bug fixes, and free content releases, its upcoming DLC, Phantom Liberty, needs to surpass expectations. It needs to be exceptional, potentially even surpassing the quality of both Heart of Stone and Blood and Wine, in order for fans of The Witcher 3 to view it favorably. In essence, Phantom Liberty is not just an expansion; it has the potential to be the savior for Cyberpunk 2077—a challenge that The Witcher 3's DLC never had to face.

Despite sharing the same developer, The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 are strikingly dissimilar games, making comparisons between them potentially unfair. Nonetheless, such comparisons are inevitable and CD Projekt Red is likely prepared for it, especially considering the immense pressure faced by Phantom Liberty. Unfortunately, even if Cyberpunk 2077 had not encountered the issues it did during its launch, both the main game and future downloadable content (DLC) would still face intense scrutiny due to the studio's established track record of creating groundbreaking open-world RPGs. Hopefully, leveraging their expertise in delivering exceptional DLCs and their determination to redeem Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red will transform Phantom Liberty into an outstanding expansion.

Cyberpunk 2077 is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.