Unleash Chaos: Why Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty DLC Demands an Adam Smasher Revolution

Adam Smasher, a cyborg employed by Arasaka with a complete disregard for human life and a sadistic enjoyment of causing pain, was anticipated to be a standout addition to the cast of Cyberpunk 2077. Regrettably, his portrayal in the game falls short of capturing his true essence from the TTRPG, largely due to his weakened abilities in combat. By the endgame, he feels disappointingly weak compared to the protagonist, V.

However, Adam Smasher truly excels in the exceptional anime Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, where he is presented as a terrifying menace. Defeating him is not the objective; rather, the focus is on granting enough time for the remaining characters to escape. In this show, his brief appearance showcases his true monstrous nature, and it would be advantageous for Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty to include a threat that truly matches his scale. Furthermore, it should evoke within players the same terror experienced by the in-game characters when confronting this particular adversary.

V Should be Pushed to Their Limit in Phantom Liberty

The game's only expansion, Phantom Liberty, must serve as a remarkable conclusion that fully explores the potential of all the game's mechanics. To achieve this, a climactic encounter against an opponent who challenges every player's character build is essential. In line with the expansion's spy-thriller theme, which delves into the secretive operations of the New United States of America, it would be fitting if one of the best-kept secrets revealed a weapon capable of matching or surpassing Adam Smasher's abilities.

In addition to physical prowess, this new threat should also emulate Smasher's utter disregard for morality, but in a distinct manner. Cyberpunk 2077 features numerous flawed characters, often self-centered and focused solely on self-preservation. However, Smasher stands out because he has earned a reputation for being unstoppable and revels in the violence he inflicts.

The game fell short in this aspect by presenting an unusually easy fight and failing to portray the antagonist's sinister nature. In contrast, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners accomplishes more with less, as Smasher's brief appearance in the anime showcases him as an unstoppable force, effortlessly defeating protagonist David Martinez and emerging unscathed. His presence in the show highlights his inhumanity, and Phantom Liberty would greatly benefit from introducing a similarly imposing antagonist in both narrative and gameplay.

A compelling method to establish this would be to directly confront them with V, where regardless of the player's abilities and resources, they would be placed in a situation where even the best gear and skills would prove ineffective against this opponent. Although Cyberpunk 2077 also featured an initial encounter between Adam Smasher and V, it was scripted and failed to evoke the overwhelming sense of powerlessness as the hope of victory gradually dwindled.

To avoid replicating the base game, Phantom Liberty could introduce a formidable opponent that emulates the overwhelming strength and intelligence players experienced while playing as V in Cyberpunk 2077. This opponent should possess seemingly invincible qualities and possess the ability to counter any strategy swiftly. If CD Projekt Red includes such a character in the expansion, players can expect a truly terrifying encounter reminiscent of what Adam Smasher should have been. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty will be available on September 26 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.