In Cyberpunk 2077, V can benefit greatly from cybernetics, such as improved vision, health regeneration, time manipulation, and immunity to certain effects. However, in the base game, players were able to equip as many augmentations as they wanted without consequences. The Netflix show Cyberpunk Edgerunners highlighted the dangers of excessive cyberware, leading to a life-threatening condition called cyberpsychosis. To provide a more nuanced approach to cybernetics, the developers are introducing this concept in the Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty DLC.
The Phantom Liberty expansion takes players to Dogtown, a previously unexplored district of Night City. The story of the expansion is reminiscent of a spy thriller, where players collaborate with Solomon Reed, an undercover operative from the Federal Intelligence Agency (FIA) portrayed by Idris Elba. Keanu Reeves also reprises his role as Johnny Silverhand, with the expansion delving deeper into his backstory. Additionally, the DLC introduces new features and updates core gameplay mechanics, with a particular focus on enhancing cybernetics.
How Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty Overhauls the Game’s Cybernetics System
Reviewers who had early access to the Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty DLC discovered significant changes to cybernetic upgrades, known as cyberware. One notable change is that cyberware is now attached to the player's armor instead of their clothing, allowing for complete customization of their character without worrying about the condition of their cybernetics. Another important addition is the inclusion of cyberpsychosis.
The impact of cyberpsychosis was extensively explored in the Cyberpunk Edgerunners Netflix series. This condition affects individuals who have undergone excessive cyberware augmentation, leading to hallucinations and sudden aggression towards others. It appears that CD Projekt Red drew inspiration from the show and integrated a cyberpsychosis update into the base game with the installation of Phantom Liberty. According to playtesters, this update imposes debuffs on attributes such as health, although it is unclear if it will extend to causing hallucinations and harm to those around the player character, V.
Phantom Liberty’s Cyberware Update Makes Cyberpunk 2077 More Immersive
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The rework introduces V into a first-person point of view as the ripperdoc installs the cybernetics. It also includes additional active abilities such as air dashes and bullet deflection. Previous upgrades mainly provided passive bonuses to attributes like critical chance and resistance to effects such as poison and shock. These new features, combined with the Cyberpunk 2077 cyberpsychosis risk system, offer players a more immersive and impactful experience when augmenting their character with cybernetics.
Certainly, cyberware grants a feeling of being a true superhuman, especially with the inclusion of active abilities. However, there is a price to pay. Each time V adds a new cybernetic upgrade, they must endure a likely painful medical procedure, which players can now witness firsthand. Consequently, it is understandable that excessive use of cyberware can result in illness or negative consequences for V.
With these considerations in mind, players who choose to purchase the Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty DLC will need to be more strategic in selecting their cybernetic upgrades. Rather than being able to become a powerful cyborg with a variety of abilities, they will have to focus on a specific specialization and work towards it. This means making the most of the limited cyberware that can be attached to their character, V. It will be intriguing to see the unique character builds that players come up with once the expansion is released.
The Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty DLC is scheduled to be released on September 26, 2023, for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.