Unleashing the Cyberpunk 2077 Revolution: Unveiling the Spectacular Phantom Liberty DLC

Highlights

Phantom Liberty DLC aims to rescue Cyberpunk 2077 from its previous problems and offers CD Projekt Red a chance at redemption.

In the expansion, players will encounter familiar gameplay elements and storylines from the base game, along with exciting new features and an entirely new ending.

Set in the perilous Dogtown region, the DLC introduces a host of new characters, including the experienced spy Solomon Reed, played by Idris Elba. However, it is important to have played the main game beforehand in order to fully appreciate the return of iconic figures like Johnny Silverhand.

Traditional expansions for base games often face challenges as they try to introduce new characters and weapons without disrupting the existing game. Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty DLC faces an even tougher task as it aims to rescue the base game from its numerous problems, potentially serving as CD Projekt Red's last opportunity for redemption in the shooter genre. While Phantom Liberty will bring significant changes to Cyberpunk 2077, certain gameplay elements and storylines are expected to reappear, leaving fans curious about how the base game will set the stage for the expansion.

The gaming industry has seen its fair share of disastrous launches, and Cyberpunk 2077 was unfortunately added to that list, receiving heavy criticism for its writing and mechanics. However, in the months following its troubled release, the game managed to bounce back with high-quality patches. Now, the Phantom Liberty expansion represents the developer's most ambitious effort yet to fix the game's issues. With a rumored new ending for Cyberpunk 2077's endgame and a shift in gameplay style, not all aspects of the base game will carry over to Phantom Liberty. Nevertheless, a few core dynamics will provide a foundation for the expansion to build upon.

Phantom Liberty Should Still Rely on the Base Game's Elements

Phantom Liberty events precede the point-of-no-return mission in Cyberpunk 2077, requiring players to complete the base game to fully grasp the overall storyline. In the DLC, V's heists and espionage skills continue to take center stage, with stealth and assassination remaining key themes. The upcoming DLC features additional side quests and includes Johnny Silverhand in the storyline, further emphasizing the spy theme. Additionally, the introduction of a new town may provide a fresh twist on the familiar dynamics in the game.

While Phantom Liberty's gameplay settings are largely similar to the base game, the expansion takes place in the dangerous Dogtown region instead of the bright neon lights of Night City. In Cyberpunk 2077, NUSA President Rosalind Myers crash-lands in Dogtown after a hostile attack. The Phantom Liberty DLC picks up from this point, with V undertaking a mission to rescue the president. Every corner poses a threat, especially encounters with the resilient Barghest mercenaries who are known to surpass any adversary V has faced before, ensuring players remain engaged throughout.

Spycraft thriller gets a boost from the inclusion of veteran spy Solomon Reed, played by Idris Elba, who works undercover for the FIA. Alongside his colleague Xenakis and a team of experienced espionage experts, Reed forms a strategic alliance to devise a plan for their high-stakes mission. Fans are eager to see improvements, especially in the shooting mechanics, particularly with regards to the Cyberware weapons used in Phantom Liberty. In the original game, Cyberpunk 2077, Cyberware played a significant role, providing various enhancements such as increased strength and durability. Phantom Liberty takes this feature further by visually representing these effects.

Phantom Liberty promises to address one of Cyberpunk 2077's most criticized aspects, the Police AI, with a revamped wanted-level system. Players can anticipate a range of new tools tailored for infiltration in the DLC, allowing them to avoid detection by the antagonist Hansen and his forces. While the expansion introduces features like vehicular combat, it remains true to the narrative and dynamics of the base game. CD Projekt Red, the developer, aims to refine the game experience rather than scrapping ideas from Cyberpunk 2077 entirely. By removing extraneous elements, Phantom Liberty seamlessly integrates into the futuristic universe, maintaining the overarching ideals of the original game.

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