Unveiling the Uncharted Path of Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty: A Journey Beyond the Base Game

Highlights

The narratives of Cyberpunk 2077 and Phantom Liberty diverge in their focal points, with Cyberpunk 2077 centered around an unsuccessful heist and Phantom Liberty highlighting the player's role as a heroic guardian of the president.

Players who have been engrossed in the base game's narrative for years may find the shift in story direction in Phantom Liberty to be quite abrupt. However, it is important to note that despite these differences, both games undeniably provide thrilling adventures in the cyberpunk world, which ultimately justifies their price.

Phantom Liberty appears to be the game that finally justifies the cost of admission for Cyberpunk 2077. However, despite both being RPGs set in a cyberpunk world, the two experiences couldn't be more different. While Phantom Liberty builds upon the foundation of the base game, its approach to the concept diverges significantly. It almost feels like two separate ideas merged into one, which could be jarring for players returning to Cyberpunk 2077 after spending years immersed in the original game.

In Cyberpunk 2077, the entire narrative centers around a failed heist that leads players to be haunted by an enigmatic AI. On the other hand, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty casts players as a "chosen one" tasked with rescuing the president from the ruthless ruler of Dogtown. Although both experiences are enjoyable, the driving force behind each one feels incredibly distinct, illustrating a marked shift in direction after years of telling a completely different story.

Cyberpunk 2077 and Phantom Liberty Feel Entirely Different

After creating their character in Cyberpunk 2077, players are plunged into the vibrant world of Night City. There, they encounter a diverse group of individuals, take on various tasks for financial gain, and explore the bustling city streets. In due course, they are recruited by Dex DeShawn to steal a secretive biochip from the powerful Arasaka Corporation. However, their criminal operation quickly goes awry when the corporation's leader is slain by his own offspring. Consequently, V, the protagonist, is compelled to implant the biochip into their own body and hastily escape the crime scene. Just when they believe they have successfully evaded danger, Dex unexpectedly turns on them, shooting them in the head and leaving them for dead in a landfill.

Remarkably, instead of succumbing to death, V is revived through the activation of the chip's nanotechnology. As it repairs V's damaged brain, it simultaneously begins to overwrite their memories, leading to the persistent presence of Johnny Silverhand haunting them throughout the remainder of the narrative. Thus, players embark on a fresh and thrilling journey across Night City, desperately seeking a way to extract the chip before it inevitably brings about their demise. This exhilarating sci-fi adventure involves navigating the treacherous criminal underworld, becoming entangled in elaborate conspiracy schemes, and engaging in lethal encounters. From beginning to end, the experience is a captivating and unforgettable one, further enhanced by the impactful 2.0 updates that have rectified various issues.

While Cyberpunk 2077 may focus on a heist gone wrong, Phantom Liberty takes the story in a completely different direction. After encountering the Voodoo Boys, players are contacted by the enigmatic Songbird, who guides them to Dogtown. The President of the New United States is targeted, and her plane is destined to crash within that sector of the city. The responsibility of rescuing her falls solely on the player, as they seem to be the only one capable of doing so. This leads to another intense adventure as the player fights through the streets of this isolated district, doing everything in their power to ensure the president's survival.

Instead of merely being a regular individual in Night City thrust into a massive conflict, players suddenly assume the role of the sole protector of the president. This shift in the storyline positions V as a hero after years of playing them as an entirely different character. Furthermore, the district itself provides a unique and unprecedented experience compared to the main city. Although these changes don't significantly detract from the overall experience, they may still feel somewhat disorienting for certain players.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.