Unveiling the Untapped Potential: How Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty's Braindance Absence Fails to Capitalize on an Epic Gaming Experience

Highlights

Cyberpunk 2077's 2.0 update and Phantom Liberty DLC have greatly improved the game, offering enhanced combat, armor, and police systems.

Phantom Liberty introduces players to a fresh district and an captivating storyline that delves into concepts of truth, betrayal, and honor. Nevertheless, certain players may feel unsatisfied with the DLC's portrayal of spy-thriller experiences, as it fails to fully utilize the potential of Braindances as a detective tool.

With the 2.0 update and the introduction of the Phantom Liberty DLC, Cyberpunk 2077 has undergone significant changes, making it an exciting time for fans of the Cyberpunk genre. The game now offers an enhanced combat system, improved armor, advanced police mechanisms, and more. Moreover, the Phantom Liberty DLC introduces a new district in Night City, allowing players to embark on a thrilling adventure as a covert operative.

While the DLC expansion may have some imperfections, it demonstrates the promising future of Cyberpunk 2077. It captivates players with its compelling narrative of truth, betrayal, and the complexities of loyalty. However, some players might feel that the expansion falls short in delivering a true "spy-thriller" experience, which is where Cyberpunk 2077's Braindances could have played a significant role.

What Cyberpunk 2077's Braindances Bring to the Table

In Cyberpunk 2077, a virtual reality system called Braindances is introduced, which utilizes advanced technology to capture every detail of a person's sights, sensations, thoughts, and experiences. While these recordings are commonly used to create enjoyable emotional moments, such as staged and real intimate encounters with a partner, this technology has also been misused for profit, including capturing traumatic events like deaths.

At the beginning of CP2077, these technologies play a significant role in helping players understand the intricacies of the infamous Konpeki Plaza heist. Additionally, they are essential in an emotionally charged early-game quest, where players assist in the search for Evelyn Parker, a doll whose malfunctioning cyberware leads to her disappearance and subsequent sale on the black market. This mystery deeply affects players and contributes to the strong negative feelings towards the ripperdoc known as Fingers.

The Potential Braindances Could Have Had in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

Braindances prove instrumental in V's quest to uncover the truth behind Evelyn's disappearance, thanks to the inclusion of an "editor mode" accessible through her friend Judy. This innovative feature allows players to rewind and view recorded footage from a third-person perspective, capturing even subtle temperature changes and background audio. Serving as an immersive "detective mode," Braindances perfectly complement Phantom Liberty's spy-themed atmosphere.

The existence of untold mysteries, such as the intriguing dynamics between Songbird and Kurt Hansen, suggests the potential for a Braindance analysis sequence. However, the scarcity of resources in Dogtown, compared to the affluent Night City, renders Braindances a luxury item. This could explain their absence in Phantom Liberty. Nevertheless, the situation becomes further complicated with the involvement of the FIA, who likely possess the means to acquire the technology.

CD Projekt Red's decision to exclude the investigative mechanic in Phantom Liberty is deeply regrettable, as it leaves fans of espionage yearning for more spy-themed content in Cyberpunk 2077's DLC. Additionally, the introduction of the drug "Deep Dive" in a side quest is inadequate consolation, considering its limited usage throughout the expansion. Nevertheless, the DLC compensates for this deficiency with its captivating storyline and distinctive missions, which undoubtedly provide an exhilarating experience.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty can be enjoyed on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S platforms.