One Year Ago, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Put Night City Back on Map

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As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I can wholeheartedly say that Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty has catapulted CD Projekt Red’s masterpiece into the upper echelons of modern RPGs. It’s like someone opened a time capsule containing the spirit of The Witcher 3’s Blood and Wine DLC and sprinkled it over Night City, breathing new life into an already impressive game.

Without a doubt, it’s common knowledge that the release of Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020 was initially met with challenges, as the game became one of the most talked-about titles due to technical glitches and performance problems that dampened player enthusiasm. After a difficult start, which included being removed from the PlayStation Store following its launch due to these same issues, CD Projekt Red vowed to enhance the gaming experience for players. The fruits of their labor were evident with the arrival of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, and the 2023 DLC provided just the boost the game required to place it among the top-tier RPGs in today’s gaming world.

A year down the line, I can confidently say that Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty has proven itself as an exceptional expansion that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with CD Projekt Red’s other legendary franchise, The Witcher, particularly its acclaimed Blood and Wine DLC in The Witcher 3. Not long ago, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree surpassed it as the highest-rated DLC ever made. With the fresh content in Phantom Liberty and the game’s 2.0 update on the same day, which revamped many contentious systems from the initial launch, Cyberpunk 2077 has given me, and possibly others who had written it off due to its early struggles, a compelling reason to revisit the game. It certainly made amends for the rocky start of this title.

Phantom Liberty Made Cyberpunk 2077 Feel Like a Brand-New Game

Cyberpunk 2077’s 2.0 Update Refined its Gameplay

Without altering Phantom Liberty’s content, Cyberpunk 2077’s 2.0 update significantly transformed the way players engaged with the game. Enhancements to the skill system, cybernetic enhancements, and armor provided a revised perspective on character development, highlighting distinct playstyles. The inclusion of vehicle combat and enhanced police AI introduced a fresh gameplay style, particularly for Carhacker-focused gameplay and the multitude of vehicles players could commandeer, resulting in exhilarating high-speed gunfights across Night City.

Dogtown Added New Life to Cyberpunk 2077’s Map

In keeping with the norm for DLC expansions, Phantom Liberty broadened the playable zones within Night City by introducing the fresh district of Dogtown, situated southeast of Pacifica. Accompanying this new area came the emergence of a new antagonist group, BARGHEST, headed by ex-NUSA Colonel Kurt Hansen. The vibrant district of Dogtown also introduced a variety of additional missions and tasks offered by the Fixer Mr. Hands, thereby enhancing the region in a manner consistent with the rest of Night City while offering players an enticing incentive to delve deeper into the game’s environment.

Phantom Liberty’s Story Set the Stage for Cyberpunk 2077’s Future

The main appeal of “Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty” expansion was its fresh narrative, which offered players an alternative objective besides removing the Relic chip in V’s head and thwarting Arasaka. Instead, they were given the mission to safeguard the president of NUSA after her plane crashed into Dogtown, working alongside Netrunner Songbird and FIA Agent Solomon Reed. From a storytelling perspective, this tale marked a significant shift away from the gritty corporate underworld featured in the original “Cyberpunk 2077” game, as players became entangled in a larger-scale conflict involving the NUSA government.

In Phantom Liberty, the main storyline borrowed and enhanced several role-playing elements from the original game, offering possibilities for Cyberpunk 2077’s sequel, Project Orion. Players encountered significant choices throughout the main quest, with crucial decisions branching the narrative into entirely distinct paths. Some actions could even unlock a fresh ending for Cyberpunk 2077, which could significantly impact Project Orion if it becomes canonical, highlighting Phantom Liberty’s potential significance in shaping CD Projekt Red’s franchise’s future.

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2024-09-26 20:03