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Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty may be the last of V's story, but it's a step towards a brighter future for CD Projekt Red. The expansion is both the first and last for the futuristic RPG, which is set in Mike Pondsmith's Cyberpunk universe - and after the game's less-than-ideal launch in late 2020, its announcement sowed both seeds of curiosity and doubt. Even though it's not quite flawless in its execution, Phantom Liberty delivers its promise with an excellent story, engrossing gameplay, and quality-of-life improvements that make Cyberpunk 2077 the game it always should've been.
The DLC takes place in the middle of Cyberpunk 2077's main story, which is appropriate given V's life-or-death predicament. Players are free to either continue playing on a previous save, or to create a new character for the expansion, as Phantom Liberty activates automatically past a certain main story checkpoint. There, V receives a strange holocall from a mysterious character named Songbird, promising them a cure for the Relic and thus setting the spy-thriller expansion into motion.
Story & Characters
Phantom Liberty's story is electrifying, emotional, and full of twists; it makes the heart race and ache in equal measure. What begins as a not-so-simple mission to save the President quickly spirals into something much deeper and darker, in which the fate of characters like Idris Elba's Solomon Reed, Songbird, and V hang dangerously in the balance. As secrets are revealed and true colors are shown, it becomes more than a tale of mere survival or politics. Both complex and morally-gray characters, Solomon and Songbird spin differing tales of trust, betrayal, and forgiveness. It's up to V to choose a side, and it proves to be a painfully difficult decision.
Fortunately, choices are just as impactful as they are hard to make, and players can unlock different endings depending on which path they opt to walk. The story branches off in two drastically different directions, both of which involve hours of unique gameplay, character arcs, and outcomes for everyone involved. As a matter of fact, certain choices can lead to a new base game ending, which is nothing short of shocking. Plus, a few moments with Johnny Silverhand are sprinkled in here and there, which serve to further explain his past, highlight his interpersonal struggles, and help him flourish in Cyberpunk 2077's overall story.
Gameplay & Exploration
Phantom Liberty's main questline doesn't disappoint gameplay-wise, harboring some of the most fun the game has to offer. Missions are lengthy, well-paced, and bring exciting set pieces to the table. There are opportunities for V to strategize and create a custom battle plan, hack and drive a car remotely, "become" another character, and more - some of which are choice-dependent, but all of which make for enthralling experiences. Side content is nothing to scoff at either, with new vehicle missions challenging players map-wide, and with some side quests allowing them to get directly involved in Dogtown politics.
Dogtown is delightful to explore. Visually, the district is stunning; colorful neon lights, flashing advertisements, and Night City's own kitsch stylistic flair are juxtaposed gracefully against crumbling roads, overgrown infrastructure, and the militaristic influence of the Barghest. Environmental storytelling continues to be a strong suit in Phantom Liberty, with district-wide intercom announcements instilling palpable tension in the air at every turn of events. Dogtown manages to encapsulate both novelty and the familiarity of Cyberpunk 2077 all at once, which makes it one of the game's most standout districts.
While not necessarily larger than Night City's other districts, Dogtown proves ripe for exploration. Dynamic world events like gang shootouts, car chases, and even airdrops (which V can loot, if they're up for a challenge) make the game feel more alive than ever. Unfortunately, Phantom Liberty still suffers from Cyberpunk 2077's lack of explorable buildings, but Dogtown's dilapidated nature and busier areas, like the Black Market, make it easy to forget the fact.
The new Relic skill tree is limited in what it offers, but it adds a layer of complexity to combat nonetheless. Between new ways to use melee cyberware and new combat mechanics altogether, there's more potential for creativity, strategy, and thoughtful plays. Relic points aren't earned like traditional attribute or perk points, and the process is an adventure in and of itself, which makes unlocking Relic skills feel more rewarding than others.
Cyberpunk 2077 2.0
Phantom Liberty is accompanied by significant gameplay changes courtesy of Cyberpunk 2077's free 2.0 update, and they play no small part in the enjoyment of the expansion. Revamped skill trees and perks single-handedly refresh the core experience, presenting a plethora of new ways to approach combat. Perks are no longer focused on improving V's stats; rather, they give the player new tricks up their sleeves by way of tangible, game-changing abilities. The cyberware system has received a facelift to match, with augmentations now assuming a more main-stage role when it comes to V's survivability on the streets. Buying or finding a new implant is a real treat, and it's even possible to upgrade cyberware too, using the redesigned crafting system.
Vehicle combat is a welcome addition, even if it's not quite as polished as it could be (occasional wonky firing mechanics on weapon-mounted vehicles and audio bugs being the main transgressors). It adds a layer of excitement and danger to Night City, especially in tandem with improved police systems, which see a far grander response from law enforcement. The new police system isn't flawless either, with the odd combat AI glitch ending an encounter earlier than expected or desired - but it's a certain improvement, leagues above the game's previously unimpressive police force.
Final Thoughts & Review Score
Where the base game may have initially failed to keep its word, Phantom Liberty delivers. Fans of Night City have plenty to look forward to; between relieving quality-of-life improvements, fresh ways to experience Night City, and a story that'll have players questioning their own values, it embodies all of Cyberpunk 2077's good, and almost none of it's bad.
Source: Cyberpunk 2077/YouTube
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty releases on September 26, 2023 for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5. Screen Rant was provided with a PC digital download code for the purpose of this review.