In the midst of the dystopian wasteland surrounding Night City, a neon-lit pyramid emerges on the horizon, overshadowed by the bleak reality of homeless populations. The streets are a grim tableau of wrecked cars and the intimidating presence of private army soldiers. Amidst this chaos, the ever-acerbic Johnny Silverhand maintains his nonchalant demeanor. It’s Cyberpunk 2077, and even in its new content, Night City remains a dystopian enigma.
The latest expansion, “Phantom Liberty,” beckons our edgerunner, V, into the newly-added district of Dogtown, a territory dominated by Kurt Hansen and his formidable private army, Barghest. Dogtown is a combat zone, a desolate battleground where relentless skirmishes rage between Barghest and those who dare oppose them.
V’s journey to this inhospitable realm is driven by the promise of a cure for their terminal illness, offered by a mysterious netrunner known as Songbird, or So Mi. Skepticism abounds, but when So Mi demonstrates her extraordinary skills by temporarily vanishing Johnny Silverhand, it becomes clear she is no ordinary hacker.
The quest unfolds as V must track down Solomon Reed, a former spy portrayed in-game by the renowned actor Idris Elba, who has taken refuge in Night City. Alongside Songbird, Reed becomes a pivotal figure in the intricate narrative of Phantom Liberty, guiding our protagonist through this new world of espionage.
“Phantom Liberty” embodies the essence of a spy thriller, with V embroiled in gripping acts of espionage reminiscent of James Bond’s world. Deception and covert observation become the norm, from high-stakes casino encounters to clandestine car trunk missions. The presence of Idris Elba further enhances the Bond-esque atmosphere.
However, Phantom Liberty is not solely about stealth and intrigue; it offers intense combat sequences that rival the high-octane action of the base game’s final act. Adversaries swarm these set pieces, providing ample opportunities for players to harness their skills and weaponry. Among the tools at V’s disposal is the Sandevistan, used to great effect in these battles.
The expansion introduces intriguing characters like Alex, a member of the Federal Intelligence Agency, who becomes known to us through her connection to Reed. Mr. Hands, a character from the base game, takes on a more prominent role in Phantom Liberty, enriching the narrative with depth and contributing to a wider side quest arc for V.
Beyond the central storyline, Dogtown is teeming with side quests and gigs, many of which influence the perception of Mr. Hands about V. The city also offers opportunities for car theft, facilitated by Muamar ‘El Capitán’ Reyes, a fixer who gradually involves players in more elaborate heists.
The addition of a new Relic skill tree expands V’s capabilities, offering abilities in exchange for Relic points earned through quests and exploration in Dogtown. Notable skills include Emergency Cloaking, allowing the use of Optical Camo in battle, and Jailbreak, which enhances arm-based cyberware like mantis blades.
The expansion doesn’t stop there; players can explore a plethora of extra content, from purchasing new vehicles and scanning tarot cards to engaging in street fights and having text conversations with NPCs from the base game. The dynamic with Johnny Silverhand is also enriched through additional dialogue.
In addition to the expansion, the free 2.0 Update brings substantial changes and additions. Notably, players will find their skills completely reset upon installation, encouraging a fresh approach to character development. Among the revamped skills, ‘DIE! DIE! DIE!,’ a Body perk related to shotguns and heavy weapons, includes an icon featuring Rebecca from Cyberpunk Edgerunners, bridging the gap between the game and the anime series.
While Phantom Liberty impresses, it’s essential to acknowledge the presence of various glitches, especially for players who experienced Cyberpunk 2077’s rocky launch on Xbox One X. Issues like NPCs levitating, cars flipping, quest failures, and occasional game crashes persist, reminding us that the game’s technical performance still leaves room for improvement.
Overall, “Phantom Liberty” stands as a stellar example of DLC, blending seamlessly into Night City’s atmosphere while delivering exceptional set pieces, emotional depth, and a new ending to the main game. Coupled with the 2.0 Update’s extensive changes, it reaffirms Night City as a captivating digital world worth revisiting. Just as V embraces new implants from the ripperdoc, “Phantom Liberty” elevates Cyberpunk 2077 to new heights, despite the technical hiccups.
