Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

About Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

CD Projekt RED dropped this spy-thriller expansion on September 26, 2023. It serves as a standalone story set within the open-world action RPG Cyberpunk 2077. The plot kicks off after the President of the New United States of America loses their shuttle over Dogtown. You play as V, a mercenary forced to navigate espionage and political intrigue in this heavily militarized zone. Idris Elba voices Solomon Reed, your guide through shifting alliances. The game runs on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Mac. This expansion focuses on survival themes while introducing new mechanics designed for next-gen hardware without changing the core identity of the base title.

Gameplay

Sessions revolve around stealthy takedowns, hacking enemy networks, and using high-tech weaponry in close quarters combat. You explore Dogtown, a distinct autonomous zone with its own rules and enemies that react to your reputation. The game modes support single-player campaigns where every decision alters the narrative outcome. Controls feel tight, allowing you to switch between cyberware abilities and firearms seamlessly. You might spend an hour infiltrating a safehouse to steal a unique implant or another hour negotiating with rival factions. Side activities include hacking terminals to access secure data or engaging in car chases through narrow streets. The mission structure demands careful planning before you breach a facility.

What Players Think

The PlayPile community data shows strong approval for this release. IGDB rates the expansion at 91.9 out of 100 based on 223 user ratings. Average completion rates suggest players invest significant time, with many finishing the main storyline within a 15-hour window. Review snippets highlight the voice acting by Idris Elba and the intense atmosphere of Dogtown as top features. Community moods remain consistently positive regarding the narrative depth. Users frequently mention the new combat mechanics as a major improvement over the base game's initial launch state. The achievement data indicates high engagement, with most players unlocking the majority of available trophies.

PlayPile's Take

This expansion is worth your money if you want a tighter, more focused story than the main game offered. At its current price point on Steam or consoles, it delivers over 15 hours of content. You will earn numerous achievements that track your progress through the complex web of Dogtown politics. The game shines when you lean into stealth and hacking rather than pure gunfights. It does not fix every flaw in the original title but adds a layer of sophistication to the experience. Skip this if you hated the base game, as the core loop remains identical. Otherwise, grab it for Idris Elba's performance alone.

Storyline

Take on the job of a lifetime — to steal a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality — and build your legend in the vast open world of Night City, where the choices you make shape the story and the people around you. Take on a variety of gigs to go from up-and-coming mercenary to legendary cyberpunk, all while uncovering the mysteries of the priceless implant everyone is dying to get their hands on.