Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

To start off i'd like to say that Cyberpunk 2077 is my favorite game of all time. Perhaps even my favorite piece of fiction. Everything about this world and its characters resonates with me, and Phantom Liberty is no different in that regard.

This expansion tackles a lot of themes already present in the main game, especially with certain characters being direct parallels to already established ones, and it's executed beautifully.

The soundtrack fits the world and the events that occur so well, It's hard not to get emotional just listening to it. The visuals are stunning. Just like in the main game, I found myself in photo mode regularly, it's hard to look away from the gorgeous cityscape.

The world and the way it's presented was nothing short of perfect. The blimps in the sky with the pictures of the dictator(s), the huge neon screen on the side of the big skyscraper, the hanging corpses on the signs and bridges. The moment you enter Dogtown, you instantly know what kind of place you've just entered.

I've also completed all of the new endings and I can confidently say all of them are beautifully written and each one of them is satisfying in its own regard. It was gut-wrenchingly hard picking which path I was going to walk.

I'm so happy to see my favorite game become what it was initially intended to be.

"Let's light up the sky And fade into the night."

Phantom Liberty is how you do DLC. It compliments but never erases the base game's experience. In fact, for me, Phantom Liberty's shorter, more concentrated length, themes, lighting, sound design, story, and just about every aspect completely eclipses the base game. Phantom Liberty ditches the petty grudges of mega corps and rebellions and ups the ante to the big leagues with assassination attempts on the President of the New United States of America (NUSA) and undercover operations against the tyrant of Dogtown.

I cannot praise CD Projekt Red enough for just how deftly they weave espionage, thriller, and, surprisingly, horror so effortlessly that other developers should look on and take notes. Stealth, psychology, battles of sheer will, Phantom Liberty showcases newcomers Idris Elba (as Solomon Reed) and Minji Chang (as Songbird) in such spectacularly heartbreaking stories that will have you by the balls (or ovaries, and, ew, I've made myself uncomfortable).

Twists, turns, you'll be exposed to it all, and, just when your nose is pressed right to the screen, CD flips from spy thriller to techno-horror and your expectations for both will never quite be the same (for this, I recommend siding with Reed when it comes, you will not be sorry). Update 2.0 for Cyberpunk 2077 was an apology for the broken state it released in, but Phantom Liberty is a promise to try and avoid those mistakes in the future. If it weren't DLC and 2023 weren't so packed with fantastic gaming experiences, Phantom Liberty would be a serious contender for Game of the Year. Heck, in some places, it still might grab that title.

This is a pretty good expansion, with a great and emotional story to add to the already emotional story of the main campaign. I think it isn't 100% needed to fully enjoy Cyberpunk 2077 (unlike Witcher 3's Blood and Wine expansion).

There are some nice missions in this expansion, and some of the spy stuff reminded me a lot of James Bond and even a little Metal Gear Solid. The new characters are interesting and they all have two sides to them. It makes them all pretty unique.

So the main story of this is pretty good, the downside is Dogtown itself. It really doesn't look any different from other parts of Night City, sure it looks a tad bit more "Mad Max" like, but it isn't like Witcher 3's Toussaint map, which was almost the completely opposite of the dark and bleak world of the main game. Dogtown isn't interesting, there isn't anything cool to do there, and I thought this expansion was gonna open up the map more towards the outer top right area (since it was blacked out in the original).

Also Dogtown is extremely, extremely small, you can drive through Dogtown in maybe 30 seconds if you were to just go straight. I can't express just how tiny Dogtown is. Just imagine maybe 7 - 10 Night City blocks (squared).

Anyways, it adds a new but depressing ending, multiple choice regular endings, and a few cool missions and action set pieces, especially one in an airport (that is all I'm gonna say).

9/10 (I recommend fans to play this game, but casual players can probably get through Cyberpunk 2077 without going through this story)

I've already spent many hours on the main game, completed every ending, every mission and anything there is. It was about time for the big Phantom Liberty expansion!

And wow...! Phantom Liberty delivered in every way. The story of it is simply outstanding. Not even hollywood blockbuster can compete with that. If you going to play this for the first time prepare for a game full of action and an emotional rollercoaster. The main game itself was a 10/10 but with the Update 2.0 and PL, CDProjectRed really pushed it beyond amazing. I'm sure to say that we won't get an expansion this good in the next 10 years for any game.

Some small bugs in there but nothing that influenced my 50 hours of playing.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty stands as a testament to what a game can achieve when developers listen to feedback and strive for perfection. This expansion is nothing short of a revelation, addressing the myriad issues that plagued the original release while introducing a plethora of new features that elevate the overall experience.

Storyline and Immersion (9/10): The narrative in Phantom Liberty is nothing short of gripping. The storylines are immersive, drawing players deeper into the neon-lit world of Night City. The characters are well-developed, and their arcs are both compelling and emotionally resonant. The game successfully immerses players in its dystopian setting, making every decision feel impactful.

Gameplay (9/10): Gone are the days of cheesy and unrealistic gameplay mechanics. Phantom Liberty introduces a revamped combat system that is both fluid and intuitive. The addition of new combat techniques and stealth options adds a layer of strategy that was previously missing. The rush of adrenaline during intense firefights and the satisfaction of executing a perfect stealth takedown are unparalleled.

Graphics and Visuals (10/10): The graphical enhancements in Phantom Liberty are stunning. The photorealistic lighting and enhanced graphics make Night City come alive like never before. Every corner of the city is meticulously detailed, creating a visually breathtaking experience. The improvements in texture quality and environmental design contribute to an incredibly immersive atmosphere.

Voice Acting and Sound Design (9/10): The voice acting in Phantom Liberty is top-notch. The actors deliver their lines with conviction, bringing their characters to life. The sound design, from the ambient noises of the city to the pulse-pounding music during combat, enhances the overall experience, making the world feel alive and dynamic.

Technical Performance (8/10): One of the most significant improvements in Phantom Liberty is the reduction in bugs and technical issues. While the original release was marred by numerous glitches, this expansion runs much smoother. There are still occasional hiccups, but they are few and far between, allowing players to enjoy the game without constant interruptions.

Replayability (8/10): With multiple story paths and a variety of gameplay styles, Phantom Liberty offers considerable replay value. Players can experience different outcomes based on their choices, encouraging multiple playthroughs to see all that the game has to offer.

Attention to Detail (9/10): The developers have packed Phantom Liberty with an abundance of details that enrich the gaming experience. From the intricacies of the environment to the nuances in character interactions, every aspect of the game has been thoughtfully crafted to enhance immersion.

Recommendation (10/10): Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is a must-play for fans of the original game and newcomers alike. It successfully fixes the issues that plagued the initial release and introduces a host of new features that make it one of the standout titles of the year. Whether you're drawn in by the story, the gameplay, or the visuals, Phantom Liberty has something for everyone.

Final Verdict: Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is a stellar expansion that demonstrates the potential of what Cyberpunk 2077 was always meant to be. With its immersive storyline, refined gameplay, and stunning visuals, it sets a new standard for what a video game expansion can achieve. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a rich and engaging gaming experience.