CD Projekt Red demonstrates their exceptional talent for crafting DLC adventures once again with Phantom Liberty. This new expansion, Cyberpunk 2077’s first and last, takes players on an emotional rollercoaster ride, delivering some of the most memorable moments and missions in the entire RPG. Phantom Liberty becomes accessible after completing the Pacifica storyline in the base game’s campaign, allowing players to embark on it early if they prefer or start it fresh from the main menu. However, due to its frequent callbacks to characters and events from the main story, it’s advisable to enjoy it as a late-game journey. Moreover, numerous challenging boss fights and combat encounters suggest that it’s best to come prepared, as the fresh setting of Dogtown seems tailor-made for experienced players.
The adventure begins with a mysterious woman named Songbird drawing V into the unfolding drama. The initial hours thrust our beloved mercenary into a series of linear missions, each filled with impressive set pieces and cinematic chaos. It’s an exhilarating start, akin to the opening scenes of a thrilling action movie. After this explosive beginning, players are granted the freedom to explore Dogtown in-depth. Isolated from the rest of Night City, Dogtown is ruled by the Barghest, former soldiers who remained after an abandoned invasion of the larger city. It feels almost post-apocalyptic, with only a handful of locations catering to the district’s elite. Its lack of political alignment makes it a hub for Night City’s power players to conduct their darkest dealings, a theme intricately woven into the expansion’s well-paced plot.
CD Projekt Red describes Phantom Liberty as a “spy thriller,” a fitting label given its storyline. Beyond the explosive opening, the narrative takes a slower pace, introducing a cast of intriguing characters. Among them is the grizzled Solomon Reed, portrayed by Idris Elba, who steals the spotlight with a charismatic performance infused with the cynical swagger expected from a semi-retired secret agent. V teams up with Reed to uncover the plans of Dogtown’s formidable commander, Kurt Hansen, creating a web of intrigue and deception among the central characters. As V delves deeper into the rabbit hole, moments of genuine moral conflict arise, resulting in a gripping narrative that maintains its quality throughout the expansion’s approximately 30-hour duration.
Nevertheless, there is one section that feels somewhat out of place. While creatively conceived and engagingly executed, it stands out due to its fundamental divergence from the rest of Cyberpunk 2077. It may linger a tad too long, but this minor hiccup doesn’t overshadow the otherwise captivating storytelling. Additionally, Phantom Liberty introduces a new ending to V’s tale, providing players with an opportunity to step away from the intense narrative and explore Dogtown. Despite being roughly the same size as one of Night City’s other districts, Dogtown is brimming with eye-catching landmarks and gameplay opportunities. A plethora of peculiar and exciting side quests await, while dynamic events add a spice of unpredictability to exploration.
In terms of additional content, Phantom Liberty introduces a wealth of new weapons, stylish clothing items, and fresh vehicles, some equipped with mounted armaments. Moreover, a new skill tree tied to the relic chip embedded in V’s head offers opportunities to enhance your character’s cyberware abilities, potentially elevating your character build to new heights. All of these elements contribute to a rewarding progression experience. Phantom Liberty truly exemplifies Cyberpunk 2077 at its finest, combining a captivating narrative with compelling characters and exceptional mission and side quest design. It is an outstanding expansion that delivers an unforgettable gaming experience.
