As CD Projekt RED’s highly anticipated expansion to Cyberpunk 2077, Phantom Liberty, prepares for its release this fall, the fans are, once again, exciting at the prospect of what’s coming to Night City.
With the promise of new mechanics, a revised storyline, and the potential for a “better” ending for the game’s protagonist, V, the expectations are high that Phantom Liberty will give gamers the version of Cyberpunk 2077 that CD Projekt RED had promised for years.
Phantom Liberty’s narrative framework is notable if indicative of being a CDPR project. Unlike others, it doesn’t follow the original game’s storyline but takes place during the main story. As players reach a certain point in the game, the expansion unfolds, opening up new possibilities. Players have the freedom to leap straight into the Phantom Liberty narrative, which is a feature reminiscent of CD Projekt RED’s approach to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and its expansions.
The gaming community is buzzing about the potential new endings Phantom Liberty brings to the table. CD Projekt RED confirmed that the expansion’s narrative choices and decisions could unlock a fresh ending in the original game. While the specifics are yet to be revealed, many speculate that this could pave the way for a “happier” ending for V. Could a cure for V’s brain chip ailment be possible? With the expansion bringing new characters and relationships into the mix, the answer remains uncertain, but the prospect is tantalizing.
Adding to the intrigue is the government’s promise of a cure for V’s terminal condition in the game. This proposition has fueled theories of a possible new “canon” ending where V survives free of the fatal disease, with or without Johnny. But, CD Projekt RED hasn’t confirmed this.
Most likely, the sequel will introduce a new protagonist. However, fans are hoping to see “V” in the sequel, at the very least.
Beyond all of the narrative possibilities, Phantom Liberty also promises a comprehensive revamp of the game mechanics. It includes an overhauled police system, new skill trees, and the addition of new quest types called Airdrops. These upgrades aim to align Cyberpunk 2077 with the ambitious vision presented during its initial reveal in 2018.
One of the significant enhancements is the reimagined police system, which promises a more dynamic response to in-game actions. The consequences of committing a crime in Night City will vary according to the player’s location and the nature of the transgression, adding a layer of realism to the gameplay. There’s also the addition of vehicular combat, which introduces the possibility of shooting from your vehicle or using mounted weapons.
Character progression is another focus area for the update. The revamped system divorces armor from clothing, shifting its emphasis to installing cyberware. Balancing this, the game introduces a capacity meter and a cyberpsychosis feature, ensuring a more strategic approach to character enhancement.
All these upgrades to the core game systems are significant, altering the game’s difficulty curve, loot drops, and the enemy archetypes, providing more variety and depth to the gameplay.
Unfortunately, it remains to be seen which of these features will be accessible in the base game and which ones will only be available to the Phantom Liberty expansion.
It’s clear that the Phantom Liberty expansion signifies a new chapter for Cyberpunk 2077. With promising changes to the game mechanics and a narrative that could potentially give our protagonist a fighting chance at survival, the expansion hints at a potentially brighter future for Cyberpunk 2077.
