The tumultuous journey of Cyberpunk 2077 will officially reach a crescendo with the release of Phantom Liberty, a one-off expansion that many consider the swan song of the game.
Packed with gripping narratives and immersive gameplay, Phantom Liberty has been lauded for its exhilarating spy-thriller adventure, which is a departure from the original base game’s tale but interwoven seamlessly.
Set in the sprawling world of Night City, Phantom Liberty creates an emotional narrative centered around the enigmatic Songbird, who entrusts the game’s protagonist, V, with a new mission – save the President of the New United States. The president’s aircraft, sabotaged to crash land in the notorious Dogtown district, becomes the epicenter of a grand tale of espionage, trust, and treachery. Throughout the expansion, players navigate a maze of entangled allegiances and opaque motivations.
The heart of the narrative is the compelling relationship between Songbird and a sleeper agent named Solomon Reed, portrayed brilliantly by Idris Elba. Together with V, they unveil shocking secrets of Night City while questioning the very fabric of trust and morality. This intricate narrative, reminiscent of iconic spy thrillers like Mission Impossible, is filled with unexpected twists, action-packed set pieces, and moments of quiet introspection. Amid the high-stakes intrigue, characters confront their tortured pasts, making decisions that reshape the future and challenge the notions of self-redemption.
Perhaps it’s only fitting that Elba stars in Phantom Liberty, as his name has been dragged into the candidate pool for the next James Bond albeit it’s not a role that he’s keen on taking up anytime soon.
Though a cyberpunk narrative, Phantom Liberty embraces the darker elements of the genre, painting a bleak picture of a world teetering on the edge of chaos. The protagonist’s journey is peppered with moments of introspection, mainly through interactions with Johnny Silverhand, forcing both characters to evaluate their past actions and moral compass.
Dogtown, the militarized district of Night City, provides a backdrop that juxtaposes abandonment with modernity. The once-thriving region is now an imposing fortress of despair, giving players a visual narrative complementing an action-packed espionage story. Phantom Liberty’s design showcases the potential of Cyberpunk 2077, with varied mission designs, engaging narratives, and captivating characters.
To know more about what critics are saying, here’s a round-up of the scores they gave Phantom Liberty:
- Dexerto – 5/5
- Push Square – 9/10
- Dual Shockers – 9/10
- Noisy Pixel – 9/10
- GAMINGBible – 9/10
- Inverse – 9/10
Phantom Liberty’s release, alongside the 2.0 update, revitalizes Cyberpunk 2077, fixing its predecessor’s limitations as it enhances the RPG elements that fans loved.
As you can see, the early reviews of the expansion have been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s evident that CD Projekt Red poured immense effort into refining and optimizing the game. Night City, in its renewed form, promises heart-stopping and exhilarating encounters, refined RPG mechanics, and a setting more detailed and dynamic than before.
Yet, no game is without flaws. Some critics pointed out minor glitches, occasional frame rate drops, and UI bugs. But, these were overshadowed by the overall excellence of the expansion.
As the expansion unfolds, players are constantly confronted with choices, leading to multiple endings, offering a fresh experience with each playthrough. The narrative emphasizes self-redemption, echoing Mike Pondsmith’s words: “Cyberpunk isn’t about saving humanity; it’s about saving yourself.”
