CD Projekt RED recently confirmed that Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition is coming out on December 5 on Xbox Series S/X, PlayStation 5, and PC. And, while it was always expected to be a gargantuan bundle, its release on the Xbox Series S/X shows how big it is.
A spokesperson clarified to IGN how CDPR will package the Ultimate Edition on each system, citing “technical requirements specific to reach platform.” For PC, the Ultimate Edition comes with a “GOG code for both the base game and the expansion.” Meanwhile, on PS5, only the base game is included in a physical disc. Players will have to redeem the expansion using a code on the PlayStation Store. Finally, the largest of them all, literally, is the Xbox Series X bundle, which “contains three discs with the base game and expansion.
This means that the Xbox Series X is getting the only physical release of the Phantom Liberty DLC – a rare win for the laughably outsold console.
CDPR hyped Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition in a press release, describing it as “the perfect way to experience every story of the dark future.” Although if we’re being honest, CDPR could’ve gotten away with packaging it as a Game of the Year Edition. It’s not like every game with a GOTY Edition was nominated let alone won the award (we’re looking at you, Far Cry 6). Besides, if there was ever a game that deserved a pass, it’s Cyberpunk 2077. Don’t forget, this game was so bad at launch that Sony pulled it from the PlayStation Store (Microsoft opted to put a disclaimer on the game). Three years later, it’s close to what players had hoped to play after years of marketing hype, except, well, maybe for the scrapped multiplayer content, among others.
Phantom Liberty, which ropes in Idris Elba as Solomon Reed, an FIA sleeper agent, is the kind of expansion that fans dream about – it’s right up there alongside Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. Paired with the 2.0 update, there’s a case to be made that Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition warrants a retroactive nomination for Game of the Year at The Game Awards but a new category wouldn’t be bad either.
With the three-disc release of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on Xbox Series X, it now joins Baldur’s Gate 3 as the only multi-disc titles on the platform. The latter will arrive in Q1 of 2024. The PlayStation 5 exclusive, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, which launches in February, is also a two-disc game.
It’s unclear why the Xbox Series X is getting “special” treatment when it comes to the physical releases of Baldur’s Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, but Digital Foundry’s John Linneman theorizes that CDPR would likely have to resubmit Cyberpunk 2077 to Sony just to put Phantom Liberty on disc, which costs money and time. A similar scenario happened with previous other titles for the PS5, including Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade. But, if you’re feeling mischievous, you could say that this is payback for delisting Cyberpunk 2077 when Microsoft chose to continue selling it on its digital storefront.
As the definitive experience for Cyberpunk 2077, the Ultimate Edition is the best way to celebrate the game crossing over 25 million copies in sales.
This live-service style redemption is well-earned for CDPR and Cyberpunk 2077.
