Developer: CD Projekt Red
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series S/X (Reviewed)
Genre: RPG
Publisher: CD Projekt Red
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is the DLC for the impressive CyberPunk 2077 game, which is required before you can play the DLC. With the DLC downloaded
First off, Cyberpunk 2077 now and Cyberpunk 2077 on the original release date are vastly different games. The game is stunning, not buggy, and a joy to play. This is where Phantom Liberty sits in this massive, sprawling game that is a feast for the eyes and a joy to play.
Phantom Liberty is estimated to be about 14 hours long. Still, your mileage may vary in how you play the game. If you concentrate on just the primary mission, the side missions, and all other content in Phantom Liberty, you could add another 15 – 20 hours, but again, this depends on your play style. I’m about 28 hours in and far from fully completing everything, but I’m enjoying the world and revisiting Cyberpunk.
In Phantom Liberty, you take the lead as V. The story begins with you saving the president of NUSA. As it unfolds, you see some familiar faces but one new face: Idris Elba as Reed, who helps guide you through this murky and exciting DLC.
Phantom Liberty is a dark, grimy underbelly of a world, and you are planted amongst the mayhem of rival gangs, militia, and mercenaries. The story is wonderfully narrated by a cast of fantastic actors, immersing you in this world. The RPG gameplay utilises this futuristic dark world, where you can mod your body to enhance every part of it, from your mind to your feet. This deep and rich customisation allows you to adapt your character to a play style that suits you, whether a spy with many tech upgrades to unlock areas using your skills or a tank character who will blast through enemies using your strength and physique. Or you can build an all-around character with traits of both. The character customisation is in-depth and adds wealth to the gameplay.
The game mechanics are a first-person shooter with highly customised weapons and combat. Every type of gun is available, or you can use melee items such as clubs and knives. Pick your poison. The shooting mechanic is solid, responsive and intuitive. The game mechanics around hacking are integrated seamlessly into gameplay; almost every device or machine can be used to your advantage if you possess the skills. A considerable skill tree is available where you can fine-tune your character’s attributes to build your best version of V.
The storytelling and narration of this complex, murky world are the themes of Phantom Liberty. The game is intriguing and keeps you guessing at your actions. You can build allies or alienate people- it’s up to you. The voice acting and characters are rendered stunningly.
Phantom Liberty is the realisation of what we expected from Cyberpunk 2077 on day one release, and it’s a hugely entertaining, fantastical world that looks stunning. There is a deep, rich storyline at the heart of this vast open-world game that is huge in scale and lets the player learn their way through the game. Just stunning.
I was gripped from the first time I loaded the DLC. It was nice to revisit Cyberpunk with a whole new full-length story, and Idris Elba helps immerse you back in this world. It’s what I expected from Cyberpunk when I saw it in 2019. It’s a fantastic and intriguing world that you don’t want to leave.
Overall: 9.5./10
Enjoys more than the odd game, long time gamer, somewhat a technologist and everything else in between.
Also enjoys a good solid game of FIFA online. Currently PS4, XBOX 360 and STEAM.
