Redemption in Night City

Cyberpunk 2077’s launch in 2020 was, to put it mildly, controversial. Technical issues overshadowed what was, at its core, an ambitious and engaging RPG. Nearly three years later, CD Projekt Red has not only fixed most of those problems but delivered Phantom Liberty, an expansion that represents the game at its very best—a noir-infused spy thriller that plays to the strengths of the setting while introducing new systems that meaningfully enhance the core experience.

Phantom Liberty isn’t just more Cyberpunk 2077; it’s better Cyberpunk 2077. The expansion demonstrates a more confident and focused design approach, delivering a tightly constructed narrative experience that rivals—and occasionally surpasses—the base game’s best moments. In many ways, this is the game Cyberpunk always wanted to be.

Espionage in the Dark Future

Set in Dogtown, a walled-off district of Night City controlled by a rogue military commander, Phantom Liberty introduces a new storyline centered around espionage and political intrigue. When the president of the New United States crash-lands in this lawless zone, V is recruited by intelligence agent Solomon Reed (played by Idris Elba) to rescue her from forces that would use the situation to destabilize the fragile political balance of the post-corporate war world.

What follows is a twisting narrative that feels like a cyberpunk take on John le Carré—a story of shifting allegiances, moral compromise, and the human cost of geopolitical maneuvering. The writing is some of CD Projekt Red’s finest, balancing complex political themes with personal stakes. Unlike some portions of the base game that occasionally got lost in their own lore, Phantom Liberty tells a focused story that remains engaging throughout its 15-20 hour runtime.

The character work deserves particular praise. Solomon Reed is a compelling addition to the cast, brought to life by Idris Elba’s nuanced performance. As a weary intelligence operative who’s seen too much, Reed provides a fascinating counterpoint to Johnny Silverhand’s revolutionary idealism. Their ideological conflicts provide some of the expansion’s most thought-provoking moments, forcing V to consider different perspectives on power and resistance in Night City.

Welcome to Dogtown

Dogtown itself is a standout achievement in environmental storytelling. Unlike the gleaming corporate districts or vibrant marketplaces of the base game, this is a militarized zone where order is maintained through brutal force. The environmental design effectively communicates this reality, from checkpoints staffed by trigger-happy soldiers to repurposed shopping malls that now serve as barracks.

The area feels distinct from the rest of Night City while remaining consistent with the broader world. Architectural elements like abandoned construction projects and repurposed civic infrastructure tell the story of how this district evolved from pre-collapse ambition to post-collapse survival. It’s a masterclass in using environment to communicate history and social dynamics without explicit exposition.

Navigation through this hostile territory creates tension that enhances the spy thriller atmosphere. Moving through Dogtown requires caution, as Barghest soldiers are quick to respond to suspicious activity. This heightened alertness adds a stealth dimension to exploration that fits perfectly with the espionage narrative.

New Systems, New Possibilities

Phantom Liberty isn’t just a narrative expansion; it introduces significant new gameplay systems that enhance the core experience. Most notable is the reworked skill tree, which replaces the somewhat unwieldy original system with more focused progression paths that better support distinct playstyles. Skills now feel more impactful, with clear benefits that encourage investment in specific approaches rather than spreading points thinly across multiple attributes.

The new Relic skills add another layer of customization, allowing for specialized builds that significantly change how combat encounters play out. Abilities like the ground slam or the ability to slow time after perfect dodges aren’t just flashy; they open up new tactical possibilities that make combat more engaging and varied.

Vehicle combat, a notably underdeveloped aspect of the base game, receives welcome attention in Phantom Liberty. Car chases now feel dynamic and dangerous, with improved AI for pursuing vehicles and more responsive controls for the player. The addition of vehicle-based weapons and maneuvers transforms what was once a perfunctory system into a genuinely exciting gameplay element that fits perfectly with the high-octane spy narrative.

The expansion also introduces new cyberware, weapons, and gear that expand build possibilities in meaningful ways. The Netrunner archetype in particular benefits from new equipment that enhances hacking capabilities, while new weapons like the Thermal Katana provide distinctive options for combat-focused characters.

Technical Redemption

Released alongside Update 2.0, which overhauled many of the base game’s systems, Phantom Liberty represents Cyberpunk 2077 at its most technically polished. Performance is smooth across supported platforms, with the PC version in particular demonstrating impressive optimization. Visual glitches, once so prevalent they became memes, are now rare occurrences rather than expected features.

Night City has never looked better, with enhanced lighting and weather effects that create a more convincing and immersive urban environment. Character models and animations have seen subtle improvements that enhance emotional moments, while the audio design remains outstanding with atmospheric soundscapes that shift dynamically based on location and events.

The attention to technical details extends to quality-of-life improvements that address longstanding frustrations. Inventory management is more intuitive, map navigation has been streamlined, and the UI in general feels more responsive and informative. These may seem like minor considerations, but they significantly improve the moment-to-moment experience.

Remaining Rough Edges

Despite these improvements, some of Cyberpunk 2077’s fundamental limitations remain. The open world still feels somewhat static compared to genre leaders like Red Dead Redemption 2, with limited NPC routines and environmental interactions. While Dogtown represents a step forward in density and reactivity, the world as a whole still doesn’t quite achieve the living, breathing quality CD Projekt Red initially promised.

The police system, while improved, remains basic compared to other open-world games. Wanted levels and pursuit have been enhanced, but the system lacks the depth and nuance found in something like Grand Theft Auto V. Given the setting’s emphasis on law enforcement and corporate security, this remains a missed opportunity.

Some players may also find the expansion’s scope somewhat limited compared to CD Projekt Red’s previous work, particularly The Witcher 3’s expansions. While the main narrative is substantial, the side content doesn’t quite match the depth and breadth of Hearts of Stone or Blood and Wine. This is a more focused experience, which has benefits for pacing and narrative coherence but may disappoint those expecting dozens of hours of additional content.