Oh boy, am I excited for Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty! I didn’t start Cyberpunk 2077 until a good while after the initial release/chaos. And whilst it wasn’t perfect, it was bloody good, and I was quite gutted to finish it.
I’ve dipped back into it here and there over the past 6 months. Looking at updates, running GPU benchmarks with it and keeping my hand in, if you will. But my adventures with V and Johnny Silverhand have largely taken a backseat for a good while now.
That’s all about to change, though. With the September release of Phantom Liberty, and the pending deployment of Cyberpunk 2077 version 2.0. It seems like things are only on the up for CD Projekt’s once disaster. It’s another instance of a game being rushed to release and seeing tireless work after the fact to get the game where it needs to be.
Cyberpunk 2077 – 2.0
Version 2.0 is not to be sniffed at. That’s a proclamation of progress, of intent and of a full, improved version of the game.
Here’s the video that was released earlier this week:
Phantom Liberty and new ways to play
CD PROJEKT RED’s Gameplay Designer Yuliia Pryimak joined Geoff Keighley onstage to discuss the premiere of the “New Ways to Play” trailer, which included a compilation of new gameplay features arriving as part of the upcoming Phantom Liberty expansion and as part of the free Update 2.0.
The trailer unveiled new exclusive features coming to the spy-thriller expansion Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, including the Relic skill tree. The new skill tree offers a wide range of powerful abilities that allow players to master new playstyles and create unique, meaningful builds. Phantom Liberty also introduces a densely packed new location, Dogtown, with endless dynamic events and missions, action-packed gigs, new clothing items, weapons, cyberware, and more to explore.
The “New Ways to Play” trailer also highlighted the game’s redesigned perks system, showing off some brand-new perks that offer players more impactful gameplay options and the ability to take down enemies in thrilling, original ways. Enemy AI in combat will also be improved, making fights more dynamic and intuitive.
Here we go
This feels different. Sure, I fell for Cyberpunk 2077 after getting into it, but the initial release cycle, the hype etc. I didn’t trust it. Call it my gamer instincts, but it was clear that it wasn’t ready.
Now, 2.0 is a landmark move, a bold statement that history isn’t going to repeat itself. Phantom Liberty has had the time it needed in the oven and the core game has been baked nicely after being released a little too early in the first place. I’m fighting my inner fanboy at this stage. Desperate to get into car combat using my Johnny Silverhand Porsche and see what I could get out of all the gear I went hunting for post-game.
Can I re-ignite relationships with my favourites from before? I don’t think so, as it’s new characters, the new part of the city etc. But I’ll not lie, I’m holding out hope for some more Panam interactions.
Will I change my build and playstyle now? Probably not…..even though it’s clear Cyberpunk 2077 is going to be more adjustable, and more adaptable to my needs. I like how I got things, and I’ll likely focus on that. But who knows? Maybe I’ll be forced to re-think everything?!
All the 2.0 features and upgrades are free, so you don’t even need Phantom Liberty if you don’t want it. That’s pretty sweet! So you get a bit of a “try before you buy” scenario. Gameplay-wise, at least.
Let’s see what Idris Elba brings to the world of Cyberpunk 2077. See you in September, chooms.
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