Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty – did CD Projekt Red finally fix it?
1: Introduction To Phantom Liberty
Cyberpunk 2077’s launch in 2020 was infamous for its bugs, glitches, and disappointing performance, especially on last-gen consoles. With the release of its major expansion, Phantom Liberty, CD Projekt Red promised to deliver a polished experience and a thrilling spy-thriller story. But did they finally fix the game and restore players’ trust?
2: Story And Narrative Depth
Phantom Liberty takes players into Dogtown, a dangerous district of Night City filled with espionage, betrayal, and political intrigue. The story introduces Solomon Reed, portrayed by Idris Elba, alongside returning characters like Johnny Silverhand. The narrative is gripping, mature, and cinematic, making it one of the strongest aspects of the expansion.
3: New Setting – Dogtown
Dogtown feels distinct from the rest of Night City. It’s gritty, packed with detail, and alive with atmosphere. The smaller but denser map design emphasizes verticality and urban decay. Exploration feels rewarding, with side missions and secrets enhancing immersion.
4: Gameplay Improvements
CD Projekt Red used Phantom Liberty as an opportunity to overhaul gameplay systems. Combat feels smoother, with revamped perks, cyberware, and AI behavior. Gunplay is more responsive, melee feels impactful, and the variety of builds adds replay value. This overhaul addresses many of the base game’s biggest criticisms.
5: Performance And Technical Fixes
Perhaps the most important question: did they fix the game? On current-gen consoles and high-end PCs, Phantom Liberty runs impressively well. Frame rates are stable, bugs are minimal, and crashes are rare. While older consoles still struggle, the experience overall is far more polished than at launch.
6: Visuals And Presentation
Cyberpunk 2077 was always visually ambitious, and Phantom Liberty elevates it further. Improved lighting, textures, and cinematic cutscenes make Night City look better than ever. Dogtown’s aesthetic—militarized checkpoints, neon-lit alleys, and crowded black markets—feels immersive and believable.
7: Side Content And Freedom
Beyond the main story, Phantom Liberty offers side quests that rival the main narrative in quality. Choices feel impactful, often leading to unexpected consequences. The freedom to role-play different versions of V remains one of the game’s standout strengths, and the expansion adds new layers of depth.
8: Characters And Performances
Idris Elba’s performance as Solomon Reed is a highlight, bringing gravitas and complexity to the expansion. Combined with Keanu Reeves’ Johnny Silverhand, the game delivers strong performances that elevate the writing. Supporting characters are equally memorable, blending human struggles with the game’s dystopian themes.
9: Community Reception
Players and critics alike have praised Phantom Liberty as the redemption of Cyberpunk 2077. Many call it the game CD Projekt Red should have launched three years ago. While some fans remain skeptical, the expansion has largely repaired the game’s reputation, earning acclaim for its depth and polish.
10: Did CDPR Finally Fix It?
Yes — for most players, Phantom Liberty proves that CD Projekt Red has delivered on their original promises. The expansion redefines Cyberpunk 2077 as a polished, thrilling, and immersive RPG. While scars from the rocky launch remain, Phantom Liberty ensures the game is now remembered more for its achievements than its failures.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is not only a great expansion but also a redemption arc for CD Projekt Red. With its gripping story, improved mechanics, and polished performance, it shows how far the game has come since its disastrous launch. While it may never fully erase the past, Phantom Liberty demonstrates that Cyberpunk 2077 is finally the groundbreaking RPG fans were hoping for.
