Phantom Liberty, the ambitious expansion to Cyberpunk 2077, is on the horizon. It is set to introduce a spy-thriller storyline centered around a mission to save the President of the New United States of America from Dogtown, which is Night City’s deadliest district.
Espionage, politics, and the brutal world of black-market mercenaries will be vital elements of the expansion’s story beats. Players can anticipate encountering new characters, including FIA sleeper agent Solomon Reed, portrayed by Idris Elba. However, where does Phantom Liberty fit into the story and is it a sequel to the original game? Let’s delve into the details.
Phantom Liberty is not a Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, but an expansion
It is important to note that Phantom Liberty isn’t a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077. Rather, it takes place during the game’s main story and doesn’t require players to have completed the base game. This means that during the campaign of the game, players can jump into Phantom Liberty and experience its new content.
The connection between Cyberpunk 2077 main campaign and Phantom Liberty expansion
The exact impact of Phantom Liberty on the main game’s narrative remains unknown, and we will have to play it to grasp its implications fully. According to Gabe Amatangelo, the Game Director and VP at CD Projekt Red, there comes a certain point in Cyberpunk 2077 where Phantom Liberty unlocks. The expansion has different endings based on how events play out, indicating that it will offer players new choices and outcomes that can potentially influence the base game’s ending.
In addition to the new story content, Phantom Liberty will bring new quests, gigs, and gig types to the game. Players can look forward to exploring a brand new district of Night City, which expands the game world and offers fresh locations to discover. New vehicles, technology, cyberware, weaponry, and a Relic skill tree will further enhance the gameplay experience, giving players more freedom to craft their unique playstyles.
Comprehensive updates for Cyberpunk 2077
CD Projekt Red has also promised a comprehensive update for Cyberpunk 2077 alongside the release of Phantom Liberty, addressing many of the game’s criticisms. This update will reportedly overhaul various aspects of the game, including skill trees, perks, vehicles, AI, and law enforcement. Owners of the base game will receive these improvements without needing to purchase Phantom Liberty itself.
Director confirms development on sequel post Phantom Liberty
In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Gabe Amatangelo, the director behind Phantom Liberty, revealed that he will also be directing a full sequel to Cyberpunk 2077. Amatangelo confirmed that once work on Phantom Liberty wraps up, he will continue on to helm the currently untitled sequel.
Amatangelo, who has been the director of Cyberpunk 2077 since 2021, played a crucial role in leading the development of last year’s patch 1.5, which was seen as a significant turning point for the game following its troubled launch in 2020.
CD Projekt Red officially announced the Cyberpunk sequel in October 2022, codenamed Orion. While details about the sequel are scarce, the studio has teased that it will push the boundaries of the Cyberpunk universe and explore the potential of its dark future setting.
The Phantom Liberty expansion for Cyberpunk 2077 is scheduled to release on September 26, 2023.
