Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in Cyberpunk 2077. After attending Summer Games Fest, I couldn’t wait to download CD Projekt Red’s controversial RPG on my PlayStation 5. This was especially important to me because of what I had witnessed in Phantom Liberty. So, I needed a save file ready on my console.
Let me provide some context. At Summer Game Fest, the CDPR booth gave journalists, creators, and attendees the option to choose the version of the game they wanted to play, be it PC, Xbox Series, or PS5. Considering the multitude of issues the base game faced on PlayStation consoles during its launch, both legally and in terms of performance, I decided to demo the title on Sony’s machine. And I’m extremely glad I did.
Right from the start of the demo, as V and their new companion, Songbird, watched a presidential shuttle crash dramatically into the desolate, walled-off borough of Dog Town, it was clear that the studio had put in significant effort to make this game console-friendly. As Alex has already pointed out, the various patches and updates have transformed it into one of the best console RPGs of the current generation. And now, with all the additions in Phantom Liberty, it looks and feels even better.
For demonstration purposes, there’s an agile build called the ninja build that prioritizes fast movement, snapshot gunplay, and sprinting. As someone who wanted the true Edgerunner experience, I chose to play as this version of V. And let me tell you, it feels amazing on the controller. Shooting mechanics have been massively improved in Phantom Liberty, making it feel more like a proper first-person cover shooter rather than an afterthought. Aiming down sights and scoring headshots reminded me of Bulletstorm, which the developer at my station also agreed with.
The haptic feedback and resistance on the triggers give shooting a mechanical feel, just as it should. Swapping between your assault rifle and pistol produces the exact shift in recoil and impact you would expect. While shooting in Cyberpunk 2077 will never feel like Destiny, the improvements in Phantom Liberty are significant compared to the game at launch.
But who needs shooting when you can rip and tear instead? Although it may not be like Doom, the rhythmic and rampant slashing and dicing you can do to the backdrop of an amazing clubland track feels incredible. New abilities have been added to the Mantis blades, a new skill tree allows for more mobility in combat, and cyberwear provides armor to be more aggressive and face enemies head-on before defeating them.
However, you may not even need the replenishable shielding. Skilled players can parry bullets—yes, bullets!—if they invest enough points into the appropriate ninja-like traits. As a pre-built ninja V, I found myself in a satisfying rhythm of airdashing, striking down hired goons, parrying bullets back into another goon’s head, sneaking up, finding a strategic position, and repeating the grim ballet all over again.
When the DLC is released, you’ll be pleased to know that many of these changes will apply to the entire game, not just the portion you need to pay extra for. That’s the real appeal of Phantom Liberty—it positions the game as Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 and provides a strong incentive to start a new save file and dive back into the game.
Aside from my own experience, and that of other creators who have played it, the fact that CD Projekt Red is showcasing Phantom Liberty on PS5 is a brilliant move. It demonstrates that the developer is not afraid of how the DLC will be received on consoles, proves that there is a playable version of the game already available, and shows the studio’s active pride in their work. They were proud enough to allow people at Summer Games Fest and Xbox FanFest to play it, at least.
This transparency leading up to the launch of Phantom Liberty feels like a significant change for CD Projekt Red. They seem determined to shake off the reputation they gained from the flawed release of the base game. Their approach and execution with Phantom Liberty may provide insight into what the developer has in store for the future. As we enter the new Witcher era and anticipate what comes next after this standalone Cyberpunk 2077 DLC, CD Projekt Red’s choice is intriguing.
Cyberpunk 2077 is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Phantom Liberty will be released on September 26th and is priced at £24.99.
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Eugen Boglaru is an AI aficionado covering the fascinating and rapidly advancing field of Artificial Intelligence. From machine learning breakthroughs to ethical considerations, Eugen provides readers with a deep dive into the world of AI, demystifying complex concepts and exploring the transformative impact of intelligent technologies.
