Night City Reborn
The story of Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the most dramatic arcs in gaming history. From a disastrous launch that became a cautionary tale for the industry to a slow, determined climb back to excellence, CD Projekt Red's commitment to fixing and improving their vision has been nothing short of remarkable. With the Phantom Liberty expansion and the accompanying 2.0 update, Cyberpunk 2077 has finally become the game it was always meant to be.
Phantom Liberty adds the district of Dogtown — a militarized combat zone controlled by the rogue colonel Kurt Hansen. This lawless enclave is the perfect setting for the expansion's spy thriller narrative, which sees V recruited by Solomon Reed (played by the phenomenal Idris Elba) and the enigmatic Songbird for a high-stakes mission involving the president of the NUSA. The story is tighter, more focused, and more emotionally complex than the base game's main quest, with branching paths that lead to dramatically different outcomes.
Idris Elba's performance as Solomon Reed is a standout. He brings the same gravitas and intensity to the role that made his portrayal of Stringer Bell so iconic, creating a character who is at once deeply sympathetic and morally ambiguous. The dynamic between Reed, V, and Songbird forms the emotional core of the expansion, and the decisions you're forced to make in the final act are genuinely agonizing.
The 2.0 Revolution
The free 2.0 update that accompanied Phantom Liberty's launch fundamentally rebuilt Cyberpunk 2077's core systems. The skill tree has been completely redesigned, replacing the scattered, incremental upgrades of the original with focused, impactful perks that dramatically alter your playstyle. The new cyberware system ties your chrome upgrades to your body's capacity, creating meaningful trade-offs between power and humanity that echo the game's transhumanist themes.
Combat in 2.0 is night and day compared to launch. Enemy AI is significantly improved, with foes now flanking, retreating behind cover, and coordinating attacks in response to your tactics. Vehicle combat has been added, turning Night City's streets into adrenaline-fueled chase sequences. The police system has been completely reworked with MaxTac responses that feel appropriately terrifying. Every gunfight in Phantom Liberty feels tense and satisfying in a way the original game rarely achieved.
The RPG systems now feel cohesive and rewarding. Vehicle customization, redesigned loot with a quality-over-quantity approach, new relic abilities exclusive to Phantom Liberty, and overhauled economy all contribute to a game that finally feels like the deep RPG experience that was originally promised. Night City has never felt more alive, with improved NPC behavior, dynamic events, and atmospheric details that make simply walking the streets a joy.
Dogtown: A District Worth Exploring
Dogtown itself is a masterclass in environmental storytelling. Every corner of this fortified district tells a story — from the desperate inhabitants scraping by under Hansen's rule to the opulent Zenith Tower that serves as his seat of power. The contrast between the district's crumbling infrastructure and the high-tech security apparatus creates a visual language that perfectly captures the game's themes of inequality and power.
Side content in Dogtown is excellent, with new gigs and side quests that expand on the district's lore and characters. The Airdrops — randomized supply drops that create mini battle royales with scavengers — add dynamic action to exploration. Hidden caches, unique weapon locations, and environmental mysteries reward players who take the time to thoroughly explore every alley and rooftop.
Technical Excellence
On current-gen hardware and modern PCs, Cyberpunk 2077 with RT Overdrive is one of the most visually stunning games ever made. Path-traced lighting transforms Night City into a neon-soaked photorealistic paradise, with reflections, shadows, and global illumination that are simply jaw-dropping. Performance has been excellently optimized, with DLSS 3.5 and Frame Generation making even ray-traced gameplay buttery smooth on supported hardware.
✅ Pros
- Gripping spy thriller narrative with Idris Elba
- 2.0 update fundamentally improves all core systems
- Dogtown is a brilliantly designed new district
- Vastly improved combat AI and vehicle combat
- Visually stunning with path-traced lighting
- Meaningful choices with dramatic consequences
❌ Cons
- Requires powerful hardware for best experience
- Only one major new district added
- Some base game issues still linger in older content
- Last-gen console version discontinued
The Verdict
Phantom Liberty, combined with the 2.0 update, transforms Cyberpunk 2077 from a deeply flawed gem into one of the best RPGs of its generation. CD Projekt Red has earned their redemption. If you bounced off the game at launch, now is the time to return to Night City. If you never left, Phantom Liberty is the expansion you've been waiting for — a taut, exciting, and emotionally resonant spy thriller set in one of gaming's most unforgettable worlds.
"Phantom Liberty doesn't just fix what was broken — it elevates Night City to the heights it always deserved. This is CD Projekt Red's finest storytelling yet."