Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty feels extra like a top-to-bottom overhaul of the unique sport than a regular enlargement. Of course, it would characteristic a brand new story with new characters and a brand new space to discover, however what left me most excited is how this enlargement might doubtlessly shake up the unique expertise and handle many points gamers had at launch.Before our hands-on demo, quest director Paweł Sasko and quest designer Despoina Anetaky informed us that just about each system had been modified, tweaked, or redone completely. Unlockable talents within the talent tree really feel extra like perks somewhat than passive stat bonuses; the cybernetics are much more sturdy, providing extra gameplay choices; and the notorious police response system has been rebuilt from the bottom up. This is not the primary time developer CD Projekt Red has executed one thing like this–The Witcher 3’s remaining enlargement introduced with it various modifications to the UI and combat–but Phantom Liberty is trying to comprehensively rewrite Cyberpunk’s DNA.Phantom Liberty is not only a glorified replace, although. It brings with it a narrative that leans closely into the spy thriller style and new characters together with the gruff sleeper cell agent Solomon Reed (portrayed by the illustrious Idris Elba) and a brand new lawless district of Night City known as Dogtown. The setup appears pretty easy: A mysterious character who goes by Songbird guarantees V that she will take away the lethal biochip from their head, if she will save and shield the president of the New United States after her plane crashes in Dogtown.My session started within the seedy underbelly of Dogtown, a district nestled within Pacifica. Garbage littered the neon-washed alleyways, and cybered-up riffraff ambled the sidewalks. It was a sight not too far off from what we noticed in Cyberpunk 2077, however Dogtown has a rugged lawlessness to it that feels extra in step with the post-apocalyptic streets of Escape From New York than the compact and multilayered thoroughfares of Night City. This could appear unusual given its location inside Night City, however Dogtown is basically reduce off from the town, performing extra as an impartial state somewhat than a district. Sasko and Anetaky informed us that Dogtown may be very tough to enter and exit with out the precise connections. After finishing the primary few missions, V can enter and go away Dogtown as they please, however entry to the world is closed off till you start the enlargement.Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom LibertyGallery It’s powerful to present any agency impressions of the story primarily based on what I performed, nevertheless it appears CD Projekt Red is utilizing this enlargement to dig deeper into Johnny Silverhand’s character. At one level, whereas we have been ready for Solomon Reed by a run-down basketball court docket, Johnny mirrored on his time within the military and grappled along with his guilt for deserting. It was a messy, introspective second that confirmed a facet of Johnny we by no means actually noticed in Cyberpunk 2077. It’s clear that Johnny hates the institution and every part the NUSA stands for, however listening to his rage-fueled rantings about how the army hides violence beneath the guise of hole platitudes whereas concurrently feeling responsible reveals that it is a chapter of his life that he is by no means managed to shut.Of course, the star of the enlargement is particular agent Reed. He’s a gruff and charismatic undercover operative that’s poised to play a central position in Phantom Liberty. Like Idris Elba himself, Reed has a commanding, larger-than-life presence to him. He’s assured, calculated, and imposing. My first encounter with Reed started with him jamming a gun into V’s facet from behind as he vets them. It’s an ideal little introduction that matches properly throughout the spy-thriller-inspired story. While I nonetheless have many questions on who Reed is and what his motives are, he looks as if he may very well be a very good foil to Johnny’s anarchist worldview.What’s most spectacular is how totally different Phantom Liberty feels in comparison with the vanilla expertise and the way these modifications might breathe new life into the core expertise. Nearly each system has been touched up or redone, and new mechanics have been launched, reminiscent of automotive fight–and these options aren’t restricted to Phantom Liberty.For instance, cybernetics acquired an entire overhaul. Now, armor is tied to your cyberware somewhat than clothes. This means you may put on no matter you need with out worrying about your general protection and fight effectiveness. However, you may’t set up a bunch of cyberware directly. As you progress you may improve your cyberware restrict, and for those who set up an excessive amount of you may be hit with numerous debuffs. Not solely that, however while you set up new cyberware, you may get to see the set up course of from V’s standpoint. While we did not get particular examples of how cyberpsychosis might have an effect on your character, getting debuffs from extreme cybernetics matches throughout the context of the world. It looks as if a way more refined system that can pressure gamers to rigorously decide and select cyberware that matches their play type.Skill bushes throughout the board have additionally been reworked to introduce new talents and perks that ought to boost fight. Sasko informed us that they needed to get away from the percentage-based stat buffs that populated the unique talent tree and construct them round distinctive class-based abilities. During my time, I solely received to play as a quick solo construct outfitted with a thermal katana and mantis blades. Thanks to the brand new and improved Reflex talent tree, I might sprint mid-air, deflect bullets, and carry out gory finishers. I’m curious to see simply how sturdy these revamped talent bushes are, significantly with regards to netrunning, but when my time with the quick solo construct was any indication, I feel there needs to be some cool surprises in retailer for each class archetype.Phantom Liberty additionally brings with it the long-awaited revamped police and notoriety system. At launch, Cyberpunk 2077 was derided for its simplistic and unfair notoriety system. Police would spawn immediately and in random areas, even when there have been no police close by. That will not be the case in Phantom Liberty. Now, just like GTA V, for those who commit against the law, the police will examine. If you are close by, they are going to interact; if not, they are going to search the world. As you commit extra crimes in fast succession, they are going to get extra aggressive, and for those who hit a five-star needed degree, MaxTac, a SWAT-like particular forces unit within the Cyberpunk universe, will present up. Sasko informed us that bosses will spawn on this planet for those who get your notoriety excessive sufficient. However, police aggression can also be dependent in your location. They’ll be a lot faster to reply in wealthier, extra populated areas like Corpo Plaza.When you do piss off the NCDP, you are not restricted to on-foot fight. Phantom Liberty introduces vehicular fight and weapon-mounted automobiles. Using the bumper buttons, you may purpose your gun out the window and fireplace, and for those who’re on a motorbike you may wield melee weapons. I do not know the way sensible swinging a katana from the facet of a motorbike really is, nevertheless it positive appears to be like badass. And to slot in with the spy-thriller aesthetic, you may even unlock a sports activities automotive with miniguns hidden behind the bumper a la James Bond’s well-known Aston Martin.These options aren’t locked to the brand new space or DLC story. They are international modifications that can have an effect on the whole sport from begin to end and rebalance almost each facet of the expertise. While you may load up outdated saves and nonetheless get pleasure from all these modifications, there is a compelling case to begin contemporary, as many of those mechanics are designed to strengthen Cyberpunk’s world-building and hone in on the role-playing facets at its basis.The online game redemption arc has turn into all too frequent lately. I am unable to blame individuals for giving up on Cyberpunk 2077 after its messy launch, nevertheless it was onerous to disclaim its potential. And, primarily based on what I noticed of Phantom Liberty, Cyberpunk 2077 might lastly stay as much as it.
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