More than just a DLC – Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty puts the crown on the base game (Review and Benchmarks)

1 - Intro, Gameplay and a lot of Open World 2 - Benchmarks and Conclusion

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty marks the latest milestone in the evolution of Night City, offering players a fresh perspective on the dystopian world you already know and love. With the introduction of Dogtown, a new district that impresses in both design and narrative, this expansion virtually sets a new gold standard for future DLCs of other games, though of course this must be seen in the context of Patch 2.0, which also leaves profound changes to the base game. By the way, the duration of the main quest of “Phantom Liberty” is estimated to be around up to 15 hours, with additional side quests providing further gameplay that can push the playtime to 25 hours and more. Thus, the DLC almost offers more than some current full-price titles from the AAA shelf.

Apart from the fact that Cyberpunk 2077 has also (but not only) been expanded to Jensen’s experimental ray factory and is celebrated as a new tech demo similar to Crysis back then, you also have to see the complete game behind the really respectable facade, which is one of the few AAA titles that (by now) more than lives up to its category. And even away from the green ray sickness, Night City is a shining example (what a flat neon joke) of its impressive graphics and atmospheric design – Phantom Liberty continues this tradition magnificently. Also on AMD graphics cards. The neon-soaked streets of Dogtown at night or dusty and almost morbid ones during the day are a feast for the eyes, and the detailed environment helps immerse players deeper into the world of Cyberpunk 2077.

Phantom Liberty’s main story is surprisingly deep and engaging, with the narrative cleverly tied to the base game. Some of the missions, like the path and arrival in Dogtown already at the beginning, may seem seem endless by feel and even extremely linear in places, but there are always pauses in between (“Wait two days for Reed to call you”) where it really pays to systematically explore Dogtown on foot. Indeed, the real star of the show is Dogtown. This district stands out quite pleasantly from other parts of Night City with its holistic and interconnected open-world design. It offers players a more seamless and immersive experience that will keep them hooked for hours, due to the amount of things compressed into a small space and the choice of a city within a city of sorts.

Accessing this district is crucial for immersing yourself in the narrative of Phantom Liberty, and yet the DLC is a very varied expansion, since it’s firmly anchored in the main part and already becomes available after completing the Evelyn Parker quest series. You can start this expansion at any time, but I think you should have completed more than half of the main game of “Cyberpunk 2077” to have enough skills, the right chrome and the better weapons.

And yet, it’s new to experience such a really extensive and differently designed expansion in the middle of a main story. You can also leave Dogtown at will, deliver stolen cars outside of Night City, and enjoy shuttling back and forth via fast travel. So you can play parallel for a long time and do both main quests alternatively. Chapeau, the idea is ingenious!

And what else? Dogtown is more than just a district in Night City. It’s a living, breathing part of the city that has its own unique identity and culture, and also enthrones a new head villain in Kurt Hansen. Of course, if you like Apocalypse Now, you’ll immediately get some great head-scratching here with Colonel Walter Kurtz. Visual coincidence? The hidden details and secrets hidden in the streets and buildings make Dogtown not unique but at least remarkable.

It’s a place that honors both the past and the future, while always remaining authentic and unadulterated. Stealth fans will be happy to hear that Phantom Liberty has a strong focus on stealthy approaches. With a number of new weapons and tools designed specifically for stealth, players are encouraged to get creative and outsmart their enemies from the shadows. And this is exactly the approach that should be used when exploring the district.

In Dogtown, then, Stealth Mode is much more than just the art of staying in the shadows. Thoughtful environmental interaction is actually a must. You hide behind objects, use the vertical environment to approach from above, or find secret paths and passages that give you unexpected access to certain areas. Technological tools are, of course, essential in a cyberpunk world. So use hacking skills to disable security systems, distract drones or even temporarily disable enemies. This is a bit more involved, but can be fun.

When it becomes necessary to take out an enemy, the game offers a variety of non-lethal options to do so quietly and efficiently. Thus, in the harsh world of Dogtown, stealth is not only a survival tactic, but also a sign of skill and respect. Those who master the art of stealth are often considered elite, both by the street gangs and by the more powerful factions in Night City. Dogtown offers a deep and complex gameplay experience that requires both strategic thinking and fast reflexes. In a world where information means power and every step is watched, the ability to become invisible is often the key to survival and success.

Of course, you can also shoot, but please do so with consideration. Especially if you are being pursued and shot at by vehicles. But a little tip from an older man can be quite helpful: If no timer is running, stop the vehicle at a suitable place, climb to a higher position on foot and position yourself behind a cover so that you can eliminate the annoying rabble cleverly but consistently. Moped riders, however, you simply push against light poles or traffic light posts (I mean the ones in the game, not the ones in the cabinet). However, if you want to be beautiful, you have to suffer, especially the pixel pushers*outside. That’s why there are, of course, some benchmarks on the next page, although I’ve limited myself to the essentials due to time constraints.

Cyberpunk 2077 (PC)

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gameware.at	lagernd, in 1-3 Werktagen bei dir	38,99 €*Stand: 07.05.24 22:39
	lagernd	51,89 €*Stand: 08.05.24 02:40

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