Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Review
Let’s be honest — when Cyberpunk 2077 first dropped, it was chaos. I remember being hyped for years, only to see the internet explode with bug compilations and broken promises. But here we are, years later, and the game has finally become what it was always meant to be.
The Phantom Liberty DLC, combined with version 2.0, transforms Cyberpunk 2077 into one of the best open-world RPG experiences out there. This isn’t just a side expansion — it feels like the final form of Night City.
Not Just a DLC – A Full Evolution of Cyberpunk
What makes Phantom Liberty so good is how seamlessly it integrates into the base game. It doesn’t isolate you in some “DLC-only” zone. Instead, you jump between the new area, Dogtown, and the rest of Night City without any loading walls or restrictions.
You can run a main mission in Dogtown, finish it, and instantly hop back to side gigs or storylines from the base game. It all connects perfectly. And that’s the beauty of it — this expansion doesn’t just add new content; it enhances the entire Cyberpunk experience.
Dogtown: Welcome to the Underbelly
Early in the DLC, V sneaks into Dogtown — a closed-off, dangerous part of Night City — and loses connection with Johnny Silverhand (yeah, Keanu Reeves). For a while, it feels like you’ve entered a completely new game.
Dogtown is gritty, packed with tension, and filled with new characters that feel alive. From Idris Elba’s Solomon Reed, a morally complex spy, to smaller NPCs with their own twisted stories, this expansion dives deep into the espionage and betrayal theme.
If the base game was all about chaos and rebellion, Phantom Liberty is a high-stakes spy thriller set in the same broken future — and it works beautifully.
A New Story That Actually Matters
The story hits harder this time. Decisions feel heavier. There are new alternate endings for the main game, giving you more control over V’s fate. That’s something rare in expansions — it doesn’t just add on, it reshapes how you see the whole game.
The dialogue and performances are top-tier. Every conversation feels cinematic, with emotional weight and real consequences. Idris Elba absolutely kills it as Solomon Reed — easily one of the best performances I’ve seen in a game.
Cyberpunk 2.0 – Finally Worthy of Its Name
When you combine the free 2.0 update with Phantom Liberty, the result is unreal.
Combat feels faster and smoother. The new skill tree system actually matters. Police AI finally works. Cars handle better. And the world feels alive in a way it never did before.
It honestly feels like CD Projekt Red went back, rebuilt the entire core of the game, and said: “Let’s do this right.”
If this version had been the launch version in 2020, Cyberpunk 2077 would’ve been an instant classic. But even coming late, it still deserves that title now.
Final Thoughts – The Redemption of Night City
Phantom Liberty isn’t just a DLC — it’s redemption.
It takes everything that made Cyberpunk 2077 special, fixes what didn’t work, and builds something even better. The story, the characters, the mechanics — everything just clicks.
For me, this is the version that finally delivers on the promise we were sold years ago.
If you ever loved the idea of Cyberpunk 2077 (read the base game review here) but walked away disappointed, this is the moment to come back.
Because now, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty isn’t just a good DLC — it’s a masterpiece.
Rating: 5/5
Platform: PS5
Expansion: Phantom Liberty + Update 2.0