MagMrMad
Log Status
Completed
Playing
Backlog
Wishlist
Rating
Time Played
10h 0m
Days in Journal
1 day
Last played
May 11, 2024
Platforms Played
This review contains spoilers
In many ways an improvement from the already amazing base game, Phantom Liberty proves that CD Projekt Red can bounce back from the horrific launch of 2077.
While the main game can already be depressing PL decides to drive that point home to the extreme. Dogtown is distinctly different from every other area of Night City, feeling like an active warzone filled with desolate slums and trigger happy goons in every corner. Instead of a personal story about racing against the clock to save yourself, PLs main quest goes in much wilder directions, being a spy thriller with many twists and turns (and PLENTY of betrayal). While a bit of a slow start I generally loved this change and would call the main quest of PL a solid upgrade from the base game, being a much more exhilarating one with phenomenal performances all around (with Idris Elbas Solomon Reed being the best part). The gigs as well are also a suprise improvement, feeling more akin to side jobs that also have lots of branching paths.
Not everything can be good sadly and Phantom Liberty has some pretty obvious shortcomings. The biggest would be its length, with the main quest and most of the gigs being done (I forgot to do 2) only clocking in at around 10 hours. For the massive asking price of 30 dollars I really expected more and to see things fizzle out is massively underwhelming. While the side gigs are great the other side content added is just radiant quest fluff that feels ripped out of Skyrim/Fallout 4, adding nothing interesting to the world and being needless busywork. Lastly, the new skill tree is a cool idea on paper but in execution it doesn't do much, being relegated to mostly cyber ware and only having minor effects that don't change combat too much.
Despite those minor issues I still had a blast returning to Night City and can wholeheartedly recommend picking up Phantom Liberty. Not for full price but on a small discount its easily worth it. CD Projekt Red has done so much to fix 2077 and it makes me hopeful that they've learned from the yearslong shitshow that was Cyberpunk 2077.
9/10
While the main game can already be depressing PL decides to drive that point home to the extreme. Dogtown is distinctly different from every other area of Night City, feeling like an active warzone filled with desolate slums and trigger happy goons in every corner. Instead of a personal story about racing against the clock to save yourself, PLs main quest goes in much wilder directions, being a spy thriller with many twists and turns (and PLENTY of betrayal). While a bit of a slow start I generally loved this change and would call the main quest of PL a solid upgrade from the base game, being a much more exhilarating one with phenomenal performances all around (with Idris Elbas Solomon Reed being the best part). The gigs as well are also a suprise improvement, feeling more akin to side jobs that also have lots of branching paths.
Not everything can be good sadly and Phantom Liberty has some pretty obvious shortcomings. The biggest would be its length, with the main quest and most of the gigs being done (I forgot to do 2) only clocking in at around 10 hours. For the massive asking price of 30 dollars I really expected more and to see things fizzle out is massively underwhelming. While the side gigs are great the other side content added is just radiant quest fluff that feels ripped out of Skyrim/Fallout 4, adding nothing interesting to the world and being needless busywork. Lastly, the new skill tree is a cool idea on paper but in execution it doesn't do much, being relegated to mostly cyber ware and only having minor effects that don't change combat too much.
Despite those minor issues I still had a blast returning to Night City and can wholeheartedly recommend picking up Phantom Liberty. Not for full price but on a small discount its easily worth it. CD Projekt Red has done so much to fix 2077 and it makes me hopeful that they've learned from the yearslong shitshow that was Cyberpunk 2077.
9/10