Confirmed Changes to Phantom Liberty in Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty expansion is more than just a fresh story and map; it brings significant changes to the game's core features. CD Projekt Red is inviting players back to Night City in September 2023 with this spy thriller-themed DLC, featuring a new district called Dogtown, compelling characters like Solomon Reed voiced by Idris Elba, and a deeper exploration of Johnny Silverhand's background. While the new content is exciting, the most noteworthy additions in the Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty expansion are the sweeping updates to the game's core mechanics.

CD Projekt Red has a history of creating expansions that introduce substantial updates to their games. In the case of The Witcher 3, DLCs brought new skills and locations, while a free next-gen update enhanced graphics and added various improvements. Similarly, Phantom Liberty expands on Cyberpunk 2077's skill trees and cybernetics.

The expansion revolutionizes the game's cybernetics by tying armor to the character's cyberware instead of clothing. This change allows players to wear any outfit without sacrificing defensive capabilities. Moreover, cyberware in Phantom Liberty introduces risk, as adding too much cyberware comes with health penalties and debuffs. This feature may also be integrated into the main game, challenging players to be more strategic in augmenting their characters.

Phantom Liberty also brings significant changes to Cyberpunk 2077's skill trees, emphasizing active effects over passive percentages. Preview footage showcases new skills that enable players to deflect melee weapons, perform midair dashes, and engage in more dynamic combat. The expansion introduces Relics, upgrades for cyberware, and expands the skill slot system. In addition, the game's police system receives improvements, making authorities more aggressive in pursuing players who commit crimes. High notoriety triggers the pursuit of Night City's elite task force, MaxTac, posing a challenge even to highly cybernetic characters. Vehicle combat is also introduced, allowing players to engage in car chases and utilize mounted weapons.

Alongside these gameplay enhancements, CD Projekt Red addresses loot progression, difficulty curve, NPC behavior, and other quality-of-life improvements. The Phantom Liberty expansion aims to address some of the concerns players had with the game's initial release, providing a more polished and enticing experience that may entice players to give Cyberpunk 2077 another chance.