The saga that began after its release continues to unfold. The first and final DLC, Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty, is set for September 26, 2023, with a major patch arriving a week earlier. Version 2.0 was designed to reflect the original vision more closely. The team has tested the changes and prepared answers to the big questions: should players replay the game and does the update deliver genuinely fresh experiences?
“Cyberpunk” remains a constant
Starting with the drawbacks, bugs persist. Even three years after launch, some quirks remain as if the setting still needs polishing. Minor issues include NPCs floating and vehicles behaving oddly, while more substantial problems involve gaps around quest vehicles, strange artifacts near models and UI icons. When a car accelerates, ghost car outlines may appear beside the bodywork. Similar visuals sometimes appear next to equipment icons. A restart does not always fix these problems.
All eyes are on the blue icons below. Transport quirks can appear, even a cactus on the hood makes an appearance in a joke of glitches.
Meanwhile, the PC version demonstrates the most striking graphical improvements thanks to DLSS 3.5, which helps boost frame rates and enrich ray tracing. The aim was not to go into technical depth but to show how visuals can become noticeably nicer on capable hardware.
Consoles do not receive every enhancement. Lighting and shadows have been adjusted there as well, yet the cinematic feel tends to be a PC privilege. Textures hover around similar levels. In tight indoor spaces with neon reflections, Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 still leaves a strong impression on consoles, deserving recognition for the effort.
What is visible on PC is not always mirrored on PS5. The console version sometimes lags in dynamism while still offering improved lighting in many scenes.
Driving remains roughly the same. Only motorcycles feel comfortable on consoles; cars still struggle with control. The new features such as interior photography and programming add variety, but the old driving annoyances linger. Crowds and traffic density have risen, yet pedestrians often ignore V and even law enforcement shows muted responses. With that said, the discussion moves to the positives.
Will players dive into Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty
Time to set the city alight
The police system finally feels expanded. A pursuit mechanic borrowed from popular open world games allows a star system to escalate as misbehavior continues. Some caveats remain. Local law enforcement can be hesitant to engage aggressively, and rapid acceleration can erase a wanted level quickly in some cases.
As the chaos grows, a dramatic option appears: helicopters bring cyber forces armed with heavy implants. At that point V, at higher levels, faces a tougher resistance and tougher choices than ever before.
Chasing officers becomes more interesting because V can shoot from vehicles without issue. A series of new netrunner abilities lets players influence other cars, including self-destruct triggers or sudden stops.
Driving remains challenging, but the added programming tools for other vehicles raise the stakes. Enemies also adapt, employing smarter tactics. Stealth, once straightforward, now requires more precision as opponents become more alert. Location tracking can still be reliable, but quick interruptions and wall scripting remain limited. The stealth balance is debated, with some players noting the need for further tuning in the line between detection and evasion.
Taking photographs continues to be rewarding. The impact of weapon choices is clearer, and melee combat receives a notable focus. V gains new dash maneuvers that increase mobility and lethality, even midair.
The overall revamp tightens many systems. Each progression branch now aligns more tightly with weapon types, promoting clear specialization. Readers may find themselves choosing a path that prioritizes advanced netrunning or brute-force strength, depending on preferred playstyle. New constraints push players to plan builds with intention.
Character attributes now have distinct levels: beginner, proficient, expert, and master. Advancing requires more points, which reshapes how players assemble builds. The higher echelons promise access to powerful skills, but points become scarcer, nudging players toward broader experimentation. The hope is that Phantom Liberty will raise the cap and allow more expansive development paths beyond the base game, addressing prior limitations.
Implants also get a rethink. Load limits adjust with skills and augmentations, and multiple hardware components can be installed on various body parts at once. Some skills increase their capacity, while a maximum load warning may appear, though it rarely caused real trouble during extended play.
Fixer missions have evolved, with some tasks remaining quick runs for tokens or items and others presenting livelier client scenarios. Despite rough edges, Cyberpunk 2077 is in strong shape. For new visitors, Night City now serves as a compelling destination, while longtime players can rediscover the experience through refreshed systems. Those who have completed the campaign may not need a full replay, yet the changes offer fresh avenues to explore once Phantom Liberty expands the level cap and adds new skills.
What is your take on the new Cyberpunk 2077 version
Notes reflect a contemporary assessment of the update and its features.
Source: VG Times