Overview
Cyberpunk 2077 had one of the most troubled launches in gaming history. But after years of patches, updates, and the release of the Phantom Liberty expansion, the game has transformed into something genuinely remarkable. This review covers the full experience as it stands today — base game and expansion combined.
Story and Writing
Phantom Liberty introduces Dogtown, a new district sealed off from the rest of Night City and governed by its own brutal warlord. The story casts V as a spy for the New United States of America, working alongside a FIA agent named Solomon Reed (voiced masterfully by Idris Elba) and the legendary cyberpunk icon, Johnny Silverhand.
The narrative is a tightly written espionage thriller — a departure from the main game's more personal story. Choices genuinely matter here. Multiple endings with vastly different outcomes make replaying worthwhile, and the writing is some of the best in recent RPG history.
Gameplay and Combat
The 2.0 update (released alongside Phantom Liberty) overhauled almost every major system:
- Skill Trees — Completely redesigned, offering more meaningful build differentiation.
- Cyberware — Now tied to a RAM system that limits how much cybernetic enhancement you can equip, encouraging build planning.
- Stealth — Vastly improved AI makes stealth runs feel satisfying and deliberate.
- Vehicle Combat — You can now engage enemies from vehicles, adding a new dimension to open-world combat.
Combat feels fluid and creative. Whether you prefer a netrunner hacking enemies from afar, a blade-wielding street samurai, or a gun-toting nomad, each playstyle is well-supported.
Visuals and Performance
On a capable PC, Cyberpunk 2077 is arguably the best-looking game available. With ray tracing and path tracing enabled, Night City looks breathtakingly real. The Dogtown district adds grunge-soaked alleyways, collapsing stadiums, and neon-lit markets that are visually distinct from the rest of the city.
Performance has improved dramatically since launch. On modern mid-range hardware with DLSS or FSR enabled, the game runs well at 1080p and 1440p. VRAM-heavy ray tracing modes still demand high-end GPUs.
What Could Be Better
- Some side quests feel disconnected from the main narrative.
- Dogtown, while visually stunning, is smaller than Night City's other districts.
- NPC AI outside of combat remains relatively shallow.
Verdict
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Story & Writing | 9.5/10 |
| Gameplay & Combat | 8.5/10 |
| Visuals | 10/10 |
| Performance (PC) | 8/10 |
| Value | 9/10 |
Cyberpunk 2077 with Phantom Liberty is a must-play for any PC gamer. The combination of stunning visuals, deep storytelling, and overhauled gameplay systems makes it a genuine contender for one of the best RPGs of its generation. If you passed on it at launch, now is absolutely the time to dive in.
Overall Score: 9/10