The upcoming Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty DLC will add a new risk/reward system to V’s cyberware enhancements that seems very similar to cyberpsychosis. In the world of Cyberpunk 2077, aspiring netrunners can augment their bodies with cybernetic limbs and other devices to gain enhanced abilities - but it can come with a deadly cost. Users who implant too much cyberware can suffer from a condition called cyberpsychosis, which negatively affects their minds and can result in them eventually becoming mindless killing machines.
The cost of using too many cyber upgrades is a major part of Cyberpunk’s lore, and one of Cyberpunk 2077’s sidequests has protagonist V track down various “cyberpsychos” on behalf of Regina Jones. However, V themselves is never negatively affected by whatever cyberware the player chooses to equip in Cyberpunk 2077. Many players have added cyberpsychosis to the game through mods - but the base Cyberpunk 2077 seemingly lets players chrome V up from head to toe without any consequences even with cyberpsychos being a recurring threat in the world around them.
That is going to change once Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty launches this September. In a recent interview with VGC, creative director Pawel Sasko revealed that several of Cyberpunk 2077’s core mechanics are being overhauled - and a new risk system is being implemented for cyberware. While this system isn’t quite the same as cyberpsychosis, Sasko says that players will only be able to equip so much cyberware at a time. A new Edgerunners perk will allow V to surpass this limit, but at the cost of penalties like health debuffs. During the interview, Sasko explained that this system is “all about this balance between risk and reward.”
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty will do more than add a new storyline to CD Projekt Red’s once-divisive first-person RPG, as the developer has promised several improvements to the base game. These include revamped AI for enemies, new skill trees, and even vehicular combat. Completing Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty also unlocks a new ending for V and Johnny Silverhand, one that will likely be connected to their new adventure with Idris Elba’s mysterious Solomon Reed.
It isn’t entirely clear how Phantom Liberty’s new cyberware risk system will play out yet, but a glimpse of it can be seen when V appears to lose control during the latest Phantom Liberty trailer. While it might not be true cyberpsychosis, fans of Cyberpunk 2077 will soon get a taste of what it’s like for netrunners who risk equipping too much chrome this fall.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty launches on September 26, 2023 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: VCG
