Warning: Minor Spoilers Ahead for Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom LibertyCyberpunk 2077 was once known for being riddled with glitches, suffering from one of the worst launches any AAA title has seen in quite some time. Luckily, CD Projekt Red decided it would be best to improve the state that Cyberpunk 2077 was shipped in, and now the large 2.0 update has changed the game to better represent what CP2077 was meant to play like three years ago just in time for its DLC expansion, Phantom Liberty.
The expansion serves as standalone side content to CP2077's main story and functions as a spy-thriller epic that features undercover work, plenty of side quests, and a story with a brand-new district full of life and fleshed out characters to explore. Though it seemingly takes the same steps as general action RPGs do, it surprises players when Solomon Reed, played by Idris Elba, enters the picture.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty's Solomon Reed Knows How to Make an Entrance
Cyberpunk 2077's DLC certainly comes out swinging when it first starts, as a meeting with Songbird makes it very clear what the stakes are and players also interact face-to-face with the New United States' president, Rosalind Myers, as they save her from a wreckage. Shortly after, players will need to defeat a Chimera boss as the first real threat that Phantom Liberty has to offer in a climactic sequence that sets up exactly what to expect out of the expansion's story.
However, once the first part of saving Myers is finished, the game falls into a familiar lull that Cyberpunk 2077 players will most likely already be used to. This may lure some fans into a sense of security, thinking they'll understand exactly what Phantom Liberty has to offer. All players need to do is keep President Myers safe as an FIA agent and save Songbird. Myers quickly brings in some help onto the job in the form of Solomon Reed, but how he makes himself known makes it very clear that the DLC won't be as easy as fans may be made to believe.
Players' first inclination that something isn't quite right is how Relic engram Johnny Silverhand voices his disproval and bad vibes about the situation at large. Then, in the middle of V and Johnny's conversation, V is grabbed and interrogated by Reed from behind. Each question Reed asks is up in the air as fans get to decide while a gun is pointed at V's gut. Once V manages to pass Reed's hazing, he agrees to work as Myers' new agent.
Considering just how interruptive Reed suddenly coming up from behind V is, despite agreeing to meet at that location over the phone, it may serve as a great sign to players that Phantom Liberty still won't be as simple as fans think it is after players have helped President Myers get to a safe, secure location. While it may seem to revolve around Myers at first, the expansion is about Songbird, and what happened to her after hacking into the Chimera bot. Subverting expectations with Reed's unique introduction is a good way to set the stage for what follows in the expansion.
It may be best that Reed breaks the illusion of security players fall into at first, because the story behind Phantom Liberty is far from simple. The DLC presents a story of betrayal, honor, and a troubled history that goes far deeper than players might expect. With that, on top of Cyberpunk 2077's new perks, cyberware stats, and other important gameplay improvements, CDPR has pulled out all the stops to make sure both Night City and Dogtown shine, no matter how corrupted both locations may be deep down.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is available now for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
