Cyberpunk 2077 might have revealed its secrets, but there's more in the universe to explore. While a Cyberpunk 2077 sequel has been confirmed, many fans of the franchise are looking forward to playing Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, the only DLC in development for the game. While little is known about the upcoming expansion, Cyberpunk developer CD Projekt Red has confirmed that Phantom Liberty will feature a brand-new story and a vastly expanded map of Night City. Among the new spy-thriller storyline featuring V and Johnny Silverhand, the new Pacifica Combat Zone location many unveil elite and dangerous Cyberpsychos.
From Maelstrom to The Animals, Cyberpunk 2077 is packed with tasks to fulfill and enemies to defeat. One of the most distinct aspects of the RPG is the advent of "Cyberpsycho Sighting" missions. While working with Watson fixer Regina Jones, V can face off against a series of individuals across Night City who have become violent and destructive due to their advanced cyberpsychosis. Many of these missions provide distinct and often challenging gameplay, giving the players a sense of danger and strategy not always present in Cyberpunk 2077. Hopefully, any additional "Cyberpsycho Sighting" missions in Phantom Liberty will involve elite Cyberpsychos.
Phantom Liberty's Pacifica Combat Zone Is Perfect for Cyberpsycho Missions
According to Phantom Liberty development rumors, the DLC may introduce an entirely new area of the Pacifica district to explore. While the Pacifica district has already become a lawless and dangerous place to live in Cyberpunk 2077, players have not yet been able to enter the walled-off Pacifica Combat Zone. This area of southwestern Night City was intended to be a high-end tourist destination. Unfortunately, the Unification War between the government of the New United States and the "Free States" halted development. This area of Pacifica was soon inhabited by gangs and the poorest Night City residents, ultimately becoming a brutal and anarchistic combat zone.
Some Cyberpunk 2077 players may be unaware that the Pacifica Combat Zone did not become a dangerous epicenter of urban blight on its own. While exploring Pacifica in Cyberpunk 2077 certain NPCS can be overheard telling rumors about how the NCPD uses the Combat Zone as an area to dispose of dangerous criminals and Cyberpsychos. If Phantom Liberty establishes these in-game rumors as canon, then there's ample possibility that V will run into these people during the DLC. Phantom Liberty can introduce more challenging and strategic combat by using these elite criminals and Cyberpsychos for new "Cyberpsycho Sighting" missions.
How Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Can Elevate Cyberpsycho Gameplay
If Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty does decide to factor in the dangerous criminals and Cyberpsychos living in the Pacifica Combat Zone, it will be interesting to see how they will be used in gameplay. For instance, while V receives Regina's help in tracking down Cyberpsychos, there's a chance that while in the Combat Zone, V will stumble into challenging combat on their own. There are a few ways that Phantom Liberty can level up combat and infuse more strategy and variability when it comes to Cyberpsycho encounters.
Sedating Elite Cyberpsychos in Phantom Liberty could emphasize strategy over brute force more. For instance, some Cyberpsychos could have cyberware and weapons unavailable outside the Pacifica Combat Zone, forcing players to adapt their approach. Another approach could be giving elite Cyberpsychos more advanced combat AI mechanics, allowing them to behave like another player character. One way to provide Phantom Liberty with a unique approach to Cyberpsycho combat could be turning each encounter into a multi-stage fight. In this way, a battle could be elevated based on the side effects of Cyberpsychosis canon in the franchise.
Cyberpunk 2077 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
