Get ready, choombas, because Night City is about to undergo a transformation like never before. While the anticipation for the upcoming “Phantom Liberty” expansion is real, the real talk of the town is the colossal “Update 2.0” that’s rolling in alongside it. CD Projekt Red has been dropping hints about their grand overhaul of Cyberpunk 2077’s mechanics since the Summer Game Fest, but it was during the recent Opening Night Live stream that we got our first thrilling glimpse of the monumental Update 2.0, as well as the mind-blowing content from the Phantom Liberty expansion.
The streets of Night City are about to witness a revolution, and it all starts with the revamp of the skill trees. No more minuscule percentage upgrades, choombas—get ready for new perks that are tailor-made to complement various playstyles. The trailer gave us a tantalizing peek at the action: deflecting bullets with katanas, executing opponents with melee weapons in new ways, an airborne dash for those breathtaking maneuvers, superhuman strength to toss enemies aside, and a sleek revolver skill that’s reminiscent of Cassidy’s Deadeye ultimate ability.
These fresh perks, set to integrate into the core Cyberpunk experience, are just the beginning. Phantom Liberty owners are in for a treat with a whole new set of “Relic” abilities. But let’s be real, these abilities are borderline overpowered—imagine Mantis Blades allowing you to pounce on targets like a Hunter from Left 4 Dead or Gorilla Arms turning your fists into gravity-defying hammers.
Now, if you’ve been pondering whether to dust off your old character or start anew before the Phantom Liberty explosion, I’m here to tell you: a clean slate might just be the right call. While it seems you can adapt your existing character to the new perk trees, the skills are so distinct that gradually unlocking them might just make for a more satisfying journey.
But wait, there’s more! Update 2.0 isn’t just about a skill tree revamp. Imagine taking the chaotic streets to a whole new level with car combat. V can now wield firearms while behind the wheel, hack rival vehicles a la Watch Dogs to send them into chaos, and guess what—some cars are now packing serious heat themselves (although that might be more of a Phantom Liberty exclusive). And don’t think you can evade the law so easily, as the revamped NCPD AI is stepping up its game, chasing you down, setting traps, and doing its best to run you off the road. Say goodbye to those surprise cop ambushes—CDPR is leveling up!
Don’t get me wrong, Update 2.0 is impressive, but the siren call of the Phantom Liberty expansion is hard to resist. Prepare for a taste of freedom around the middle of the main story, where you’ll gain access to this exciting new content. Just be sure to explore before you venture too far into the story, because rumor has it that Dogtown is where the real treasures lie—new clothing, weapons, cyberware, and more await your discovery.
Having had a taste of Phantom Liberty at Summer Game Fest, I’m stoked to reveal that the new district, Dogtown, is ingeniously attached to the underused Pacifica region of Night City. While the expansion’s length remains a mystery, my 90-minute demo hinted at a standalone narrative akin to The Witcher 3’s beloved Blood and Wine expansion.
Gear up, Night City denizens! Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty drops on September 26, and the future’s looking brighter (and deadlier) than ever before.
