From Night City to Espionage: A Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Review Cyberpunk 2077 has been on quite the journey.

Cyberpunk 2077 has been on quite the journey. Launching in a state that’s best described as “problematic,” CD Projekt Red has been working tirelessly to not only fix the game but to elevate it to the experience we were all promised. Phantom Liberty, the game's ambitious expansion, aims to do just that, plunging V into the shadowy world of espionage within the walled district of Dogtown. Does it succeed? For the most part, yes. Let's dive into the chrome, combustion, and clandestine dealings that define Phantom Liberty.

Gameplay & Mechanics (Chrome & Combustion)

Phantom Liberty brings significant overhauls to Cyberpunk 2077's core gameplay, most notably with its revamped cyberware system and the introduction of vehicle combat.

Sandevistan Reimagined

The Sandevistan cyberware, a fan-favorite time-manipulation tool, has received a significant facelift. Previously, it was a straightforward slowdown effect. Now, it’s more strategic and nuanced, requiring a tactical approach to maximize its potential. Instead of just slowing down time, the new Sandevistan often involves active abilities like dodging to trigger time dilation or performing specific actions to extend its duration. This brings it closer to the feeling of Max Payne's bullet time or Control's strategic ability usage. The Sandevistan is now tied more deeply to your character build, forcing you to make meaningful choices about how you want to use it in combat. It encourages a faster, more reactive playstyle, rewarding players who can master its intricacies.

Vehicle Combat: Night City Burnout

Phantom Liberty introduces fully-fledged vehicle combat to Night City. No longer are cars just a means of transportation; they're now weaponized extensions of V's arsenal. The weight and feel of vehicles have been tweaked, giving them a more arcade-like sensibility reminiscent of Burnout or even the vehicular mayhem of Mad Max. Drifting around corners while blasting away at pursuers feels incredibly satisfying.

The integration into the existing gameplay loop is surprisingly smooth. Missions now frequently involve car chases, ambushes, and high-speed escapes. The weapon variety is commendable, ranging from mounted machine guns to missile launchers, and customization options allow you to tailor your ride to your preferred combat style. The destructibility of vehicles and the environment adds another layer of immersion, making chases feel dynamic and chaotic. Seeing enemy vehicles explode in a shower of sparks, or smashing through market stalls while evading gunfire, is pure, unadulterated fun.

Narrative Analysis (Agent Provocateur)

Phantom Liberty's narrative shifts gears, trading the open-world crime saga of the base game for a more focused spy thriller narrative.

Solomon Reed: A New Kind of Agent

Idris Elba’s portrayal of Solomon Reed is a masterclass in understated intensity. Reed is a veteran FIA agent, a ghost in the machine, and a far cry from the suave charm of James Bond or the brutal efficiency of Jason Bourne. He’s world-weary, morally ambiguous, and driven by a deep-seated sense of duty, even if that duty often clashes with his conscience. Elba's performance adds significant weight to the narrative, providing a compelling counterpoint to V’s more impulsive nature. His motivations are complex, and his methods are often ethically questionable, forcing V (and the player) to make difficult choices with far-reaching consequences.

Spy Games in Dogtown

Phantom Liberty embraces spy thriller tropes with open arms. Double-crosses, secret identities, ticking-clock scenarios, and betrayals are all present and accounted for. The narrative structure is tight and focused, keeping you on the edge of your seat as you navigate the treacherous political landscape of Dogtown. The quality of the dialogue is consistently high, and the voice acting, especially Elba's, is exceptional. The story is paced well, offering moments of intense action interspersed with quieter, more introspective scenes that delve into the characters' motivations and relationships.

Graphics (Neon Realism)

Cyberpunk 2077 was already a visually stunning game, but Phantom Liberty, coupled with Update 2.0, pushes the boundaries even further, especially with the introduction of Overdrive Mode.

Overdrive Mode: Path-Traced Perfection

Overdrive Mode is a game-changer, implementing full path tracing to create a level of visual fidelity rarely seen in gaming. Neon signs reflect realistically on rain-slicked streets, creating breathtaking vistas. The subtle differences in lighting between interior and exterior environments add depth and realism to the world. It's a noticeable leap from even the impressive ray tracing implementations in games like Alan Wake 2 or Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition. The reflections, in particular, are incredible, adding a layer of realism that significantly enhances immersion.

Performance Hit & Scalability

Of course, such visual fidelity comes at a cost. Overdrive Mode is incredibly demanding, requiring a high-end GPU to run smoothly. Performance will vary depending on your hardware configuration, but even with a powerful card, you may need to make some compromises with resolution and ray tracing settings. DLSS or XeSS become essential for maintaining playable frame rates. However, even with some settings dialed back, the visual improvements are undeniable.

PC Performance (Underdog Advantage)

Here's where things get interesting for those rocking Intel Arc GPUs.

XeSS to the Rescue: Intel Arc Performance

Phantom Liberty offers a fantastic opportunity to showcase Intel's XeSS upscaling technology. On Arc A750 and A770 cards, XeSS can significantly boost performance without sacrificing too much visual quality. Testing was conducted with Resizable BAR enabled to ensure optimal performance.

Here's a rough breakdown of expected performance at different resolutions:

• 1080p: With XeSS set to Ultra Quality or Quality, the Arc A770 can deliver a smooth experience, often exceeding 60fps in less demanding areas. The A750 will likely require Balanced or Performance mode to maintain similar framerates.
• 1440p: Expect to use Balanced or Performance mode on both the A770 and A750 to achieve playable framerates (30-60fps).
• 4K: Even with XeSS set to Performance, hitting a consistent 30fps at 4K will be challenging on these cards. Consider lowering other settings to improve performance.

XeSS vs. DLSS & FSR

In terms of visual quality, XeSS holds its own against DLSS and FSR, though some minor differences are noticeable upon close inspection. XeSS sometimes exhibits slightly more shimmering or ghosting artifacts, but these are generally imperceptible during normal gameplay. The performance gains, however, are significant, making it a viable option for gamers on Intel Arc hardware.

Driver Stability & Optimization

Driver stability has improved significantly since the launch of Arc GPUs, but occasional hiccups may still occur. Be sure to keep your drivers updated to the latest version for the best possible experience. CD Projekt Red has also been actively optimizing Cyberpunk 2077 for Intel Arc, so expect further performance improvements in future patches.

Overall Experience (From RPG to Thriller)

Phantom Liberty represents a significant step forward in CD Projekt Red’s ongoing efforts to rehabilitate Cyberpunk 2077. It addresses many of the base game's shortcomings, offering a more focused and engaging experience. The shift in genre towards a spy thriller works surprisingly well, adding a new layer of intrigue and suspense to Night City. It's reminiscent of the gritty realism of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy but with a cyberpunk twist.

The Verdict

So, is Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty worth buying? For most PC gaming enthusiasts, especially those who enjoy well-designed games, compelling narratives, and pushing their hardware to the limit, the answer is a resounding yes. The overhauled cyberware system, thrilling vehicle combat, captivating spy thriller story, and stunning visuals make it a must-play. Even if you were disappointed with the base game, Phantom Liberty offers a fresh and improved experience that’s well worth your time and investment. However, if you are very sensitive to performance issues, be prepared to tweak settings to optimize performance.