Diving into Dogtown: Your Guide to Playing Cyberpunk 2077 Before Phantom Liberty
Yes, absolutely you can, and in many ways, should, play Cyberpunk 2077 before diving into the Phantom Liberty expansion. While it’s technically possible to skip straight to Phantom Liberty, experiencing the base game first offers a richer, more nuanced understanding of the world, characters, and story that will significantly enhance your time in Dogtown. Let’s break down why playing the base game first is a smart move, and what you need to know to get the most out of both experiences.
Why Play Cyberpunk 2077 First?
There are several compelling reasons to play the base game before tackling Phantom Liberty:
- Understanding the Lore and Setting: Night City is a complex and dangerous place. The base game provides crucial context for understanding the power structures, factions, and overall atmosphere that permeates every corner of Phantom Liberty. Knowing the key players, like Arasaka and Militech, and the various districts helps you appreciate the expansion’s narrative on a deeper level.
- Character Development and Relationships: You play as V, a customizable mercenary navigating the treacherous world of Night City. The base game allows you to develop V’s skills, build relationships with key characters like Johnny Silverhand, Judy Alvarez, and Panam Palmer, and establish V’s place within the city’s ecosystem. These relationships and character arcs are often referenced and built upon in Phantom Liberty, making the expansion more meaningful if you have that foundation.
- Gameplay Familiarity: Cyberpunk 2077 has a unique gameplay loop that involves combat, hacking, stealth, and exploration. Getting comfortable with these mechanics in the base game will make your transition to Phantom Liberty smoother, allowing you to focus on the new story elements and gameplay additions.
- Experiencing V’s Journey: The main story of Cyberpunk 2077 is a compelling narrative about survival, identity, and the search for a cure to V’s impending demise. Playing through the base game allows you to fully immerse yourself in V’s personal journey, making the choices and consequences in Phantom Liberty feel even more impactful.
- Appreciating the Enhancements: Phantom Liberty and the accompanying 2.0 update introduced significant changes to the game’s mechanics, including revamped skill trees, cyberware systems, and police AI. Playing the base game first allows you to truly appreciate these improvements and see how they enhance the overall experience. You can learn more about video games and their impact on learning and education through resources like the GamesLearningSociety.org.
When to Start Phantom Liberty
While it’s generally recommended to play the base game first, you don’t need to complete it entirely before starting Phantom Liberty. The expansion becomes available after completing the “Transmission” quest in Pacifica, which is roughly halfway through the main storyline. This is a good point to pause the main story and explore Dogtown, as it provides a natural break and allows you to experience a new area and storyline without completely derailing V’s main quest.
Preparing for Dogtown
Before venturing into Phantom Liberty, consider the following:
- Level Up: While the expansion is accessible at a mid-level, being adequately leveled will make the combat encounters less challenging.
- Gear Up: Invest in powerful weapons, cyberware, and quickhacks to give yourself an edge in Dogtown.
- Complete Side Quests: Finish some side quests and gigs to earn extra eddies and experience.
- Explore Pacifica: Get a feel for the Pacifica district, as it sets the stage for the events in Phantom Liberty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need to own Cyberpunk 2077 to play Phantom Liberty?
Yes, you need to own the base game, Cyberpunk 2077, and have it installed to play the Phantom Liberty expansion. The expansion is not a standalone game.
2. Can I start a new game specifically for Phantom Liberty?
Yes, you can choose to skip ahead to the Phantom Liberty content when starting a new game. The game will provide you with a character that’s appropriately leveled and geared for the expansion. However, as previously mentioned, this option means you’ll miss the story content of the base game.
3. Does Phantom Liberty affect the base game ending?
Yes, Phantom Liberty can unlock a new ending for the base game, but it depends on the choices you make within the expansion.
4. What level should I be before starting Phantom Liberty?
While the expansion is accessible after the “Transmission” quest, being around level 20-25 is recommended to handle the challenges in Dogtown.
5. Does Phantom Liberty add new romance options?
No, Phantom Liberty doesn’t add new romance options. However, existing romance partners like Judy, Panam, Kerry, and River have new dialogue and interactions within the expansion.
6. Can I play Phantom Liberty after finishing the main story?
Yes, you can play Phantom Liberty after completing the main story. Loading an endgame save will allow you to access the expansion content.
7. Will V survive Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty?
The outcome of V’s survival depends on the ending you choose in Phantom Liberty, with some endings offering more hopeful prospects than others.
8. How long does it take to beat Phantom Liberty?
The main story of Phantom Liberty takes around 13-14 hours to complete. Completionists can expect to spend around 30 hours exploring all the content.
9. What is the max level in Cyberpunk 2077 after the 2.0 update and Phantom Liberty?
The maximum level in Cyberpunk 2077 after the 2.0 update is 60.
10. What happens if I skip straight to Phantom Liberty?
Skipping straight to Phantom Liberty allows you to experience the new content immediately, but you’ll miss the story and character development of the base game, potentially diminishing the impact of the expansion’s narrative.
11. Should I do Phantom Liberty before or after “Meet Hanako at Embers” quest?
It’s recommended to do Phantom Liberty before the “Meet Hanako at Embers” quest in the main story. This allows you to experience the expansion’s story without locking yourself into the main game’s endgame.
12. Does Phantom Liberty change the police system?
Yes, the 2.0 update, released alongside Phantom Liberty, overhauled the police system, making it more dynamic and challenging. This change affects both the base game and the expansion.
13. What starting lifepath is best for Phantom Liberty?
The choice of lifepath (Nomad, Street Kid, or Corpo) doesn’t significantly impact your experience in Phantom Liberty. Choose the one that appeals to you the most. Nomad is often considered the easiest for new players.
14. Is there a “best” ending in Phantom Liberty?
The “best” ending is subjective and depends on your personal preferences and how you want V’s story to conclude. Each ending has its own unique consequences and implications.
15. What are some good things to do before starting Phantom Liberty?
Focus on leveling up, acquiring powerful gear, completing side quests, and familiarizing yourself with the game’s mechanics. Starting a new save is also a great idea to experience the updated 2.0 features from the beginning.
By taking the time to play through Cyberpunk 2077 before venturing into Phantom Liberty, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the game’s world, characters, and story, ultimately enhancing your overall experience. It’s an investment that pays off in immersion, emotional connection, and a richer understanding of the complex narrative landscape that CD Projekt Red has crafted. Understanding video games and their educational impact can be further understood at the Games Learning Society website.