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Should I Finish the Cyberpunk 2077 Main Story Before Phantom Liberty? The Definitive Answer

Alright, choombas, let’s cut straight to the chrome. You’re staring down the barrel of Phantom Liberty, the spy-thriller expansion for Cyberpunk 2077, and the big question looms: should you finish the main story before diving in? The short answer is: it depends, but generally, YES.

While Phantom Liberty is designed to be accessible at various points in the main storyline, experiencing it AFTER completing, or at least progressing significantly through, the main game’s arcs will provide a richer, more impactful, and emotionally resonant experience. Think of it as dessert – amazing on its own, but even better after a satisfying meal. Here’s why.

Narrative Context: Phantom Liberty isn’t a separate side story; it interweaves with the main narrative in meaningful ways. Knowing the background, the stakes, and the characters involved in V’s core predicament adds layers of understanding and appreciation to the expansion’s plot. You’ll better grasp the weight of V’s choices and the potential consequences they face.
Character Development: You’ve spent potentially hundreds of hours forging relationships with key characters like Johnny Silverhand, Panam Palmer, Judy Alvarez, and Kerry Eurodyne. Understanding their motivations, histories, and your own impact on their lives significantly enhances your connection to the choices presented in Phantom Liberty. Skipping ahead deprives you of this crucial emotional foundation.
Mechanical Understanding: By completing (or nearly completing) the main story, you’ll have a solid grasp of Cyberpunk 2077’s gameplay mechanics, including combat, hacking, crafting, and exploration. Phantom Liberty throws new challenges your way, and being well-versed in the fundamentals will make your experience far smoother and more enjoyable.
Endings and Choices: Phantom Liberty introduces a brand new ending to Cyberpunk 2077. This ending becomes another possibility after the endings of the main game are unlocked and experienced. Without this, the new ending may lose some of its meaning.

However, there’s a caveat. If you’ve started Cyberpunk 2077, got bogged down, and never finished it, but you really want to play Phantom Liberty, you can jump in. CD Projekt Red has designed the expansion to accommodate this. You can create a new character and start from a point in the main story that allows access to Dogtown, the expansion’s primary location. But be aware you will be missing critical elements of V’s story.

Ultimately, the decision is yours. But, if you can, finish the main story (or at least get close) before tackling Phantom Liberty. You’ll thank yourself later.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Playing Phantom Liberty

1. When Can I Start Phantom Liberty?

You can access Phantom Liberty after completing the “Transmission” quest in the main storyline, which is roughly halfway through Act Two. This triggers a call from Songbird and unlocks the Dogtown area on your map.

2. What Level Should I Be to Play Phantom Liberty?

While you can start Phantom Liberty at a lower level, it’s recommended to be at least level 20-25. The enemies in Dogtown are tougher than those in the early game, and you’ll need decent skills and gear to survive. Consider maxing out your cyberware capacity.

3. Will Phantom Liberty Spoil the Main Story?

Yes and no. It can spoil certain elements of the main story, especially concerning V’s condition and the potential solutions. Playing Phantom Liberty before the main story will reveal aspects of the main quest that might be more impactful if experienced organically through the main storyline.

4. Can I Play Phantom Liberty After Beating the Main Game?

Absolutely! In fact, this is arguably the optimal way to experience the expansion. You’ll carry over your character progression, skills, and gear, making you well-equipped to handle the challenges of Dogtown. Plus, you’ll have the added context of V’s journey.

5. Does Phantom Liberty Affect the Main Game’s Endings?

Yes! Phantom Liberty adds a completely new ending to Cyberpunk 2077. This ending is a significant addition to the base game, and its availability depends on the choices you make within the expansion’s storyline.

6. Should I Respec My Character Before Starting Phantom Liberty?

It depends on your build. Phantom Liberty introduces a revamped perk system, allowing you to respec your character’s attributes and perks. Consider experimenting with new builds and synergies to maximize your effectiveness in Dogtown.

7. Will My Choices in the Main Game Affect Phantom Liberty?

To a degree. While Phantom Liberty has its own self-contained storyline and choices, certain aspects of your character’s background, relationships, and choices in the main game can have minor impacts on dialogue and interactions within the expansion.

8. What New Features Does Phantom Liberty Add?

Dogtown: A brand-new district in Night City, ruled by Kurt Hansen.
New Characters: Including Solomon Reed (played by Idris Elba) and Songbird.
Revamped Perk System: Allowing for more build diversity and specialization.
New Weapons and Cyberware: To enhance your combat capabilities.
Vehicle Combat: Engage in high-octane car chases and shootouts.
Increased Level Cap: Allowing you to further develop your character.
New Ending: A completely new finale to Cyberpunk 2077.

9. Is Phantom Liberty Worth Buying?

For fans of Cyberpunk 2077, the consensus is a resounding yes. Phantom Liberty is a significant expansion that adds hours of compelling content, improves core gameplay mechanics, and expands the world of Night City in exciting ways.

10. How Long Does It Take to Beat Phantom Liberty?

Phantom Liberty‘s main storyline takes approximately 15-20 hours to complete. However, with side quests and exploration, you can easily spend 30+ hours in Dogtown.

11. Can I Play Phantom Liberty on Older Generation Consoles?

Unfortunately, no. Phantom Liberty is only available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. It is not supported on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One due to technical limitations.

12. Does Phantom Liberty Fix All of Cyberpunk 2077’s Problems?

While Phantom Liberty significantly improves the overall Cyberpunk 2077 experience, it’s not a complete overhaul. It addresses many of the game’s initial shortcomings, such as AI improvements and gameplay enhancements, but some issues may still persist.

13. What Happens if I Start Phantom Liberty and Don’t Like It?

You can simply return to the main game’s storyline and continue where you left off. Phantom Liberty is designed to be a separate experience that doesn’t lock you out of the core game.

14. Is Phantom Liberty Educational?

While primarily entertainment, Cyberpunk 2077 and Phantom Liberty can spark discussions about transhumanism, societal inequality, corporate power, and the ethical implications of technology. Organizations like the Games Learning Society, found at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, explore the potential of games as tools for learning and critical thinking. GamesLearningSociety.org acknowledges the value of video games in improving and understanding the world we live in.

15. What’s the Best Way to Prepare for Phantom Liberty?

Finish (or nearly finish) the main storyline.
Reach level 20-25.
Experiment with different character builds.
Gather powerful weapons and cyberware.
Familiarize yourself with the updated perk system.
Get ready for a thrilling spy-thriller adventure!

So, there you have it, choombas. The choice is yours, but going in prepared and with the context of the main story under your belt will make your Phantom Liberty experience all the more memorable and impactful. Now get out there and make Night City (and Dogtown) your own!

Should I finish the main story before Phantom Liberty?