When Can You Access Phantom Liberty? A Comprehensive Guide
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The highly anticipated Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty expansion is a significant addition to the game, offering a new storyline, characters, and location. Understanding when you can jump into this content is crucial for planning your gameplay experience. The most straightforward answer is: you can begin Phantom Liberty after completing the main story mission called “Transmission”. This mission concludes your dealings with the Voodoo Boys in Pacifica, and occurs early in Act 2 of the main game. Following your conversation with Johnny Silverhand after crossing the Blackwall during “Transmission,” you’ll receive the pivotal phone call that kicks off the Phantom Liberty DLC. However, there is also the option to immediately dive into the expansion, should you choose to forgo the base game experience for the time being.
How to Start Phantom Liberty
There are two primary ways to access Phantom Liberty:
1. Through Normal Game Progression
As mentioned previously, the traditional route involves playing through the main Cyberpunk 2077 story until you complete “Transmission.” This ensures you’ve experienced the initial part of the game, built your character, and gained a better understanding of the world before venturing into Dogtown, the new area featured in the expansion. This route begins the DLC with you playing as the character you have created throughout the main story of the game. This is the method most recommended for experiencing the full narrative.
2. Skip Ahead to Phantom Liberty
For those eager to get straight into the new content or those who have already completed the base game, Cyberpunk 2077 offers the option to “Skip Ahead to Phantom Liberty” when starting a new game. This lets you jump directly into the expansion, bypassing the early parts of the main campaign. While convenient, it means missing the opening sections of Cyberpunk 2077. This allows players to dive into the new content with a pre-made V. When utilizing this method, players will still select their Lifepath, and difficulty level.
Preparing for Phantom Liberty
Regardless of your chosen method, it’s advisable to prepare before diving into the DLC. While the game will allow you to play the content after “Transmission”, it is important to be aware that there will be challenging combat encounters within Dogtown. This new area has its own unique sets of challenges and enemies, making it a considerable step up in difficulty from the initial portions of the game. You will be able to access your character’s inventory regardless of the chosen method, so it’s worthwhile to gather the best gear.
Gear Up
Ensure you’ve acquired some of the best weapons and cyberware available to you. While the game can be beaten in a multitude of ways, this expansion is well known for its difficult encounters, so it is important to be as prepared as you can be.
Leveling Up
By the time you reach “Transmission”, you’ll likely be at a decent level to start Phantom Liberty. However, doing side quests and gigs within the base game beforehand can help give you an extra edge when entering Dogtown.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most common questions regarding access and considerations when starting Phantom Liberty:
1. Do I need to start a new game to play Phantom Liberty?
No, you don’t have to. You can access Phantom Liberty with an existing save file, provided you’ve completed the “Transmission” quest. You can also start a new game and skip ahead to the DLC.
2. Can I play Phantom Liberty after finishing the main story?
Yes. You can complete the main story and then jump back into your save file right before the “point of no return” to play the Phantom Liberty content.
3. What happens if I skip to Phantom Liberty?
You’ll bypass the entire opening section of the main Cyberpunk 2077 campaign. This allows for immediate access to new content, and bypasses the original opening of the base game.
4. What do I miss if I skip to Phantom Liberty?
The most obvious thing you miss is the main story’s introductory sections, which are crucial for getting you invested in Night City and V’s journey.
5. Should I finish the main story before Phantom Liberty?
It is highly recommended to experience the base game endings first, for the full narrative experience. Once the original ending is completed, the game will allow you to reload a save prior to the ending to start Phantom Liberty.
6. Does Phantom Liberty change the base game?
Yes, completing Phantom Liberty unlocks a secret ending for the base game, which can be obtained depending on your decisions during the expansion’s final missions.
7. Can I access the Phantom Liberty content with my old character?
Yes, as long as you have completed the “Transmission” quest, you will be able to access the new content on existing saves, regardless of where you are in the main game’s story.
8. Can I start Phantom Liberty if I have an old save?
Yes, provided the save is from before the ‘point of no return’ but after the ‘Transmission’ quest, you can use it to access the expansion.
9. Does Phantom Liberty expand the map?
Yes, Phantom Liberty adds Dogtown a new district, to the map. Though smaller than Night City, it is a significant addition that offers a dense, dangerous, and interesting new area.
10. How long is Phantom Liberty?
Focusing on the main story will take around 15 to 20 hours. Completionists can expect approximately 30 hours for all main and side content.
11. Will V be present in Phantom Liberty?
Yes, you play as V in Phantom Liberty, the same character from the base game. This time, you are advised by both Johnny Silverhand and a mysterious woman named Songbird.
12. Is romance still available with Panam if I skip to Phantom Liberty?
Yes, skipping to Phantom Liberty doesn’t disrupt romance options. You will still have to go through the steps in the base game to establish the romance.
13. What should I do before starting Phantom Liberty?
It is highly suggested to complete some of the optional side quests in the main game, such as Romance Quests, Dream On, The Hunt, and to unlock all Johnny Silverhand items. In addition, it would be beneficial to acquire the best Quickhacks and explore Pacifica before venturing into Dogtown.
14. Is Nomad, Street Kid or Corpo better before playing Phantom Liberty?
Nomad is a good choice for beginners, Street Kid is ideal for role-playing, and Corpo offers a different, more unique experience. However, your Lifepath choice does not matter for the Phantom Liberty content.
15. Do I need to have finished Cyberpunk 2077 to play Phantom Liberty?
No, Phantom Liberty is a self-contained expansion that can be accessed after the “Transmission” quest, and can also be accessed by skipping the main game content entirely.
Conclusion
Accessing Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is straightforward. Either complete the “Transmission” quest in the base game or select to skip the main campaign entirely. Whether you choose to approach the game through normal progression, or to skip ahead, this DLC offers a compelling experience to any new or seasoned player. Preparing with proper gear and exploring the base game content is advisable, but either way you choose will allow you to experience the thrilling new content of Phantom Liberty.