CD Projekt Red Delivers Less-Than-Stellar Cyberpunk 2077 DLC Update

James

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Post on Sep 08, 2025

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CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077 DLC Update: A Disappointing Phantom Liberty?

Cyberpunk 2077, the ambitious and ultimately flawed open-world RPG from CD Projekt Red, received its highly anticipated Phantom Liberty DLC on September 26th. While the expansion promised a significant overhaul and new content, initial player reactions suggest a less-than-stellar delivery, leaving many fans feeling underwhelmed. This article delves into the criticisms and explores whether Phantom Liberty truly lives up to the hype.

High Expectations, Mixed Reality:

The release of Phantom Liberty generated considerable excitement. CD Projekt Red heavily marketed the DLC as a substantial expansion, promising a new storyline, characters, gameplay mechanics, and even a revamped driving system. However, early reviews and player feedback paint a picture of a mixed bag, with praise for certain aspects overshadowed by significant shortcomings.

What Went Wrong? Key Criticisms:

• Buggy Experience: Many players report encountering numerous bugs and glitches, a recurring issue plaguing the base game that unfortunately persists in the DLC. From graphical glitches to frustrating game-breaking bugs, the technical issues detract significantly from the overall experience. This continues a frustrating trend for CD Projekt Red, who have struggled to consistently deliver a polished product.

• Unfulfilled Promises: While Phantom Liberty introduces a new area – Dogtown – and fresh missions, some players feel the expansion doesn't offer the transformative gameplay overhaul promised. The advertised improvements to the driving mechanics, for instance, haven't impressed all players. The feeling of a rushed development cycle lingers for some.

• Repetitive Gameplay: Concerns have also been raised regarding the repetitive nature of some missions, particularly in the later stages of the DLC. The lack of significant innovation in gameplay mechanics, combined with the persistent bugs, has led some to feel that the expansion lacks the depth and innovation expected from a title like Cyberpunk 2077.

• Pricing Concerns: The price point of Phantom Liberty has also been a topic of discussion. For a DLC expansion, the cost is relatively high, leading some players to question the value proposition given the reported issues and perceived lack of significant content additions compared to the price.

Positive Aspects:

It's not all negative. Many players appreciate the new storyline and the addition of Idris Elba as the character Solomon Reed. The new area, Dogtown, offers a different atmosphere and setting compared to Night City, adding some variety to the game world. The new vehicle handling and added skills and weapons are also considered welcome additions by some.

The Future of Cyberpunk 2077:

The release of Phantom Liberty highlights the ongoing challenges faced by CD Projekt Red in delivering a consistently polished and engaging experience for Cyberpunk 2077 players. While the DLC contains positive elements, the persistent technical issues and unmet expectations have dampened the enthusiasm of many fans. This underscores the importance of prioritizing quality assurance and fulfilling pre-release promises in future updates and potential sequels.

Conclusion:

Phantom Liberty presents a mixed bag for Cyberpunk 2077 players. While some aspects deliver on the promise of new content and gameplay additions, the persistent technical issues, unfulfilled promises, and pricing concerns leave many feeling disappointed. Only time will tell if CD Projekt Red can address these issues and restore faith in their flagship title. What are your thoughts on the Phantom Liberty DLC? Share your experiences in the comments below!

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