After a rocky launch back in 2020, Cyberpunk 2077 has finally hit its stride. The game has received numerous updates and fixes over the past few years, and it’s also getting a massive expansion in the form of Phantom Liberty. The expansion releases on September 26th, and to raise hype levels to the max, CD Projekt Red held a special Night City Wire that told us everything we need to know about the expansion. We got a new story trailer, a deep dive into the new characters, a new look at gameplay, and even a sneak peek at some of the music that will be featured in Phantom Liberty. The release date for update 2.0 was also announced, which will completely revamp the game. That’s a lot of information to digest. Lucky for you, Couch Soup is here to break down all the new information from the latest Night City Wire.
One of the highlights of this show was undoubtedly the brand-new story trailer we got for Phantom Liberty. The trailer acts as a mini prologue to the expansion's main story as we see Solomon Reed (Idris Elba) jumping onto a train to escape Night City. He talks to his partner in crime, Song So Mi (Christine Minji Chang), and they reminisce about their home. But it wouldn’t be Cyberpunk without some betrayal, and we see So Mi betray Reed and abandon him. Reed is then attacked before being shot multiple times. Cut to seven years later, So Mi has landed a job helping the President of the New United States of America. But before they can have a conversation, a rocket blasts their ship out of the sky. Thus Setting the stage for Phantom Liberty.
This new look at the story has got me absolutely hooked. Even though I'm already a fan of this world, my questions and all these new characters have excited me! Idris Elba as Solomon Reed looks to be an absolutely perfect casting decision, and I can’t wait to see how he comes back from multiple gunshots to the body (seriously, how is he not dead). I’m also intrigued by Song So Mi because you don’t betray a trusted friend for some cash (well, you could, but I don’t think she’s that shallow). These new characters and their interactions with V and Johnny are what I’m looking forward to most in Phantom Liberty.
One thing everyone could agree on about Cyberpunk 2077 is that its soundtrack was fantastic. Not one to rest on their laurels, CD Projekt created a new soundtrack for Phantom Liberty. This includes a brand-new theme song, “Phantom Liberty”, performed by Polish singer Dawid Podsiadlo. Idris Elba also contributed to music, providing two new tracks and his entire DJ set for one of three new radio stations. P.T. Adamczyk is also back to create the soundtrack; this time, Jacek Paciorkowski lends a hand in making this uniquely fantastic music.
Music isn’t the only part getting a facelift; the visuals are also getting a bump. Thanks to the power of the PS5, Xbox Series X, and modern PCs, Cyberpunk is looking better than ever. Gone are the days of texture pop-in and odd lighting. Now, we have one of the most visually stunning games of the generation. I enjoyed the art style and design of Night City, so seeing the city with graphics this good will be a treat for the eyes.
With Phantom Liberty comes the 2.0 update that will change how Cyberpunk 2077 is played. The new and improved perk system was one of the bigger changes they showed off. These redesigns allow for even more freedom when it comes to how you play the game. For instance, you can unlock air dashes (which used to be a cyberware upgrade) using the skill tree. You can combine the air dash skill with the standing dismount skill while riding a motorbike and then get some massive hang time. This looks like the best way to get the literal drop on enemies and look fucking awesome while doing so.
Besides improving skills and combat, driving has been completely overhauled. I didn’t mind the driving in the original release, but even I can admit it wasn’t the best. With update 2.0, driving has been made easier to control and has seen an upgrade to its versatility. I mentioned before being able to leap from your motorbike, but would you believe you can do the same with cars? You can live out your action-hero fantasies as you jump from your car right into a fight (at least, I know I will).
And there, you have all the important information from Night City Wire that you need to know for Phantom Liberty. It’s an exciting time to be a fan of Cyberpunk 2077, with update 2.0 out right now and the Phantom Liberty Expansion releasing on September 26th. Keep it locked to Couch Soup for all the latest news about Cyberpunk 2077.
You can check out the full show below.
Did you watch Night City Wire? What did you think? Are you giving Cyberpunk 2077 another chance? Let us know in the comments where we can discuss who’s better: Johnny Silverhand or Solomon Reed.
