Can You Play Phantom Liberty Before Beating The Game

Can You Play Phantom Liberty Before Beating the Game?

Okay, so you’re itching to jump into the action of Phantom Liberty, Cyberpunk 2077’s exciting spy-thriller expansion. But you’ve probably got one big question buzzing around in your head: “Can I play Phantom Liberty before I finish the main story of Cyberpunk 2077?” It’s a really common question, and the answer isn’t as simple as a straight yes or no. Let’s break it all down.

Understanding Phantom Liberty’s Place in Cyberpunk 2077

Think of Phantom Liberty as a side story that happens within the larger Cyberpunk 2077 world. It’s not a completely separate game, but it’s also not something that’s woven directly into the very beginning of your main adventure. Instead, it’s more like a big, important side quest that needs certain things to happen in the main story before it opens up.

The Trigger Point: Reaching a Specific Point in the Main Story

To access Phantom Liberty, you need to have reached a particular point in the original Cyberpunk 2077 storyline. Specifically, you need to have finished the quest called “Transmission.” This is a quest where you meet with the Voodoo Boys in Pacifica. It’s a ways into the game, not at the beginning. So, you can’t just start a brand new game and immediately jump into Phantom Liberty. You have to work your way through a good portion of the game’s main quests first.

• Why This Matters: The “Transmission” quest is important because it sets up the events that lead directly into Phantom Liberty. The expansion involves characters and situations that directly link to things that happen in this quest and in your previous interactions.
• Impact on Gameplay: This means that the game expects you to have a certain level of experience and knowledge about the world and mechanics before going into the DLC. You’ll need to understand how the game works, how to fight, and how to navigate Night City before you can handle what Phantom Liberty has to offer.

Character Progression and Phantom Liberty

It’s also worth thinking about your character’s level and abilities. Phantom Liberty is designed for characters who have already progressed a fair bit in the main game. While it doesn’t have a specific level requirement, going into it under-leveled can really make things more difficult. Enemies can be quite strong, and certain situations can be more challenging if you haven’t built up your skills and stats.

Recommended Level for Phantom Liberty

While not a strict requirement, it’s generally a good idea to be around level 20 or higher before diving into Phantom Liberty. This gives you the experience needed and helps you obtain a better range of perks and gear to deal with tough situations.

How Phantom Liberty Alters Your Cyberpunk 2077 Playthrough

Phantom Liberty doesn’t just give you new missions; it also weaves itself into the existing Cyberpunk 2077 experience. This means it can affect how you approach the main story. For example:

• New choices and consequences: Certain choices in Phantom Liberty can have consequences that influence your main game ending. This gives your playthrough an extra level of complexity.
• New characters appearing in other quests: Characters you meet in Phantom Liberty might even show up in other quests around Night City, making the world seem more alive and connected.

Thematic Fit

The spy thriller theme of Phantom Liberty adds a cool layer to the game. If you start it before the end of the main story, it can feel like an exciting detour that reveals more about the overall world and the forces at play. However, if you wait until after you’ve finished the main story, it provides an alternative path forward.

Starting a New Game and Playing Phantom Liberty

Some players might be curious about starting a completely new game with the intention of getting to Phantom Liberty as fast as they can. While this is possible, you still need to play through the main story until the “Transmission” quest. There are no shortcuts.

The “Skip” Strategy

There’s no way to directly skip the main story segments required to start Phantom Liberty, but you can try to rush through the main quests to reach the “Transmission” quest quickly. It involves focusing on main story quests to quickly arrive at the necessary trigger point. This approach allows you to reach the DLC part as fast as possible but it does not skip the requirement that we previously explained.

Impact of Rushing

Rushing through the main story can mean you might miss out on some important parts of Cyberpunk 2077. This could include side missions, character development, and just a chance to explore the world. Keep that in mind if you choose this strategy.

The Story and World of Dogtown

Phantom Liberty introduces a whole new area of Night City called Dogtown. It’s a dangerous, walled-off district that’s controlled by a warlord named Kurt Hansen. It’s very different from the parts of Night City you might be used to, with new characters, factions, and challenges.

Exploration in Dogtown

Dogtown is a dense and complex area that invites exploration. You will encounter new enemy types and find new places to explore. The district’s unique environment is another reason why it’s best to go in with a character that has some experience. The fights can be tough and finding your way around can be a challenge if you’re not used to the game’s systems.

Consequences of Playing Phantom Liberty Early or Late

The decision about playing Phantom Liberty before or after the main story depends on what you want from your experience. Here’s a breakdown of some possible outcomes:

• Playing early: If you jump into Phantom Liberty before finishing the original story, it feels like a major side adventure that enhances your understanding of Night City and its power struggles. You might experience some story elements in a different order, which can make the whole world feel a bit more dynamic.
• Playing late: If you wait until after you’ve completed the main story, Phantom Liberty can act as a new chapter after the original finale, letting you continue your adventure with a more “complete” version of your character and a fresh set of story points. It can also feel like a post game experience of its own.

Choosing Your Path

There is no right or wrong way to play. Both approaches have their unique appeal and can greatly impact the overall tone and pacing of your playthrough. Your character’s growth and the knowledge of world will also have a profound impact.

Understanding The Game Mechanics For a Better Gameplay

To properly experience the Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty expansion it is important to fully understand the main game’s mechanics. Without a proper understanding of game mechanics it may be hard to fully understand what the game intends for you as a player.

Combat and Stealth

Combat in Cyberpunk 2077 requires a mix of tactics and your build will have a huge impact on how you approach most fights. Understanding how different weapons work, how to use quickhacks, and when to use stealth, will help you to be much more effective in the game.

Cyberware and Stats

Cyberware is how you customize your character’s abilities. There are a ton of different cyberware implants, and they do all sorts of things that can improve your stats and add different functions to your character. Understanding what the different cyberware items do is key for your survival. Stats such as Strength, Reflexes, Technical Ability, Intelligence, and Cool each impact the way you play.

Skills and Perks

Cyberpunk 2077 has a huge skill tree system. As you progress in the game, you will earn skill points which you can use to improve various skill lines such as rifles, handguns, hacking, crafting, and more. You will be given perk points as you gain levels and these can be used to further specialize your gameplay.

The Impact of Patches and Updates

It’s worth noting that Cyberpunk 2077 has gone through many patches and updates since it was originally released. These updates can sometimes change how the game works, including how Phantom Liberty integrates into the main game. If you’re playing on an older version of the game, you might find some slight differences in how the DLC starts or its content. It’s generally best to play the most updated version.

Staying Updated

Always ensure that you’re playing on the latest patch version to ensure a smooth and bug free experience. These patches also often include balance changes which can affect your gameplay.

Making the Choice: When Should You Play Phantom Liberty?

Ultimately, the decision of when to start Phantom Liberty is a personal one. Here is a recap of what was previously discussed.

• Before beating the game: This option provides a very unique experience. The storyline can be integrated into the main story with some choices having an impact on how your story plays out.
• After beating the game: If you like to play a game and complete all its major quests and then like to keep the game going, this might be a good option for you. You may like to complete all the main story quest before going to the DLC.

Consider Your Playstyle

Think about your preferred playstyle and how you like to experience stories in games. If you enjoy playing side quests as you go, then you might find Phantom Liberty as a welcome distraction and addition to your main quest. If you prefer completing the story first, then playing the dlc after may work better for you.

Phantom Liberty is designed to be a rewarding experience, no matter when you decide to play it. By understanding how it fits into the overall Cyberpunk 2077 narrative, you can make an informed decision that best suits your preferences.