Gdansk: The much-anticipated expansion, Phantom Liberty, for CD Projekt’s renowned game Cyberpunk 2077, has garnered a ‘very positive’ rating on Steam. This is a significant achievement for CD Projekt, especially considering the issues surrounding Cyberpunk 2077’s initial release in December 2020. This article will delve into the specifics of Phantom Liberty’s reception, its impact on Cyberpunk 2077, and what it means for the future of CD Projekt.

Steam Ratings and Reviews

Phantom Liberty received its ‘very positive’ rating based on 1,215 user reviews within hours after its launch. According to Trigon DM analyst Kacper Kopron, “all the parameters of the expansion look very good.” He, however, warned that some investors might consider cashing in their profits. At 0805 GMT, CD Projekt’s shares dropped by 2.8%. Yet, it’s worth mentioning that the shares had previously risen by nearly 24% after the premiere date for Phantom Liberty had been announced in June.

Cyberpunk 2077’s Performance

Cyberpunk 2077 itself is currently on sale at a 40% discount on Steam and has been leading the platform’s top-sellers chart. This uptick in performance can be attributed to a free update, version 2.0, released on September 21, as well as the launch of Phantom Liberty, which is exclusively available to Cyberpunk owners. After the expansion’s release, the number of simultaneous players for Cyberpunk 2077 shot up to 167,465 on Steam, showcasing the positive impact of Phantom Liberty on the base game.

Critic Reviews and Metacritic Scores

Phantom Liberty has fared well critically. The PC version scored 89 out of 100 based on 47 reviews on Metacritic. Meanwhile, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions also received high marks, scoring 88 and 89, respectively. GameSpot, a leading gaming website, commented that “Phantom Liberty is Cyberpunk 2077 at its best,” highlighting that CD Projekt Red has concentrated on delivering an engaging and impactful experience.

The Gameplay and Storyline

The expansion offers a spy-thriller storyline and brings back Keanu Reeves in the role of Johnny Silverhand. Idris Elba also joins the cast as a completely new character, Agent Solomon Reed. The story, filled with action and intrigue, is a major draw for players, and the strong performances from the cast have undoubtedly contributed to the expansion’s positive reception.

Price and Availability

Priced at 99 zlotys (approximately $22.74), the expansion is available on PC and current-generation consoles. Considering the content and overall improvements it brings to Cyberpunk 2077, the price appears to be well justified.

Technological Transitions: From RED Engine to Unreal

Interestingly, Phantom Liberty is the last project to be developed on CD Projekt’s proprietary RED Engine technology. Moving forward, the company plans to switch to the external Unreal Engine for its future developments, including a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077. This shift in technology is something to look out for as it could influence the overall quality and performance of future releases.

Conclusion

Phantom Liberty has evidently managed to restore some of CD Projekt’s lost glory following the problematic launch of Cyberpunk 2077. With ‘very positive’ Steam reviews, strong sales, and favorable critic ratings, the expansion has set a high standard for future projects from CD Projekt. Whether you are an investor or a gamer, Phantom Liberty seems to offer both a quality gaming experience and potential for financial gains. It will be interesting to see how CD Projekt leverages this momentum as they transition to new technologies for their upcoming projects.

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