First Impressions Archives

Cyberpunk 2077 has garnered attention again with its new expansion, Phantom Liberty, and for good reason. With Dogtown as its new setting and featuring compelling storytelling, the expansion seems promising. While many have tried it on different platforms, we focus here on its performance on the ROG Ally. The first impressions are based on gameplay that spans intense missions and explorations in the world of Cyberpunk. Gameplay Experience Phantom Liberty rekindles the enchantment of the Cyberpunk 2077 world. Whether it's the intricate plot or the credible performances from actors like Idris Elba, the expansion is captivating. The Steam version was tested on Turbo Mode, with 8GB of memory allocated to the GPU. For those familiar with the Steam Deck, the settings employed were quite similar. Shadows and screen space reflection were set to medium, while FSR 2 was set to Quality with a 1280x720 resolution. Performance on ROG Ally After 5-6 hours of gameplay on the ROG Ally, it's clear that the game runs impressively well. The frame rate hits 40 FPS in almost every scenario, offering a smooth gaming experience. This is an improvement over the performance on the Steam Deck, which required some visual compromises to achieve a stable 30 FPS. However, the game is not without its shortcomings. One major issue is the frame rate drops during driving sequences. Specifically, the game’s frame rate can drop below 30 FPS, going as low as 17 FPS in certain areas while driving through Dogtown. This is most likely attributed to prop density and pop-in, elements that are unfortunately unavoidable. Graphics and Visuals On the ROG Ally, playing at 30 FPS with slightly higher visuals is entirely feasible. Similarly, you can maintain the visuals but switch to Performance Mode to experience the game at 40 FPS. The world looks spectacular at this frame rate, especially when coupled with the 120Hz display and Turbo Mode. Therefore, for those looking for an immersive experience, the ROG Ally does justice to the beautiful world created in this expansion. Preliminary Verdict Though further testing is required for a conclusive verdict, the first impressions suggest that the ROG Ally is an excellent platform for enjoying this expansion. For a stable experience, capping the frame rate at 30 FPS might be advisable. Nonetheless, even at 40 FPS, the game delivers an exceptional gaming experience, making it a viable way to enjoy this significant addition to one of the generation’s top RPGs. Availability and Pricing Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is set for release in two days and is priced at $29.99 on Steam. A bundle that includes both the base game and the expansion is available for $60.70. Additionally, the base game alone is currently on sale for $35.99. Conclusion To summarize, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty seems to be a highly promising expansion with excellent storytelling, performance, and gameplay elements. While it runs smoothly for the most part on the ROG Ally, some areas need improvement, specifically the frame rates during driving sequences. However, these are minor setbacks in what appears to be an otherwise stellar gaming experience. Therefore, for those looking to explore the new frontiers of Cyberpunk 2077, the ROG Ally provides a commendable platform. Also Read:

Hi, I'm TheBadGamer

First Impressions

How Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Performs on ROG Ally – In-Depth Analysis