Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty release date and everything we know

Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty Screenshot
(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is almost here. September 26 is right around the corner, with the first premium Cyberpunk 2077 DLC set to take you inside a brand new district of Night City – Dogtown. Phantom Liberty has you aligning with Solomon Reed (played by Idris Elba) to rescue the President of the New United States of America. That won't be easy, but thankfully you'll have some new tools at your disposal. 

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is something of a rebirth. The DLC is essentially intertwined with the Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 patch, which launches on September 21, with the two reworking and revamping the entire core of the game. There are new skill trees and weapons, revitalised cyberware systems, and so much more. 

Phantom Liberty has long been one of our most anticipated upcoming CD Projekt Red games as a result. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty looks fantastic and we have details on all the biggest gameplay changes coming, as well as other news and gameplay information, for you below. 

Recent updates

Our Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty guide was updated on September 20 with new gameplay details and a release date for Patch 2.0.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty release date

Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty Screenshot

(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty release date is set for September 26, 2023. That's when the new premium expansion will launch for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X, opening up access to a new area of the map called Dogtown, and its related spy-thriller questline. 

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty platforms

Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty Screenshot

(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

While Cyberpunk 2077 is available on all platforms, the Phantom Liberty expansion will have a more limited release. Come September 26, Phantom Liberty will only be available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X. That's due to last-gen support of Cyberpunk 2077 being phased out with Patch 1.6, a result of CD Projekt Red pushing for wide-scale evolutions of its core mechanics and systems. 

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty price

Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty Screenshot

(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

The Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty price has been set at $29.99/£24.99. That's the standalone price for the expansion, although CDPR will be issuing bundles which encompass the base game and new content. On PC, you can collect the full package for $79.99/74.99 on PC and console. 

Review

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty screenshots

(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

Our Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty review is live, and we found the first expansion to Night City to be "the culmination of CD Projekt Red's efforts to right the wrongs of a challenging launch." The premium DLC package pairs nicely with the changes introduced in Patch 2.0 to build an experience that is undoubtedly one of the best RPGs on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.   

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty gameplay

Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty Screenshot

(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

There are big changes coming to the core Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty gameplay experience. If you played the base game, you're in for a big surprise here. CDPR is launching a free 2.0 patch to all players on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X on September 21, with effectively ever core system and mechanic reworked. Here's what's available for all, and what's arriving as part of the Phantom Liberty expansion:

Cyberpunk 2077 patch 2.0 gameplay changes: 

  • Redesigned skill trees and perks
  • Revamped Cyberware and new capacity system
  • Vehicle combat and care chaces
  • Combat AI improvements
  • New police system
  • UI and UX improvements
  • Loot, items, and crafting changes
  • New radio stations

Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty gameplay changes

  • Dogtown – a dangerous new district
  • New storyline and characters
  • New quests, gigs, boss fights, and more
  • Vehicle missions and airdrops
  • New Relic skill tree and abilities
  • 100+ new items, weapons, cars, and clothes
  • Vehicle missile launchers
  • Level cap increased to 60

Cyberpunk 2077 patch 2.0 release date

Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty Screenshot

(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

Much of the biggest gameplay changes coming to the game are being routed through a free update available to all players, regardless of whether you plan on buying Phantom Liberty or not. The Cyberpunk 2077 patch 2.0 update release date is set for September 21, and this will introduce overhauled skill trees, a new UI, reworked wanted and traffic systems, and a revamp to everything from Cyberware to core combat mechanics.  

Here's the Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty release time for preload and unlock

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty gameplay preview

Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty Screenshot

(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

From our time with Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, we found the experience to be less of an expansion and more a rebirth. That's because it's difficult to separate the Phantom Liberty content from what's arriving in the 2.0 patch, with the two combining to create something pretty astounding. You can read more in our Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty gameplay preview.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty characters 

Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty Screenshot

(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

During The Game Awards 2022, a new Cyberpunk 2077 trailer gave us an exciting new look a the upcoming expansion. With Phantom Liberty set to take us on espionage mission in what will be a "spy-thriller", we'll be working alongside none other than Idris Elba. Yes, Elba will stepping into the Cyberpunk 2077 world as Solomon Reed, an FIA agent who works for the NUSA. Oh, and if you're wondering who Keanu Reeves will play in Phantom Liberty, he's reprising his popular NPC role of Johnny Silverhand. 

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty setting 

Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty Screenshot

(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

The Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty setting will take us to an all-new district of Night City. Game director Gabriel Amatangelo says that the expansion "primarily takes places" in a previously unexplored area – which speculation had previously suggested to be the Pacifica Combat Zone. This area is part of the southwestern block of the map and remains one of the most dangerous areas of Night City, having been walled off from the rest of Pacifica before construction of the district was even completed.

In fact, if you linger around in Coastview for long enough, you may even hear some concerned citizens whispering rumors about the NCPD disposing of dangerous criminals behind the combat zone walls. There are two collectable Shards in Cyberpunk 2077 that hint toward further strife within the Pacifica Combat Zone, noting the presence of an armed militia and General who doesn't take kindly to scavengers.

With CDPR teasing that Phantom Liberty will be a "spy-thriller expansion", and with the trailer showing V reciting a pledge allegiance to the New United States of America (no friend to Pacifica, if history tells us anything), expect infiltration and espionage to be on the cards here.

Based on our Phantom Liberty preview during Summer Game Fest 2023, all of the above speculation does in fact appear to have panned out. Phantom Liberty will specifically see V and friends explore this deadly walled area of Night City, known as Dogtown.

Cyberpunk 2077 radio stations

Cyberpunk 2077 DLC screenshot

(Image credit: CDPR)

Cyberpunk 2077 will feature a brand new radio station, which is notable because it will feature music created by members of the community. 89.7 Growl FM will contain 12-to-15 tracks submitted by Cyberpunk 2077 players, and Night City's independent community radio station will be hosted by DJ ASH, voiced by influencer Sasha Grey

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty development

Cyberpunk 2077

(Image credit: CD Projekt Red )

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is the only "planned" expansion that CDPR is preparing for its RPG. This was first hinted at in some correspondence around the September Night City Wire showcase, and was later confirmed by CDPR's global PR director Radek Grabowski in a statement to Polygon: "I can confirm that Phantom Liberty is the only planned expansion for Cyberpunk 2077 – i.e. there are no plans for more expansions beyond that." 

As for the support CDPR is throwing behind Phantom Liberty, we know that roughly half of the studio is working on the expansion. As for what the other half is doing, we know that many are currently involved in pre-production of The Witcher 4, although there's plenty of other upcoming CD Projekt Red games in various stages of development too.  

One of the most exciting is Cyberpunk Orion, which CDPR says is a "Cyberpunk 2077 sequel that will prove the full power and potential of the Cyberpunk universe." There's no release date available for this project, but it's expected to launch after The Witcher 4: Polaris and before Project Hadar, a new IP outside of the Witcher and Cyberpunk franchises that's currently in the conceptual phase of development.

Cyberpunk 2077 sequel

Cyberpunk 2077 sequel

(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is one of the many game in development at CDPR. We know the studio is working on The Witcher 4 (and two games to follow, forming a new sega) and a brand new IP, codenamed Project Hadar. But CDPR is also developing a Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, codenamed Project Orion. The studio says this of the mysterious initiative: "A Cyberpunk 2077 sequel that will prove the full power and potential of the Cyberpunk universe," adding that it plans to "take the Cyberpunk franchise further and continue harnessing the potential of this dark fantasy universe."


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Josh West
UK Managing Editor, GamesRadar+

Josh West is the UK Managing Editor of GamesRadar+. He has over 10 years experience in online and print journalism, and holds a BA (Hons) in Journalism and Feature Writing. Prior to starting his current position, Josh has served as GR+'s Features Editor and Deputy Editor of games™ magazine, and has freelanced for numerous publications including 3D Artist, Edge magazine, iCreate, Metal Hammer, Play, Retro Gamer, and SFX. Additionally, he has appeared on the BBC and ITV to provide expert comment, written for Scholastic books, edited a book for Hachette, and worked as the Assistant Producer of the Future Games Show. In his spare time, Josh likes to play bass guitar and video games. Years ago, he was in a few movies and TV shows that you've definitely seen but will never be able to spot him in.

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