Do you think Phantom Liberty will be worth the price? Reasons?

[Spockprime]

The DLC has been in development long enough now that I've become somewhat optimistic about changes that it might bring. I think (meaning that I hope) that CDPR is planning on ending the game with a flourish, reworking some of the mechanics that we've been complaining about since release (e.g., gangs, police, progression) and providing credible solutions to the most horrendous plot holes (e.g., dying in two weeks but somehow still engaged in months or years worth of activities throughout the city). I hope that I didn't just jinx the whole thing.

 

[LeKill3rFou]

e.g., dying in two weeks but somehow still engaged in months

I can't help myself, so I'm sorry
But it never was "two weeks"... Viktor say "few weeks tops" which is vague enough (to me) to means several weeks or even two/three/four months (because Viktor doesn't really know).

 

[BabaBooey88]

I can't help myself, so I'm sorry
But it never was "two weeks"... Viktor say "few weeks tops" which is vague enough (to me) to means several weeks or even two/three/four months (because Viktor doesn't really know).

C'mon, bro. The game isn't completely ruined by this, but it goes well out of it's way to remind you persistently of your demise from dialogue, cut scenes and even migraines/coughing fits when you're minding your own business just trying to have fun. It's something they don't even allow you to 'roleplay' away.

 

[CyberpunkRoslyn]

The DLC has been in development long enough now that I've become somewhat optimistic about changes that it might bring. I think (meaning that I hope) that CDPR is planning on ending the game with a flourish, reworking some of the mechanics that we've been complaining about since release (e.g., gangs, police, progression) and providing credible solutions to the most horrendous plot holes (e.g., dying in two weeks but somehow still engaged in months or years worth of activities throughout the city). I hope that I didn't just jinx the whole thing.

I can't imagine CDPR just ending the game with one DLC expansion. The only way I could see them doing that is if, they were secretly working on Phantom Liberty shortly after the game was released. If so, they did a real good job keeping the voice actors on non-disclosure agreements. Consider the popularity of the Edgerunners. That story takes place one year before the game. What if we get another DLC expansion that includes our edgerunner characters. Or if the Phantom Liberty DLC doesn't just take place in between the narrative that we've already been introduced to.

I'd rather play around with the possibility of CDPR updating the current post narrative gameplay, while at the same time introducing us to the characters we will meet in Phantom Liberty. It likely possible that many of the characters who were not found in the game, may be somewhere in the combat zone? The same can be said if you save Merideth Stout. After the your fling with her, she is not apart of the main narrative of the game. Her team could have gotten called over to the combat zone.

This video I am going to include, could answer some questions. It seems to be that a lot of people have interest in sneaking into the combat zone and collecting equipment. My guess is that some of the technology being used in there is very exclusive, compared to what is in the populated areas of Night City.

Combat Zone

 

[LeKill3rFou]

even migraines/coughing fits when you're minding your own business just trying to have fun

As far as I know, CDPR removed all the "Relic Malfunctions" during the "normal" game, outside of cutscenes during main quest and some side quests
Edit : So during my last playthrough, I didn't start the main quest in Act 2 and was able to play easily more than 30 hours doing my own things without having any "migraines/coughing" (Relic Malfunction).

 

[BabaBooey88]

As far as I know, CDPR removed all the "Relic Malfunctions" during the "normal" game, outside of cutscenes during main quest and some side quests

I still get them, and that's with an entirely new character. I'm curious why you haven't experienced them because those thing still bug the hell out of me to a point where I had to grab one of the old relic be gone mods.

Did they go the Ubisoft route with a ui settings toggle?

Post automatically merged: May 23, 2023

Edit : So during my last playthrough, I didn't start the main quest in Act 2 and was able to play easily more than 30 hours doing my own things without having any "migraines/coughing" (Relic Malfunction).

Hmmm... I wonder if relic malfunctions are triggered by the start of Act 2 proper, ie the chat with Takemura at Tom's Diner.
Still - it's a pacing choice of theirs I completely disagree with. While you may not be on a literal gameplay timer, the story dictates that you need to save yourself - making all other activities seem like an odd detour unless you ignore this fact entirely whenever you wish to just enjoy yourself outside of the main/side quest.

 

[LeKill3rFou]

I still get them, and that's with an entirely new character. I'm curious why you haven't experienced them because those thing still bug the hell out of me to a point where I had to grab one of the old relic be gone mods.

Did they go the Ubisoft route with a ui settings toggle?

Weird, I don't remember when they removed this relic malfunctions (I agree are/were "annoying"). But like I said, I didn't get a single one in my last playthrough while doing my own things (completing all the NCPD Scaner Hustles on the map, the Cyberspychos and few GIGs). And even by skipping time a bunch of times to buy something on shops, which always triggered Relic Malfunctions before (I remember to get Relic Malfunction almost non stop because skipped 24hrs non stop to refresh shop inventories).
Maybe they're back in 1.62 (so PC only) ?

 

[BabaBooey88]

Weird, I don't remember when they removed this relic malfunctions (I agree are/were "annoying"). But like I said, I didn't get a single one in my last playthrough while doing my own things (completing all the NCPD Scaner Hustles on the map, the Cyberspychos and few GIGs). And even by skipping time a bunch of times to buy something on shops, which always triggered Relic Malfunctions before (I remember to get Relic Malfunction almost non stop because skipped 24hrs non stop to refresh shop inventories).
Maybe they're back in 1.62 (so PC only) ?

As I stated in my post edit - Relic Malfunctions may be triggered by the chat with Takemura if you didn't experience them given you ignored the main quest in Act 2. I couldn't ignore the main quest as I'm rigorously testing my visual overhaul in preparation for PL.

 

[LeKill3rFou]

As I stated in my post edit - Relic Malfunctions may be triggered by the chat with Takemura if you didn't experience them given you ignored the main quest in Act 2. I couldn't ignore the main quest as I'm rigorously testing my visual overhaul in preparation for PL.

That's the only playthrough that I currently have, but I'm pretty sure to never got any outside the "scripted" ones quests during my previous 1.61 playthroughs.
Would be rather easy to try anyway. I just need to visit Goro at Tom's Diner and then wandering around for long enough or simply skipping 24hrs serveral times in a row.

And about the story, well that's the whole point, you're dying... Like it or not, but it's the same as in other games. My best example is ME in which almost always there is a reminder that Reapers are coming, they'll destroy the galaxy and you have to move on as fast as possible... Which make the Citadel DLC quite weird... "Take a break and play games while Reapers annihilate millions of people per day on Earth"...
But I can quote TW3 too
You know pretty much from the beginning, that Ciri, your "daughter" disappeared, is in serious danger and is hunted by the wild hunt. I don't think any parents would take time to play gwent, complete a contract for few gold coins or help a random dude while knowing that their daughter could die soon...

 

[Milaal]

They aren’t going to change recorded dialogue for this and as far as goes the amount of time you can commit to exploration: get over it. It’s a white lie common to a LOT of video games.

 

[BabaBooey88]

That's the only playthrough that I currently have, but I'm pretty sure to never got any outside the "scripted" ones quests during my previous 1.61 playthroughs.
Would be rather easy to try anyway. I just need to visit Goro at Tom's Diner and then wandering around for long enough or simply skipping 24hrs serveral times in a row.

And about the story, well that's the whole point, you're dying... Like it or not, but it's the same as in other games. My best example is ME in which almost always there is a reminder that Reapers are coming, they'll destroy the galaxy and you have to move on as fast as possible... Which make the Citadel DLC quite weird... "Take a break and play games while Reapers annihilate millions of people per day on Earth"...

No problem with the dying part or the inevitable ending(s); I've praised this decision in previous posts. My issue is the pacing, when you're told you're dying, how often you're told you're dying, how intrusive these interludes can be, and the activities they set up for engagement while you are dying.

That's fine, but it's an issue none the less. "You two are connected in a way I can't make head or tail of. Whatever's going on, it's bad news, V" then you set out for answers at your own pace. You increasingly have seizues throughout the main/side quests and eventually wake up at Vik's with the dire prognosis that you're gonna check out any day now - stage it just after you discover the connection between Evelyn and the Voodoo Boys so you don't disrupt the rest of the story. It's that easy, really. Meshing an open world and primary story that both have a cohesive narrative isn't nearly as hard as people make it out to be.

But I can quote TW3 too
You know pretty much from the beginning, that Ciri, your "daughter" disappeared, is in serious danger and is hunted by the wild hunt. I don't think any parents would take time to play gwent, complete a contract for few gold coins or help a random dude while knowing that their daughter could die soon...

I'm not going to touch TW3 because we're talking about 2077. It's just a poor choice no matter how you slice it, man. I could likewise point to other open world games that have alleviated this issue in their own way, but we're just going to have to agree to disagree. Developers saying "well, that's how it was in game X and Y, what's the problem with Z?" is nothing more than sheer laziness or a severe creativity deficit - the very thing they're paid to exploit.

 

[CyberpunkRoslyn]

Here's another possibility. It is likely possible that the new DLC could actually bleed over into the post game narrative. We don't know yet how much depth it will have. For all we know, it could start and then carry over after the post Arasaka story. The only voice actor that spoke about Phantom Liberty was Idris Elba. CDPR may have put the other voice actors of the game on a tight-lip non-disclosure agreements not to say or post anything about the new expansion. It's likely possible that the new expansion could introduce our man Solomon Reed to characters like Judy and other fan favorites.

Furthermore, the expansion could also do what the main narrative did. It skipped some time with a montage of clips of V and Jackie Welles doing gigs in Night City. If CDPR does the same, it's likely possible that Phantom Liberty could shed light on the ending where V chooses to "return to earth" or the "Living Legend" ending. It's likely possible that taking the espionage deal in Phantom Liberty grants V a cure if she is willing to work along side the FIA in order to do spy missions. This would allow the expansion to exist beyond the main story ending that we've been introduced to. In my honest opinion, that would be better because it adds more depth with our man Solomon Reed and having to do espionage against Arasaka.

 

[Andrew_Waples]

Here's another possibility. It is likely possible that the new DLC could actually bleed over into the post game narrative. We don't know yet how much depth it will have. For all we know, it could start and then carry over after the post Arasaka story. The only voice actor that spoke about Phantom Liberty was Idris Elba. CDPR may have put the other voice actors of the game on a tight-lip non-disclosure agreements not to say or post anything about the new expansion. It's likely possible that the new expansion could introduce our man Solomon Reed to characters like Judy and other fan favorites.

Furthermore, the expansion could also do what the main narrative did. It skipped some time with a montage of clips of V and Jackie Welles doing gigs in Night City. If CDPR does the same, it's likely possible that Phantom Liberty could shed light on the ending where V chooses to "return to earth" or the "Living Legend" ending. It's likely possible that taking the espionage deal in Phantom Liberty grants V a cure if she is willing to work along side the FIA in order to do spy missions. This would allow the expansion to exist beyond the main story ending that we've been introduced to. In my honest opinion, that would be better because it adds more depth with our man Solomon Reed and having to do espionage against Arasaka.

I don't think Reed dies in this. I don't think they go out of their way to hire Idris Elbra only to kill his character off. I think Elbra will be in the sequel.

 

[CyberpunkRoslyn]

I don't think Reed dies in this. I don't think they go out of their way to hire Idris Elbra only to kill his character off. I think Elbra will be in the sequel.

I agree. Solomon Reed adds depth to the story. If you read my previous post, you'll see that V could easily end up giving the FIA an avenue into Arasaka. It would only make sense that CDPR chose the "return to earth" or "Living Legend" ending to continue their story. It hasn't truly been confirmed on how long V has to live if she returns to earth with Silverhand in her head. If she discloses her condition to the FIA, I'm sure they would try and help her or possibly offer her a cure in exchange for her long-term services. If V can be cured, then it's safe to say that the Phantom Liberty expansion could easily take place after the Arasaka narrative. It would make sense to do it this way, so that new characters could be introduced to our current roster.

A few thoughts come to mind when considering the current history of the Combat Zone. What threats dwell on the other side that the FIA has chosen to get involved. Why would V even want to put his/herself at risk going in there if he/she is trying to find a cure? There would have to be a significant reason for V to get involved with the FIA.

 

[Bearded Geek]

Honestly I don't know. But then I am one of those players who TRULY dislike the main story so I don't have much hope for a DLC either...

 

[CyberpunkRoslyn]

I think it will be. As I mentioned in the personal lore/ways to play thread; CDPR could create a game +. Without having to actually create a game+. I'd consider just giving V a backup bank account in the CORPO lifepath. After he/she loses her eddies to Arasaka, the player can find that they have a backup account, with a substantial amount of cash. It would create new opportunities and make the CORPO playthrough a lot more fun. If this were added with the new Phantom Liberty DLC, it would make the DLC and other features better. I'm assuming that more than just the combat zone will be added to Night City. CDPR expressed their dedication to the vertical design that they made for Night City. Maybe players will be introduced to more of the Mega-buildings and other areas that were un-accessible. Take time to consider that organizations like Netwatch and Militech only played a small role in the story. If the combat zone lore is as big as the lore book says, then it would permit a much bigger role for key individuals in both organizations. This might permit a fully accessible Militech building and interactions with employees. The same goes for Netwatch and their involvement in Pacifica, which happens to be where the combat zone is located.

CDPR has not revealed much on how the Phantom Liberty update will work, in terms of how the gamer can access it. Will this change the current game we've been introduced to, or just add more content to fit in with the current narrative we've already been introduced to? Night City Legend ending seems a bit more promising in the sense that V survives. If V chooses to return to earth, that keeps us in the feeling of urgency and continues the role of Silverhand. Either path could be post-Arasaka, and would give V the incentive to work with the FIA's Solomon Reed. But is it worth the narrative constraint of saying that V only has months to live, which would indicate that the Phantom Liberty is only set a few weeks or maybe a month after the events of the current narrative we've already finished. A Living Legend path could still keep Silverhand, at the aid of all the advanced technology that Night City has. Who's to say that Silverhand couldn't act as Cortona does in Halo? And maybe his incentive is to find a body, while helping V. As a living Legend in the post-Arasaka ending, V would have access to so much more resources having acquired the Afterlife Night Club.

Ultimately, CDPR has a lot of options to choose from in order to keep gamers hooked.

 

[Ibn-Dragon]

These new system requirements seem sketchy. Makes me even less enthusiastic about the DLC.

 

[Andrew_Waples]

These new system requirements seem sketchy.

Why?

 

[Ibn-Dragon]

Why?

I don't know, I can't say for certain. I think my specs should be fine for 1440p using balanced upscaled FSR /XeSS. I'll let you know maybe six or seven years from now when I finally buy/play it at 80% discount. lol

...maybe sooner.

 

[robzhe]

I have no issues with thinking it'll be worth it really as this is one of my fave games so having a new area + content seems easily worth the price.

I'm a Skyrim fan too though so I'm used to bugs and if this releases a buggy mess I'll still be fine playing like I was when the actual main game released. The only thing that grates at me is when there's an obvious bug that you can't really not notice that doesn't get fixed for ages (like we had with the hovering along the ground bug), I'm hoping that won't be an issue though seeing as so many other things needed to be sorted out too when that hovering bug was there.

I'm not getting carried away with hype either, not expecting the game to be majorly transformed and am mainly fine with the idea of a new area and added content.