The launch of Cyberpunk 2077 in late 2020 was, to put it mildly, catastrophic. Plagued by game-breaking bugs, abysmal performance on last-gen consoles, and unfulfilled promises, it became a cautionary tale in game development. Fast forward to 2025, and with the release of the Phantom Liberty expansion and the preceding 2.0/2.1 patches, the question isn’t just “Is it playable?”, but “Is it fixed? And is it now the game we were promised?”
The resounding answer from critics and the vast majority of players is a triumphant YES. Cyberpunk 2077, particularly with the Phantom Liberty expansion, has completed one of the most remarkable redemption arcs in gaming history.
The Foundation: Patch 2.0 & 2.1
Before diving into Dogtown, it’s crucial to acknowledge the monumental work done in the free Update 2.0 (and subsequent 2.1). This wasn’t just a bug-fix patch; it was a fundamental reimagining of core game systems, effectively rebuilding the game from the ground up in many respects.
Here are some of the key improvements introduced in 2.0/2.1 that laid the groundwork for Phantom Liberty’s success:
- Completely Reworked Perk System: The old, often lackluster perk trees were scrapped and replaced with a streamlined, impactful system. Perks now offer meaningful abilities like queuing multiple quickhacks, mid-air dashes, and powerful finishers, allowing for truly distinct and viable character builds (Netrunner, Solo, Shinobi, Engineer, Headhunter).
- Overhauled Cyberware: Armor is now tied to cyberware, not clothing, freeing players to wear whatever they want cosmetically. The capacity system for implants encourages strategic choices in augmenting V.
- Improved Combat AI: Enemies are smarter, react better to flanks, use grenades more effectively, and pose a greater challenge, especially on higher difficulties.
- Dynamic Police System: The notoriously broken NCPD response was completely revamped, now operating on a GTA-like “Heat” system. Cops patrol, react dynamically to crime, and escalate their pursuit with increasing “Wanted” levels, including full-blown car chases.
- Enhanced Vehicle Combat: Players can now shoot from vehicles (even motorcycles with melee weapons), and certain vehicles in Phantom Liberty come with mounted weaponry. Car chases are more frequent and exciting.
- Quality of Life Improvements: Countless smaller changes like a revamped UI, dynamic minimap zoom, improved crafting, and a better quest journal significantly enhance the overall experience.
- Performance Stability: While always demanding on high-end hardware with ray tracing, the game’s overall stability and performance on PC and current-gen consoles (PS5, Xbox Series X/S) were vastly improved, making it a smooth experience for most players. Even with ray tracing, DLSS/FSR/XeSS and Frame Generation offer viable performance options.
Phantom Liberty: The Apex of Night City
Released in September 2023 (for current-gen consoles and PC), Phantom Liberty wasn’t just an expansion; it was a masterclass in DLC design that showcased Cyberpunk 2077’s full potential.
- A Gripping Spy-Thriller Narrative: The expansion introduces a new, self-contained story arc set in the lawless district of Dogtown. V gets embroiled in a high-stakes espionage thriller, working with an NUSA agent Solomon Reed (brilliantly portrayed by Idris Elba) and the enigmatic netrunner Songbird. The narrative is mature, nuanced, and filled with complex moral dilemmas, offering multiple compelling endings, including a new ending for the base game.
- Dense and Atmospheric Dogtown: This new area, while smaller than the main Night City, is incredibly dense, detailed, and brimming with its own unique identity. It feels like a genuine warzone turned black market haven, offering distinct visual and narrative flavor.
- Exceptional Character Performances: The new cast members, particularly Idris Elba and the voice actor for Songbird (Christine Minji Chang), deliver standout performances that elevate the already strong voice acting of the base game. Keanu Reeves’ Johnny Silverhand also gets new dimensions, becoming more introspective and adding crucial commentary.
- New Gameplay Mechanics & Content:
- Relic Skill Tree: A brand-new skill tree dedicated to V’s mysterious Relic implant, offering powerful, unique abilities that further customize combat and exploration.
- New Weapons & Cyberware: A plethora of new spy-themed weapons (some with unique stealth capabilities) and cyberware additions.
- Revamped Gigs: The side quests (“Gigs”) in Dogtown are more elaborate, often featuring multiple paths, impactful choices, and compelling mini-narratives, feeling more like full-fledged side missions than typical fetch quests.
- Increased Difficulty & Enemy Variety: Phantom Liberty ramps up the challenge, with tougher enemies and more complex encounters that truly test your build.
So, Is It Fixed?
Unequivocally, yes. Cyberpunk 2077, especially since Update 2.0 and with the addition of Phantom Liberty, is not just “fixed” but has transformed into a truly exceptional open-world RPG. The game is largely stable, robust, and performs well on modern hardware. The core gameplay is dynamic and engaging, the world of Night City is more alive than ever, and the storytelling, particularly in the expansion, is among the best in the genre.
While no game is entirely bug-free (minor, non-game-breaking glitches might still occasionally pop up, like the recent Nvidia photo mode crash issue on PC), the game’s redemption is complete. CD Projekt Red has delivered on its promise to turn Cyberpunk 2077 into the immersive, choice-driven, and visually stunning experience it was always meant to be. If you were burned by the launch, now is absolutely the time to revisit Night City and dive into the chrome-infused chaos.
