Considering a New 'Cyberpunk 2077' Character for Phantom Liberty? Here's What You Need to Know

 

Considering a New 'Cyberpunk 2077' Character for Phantom Liberty? Here's What You Need to Know

Hello, and thank you for joining me today. Now, let's address a question I've been getting quite frequently. While I won't dive into the details of Phantom Liberty just yet, I can certainly discuss the Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 update and whether it's a good idea to kick off a new character once the expansion hits.

Personally, I opted not to create a new character for this update. My reasoning behind this decision is that I've already invested a significant amount of time into Cyberpunk 2077, with three max-level characters, each featuring different builds across three distinct playthroughs. Starting from scratch for the fourth time wasn't appealing to me. The beauty of using an existing character lies in having over 50 skill and attribute points at your disposal, allowing you to craft a formidable build from the get-go. Plus, if you've got the eddies, you can splurge on some top-notch cyberware right off the bat. And let's not forget, you can continue wielding your favorite weapons as they seamlessly carry over.

However, I do recommend starting anew if: A) you were already contemplating a fresh beginning, or B) you aren't overly attached to your current V. It's worth noting that you don't necessarily need to begin a new character to enjoy Phantom Liberty. The expansion is designed to be playable even if you've reached the "Meet Hanako at Embers" point in the game. There's nothing wrong with experiencing the expansion this way, as it unfolds as a fairly self-contained narrative.

That said, I'd recommend embarking on a new character journey come September 21 when update 2.0 launches. Why this date, you ask? Well, because you won't make significant progress between September 21 and September 26, when Phantom Liberty officially drops. The primary allure of starting fresh is the opportunity to traverse the entire game, where roughly 80% of the content won't be Phantom Liberty-related, but rather enhanced by the 2.0 updates, which touch upon nearly every facet of the game.

Beginning a new allows you to relish Cyberpunk 2077 as it was envisioned three years ago during its launch. It can be immensely gratifying to gradually build your character from scratch into a cyber-enhanced powerhouse while revisiting old missions imbued with new abilities, improved enemy AI, and exciting additions like car combat. This approach is ideal, provided you haven't already invested extensively in multiple playthroughs, like myself.

No matter how much progress you make between September 21 and 26, it won't have a significant impact. It's clear when in a new campaign you'll receive the call to start Phantom Liberty, and you might not even reach that point. However, if you do, there's nothing wrong with making it your last mission before concluding the base game's final ending.

Participating in Phantom Liberty won't adversely affect the base game, with the exception of one optional ending, as confirmed by CD Projekt Red. So, rest assured, you won't disrupt anything by starting when the 2.0 update goes live and progressing as far as you desire.

In conclusion, if you've been contemplating your first look into Cyberpunk 2077 or considering a fresh start, now is the opportune moment. There won't be any more major updates or expansions after this, and you can embark on this journey starting on September 21 with no consequences, even though the expansion itself won't be accessible just yet.