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How to Start Phantom Liberty in Cyberpunk 2077

CD Projekt Red is following its successful approach with The Witcher 3 DLC by seamlessly integrating the Phantom Liberty expansion into Cyberpunk 2077. You won’t need to navigate a separate menu to access Phantom Liberty. However, deciding where to begin the Phantom Liberty content within the main story campaign can significantly impact your experience, similar to how The Witcher 3 players approach its DLC content.

But you might be wondering where to start this DLC and if you can directly jump into playing Phantom Liberty without exploring the main game. We have all of the answers so stick with us! Now, let’s delve into the details of when and where to embark on the Phantom Liberty journey within Cyberpunk 2077’s main story campaign.

Phantom Liberty’s Timely Arrival

start phantom liberty

When you initiate Cyberpunk 2077 from the start, you’ll notice that the opportunity to unlock Phantom Liberty arises during Act 2, allowing you to continue exploring the main story campaign.

“Dog Eat Dog” Message

Your journey into Phantom Liberty begins with a message titled “Dog Eat Dog” on your in-game phone. This message contains instructions to meet a contact at the entrance to Dogtown, setting the stage for your adventure.

The Act 2 Experience

As Phantom Liberty becomes accessible during Act 2, you’ll have numerous main story missions still awaiting completion, ensuring a wealth of content to engage with before diving into the expansion.

Skipping Act 1

If you opt to start a new game and choose to bypass the main game’s initial Act 1, you’ll find yourself at a bookshop. In this scenario, “Dog Eat Dog” will be the first call you receive, effectively skipping Act 1 and catapulting you into the Phantom Liberty experience.

Starting Point

start phantom liberty

If you’re eager to embark on Phantom Liberty’s adventure, it’s worth considering the ideal starting point to fully appreciate its impact on the main story campaign.

Delayed Entry for Maximum Impact

Instead of diving into Phantom Liberty as soon as it becomes available, delaying your entry can lead to a more immersive experience. Waiting until you unlock the Act 3 mission ‘Nocturne Op55N1’ is a strategic choice.

‘Nocturne Op55N1’ – The Point of No Return

‘Nocturne Op55N1’ is a mission in Act 3 that carries a significant consequence: once you begin it, you can’t go back to previous parts of the game. This mission is pivotal for aligning Phantom Liberty with the main storyline.

Completing Act 1

To reach ‘Nocturne Op55N1,’ you must first complete Act 1, which introduces you to the game’s world and narrative.

Required Act 2 Missions

Before reaching ‘Nocturne Op55N1,’ you’ll need to complete several Act 2 missions to progress through the main storyline. These missions include:

  • Playing for Time
  • Automatic Love
  • Ghost Town
  • Down on the Street
  • Play It Safe
  • Gimme Danger
  • Search and Destroy
  • Tapeworm

Waiting until you’ve accomplished these objectives will ensure that when you finally begin Phantom Liberty, you’ll do so at a point where its impact on the main story campaign is most profound.

Optimal Timing for Phantom Liberty Integration

start phantom liberty

To fully appreciate the integration of Phantom Liberty into the main storyline of Cyberpunk 2077, it’s crucial to understand the significance of choosing the right moment to dive into the expansion. Here, we’ll explore in detail why waiting until Act 3 is the ideal time to embark on the Phantom Liberty adventure.

Ensuring Narrative Cohesion

The main reason for delaying your entry into Phantom Liberty lies in narrative cohesion. The expansion introduces a brand new ending to the game, which can significantly impact the overall storyline. To ensure that this new ending makes sense and aligns seamlessly with the main narrative, it’s advisable to reach a specific point in the game before starting the expansion.

Unlocking Phantom Liberty’s Endings

Phantom Liberty offers multiple endings, each with its own unique outcomes and consequences. Some of these endings may lead to an abrupt conclusion of the game. By progressing to Act 3 in the main campaign, you create a buffer that prevents the premature termination of your Cyberpunk 2077 experience. This gives you the opportunity to explore Phantom Liberty without prematurely ending your journey in Night City.

Replacing Act 3 with Phantom Liberty

Once you’ve reached Act 3 in the main campaign, you have the option to essentially replace Act 3 missions and endings with those provided by Phantom Liberty. This substitution allows for a more satisfying and complete story arc for your character, V. It ensures that the events of Phantom Liberty seamlessly blend with the main game’s narrative, providing a more immersive and coherent storytelling experience.

Integration of Main Game Characters

Phantom Liberty features appearances and interactions with characters from the main game. While these interactions are significant to the expansion’s storyline, they may appear disjointed and confusing if you begin the expansion too early. However, by advancing to Act 3 of the main campaign, the presence and actions of these characters within the context of Phantom Liberty will make far more sense, enhancing your overall understanding and engagement with the narrative.

Conclusion

In the world of Cyberpunk 2077, timing is everything, and the same holds true for the Phantom Liberty expansion. As we’ve explored, strategically choosing when to venture into the expansion can greatly enhance your overall gaming experience. By waiting until Act 3, you not only ensure narrative cohesion but also unlock the full potential of Phantom Liberty’s impact on the main story campaign. This strategic approach leads to a more satisfying, complete, and immersive story arc for your character, V.

Moreover, the integration of main game characters into Phantom Liberty becomes more meaningful once you’ve reached Act 3, making their appearances and interactions all the more impactful.

So, now that you know the optimal time to dive into Phantom Liberty, the good news is that this expansion is available for everyone to enjoy. With the right timing, you can unlock its full potential and immerse yourself in a truly unforgettable gaming experience.

Happy gaming, and may the neon lights of Night City guide your way!


That about covers it when it comes to the The Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty Start guide. Be sure to check out the Cyberpunk 2077 section for more guides for this game. Visit the main page for a full list of guides.

Author

  • Ryan Night

    Ryan Night is an ex-game industry producer with over a decade of experience writing guides for RPGs. Previously an early contributor at gamefaqs.com, Ryan has been serving the RPG community with video game guides since 2001. As the owner of Bright Rock Media, Ryan has written over 600 guides for RPGs of all kinds, from Final Fantasy Tactics to Tales of Arise.

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