In a new gameplay trailer released Tuesday, CD Projekt Red (CDPR) revealed a major overhaul and new features coming to the open-world action game Cyberpunk 2077 and its new expansion, Phantom Liberty.
Along with a new Dogtown district in the futuristic game world, Cyberpunk 2077 is receiving a significant—not to mention free—update that completely changes the massive RPG to its core, overhauling the three-year-old game.
Cyberpunk 2077 has had a rocky journey that began before its release in December 2020, including years of delays and a rollout that left many declaring the game unplayable. Sony even removed the game from the PlayStation Store following widespread complaints, only restoring it in June 2021 after CD Projekt Red made significant updates to the troubled game.
For many, Cyberpunk 2077 update 2.0 and Phantom Liberty are what players were promised when the game was initially revealed at E3 in 2018. CD Projekt Red says players can expect new gigs, clothing items, weapons, and cyberware, along with new gameplay areas.
CD Projekt Red Gameplay Designer Yulia Pryimak described it as a “major overhaul of the gameplay experience,” and the first footage bears that out. Here are the five biggest new features CD Projekt Red is bringing to the world of Cyberpunk 2077 when the free update and premium expansion release on September 26.
Vehicle Combat
CDPR is introducing vehicle-to-vehicle combat in update 2.0. Players got a little taste of this during the “Beast in Me” street racing quest line in Cyberpunk 2077. In the gameplay trailer dropped today, vehicle combat appears to be expanding with the addition of mounted weapons and car-to-car combat. Players will also be able to attack vehicles using quick hacks.
“Vehicle combat is a massive foundation,” Pryimak said. “Players who now will be able to shoot their guns while driving, [and] will be able to use mounted weapons like rockets,” she said.
NCPD Update
The Night City Police Department, better known as the NCPD, is also getting an overhaul, with the police force becoming more aggressive in apprehending the mercenary character V when they commit a crime. This overhaul includes equipping the NCPD’s MacTac elite squad with heavier firepower.
Image: CD Projekt Red
Now the NCPD will respond to player actions in more realistic and engaging ways, CDPR says, including setting up roadblocks and attempting to ram players off the road.
Redesigned Cyberware and Perks
Image: CD Projekt Red
Cyberware and perks are also getting a revamp and new design, with new perks added to the skill tree for each attribute. In Cyberpunk 2077 and the tabletop game it’s based on, cyberware refers to cybernetic implants and prosthetics that players can equip to their characters to enhance their abilities. Another change includes the negative impact of having too much cyberware, better known as cyber-psychosis.
Relic skill tree and abilities
Image: CD Projekt Red
In the Cyberpunk 2077 base game, players may notice a “relic section” in V’s skill tree. This relic refers to a chip carrying the engram or construct of deceased rockerboy Johnny Silverhand, played by Keanu Reeves, embedded in V’s skull. In the 2.0 update, V can access abilities granted by the relic.
Combat AI Overhaul
Update 2.0 also changes how combat in Cyberpunk 2077 happens in general, including an upgrade to enemy AI with more dynamic attacks and gruesome melee combat moves. Players can deflect bullets with swords and even throw enemies at other enemies.
According to CD Projekt Red, the redesigned skill trees, overhauled police system, and vehicle combat will be free as part of Update 2.0 for Cyberpunk 2077 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
