Traveling across the maps of open-world games solo is often an exciting experience rich in the joy of discovery. But taking a friend along for the ride is an appealing concept. Developer CD Projekt Red certainly thought so, as it wanted multiplayer in Cyberpunk 2077. Those plans clearly changed. But with the Phantom Liberty DLC giving Cyberpunk 2077 its second wind, you may wonder if multiplayer is also getting another chance.
For those who don’t recall, CD Projekt Red once planned to add multiplayer to Cyberpunk 2077. The feature would head to the game post-launch, with the developer eyeing 2021 for a likely release window. Well, things certainly took a turn following delays and a rather disastrous launch. The feature got canceled, and the team explained in an interview with Eurogamer that it “had to go away.” Fixing the game instead became its highest priority.
Is multiplayer finally heading to Cyberpunk 2077 with the Phantom Liberty DLC?
Sadly, the Phantom Liberty DLC will not include the multiplayer component once promised. Instead, it adds a new map and more characters while significantly overhauling many of its gameplay systems. The DLC reworks V’s skill trees and cybernetic enhancements. There is also vehicle combat that’ll let you not just fire guns from your seat, but swing melee weapons around as well.
It is kind of a bummer to miss out on pounding the mean streets of Night City with a friend. Think about it: all the thrilling cop chases and back-alley gunfights of Cyberpunk 2077, but this time with a fellow choom backing you up. One can take the high ground with a sniper rifle, while the other runs blends enemies with a pair of Mantis Blades down below.
Luckily, it sounds like Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is a solid DLC that doesn’t need multiplayer to shine. Our own Eric Van Allen gave it high marks, saying Phantom Liberty is a “great expansion, with a conclusion that easily secures it a spot on CD Projekt Red’s track record for great expansions.”
