Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Yes—Phantom Liberty changes the overall Cyberpunk 2077 experience by adding a substantial campaign branch and, under specific conditions, an optional additional ending called The Tower. It does not replace the base game’s original endings or force every player onto a new finale. Your decisions in Dogtown determine which expansion missions and conclusions you see, while the original ending routes remain available.
The answer depends on what you mean by “change the story”: the expansion adds new plot, changes V’s available route during the campaign, and can unlock one more main-game ending. It does not rewrite the existing endings as canon or make them disappear.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Recommended Free Tools
Does Cyberpunk Phantom Liberty change the story?
It adds to the story rather than replacing it. Phantom Liberty introduces a new crisis in Dogtown, a new group of characters and several branching conclusions that run alongside the original campaign. Some of those conclusions can unlock The Tower, an additional ending for V, but the base game’s established ending choices remain intact.
That distinction matters because “change the story” can describe three different things:
Popular on Amazon
- 【90 Degree Full Function USB C Adapter】Supports the latest USB4 standard for up to 40Gbps of bandwidth, 8K video support, and up to 240W Fast charging; Support USB PD 3.1 Extended Power Range (EPR) including 140W, 180W and 240W. Your productivity is easily doubled. *Warm Tip: For the best fit, please make sure the USB-C port is fully exposed; thick or bulky cases may affect compatibility.
- 【Reliable Quality】Made from high-quality, scratch-resistant aluminum alloy, delicate metal frame. get excellent wear resistance and heat dissipation. Non-Slip Design for easier insertion and removal.
- 【Small and portable】Ultra thin size, ultra compact design, a petite physique that matches the minimalist design of your modern laptops. Coming with a slim figure that won't block the port next to the one it's plugged into.
- 【Compatibility】Widely work with most usb c, thunderbolt 4/3 devices. Compatibilit for ROG Ally, Steam Deck, Switch, MacBook Pro, Quest 3 VR headset, Surface Book 2, iPhone 18/17/16/15, Samsung Galaxy S23/S22/S21, Note 20/10, Google Pixel, ChromeBook, etc.
- 【Excellence Customer Support】If you experience any issues or cable failure, simply reach out to our dedicated customer service team. We provide a prompt response within 18 hours, providing you with the necessary technical support to resolve any concerns.
- Added story: a large campaign arc set in Dogtown involving the NUSA, the FIA and agent Solomon Reed.
- Changed route: a major decision involving Songbird and Reed sends you through different missions and changes which Phantom Liberty conclusions are available.
- Replaced ending: this does not happen. The expansion does not select one of the original endings as the official continuation or remove the others.
CD Projekt Red’s narrative director Igor Sarzyński explained the placement in the campaign rather than after the finale: “The endings are too diverse to have a single post-main story thread make sense for them all—and you don’t want to pick one and invalidate other people’s choices.” PC Gamer reported that explanation.
Where does Phantom Liberty fit in the campaign?
Phantom Liberty is designed to be played during the main Cyberpunk 2077 campaign, before V reaches a final ending. Dogtown becomes another active part of V’s search for a cure, not a post-credits sequel that assumes one particular ending already happened.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11This structure lets the expansion acknowledge the base game without invalidating the player’s previous choices. You can pursue the Dogtown storyline, finish its available conclusions and still return to the original campaign’s ending options. The expansion therefore works as an additional route through V’s story rather than a replacement timeline.
Paweł Ochocki, a cinematic design coordinator at CD Projekt Red, summarized the studio’s approach as: “Things change, and we need to change, too.” In practical terms, that means the expansion adds consequences and possibilities while preserving the campaign framework players already know.
What new story does Phantom Liberty add?
The expansion centers on Dogtown, a sealed-off district shaped by its own power structure, and a high-stakes search for a cure. V becomes entangled with the NUSA and FIA agent Solomon Reed, while Songbird becomes the key figure whose situation drives the central conflict.
This is not a short side quest detached from the main plot. The new storyline has its own missions, character relationships and endings, and it intersects with V’s central problem: how to survive and what compromises to accept in pursuit of that survival. The exact sequence of missions depends on the decisions you make after the story’s major split.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Because the expansion is embedded in the campaign, events in Dogtown can alter what you are able to do later without erasing the broader game. Think of it as another major branch on V’s campaign map, not a second game that starts after the credits.
How do the Songbird and Reed choices change the route?
The pivotal choice is whether V supports Songbird or Reed at a major turning point. That decision changes the subsequent mission path and determines which of the expansion’s conclusions can become available. A GamesRadar+ guide to helping Songbird or Reed treats the decision as a genuine route split rather than a cosmetic dialogue variation.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
The consequences are best understood in three layers:
- Immediate mission changes: choosing one side sends V into a different set of objectives and encounters.
- Character outcomes: Songbird, Reed and the people around them can reach different fates depending on the path.
- Ending access: the choice affects which Phantom Liberty conclusions you can reach, including whether a route that unlocks The Tower is available.
There is no evidence-backed universal “best” choice. The meaningful trade-off is whether you prioritize a particular character’s outcome, want to experience a specific mission route, or want access to the additional ending. A GamesRadar+ ending guide describes four expansion endings and notes that two can affect the main game’s ending choices.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThat branching design also makes a first playthrough different from a completionist run. You cannot see every route in one uninterrupted version of the expansion, because the major decision changes what follows. If you want to compare outcomes, keep a save before the pivotal choice and treat each branch as its own story path.
Does Phantom Liberty replace the original Cyberpunk 2077 endings?
No. Completing the expansion does not remove the base game’s original ending routes. The existing conclusions remain part of V’s story, and you can still pursue them after playing through Dogtown.
The reason is structural as much as technical. The base game has deliberately varied endings, each reflecting different relationships and choices. A post-ending expansion would have needed to declare one of those outcomes “correct,” potentially contradicting the decisions another player made. By placing Phantom Liberty within the campaign, CD Projekt Red can add a substantial narrative without rewriting the original finale set.
When a guide says that a Phantom Liberty outcome “changes the ending,” it may be referring to one of two things: the expansion’s own conclusion, or the new option that becomes available for the main game’s final sequence. It does not mean that every old ending has been replaced.
What is The Tower ending?
The Tower is an optional additional main-game ending unlocked by certain Phantom Liberty outcomes. It is not a mandatory finale and is not automatically granted simply because you own or start the expansion.
Its place in the game is unusual: it is a new choice that can appear in the broader main-game ending selection, rather than one of the four conclusions that belong solely to the expansion’s branch. Whether it becomes available depends on the route and decisions you make in Dogtown.
Also popular on Amazon
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Because the ending is optional, players who prefer the original conclusion set can continue using those routes. Players interested in seeing every major outcome should make a separate save before the expansion’s decisive branch, follow the route that unlocks The Tower, and then return to the original campaign choices afterward.
Can Phantom Liberty lock me out of the base-game endings?
Choosing a Phantom Liberty route does not itself lock you out of the original ending options. The expansion’s decisions determine its own mission and conclusion set, while the base-game endings remain available within the campaign structure.
The practical caution is different: choices can lock you out of other Phantom Liberty routes. Once the Songbird/Reed split is made, later missions and character outcomes follow that branch. If you want to compare the expansion’s alternatives, create a manual save before that decision rather than relying on a single continuing file.
The result is a game with more possibilities, not fewer. You can experience Dogtown’s consequences, then pursue an original ending, or pursue the conditions for The Tower as an additional option.
How many Phantom Liberty endings are there?
The researched ending guide identifies four conclusions for the expansion. They are not four interchangeable cutscenes: they arise from different routes and decisions, and the available outcomes depend on whether V supports Songbird or Reed at the central split.
Two of those expansion outcomes can affect the main game’s ending choices by unlocking The Tower. The other expansion conclusions still matter as endings to the Dogtown storyline, but they do not all open that additional main-game route.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →For a spoiler-light playthrough, it is more useful to think in terms of “which branch and which character outcome do I want?” than to chase a supposedly optimal ending. The source material does not establish a single objectively best route, and the consequences are intentionally designed as trade-offs.
Should you play Phantom Liberty before finishing the main story?
Yes, if you want the expansion to function as an integrated part of V’s campaign. It was built for placement during the main story, so playing it before selecting a base-game finale lets you see its new branch and decide whether to pursue The Tower alongside the original choices.
Also popular on Amazon
- Portable and powerful USB-C HUB: BENFEI USB Type-C HUB, with super-soft and knot-free silicone woven design cable, meets most mobile office needs. Compact, lightweight, stylish, and powerful portable USB C Hub equipped with 1 x HDMI port, 1 x 100W charging, and 3 x USB ports. 18-month warranty, 24-hour response, to ensure you feel at ease when using our product.
- Design centered on comfort and reliability: Thanks to BENFEI's end-to-end in-house cable production capability, in-house PCBA and assembly capability, using the industry's most advanced silicone woven design and process, 20cm cable in length, no knots, super-soft, the HUB is easy to use in all scenarios: laptop, tablet, stand etc. Super-soft, 25000+ life cycles, to meet your daily carrying and office needs.
- 100W Charging: Support up to 90W USB C pass-through charging via Type-C port to keep your laptop powered. 10W is reserved for other interface operations. No data and video function on the Type-C port.
- 4K HDMI Display: The HDMI port supports media display at resolutions up to 4K 30Hz, keeping every incredible moment detailed and ultra vivid. Please note that the C port of the Host device needs to support video output.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Transfer files and from your laptop at speeds up to 10 Gbps with USB A 3.2 port. Extra 2 USB A 2.0 ports are perfectly for your keyboards and mouse.
Finishing the base game first is not the intended narrative requirement for understanding the expansion. The campaign placement exists specifically so CD Projekt Red would not need to choose one ending as canon. If you have already reached a finale, load a pre-ending save or begin a playthrough that can enter Dogtown before the final sequence.
Do not treat the expansion as a replacement post-game chapter. Its events are most meaningful when V’s search for a cure and the unresolved campaign stakes are still active.
How long is the added story?
Published estimates vary because reviewers count different material. GameSpot’s 2023 review reported about 30 hours to experience both main story routes, the new ending, side missions, gigs and additional content. That is a scope-specific reviewer estimate, not a guaranteed completion time for every player.
Gamereactor’s 2025 review of the Nintendo Switch 2 Ultimate Edition described about 20 hours of additional content. That estimate concerns a different platform and scope, so the two figures should not be combined into a single promised playtime.
Your total will depend on whether you follow one branch or replay the pivotal decision, how many side missions and gigs you complete, and whether you pursue the added ending. The important point is that this is a substantial campaign expansion, not a brief epilogue.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which edition includes Phantom Liberty?
The official Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition booklet describes an edition that combines the base game and Phantom Liberty. A Gamereactor review confirms that the Nintendo Switch 2 Ultimate Edition includes the expansion.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Check the platform and regional listing before buying: the Switch 2 edition is a specific product, and availability, packaging and compatibility can differ by territory. The expansion is not required to understand the original campaign, but it is required for the Dogtown branch, its four expansion conclusions and access to The Tower.
The same CD Projekt Red booklet also documents the Phantom Liberty Original Score and vinyl packaging. Those are collector or soundtrack products, not content needed to play the expansion or follow its story.
Also popular on Amazon
- 【Read before You Buy】 Note: This adapter is USB 2.0 version and cannot transmit HDM, VGA, or other video signals. Nevertheless, they are fully capable of charging devices,duplicating files, and can be seamlessly integrated with USB-C earphones, wireless network adapters, and SD card adapters.
- 【Easy to Use and Safe】Thanks to modern manufacturing techniques, we've made these adapters sufficiently compact so that they can remain inserted in your device without noticeable protrusion or inconvenience. This means you don't have to constantly plug and unplug them, reducing the likelihood of wear and misalignment, and making them more convenient to carry around.
- 【Reliable Quality】Engineered for enhanced durability, durable aluminum alloy shell material,get excellent wear resistance and heat dissipation,the male USB C and female USB connectors & the male USB and female USB C connectors are designed to be plugged and unplugged up to 20000 times. Provides data transfer, device charging, memory space expansion, and additional computer peripherals.
- 【Think more for you】Do you need to connect a USB-C-enabled device to an odd device that only has USB-A ports? Then these USB-A male to USB-C female adapters are made for you.Simply insert the adapter into the USB-A port on the device, and you can instantly connect your USB-C device to the device that originally didn't have the correct connection port.
- 【Trusted xiwxi Quality and Service】As a responsible brand seller, you will receive xiwxi's 12-month Quality assurance and lifetime friendly customer service, you're not just buying a product,you're investing in peace of mind with all-round quality and exceptional customer service.
What is the clearest spoiler-light way to describe the change?
Phantom Liberty adds a second major route in V’s search for a cure, gives your choices real consequences inside that route, and can add The Tower to the main game’s ending selection. It does not overwrite the original endings, declare one of them canon, or force every player into the same conclusion.
If someone asks whether the expansion “changes the ending,” the precise answer is: it changes which expansion route and conclusions you see, and certain outcomes unlock one additional main-game ending. The original ending paths remain part of Cyberpunk 2077.
How should you plan a playthrough?
- Enter Dogtown before choosing a base-game finale. This keeps the expansion integrated with the campaign’s unresolved stakes.
- Keep a manual save before the major Songbird/Reed decision. The branch determines later missions and available conclusions.
- Choose based on your priority. Decide whether you care most about a character outcome, a particular mission path or access to The Tower.
- Return to the original ending routes. Completing the expansion does not force you to use its additional ending.
- Replay the branch only if you want the alternatives. The expansion is designed around consequential choices, so seeing every outcome requires following different routes.
This approach preserves the surprise of a first playthrough while making it possible to explore the expansion’s full decision tree later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to buy Phantom Liberty to see Cyberpunk 2077’s original endings?
No. The original ending routes belong to the base game and remain available without the expansion. Phantom Liberty adds Dogtown’s storyline and the possibility of The Tower, but it is not required for the existing finale choices.
Can I experience every Phantom Liberty ending in one playthrough?
Not through one uninterrupted branch. The expansion has four conclusions, and the Songbird/Reed decision changes the missions and outcomes that follow. A save before that split lets you explore another route without replaying the entire campaign.
Is The Tower the canon ending for V?
No. It is an optional additional main-game ending unlocked by certain expansion outcomes. CD Projekt Red placed the expansion during the campaign specifically to avoid selecting one of the diverse original endings as canon.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Does the Phantom Liberty story happen after the Cyberpunk 2077 ending?
It is designed to occur during the main campaign, before V selects a final ending. That placement lets the expansion add consequences and another route without assuming that one base-game conclusion already happened.
Are the 20-hour and 30-hour estimates measuring the same thing?
No. GameSpot’s roughly 30-hour figure includes both main routes, the new ending, side missions and gigs, while Gamereactor’s roughly 20-hour estimate covers additional content in its Nintendo Switch 2 Ultimate Edition review. They are scope-specific estimates from different reviews, not a single guaranteed playtime.
