CD Projekt Red explains how Phantom Liberty is rebuilding perks, skill trees, vehicle combat, AI…
Copying this from another comment /edit: all of these updates are coming to the base game
TL;DR: This is not a DLC. This is Cyberpunk 2.0.
• virtually every system of the main game has been changed and/or updated
• police system is completely reworked with multiple tiers of NCPD/mercs chasing you down in vehicles according to your wanted level, apparently on level 5 maxtac will chase you down and it will be some sort of bossfight against them (source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riK1i8lQwRM&t=511s)
• perks and skills have been completely overhauled, no longer simple passive stat boosts, much more active abilities like different melee finishers, a dash, or the ability to deflect bullets with melee weapons
• the difficulty curve is reworked/rebalanced
• the loot tiers are reworked
• archetypes of enemies have been redone for more variety in combat encounters
• an entirely new 6th skill tree that uses a different type of skill points (relic points) that will be used to add new abilities to your cyberware
• installing cyberware now has an effect on your body and you cant install too much or else you will go cyberpsycho (no idea what that looks like in game)
• installing cyberware now has a first person cutscene added to it, just like in the prologue at Vik’s clinic
• you can now “attune” cyberware to one of your attributes, making it more efficient if you have invested in that attribute; example here optical camo is attuned to the “cool” attribute: https://i.imgur.com/1UI9SEX.png
• armor is no longer tied to clothing, it instead tied to your cybernetics
• vehicle combat is added to the game, you can even use your katana on your bike
• vehicles are no longer bought from fixers, but bought through a website set up by mama welles
• some vehicles have guns installed on them (machine guns, rocket launchers)
• new type of infinitely replayable/repeatable missions are being added where you need to steal certain vehicles marked on your map
• new activity introduced “airdrops”, loot caches that drop randomly on the map that you can fight over and retrieve for yourself
• tons of new random events/activities are added to make the world feel more alive, like car chases and gang fights
I don't agree with this at all. Some of what it does is absolutely fantastic, some is fairly basic. It's a game of very high highs, but some of the lows bring the game down. The game has improved a lot since launch though, and this xpac seems to improve it a lot more. Nothing's guaranteed but I'm cautiously optimistic.
If something is alright, then it doesn't have high highs, it is just a plain old 6-7/10. A "pretty alright" game to me would be something with no real highlights, no real low lights.
It's a fine game. They manage to nail the Cyberpunk atmosphere, but the story is kinda a mess because they set a time limit (it isn't enforced, but it's mentioned every second dialogue) while allowing you to goof of in any direction. Most of the bugs are ironed out, but the city still feels rather lifeless/bland once you try to look behind the façade.
The game is pretty stable at this point. I personally loved it, but it helps to set your expectations. It's a story-driven game with diamond-style story branching ala the Witcher 3, with a heavy focus on narrative. The world is an awesome backdrop, but it is more backdrop than simulation. It's not GTA.
Given how massive this overhaul looks, I would honestly wait for the 2.0 patch. It looks like it's going to address a lot of the shortcomings of the mechanics.
I've done 2 playthroughs now and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I wouldn't say they added what was promised but as someone who didn't but into the hype, I've been pleasantly surprised.
I'm looking forward to this new DLC, I won't pre-order but if the reviews are positive I'll definitely go for a 3rd run through.
I am conflicted about it, it had some of the highest highs for me, but also some of the lowest lows. My main thought while playing it was "damn, this is good but could have been so much better" because I kept stumbling over weird design decisions, bad gameplay elements that get in the way, lack of balance that made endgame combat boring, tedium when it comes to gearing and leveling, etc.
I still think it's worth playing if you're into sci-fi, cyberpunk or FPS RPGs. If they actually address those issues then it'd be a definite recommendation from me.
If you like games that are mostly a map covered in markers that represent 1000 hours of busywork and 2 hours of cool content, and you're into the cyberpunk coat of paint that's been slapped on it, then with all the bugfixes this is a good version of that. Otherwise I'd still pass.
Maybe driver yeah, or the shader cache being pre-made for the steam deck. Haven't tested it myself tho, and I also had weird performance issues on my Linux desktop so I still mainly game on Windows there still