With the eagerly anticipated expansion, Phantom Liberty, about to hit the scene, many Cyberpunk 2077 players are concerned about the fate of their existing saves and whether they can migrate them to the new expansion.
This concern is valid, considering Cyberpunk 2077 is the kind of role-playing game that can easily consume hundreds of hours. With substantial alterations and additions on the horizon, the question of whether to carry forward old saves is a legitimate one, and it doesn't come with a straightforward answer.
Ultimately, as is often the case in the gaming world, the decision depends on your priorities for your gaming experience.
Should You Start a New Game for Phantom Liberty in Cyberpunk 2077?
The potential obsolescence of your saved game isn't directly due to Phantom Liberty itself but rather the accompanying 2.0 update, which brings significant changes to established game systems. According to the patch notes for Update 2.0, old saves will be compatible with 2.0 and Phantom Liberty, but there's a significant catch. Existing saves played with Update 2.0 will require a near-complete character respec, rendering any previously built character ineffective due to extensive changes in armor and cyberware.
This is why CD Projekt Red officially recommends—and we concur—that you begin a new game after updating Cyberpunk 2077 to 2.0, although it's not mandatory. The changes introduced are substantial, affecting the early hours of the story significantly. An entirely revamped perk system, the addition of vehicle combat, widespread updates to enemy AI, a new netrunning system, new weapon mods, and changes to the game's economy are just a few examples. To fully immerse yourself in these changes, starting a new playthrough is the logical choice.
You still have some time to familiarize yourself with the new systems before Phantom Liberty is released. The expansion becomes accessible after completing the Voodoo Boys questline, meaning you'll need to progress a significant way through the story. Witnessing Johnny's Arasaka Tower flashback for the first time will be well worth it to ensure you make the most of Update 2.0.
In conclusion, although you can technically continue with your existing saves into Phantom Liberty, CD Projekt Red and we both believe it's not the ideal approach. Embarking on the journey with a new character in this acclaimed expansion is the recommended path—so embrace Dogtown and remember to proceed with caution.
