Start by choosing a platform you own, then decide whether you want Cyberpunk 2077 by itself or the bundle that includes its Phantom Liberty expansion. The base game is a complete starting point; the expansion requires it. For a newcomer who wants both, CD PROJEKT RED’s Ultimate Edition is the publisher-described bundle of the base game, Phantom Liberty, free DLC, and released updates. Before buying, check the exact edition and system requirements in your region’s storefront.
What is Cyberpunk 2077?
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world role-playing game set in Night City. You play as V, a mercenary who takes on gigs and makes choices that shape the story and relationships. The game gives you several ways to build and play your character: invest in skills and perks, use weapons, hacking, and cybernetic implants, and approach encounters through direct combat, ranged attacks, or stealth. There is no single playstyle the publisher identifies as best for every player.
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That flexibility is the main thing to know before starting. You do not have to choose between a story-focused experience and a particular combat style at the outset. As you play, you can invest in the skills and perks that fit how you want V to operate. CD PROJEKT RED describes this as building “a playstyle that fits your character” in its official game overview.
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- CREATE YOUR OWN CYBERPUNK: Become an urban outlaw equipped with cybernetic enhancements and build your legend on the streets of Night City. · EXPLORE THE CITY OF THE FUTURE: Night City is packed to the brim with things to do, places to see, and people to meet. And it’s up to you where to go, when to go, and how to get there.
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Choose an edition: base game or Ultimate Edition
The purchase decision is primarily about whether you want the main game alone or also want its paid expansion, Phantom Liberty. The expansion is a separate story set in Dogtown, adds an exclusive Relic skill tree, and requires the base game. The Ultimate Edition is the bundled option described by the publisher for players who want both.
| Option | What it includes | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Base game | The core Cyberpunk 2077 story and game. Owners can receive Update 2.3 without owning Phantom Liberty or Ultimate Edition, according to the publisher’s Update 2.3 FAQ. | Players who want to begin with the main game and decide later whether they want the expansion. |
| Phantom Liberty | A separate spy-thriller expansion set in Dogtown, with an exclusive Relic skill tree. It is not playable without the base game. | Players who already own the base game and want the expansion’s additional story and content. |
| Ultimate Edition | In its 2023 announcement, CD PROJEKT RED described it as the base game, released updates including Update 2.0, all free DLC, and the Phantom Liberty expansion. | New players who want the base game and expansion in one purchase, if that edition is available for their platform and region. |
The Ultimate Edition contents above reflect the publisher’s November 21, 2023 announcement; they do not establish current stock, pricing, or availability in every region. Store listings can differ by platform and market. Check the package contents on your own storefront before checkout rather than assuming that a listing with a similar name contains the same items.
Think of the three listings as different purchase roles, not interchangeable names. The base game is the core game. Phantom Liberty is an add-on that depends on the base game. Ultimate Edition is the publisher-described bundle containing both, along with free DLC and released updates as stated in the 2023 announcement. An update such as Update 2.3 is not the same thing as the expansion: the publisher says base-game owners can receive that update without owning either Phantom Liberty or Ultimate Edition.
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There is no source-supported current price comparison that would make one option automatically the best value. If you already own the base game, compare the live store price and description for the expansion by itself with any bundle listing, and confirm exactly what each SKU includes. If you own neither, compare the base game and Ultimate Edition listings according to whether you want the Dogtown story and Relic skill tree as well as the core experience. Check the final price shown by your own store rather than relying on an old launch announcement.
Should you start with the base game?
Yes, if you are unsure about the expansion or want to begin with the core story. The base game is not merely an add-on or a launcher: it is the game Phantom Liberty requires. The publisher also confirms that Update 2.3 is free for base-game owners, without a requirement to own the expansion or Ultimate Edition. Buying only the base game therefore does not prevent you from receiving that listed update.
When does Ultimate Edition make sense?
Choose it if you already know you want both the main story and Phantom Liberty, and the edition is offered for your platform in your region. The bundle is the publisher’s single-purchase route for the base game plus expansion. Compare its listed contents with what you already own: if you have the base game, check whether the expansion is sold separately and compare the actual prices and package descriptions shown in your store. Current prices are not established here, so use the live listing rather than relying on old launch information.
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- THE ULTIMATE CYBERPUNK 2077 EXPERIENCE - Includes the critically acclaimed spy thriller expansion Phantom Liberty
- CREATE YOUR OWN CYBERPUNK
- Explore the city of the future – you decide when you want to go where and how to get there
- Decide how the story ends – your choices in the main game as well as in the spy thriller adventure Phantom Liberty lead to a complex web of consequences
Pick a platform and verify the listing
The official Update 2.3 page lists Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC, Nintendo Switch 2, and Mac. That is a useful platform checklist, but it does not guarantee that every edition or physical and digital SKU is available on every platform in every country. The publisher’s 2023 Ultimate Edition announcement described digital worldwide availability and physical availability in selected markets for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S; that was launch information, not a statement of current retail stock.
- Start with hardware you own. Decide whether you will play on a console, PC, Mac, or Nintendo Switch 2. Do not infer relative frame rates or image quality from the platform list; the publisher material cited here does not establish a performance ranking.
- Open the relevant regional store. Search for the exact game and edition on the platform where you intend to play. Read the product description and verify that it is the base game, an expansion, or Ultimate Edition—not just a similarly named add-on.
- Check what is included. Confirm whether the base game and Phantom Liberty are both listed if you want the bundle. If buying the expansion separately, confirm that you own or are buying the base game as well.
- For a physical copy, verify local availability. The publisher’s launch announcement specified selected markets for physical Ultimate Edition copies; it does not establish current availability where you live.
- For PC, check the current requirements on the store listing. Match those requirements against your computer before buying. The publisher’s September 2023 Update 2.0 post discussed an SSD under its updated PC requirements, but that dated notice is not a complete current specification.
It can help to make the platform decision before comparing editions. First identify where you can play, then inspect that platform’s store for the version you want. If you are considering a physical edition, look for the exact format and regional availability; the publisher’s launch announcement said physical copies were available in selected markets, not everywhere. If you prefer digital, verify the edition listing and included content in the account or storefront you plan to use.
The publisher’s buy page is region-specific and visibly offers PC, Xbox, and PS4 selection; it should not be treated as a complete inventory of every currently supported platform or edition. Use your actual platform’s store for the final availability and requirements check.
PC requirements: treat the 2023 notice as historical context
CD PROJEKT RED’s September 21, 2023 Update 2.0 post recommended an SSD under the PC requirements updated for that release. It also said the publisher could not guarantee operation on older minimum requirements that had not been tested for that update. The post recommended a fresh playthrough to experience its extensive gameplay changes.
Those points help explain why old PC requirement lists may not be a safe purchasing guide, but they are not a current, complete hardware specification. They are dated guidance tied to Update 2.0, not a guarantee about every later version or configuration. Check the current store listing for your platform and compare its stated processor, memory, graphics, storage, and operating-system requirements with your system. If your computer is near or below a listed minimum, do not assume that the 2023 statement guarantees that it will run acceptably.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe practical takeaway is to use the current requirements attached to the product you intend to buy, not an old list copied from a different release or store. The 2023 post’s SSD recommendation is useful context because it shows that requirements were updated for Update 2.0; it does not supply every current component requirement or certify that any particular older PC will work. A system check before purchase is especially worthwhile if you are choosing PC because you already own a computer and are unsure whether it meets the listing’s minimums.
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How to get started in the game
Begin with the core experience you bought
Launch the base game or Ultimate Edition you purchased, and start with the main game if you are new. If you have Phantom Liberty, remember that it is an expansion that builds on the base game rather than a standalone way to play Cyberpunk 2077. The publisher’s overview places V in Night City, where gigs, story choices, and relationships form part of the role-playing experience.
Keep the distinction between the purchase and the play experience clear: owning the expansion does not remove the base-game requirement, and owning the base game does not mean you also own Phantom Liberty. If you bought Ultimate Edition, check the product listing or your library to confirm that the bundle’s contents are associated with your purchase. If you started with the base game, you can make a separate decision about the expansion later.
Let your preferred approach guide your build
As you invest in skills and perks, use your own comfort and curiosity as a guide. If you enjoy direct encounters, the game supports combat and weapons; if you prefer a less direct approach, it also supports hacking and stealth. Cybernetic implants and upgradeable weapons are additional parts of the character and equipment choices described by the publisher. These are supported options, not a prescription that a newcomer must follow a specific build or maximize a particular skill.
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- Prefer ranged attacks? The game supports ranged weapons as one way to handle encounters.
- Want to avoid a direct fight when possible? Stealth and hacking are among the available approaches.
- Still deciding? Try different supported approaches as you develop V, then invest in the skills and perks that fit the playstyle you find enjoyable.
The publisher’s material supports these broad approaches, but it does not identify one universally superior build. Treat early choices as a way to shape your character, rather than following an outside “best build” claim that may not match how you want to play.
For a new player, a useful way to think about a build is as a preference rather than a test with one correct answer. Skills and perks let you develop V; weapons and implants are part of the available character and equipment choices; hacking, stealth, ranged attacks, and direct combat give you different broad approaches to encounters. You can use the approach that feels most natural, or try more than one as you learn what you enjoy. The official overview supports that flexibility, but it does not give a universal build order or state that one specialization is required.
Make choices as part of the role-playing experience
Gigs are a way to take on work as V, while story choices can affect the narrative and relationships. If you are starting for the first time, pay attention to the choices and approaches that interest you instead of trying to optimize every decision against a single prescribed route. The available source material establishes that choices matter to the story and relationships; it does not supply a universal decision guide or a required order for gigs.
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That makes the game approachable from more than one angle: you can pay attention to the story and relationships, think about how you want V to approach a situation, and develop skills and perks that support your preferences. There is no need to treat every gig or choice as a puzzle with one publisher-endorsed solution. The official description establishes that choices shape story and relationships, while leaving room for players to decide how they want to engage with them.
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What Phantom Liberty adds—and what it does not replace
Phantom Liberty adds a spy-thriller story in Dogtown and an exclusive Relic skill tree, according to CD PROJEKT RED’s game overview. It is an expansion to Cyberpunk 2077, not a substitute for the base game: the publisher’s buy information says the base game is required to play it.
This distinction matters at checkout. A listing for Phantom Liberty alone is not the same as Ultimate Edition, and owning the expansion by itself does not meet the base-game requirement. If you want both pieces of content in one purchase, look for Ultimate Edition and verify its contents in your region. If you already own the base game, check your store for the expansion as a separate purchase instead.
Whether the expansion belongs in your first purchase depends on whether its additional Dogtown spy-thriller story and Relic skill tree are content you want. The base game remains the required foundation either way, and the Update 2.3 FAQ confirms that the base-game update does not depend on buying the expansion. That means you can separate the decision into two questions: do you want the core game, and do you also want the expansion? The bundle may answer both in one purchase if it is offered on your platform and in your region.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common buying and setup mistakes to avoid
- Buying the expansion without the base game: Phantom Liberty requires Cyberpunk 2077. Check your library or the listing before purchase.
- Assuming Ultimate Edition is identical everywhere: The publisher described its contents and launch availability in 2023, but current SKU availability can vary. Verify the live platform and regional listing.
- Treating the Update 2.3 list as a guarantee about every package: The official page lists supported platforms for that update; it does not establish that every edition is sold on each platform or in every region.
- Relying on old PC specifications: The SSD recommendation and testing caveat in the Update 2.0 post date to September 2023. Check current platform requirements instead of treating that post as a complete present-day spec sheet.
- Expecting a universal best build: The official overview presents multiple approaches through skills, perks, weapons, hacking, implants, combat, and stealth. Choose around the playstyle you want rather than assuming one approach is required.
Sources for edition, platform, and gameplay details
- CD PROJEKT RED: Update 2.3 — listed platforms and the FAQ about the free update for base-game owners.
- CD PROJEKT RED: Ultimate Edition arrives on December 5th — the publisher’s November 21, 2023 description of the bundle and launch availability.
- CD PROJEKT RED: Cyberpunk 2077 overview — setting, V, gameplay approaches, and Phantom Liberty context.
- CD PROJEKT RED: buy page — region-specific purchase information; not a complete global platform inventory.
- CD PROJEKT RED: Update 2.0 — dated September 21, 2023 PC requirements context and the publisher’s fresh-playthrough recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get started with Cyberpunk 2077?
Choose a platform you own, verify that the listing is for the base game or the bundle you intend to buy, and check current system requirements for PC. In the game, develop V with skills and perks that suit your preferences; the publisher describes options including weapons, hacking, implants, combat, ranged attacks, and stealth.
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Do I need the base game to play Phantom Liberty?
Yes. CD PROJEKT RED states that Cyberpunk 2077 is required to play the Phantom Liberty expansion. The expansion is not a standalone replacement for the base game.
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- DISCOVER UPDATE 2.0: Experience new and overhauled gameplay mechanics to fulfill your wildest cyberpunk fantasies. The free Update 2.0 brings brand new ways to play Cyberpunk 2077, including totally redesigned perks and cyberware systems, pulsating vehicle combat and car chases, a revamped police system, enhanced enemy combat AI, and more
- CREATE YOUR OWN CYBERPUNK: Become an urban outlaw equipped with cybernetic enhancements and build your legend on the streets of Night City
- EXPLORE THE CITY: Night City is packed to the brim with things to do, places to see, and people to meet. And it’s up to you where to go, when to go, and how to get there
- BUILD YOUR LEGEND: Go on daring adventures and build relationships with unforgettable characters whose fates are shaped by the choices you make
What does Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition include?
In its November 21, 2023 announcement, CD PROJEKT RED described Ultimate Edition as including the base game, Phantom Liberty, all free DLC, and released updates including Update 2.0. Check your regional storefront’s current listing for the contents of the edition offered there.
Can I get Update 2.3 if I only own the base game?
Yes. The publisher’s Update 2.3 FAQ says the update is free for owners of the base game and does not require Phantom Liberty or Ultimate Edition.
Which platforms are listed for Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.3?
The official Update 2.3 page lists Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC, Nintendo Switch 2, and Mac. That list does not guarantee that every edition or physical or digital SKU is available in every region.
What PC requirements should I check before buying?
Use the current requirements on the relevant store listing and compare them with your computer. CD PROJEKT RED’s September 21, 2023 Update 2.0 post recommended an SSD and said operation on older minimum requirements not tested for that update could not be guaranteed; that dated notice is not a complete current specification.
Is there one best build for a beginner?
The publisher describes several supported approaches and does not identify one universally best build. Choose skills and perks around the way you want to play, whether that means direct combat, ranged attacks, hacking, stealth, or a mix.
The Bottom Line
For the simplest start, buy the base game for a platform you own and confirm the listing’s contents and requirements in your regional store. Choose Ultimate Edition if you want both the core game and Phantom Liberty in one purchase and it is available for your platform. Then build V around the approaches you enjoy; the game supports multiple playstyles rather than one required “best” build.
Quick Recap
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