Cyberpunk 2077 Sees Player Surge After Phantom Liberty DLC and Update 2.0 Revamp

After months of anticipation and development, Cyberpunk 2077 is seeing a dramatic resurgence in player interest thanks to the launch of its highly acclaimed Phantom Liberty expansion and the transformative Update 2.0. First released in 2020 amid widespread criticism for its technical shortcomings, CD Projekt Red’s open-world RPG is now experiencing what many fans are calling a redemption arc.

Phantom Liberty, which introduces a gripping new storyline starring Idris Elba as Solomon Reed, is not just a standard DLC drop — it reinvigorates the world of Night City with a spy-thriller narrative set in the previously inaccessible district of Dogtown. Players have praised its branching story paths, high-stakes espionage themes, and moral complexity, a return to the studio’s storytelling roots seen in The Witcher series.

Equally impactful is Update 2.0, a monumental overhaul that touches nearly every aspect of the base game. With revamped police mechanics, a redesigned cyberware system, improved AI, and a complete reworking of skill trees and character progression, even veteran players are finding new reasons to dive back in. The update also introduces vehicle combat and expands sandbox gameplay, creating a more immersive and reactive Night City.

The revitalized experience has resonated with players. According to Steam Charts, Cyberpunk 2077 saw a spike of over 170,000 concurrent players during Phantom Liberty’s launch weekend — the highest since its rocky debut. User reviews have swung to “Very Positive,” signaling a significant shift in public sentiment.

Industry analysts see Cyberpunk 2077’s turnaround as a case study in long-term commitment to a game post-launch. “CD Projekt Red’s willingness to listen to community feedback and invest heavily in updates is what turned the tide,” says analyst Erin Cho of Digital Playhouse. “It positions the game where it was originally envisioned — as a genre-defining cyberpunk RPG.”

With the success of Phantom Liberty and Update 2.0, CD Projekt Red has rekindled interest in the series’ future. Whether this marks the beginning of a true franchise revival remains to be seen, but for now, Night City is pulsing with renewed life — and players are eager to plug back in.