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Start by choosing a platform you own, then decide whether you want only Cyberpunk 2077 or the game bundled with its Phantom Liberty expansion. The base game is enough to begin: the expansion is optional and requires the base game. For a first purchase that includes both stories, the publisher’s Ultimate Edition bundle is the straightforward option—but check the exact platform, region, and package contents in your store before buying.
What you need to know before you buy
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world role-playing game set in Night City. You play V, a mercenary who takes on gigs and makes choices that shape the story and relationships. Its combat and character systems allow several approaches, including direct combat, ranged weapons, hacking, and stealth; there is no single playstyle the publisher identifies as best for every player.
There are two main purchase decisions: whether to buy the base game or a package that includes Phantom Liberty, and which platform and store edition to use. The game and expansion are not interchangeable: Phantom Liberty is an add-on, and you need the base game to play it. CD PROJEKT RED’s buy page states that requirement.
If you are asking, “How do I get started with Cyberpunk 2077?”, the short answer is to select a platform you use, verify the edition you are purchasing, and begin with the base game or a bundle that includes it. Once you are playing, experiment with the tools available to V and develop a playstyle that suits you. You do not need to settle on a single approach before you begin.
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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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- PHYSICAL EDITION GOODIES: The physical version of Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition includes an exclusive set of stickers and a rewards leaflet with a Wild Hunt Jacket and a Scorch Pistol!
Choose between the base game and Ultimate Edition
| Option | What it includes | Best fit | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base game | The core Cyberpunk 2077 game. Owners receive Update 2.3 without needing Phantom Liberty or Ultimate Edition, according to the publisher’s Update 2.3 FAQ. | You want to play the main game first, or prefer not to buy the expansion yet. | Confirm that the store listing is for the base game and that it is compatible with your platform. |
| Phantom Liberty | A separate spy-thriller expansion set in Dogtown. The official overview also describes an exclusive Relic skill tree. | You already own the base game and want the expansion’s additional story and content. | The base game is required. Check whether the listing is an expansion or a bundle, and whether it matches your game platform and region. |
| Ultimate Edition | The publisher’s November 2023 announcement describes it as the base game, Phantom Liberty, released updates including Update 2.0, and all free DLCs. | You are new to the game and want one purchase that includes the main game and expansion. | Verify the contents of the exact store SKU; availability and package details can vary by platform and region. |
The Ultimate Edition description comes from CD PROJEKT RED’s November 21, 2023 announcement. It said the edition would be available digitally worldwide and physically in selected markets for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. That is launch information, not confirmation of current stock or availability in every region.
You do not need the expansion or Ultimate Edition to receive Update 2.3 if you own the base game. The publisher describes that update as free for base-game owners on its Update 2.3 page. This makes the base game a reasonable way to start if you want to decide about the expansion later.
Which purchase makes sense for you?
Choose the base game if you want to try the main Cyberpunk 2077 experience without committing to the expansion. The publisher confirms that Update 2.3 is free for owners of the base game, so buying the base game does not mean you must also buy Phantom Liberty to receive that update. You can consider the expansion later, as long as you select a version compatible with your game.
Choose Phantom Liberty as a separate purchase if you already own the base game and want its Dogtown spy-thriller story and Relic skill tree. It is not a standalone starting point. If you are buying both for the first time, Ultimate Edition is the single-purchase bundle the publisher describes as including the base game, expansion, released updates, and free DLC. Compare the actual store listings rather than assuming that a similarly named package contains the same things.
There is no price comparison here because prices and availability are store- and region-specific. Check the total price, platform, format, and contents in the storefront you intend to use. A listing for an expansion is not the same as a complete game, and a physical package may not be available in your market even when a digital edition is listed.
Check platform and edition availability before checkout
The official Update 2.3 page lists Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC, Nintendo Switch 2, and Mac. This is a list of platforms associated with that update; it does not establish that every edition or physical and digital package is available on each platform or in every country. Check the store for the platform you actually use and confirm the edition name and included content on the product page.
- Choose your platform. Start with a system you already own. The official platform list is on CD PROJEKT RED’s Update 2.3 page.
- Open that platform’s store. Search for the game in the relevant console, PC, or Mac storefront. Do not assume a listing or package on one platform transfers to another.
- Read the edition name and contents. Make sure you are selecting the base game, the expansion, or a bundle that includes both, as intended. If you already own the game, check that an expansion listing is compatible with your version.
- Check region and format. Digital listings, physical copies, and bundle availability may differ by location. The 2023 physical-edition announcement covered selected markets, not every region.
- Review the current system requirements or platform details. In particular, PC players should use the requirements shown by the current platform or store listing rather than treating an older update notice as a complete current specification.
The publisher’s region-specific buy page is not a complete inventory of all platforms: the page reviewed offers PC, Xbox, and PS4 selection. Use it as a purchase-information page for its region, not as proof that those are the only platforms or that every listed edition is available everywhere.
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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
What the platform list can—and cannot—tell you
The Update 2.3 platform list is useful as a current official reference for platforms associated with that update. It is not a promise that a specific edition, store format, or local listing exists for every platform. In particular, the Ultimate Edition announcement dates from November 2023 and described its launch availability: digital worldwide and physical in selected markets for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Treat those details as what the publisher announced at launch, not as a live stock check.
Likewise, do not use a page for one country to infer what another country’s store sells. CD PROJEKT RED’s reviewed buy page is region-specific and shows PC, Xbox, and PS4 selection, while the Update 2.3 page names a broader platform set. The pages serve different purposes and do not establish a complete universal catalog. The relevant store listing is the final check for your country, platform, edition, and format.
No official information cited here supports ranking the listed platforms by frame rate, image quality, or overall performance. Choose based on the device you own and the version you can actually buy; consult current platform-specific information if you need details beyond the publisher’s update list.
What to expect from the gameplay
You control V while exploring Night City, taking gigs, and progressing through the story. The official game overview describes choices that affect the story and relationships, alongside a flexible character system. That means you can shape how V handles encounters instead of being locked into one combat method.
Build a character around the tools you enjoy
Skills and perks let you develop V’s playstyle. Weapons can be upgraded, hacking offers another way to deal with situations, and cybernetic implants enhance the character. The publisher summarizes the choice as: “Invest in a variety of skills and perks to build a playstyle that fits your character.” It is a description of the game’s flexibility, not a recommendation that one particular build is strongest.
For a new player, that flexibility is a reason to explore rather than a homework assignment. Notice whether you enjoy direct combat, ranged attacks, hacking, or stealth, then use skills and perks to support the approach that feels right. The official overview names these tools but does not prescribe an order for investing in them or identify a universally strongest combination.
Mix approaches as situations change
The game supports direct combat, ranged attacks, hacking, and stealth. You can favor one approach or use different tools in different encounters. If you are new, pay attention to which systems you find satisfying as you play, then invest in skills and perks that reinforce that approach. The available evidence does not establish a universally best build or a platform ranking by performance, so choose based on your preferences and your own system.
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Weapons are upgradeable, and the character system also includes cybernetic implants. Those are additional ways to develop V alongside skills and perks. It is reasonable to try the tools the game presents and adjust your preferences over time; the official description emphasizes building a style that fits your character, not following a required setup. Choices also shape story and relationships, so the role-playing side is not limited to combat decisions.
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Understand what the expansion adds
Phantom Liberty introduces a spy-thriller story in Dogtown and an exclusive Relic skill tree, according to the publisher’s official overview. It is additional content for the main game, not a standalone way to begin playing. If that story and its additions interest you, choose a bundle that includes it or buy the expansion for a compatible copy of the base game.
The expansion’s setting and skill tree may help you decide whether its added content appeals to you, but they do not change the basic purchase requirement: you need Cyberpunk 2077 to play it. If you are undecided, begin with the base game and verify the expansion listing later. If you already know you want both the main story and the expansion, compare Ultimate Edition’s store package against the base game plus expansion listings available in your region.
Prepare your PC copy without relying on outdated requirements
CD PROJEKT RED’s September 21, 2023 Update 2.0 announcement 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 Update 2.0. Treat both points as dated guidance about that update, not a complete statement of current PC requirements.
Before installing on PC, consult the current store or platform listing for the hardware requirements that apply to the version you are buying. Make sure your available storage and hardware meet those listed requirements. The 2023 post also recommended starting a fresh playthrough to get the best experience of Update 2.0’s extensive gameplay changes; that recommendation was specifically about Update 2.0 and should not be mistaken for a current requirement to restart.
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A simple first-playthrough plan
- Get the base game on your chosen platform. Buy Ultimate Edition if you already know you want both the main game and Phantom Liberty; otherwise, the base game lets you start without the expansion.
- Install the version for your platform. On PC, check current store requirements first. On any platform, confirm you have the intended edition and enough available storage as indicated by its listing.
- Learn the systems through play. Try the available weapons and approaches, including hacking or stealth, rather than assuming you must commit to one method immediately.
- Spend skills and perks to suit your preferred approach. If your tastes change, use your experience in later encounters to guide where you invest; the game is designed to support a playstyle that fits your character.
- Decide about the expansion separately if needed. The base game is required for Phantom Liberty, so confirm that any expansion purchase matches your platform and base-game copy.
This sequence keeps the purchase decision simple without pretending that every player needs the same edition. A base-game owner can play without buying Phantom Liberty, while someone who wants both can choose the Ultimate Edition package if it is available for their platform and region. In either case, check the listing for what it actually includes instead of relying on a package name alone.
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Once you begin, treat the gameplay systems as options to explore. The official overview describes gigs, story choices, skills and perks, upgradeable weapons, hacking, implants, direct combat, ranged attacks, and stealth. Those are ways to shape your experience, not a checklist you must master before you can start. Try what interests you and let that guide how you develop V.
Common buying and setup mistakes
- Buying the expansion without the base game: Phantom Liberty requires Cyberpunk 2077; the expansion alone is not a starting point.
- Assuming Ultimate Edition availability is universal: the 2023 announcement’s physical availability was limited to selected markets, and current store inventory can change. Check the local listing.
- Treating an update platform list as a complete store catalog: the platforms listed for Update 2.3 do not guarantee that every edition or format is sold for every one.
- Relying on the 2023 PC notice as the latest specification: use current platform requirements for your purchase; the Update 2.0 post is historical guidance.
- Expecting a single required build: the official overview presents multiple tools and approaches. Pick skills and perks to support how you want to play rather than chasing an unsupported “best build.”
- Assuming a physical edition is sold everywhere: the November 2023 Ultimate Edition announcement said physical availability was for selected markets. Check local stock and format rather than assuming it is offered in your region.
- Assuming an edition transfers between platforms: confirm that the product listing matches the platform on which you own or plan to play the base game.
- Treating the 2023 fresh-playthrough suggestion as mandatory: CD PROJEKT RED recommended a fresh playthrough for the best experience of Update 2.0’s changes. That was a recommendation tied to that update, not a general requirement to restart.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get started with Cyberpunk 2077?
Choose a platform you own, check the store listing for the edition you want, and start with the base game or a bundle that includes it. In the game, experiment with the supported approaches and invest in skills and perks that suit your preferred playstyle.
Can I play Phantom Liberty without Cyberpunk 2077?
No. CD PROJEKT RED says the base game is required to play the expansion. Confirm that any expansion listing matches your platform and existing game copy.
Do I need Ultimate Edition to get Update 2.3?
No. 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.
What does Ultimate Edition include?
In its November 21, 2023 announcement, CD PROJEKT RED described Ultimate Edition as including the base game, Phantom Liberty, released updates including Update 2.0, and all free DLCs. Check the current listing for your platform and region to confirm the contents of the package being sold.
Which platforms are listed for Update 2.3?
The publisher’s Update 2.3 page lists Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC, Nintendo Switch 2, and Mac. That update list does not guarantee that every edition or format is available on every platform or in every country, so confirm the local store listing.
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What PC requirements should I use?
Use the current requirements shown by the store or platform where you plan to buy and install the game. CD PROJEKT RED’s September 21, 2023 Update 2.0 post recommended an SSD and cautioned that it could not guarantee operation on older minimum requirements that had not been tested for that update; it is historical guidance, not a complete current specification.
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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: 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
Is there one best build for beginners?
The publisher describes a flexible system with skills, perks, weapons, hacking, implants, direct combat, ranged attacks, and stealth, and encourages a playstyle that fits your character. The official overview does not identify one universally best build. Try different tools and develop V in the direction you enjoy.
Should I start a fresh playthrough?
CD PROJEKT RED’s 2023 Update 2.0 post recommended a fresh playthrough for the best experience of that update’s extensive gameplay changes. That recommendation was specific to Update 2.0; it is not presented as a current requirement to restart.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get started with Cyberpunk 2077?
Choose a platform you own, check the store listing for the edition you want, and start with the base game or a bundle that includes it. Experiment with the available gameplay approaches and invest in skills and perks that suit your preferred playstyle.
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Can I play Phantom Liberty without Cyberpunk 2077?
No. CD PROJEKT RED says the base game is required to play the expansion. Confirm that any expansion listing matches your platform and base-game copy.
Do I need Ultimate Edition to get Update 2.3?
No. 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.
What platforms are listed for Update 2.3?
The publisher lists Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC, Nintendo Switch 2, and Mac. Check your local store for edition and format availability.
Is there one best beginner build?
The official overview describes several tools and approaches but does not identify one universally best build. Try what you enjoy and shape V’s skills and perks around it.
The Bottom Line
For a straightforward start, choose a platform you own and buy the base game if you want to try the main experience first. Choose Ultimate Edition if you want the base game and Phantom Liberty together and the bundle is available in your store. The expansion requires the base game, Update 2.3 does not require the expansion, and current regional listings and PC requirements are the final checks before purchase.
Quick Recap
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