CD Projekt Red’s memorable RPGCyberpunk 2077certainly kept players talking when it was first released in 2020, and for many months afterward. It’s fair to say thatCyberpunk 2077didn’t have the smoothest of starts, but over the years since it was first launched the game has changed in significant ways to become something much more cohesive, playable, and enjoyable. Fans were a little disappointed to hear that even after the numerous patches, fixes, and updates,Cyberpunk 2077would only be getting one major expansion, but that doesn’t mean players aren’t hyped for the upcoming release of thePhantom LibertyDLC.
As CD Projekt Red’s version of a spy thriller within theCyberpunk 2077universe,Phantom Libertyis going to be exploring a new storyline in a brand-new location, as well as adding some interesting features to the base game. According to the developer, V will be able to utilize a slew of new skills as they undertake an “impossible mission of espionage and survival” as they navigate a complex web of political alliances and betrayals. One of the moreanticipated aspects of thePhantom LibertyDLCare the new characters that the expansion will introduce, but there’s still space for returning faces like the intriguing corpo Militech stooge Meredith Stout.
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Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty’s Characters
There’s a lot of pressure onPhantom Libertyto deliver a really fun, substantive experience that meets the expectations of fans as well, not only because it will beCyberpunk 2077’s one and only major expansion, but also because for many the original game started as such a letdown. While there are many aspects that players will have on their wishlist forCyberpunk 2077DLC, new characters are certainly among them.Phantom Libertyhad a strong opening straight out the gate after its first trailer revealedthe character of Solomon Reed, an FIA Agent for the New United States of America who will be voiced by and was modeled after Idris Elba.
Other returning characters includeCyberpunk 2077’s infamous Johnny Silverhand, but some gamers will be hoping for some other familiar faces to feature alongside new and confirmed ones. This would make sense for some of the romances to include previous characters inPhantom Liberty, but it could also tie in well with the new storyline being introduced in the DLC as well. Meredith Stout was an intriguing character in the base game, but she could make a return in Phantom Liberty thanks to her Militech position and that group’s close ties to NUSA.
The Case For Meredith’s Return In The Phantom Liberty DLC
Players may only interact with Meredith briefly in the base game, but they can also pursue a steamy (if short-lived) romance with her as well. Having Meredith make a return inPhantom Libertycould present an opportunity to reignite this romance, which always felt like one of the more unexpected relationships that gamers could choose to initiate out of the limited selection. V’s life as a mercenary andMeredith’s role inCyberpunk 2077as someone imbedded deep within corpo culture was a great contrast and interesting fodder for storytelling, but it was never fully explored.Phantom Libertycould pick up whereCyberpunk 2077left off, especially given Meredith’s role in political aspects.
Phantom Libertyis going to explore the nuanced political situation of Night City within its new campaign, and this leaves the door open for Meredith’s return. Meredith is a senior operations manager forCyberpunk 2077’s Militech– an organization that is a prominent weapons supplier for the NUSA military and police forces – so she would already have ties to NUSA and potentially Solomon Reed’s character. However, if V chooses to side with Meredith during The Pickup quest, Meredtih later appears on N54 News as Militech’s Government Relations Executive, showing an even more prominent role that could be exploited in the upcoming DLC. The full scope ofPhantom Liberty’s story hasn’t been revealed yet, but fans won’t have long to wait until they can see it all play out for themselves.
Cyberpunk 2077is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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