No, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is not available on Xbox One.
Unfortunately for Xbox One owners, the much-anticipated expansion was designed exclusively for next-gen consoles (Xbox Series X/S), PlayStation 5, and PC. This decision means that players on older consoles won’t be able to access the new content directly.
With the release of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, fans of the dystopian open-world adventure are buzzing with anticipation. The expansion promises to deliver a gripping espionage thriller set in the vibrant, dangerous streets of Night City.
Whether it’s the return of V or the introduction of new characters and missions, Phantom Liberty is shaping up to be one of the most exciting add-ons to the Cyberpunk 2077 universe. But for Xbox One owners, there’s a pressing question: Can you play Phantom Liberty on your console?
In this post, we’ll answer that very question and take a deep dive into what this expansion offers. From its next-gen focus to alternatives for Xbox One users, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Why Phantom Liberty Isn’t on Xbox One?
Technical Limitations:
Phantom Liberty was designed with next-gen hardware in mind, specifically for the Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC. The expansion leverages the advanced processing power, faster load times, and superior graphics capabilities of these systems to deliver a seamless, visually stunning experience.
Unfortunately, the Xbox One lacks the necessary hardware to handle the demands of this expansion, from its larger environments to more complex gameplay mechanics.
The base version of Cyberpunk 2077 itself faced significant performance challenges on the Xbox One when it was first released in 2020. The older console struggled with issues like frame rate drops, long load times, and frequent crashes.
This rocky launch highlighted the difficulties of running such an ambitious, resource-intensive game on last-gen hardware, making it clear that expansions like Phantom Liberty would not be feasible on the Xbox One without severely compromising the gameplay experience.
CD Projekt Red Decision:
Recognizing these limitations, CD Projekt Red made a strategic decision to focus on delivering Phantom Liberty exclusively for next-gen platforms. By concentrating on the Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, the developers could fully utilize the advanced technology of these systems to create the immersive, high-quality experience that fans expect.
In fact, after releasing Patch 1.6, CD Projekt Red officially halted updates and additional content for Xbox One. This marked a shift in focus toward supporting the more powerful consoles, ensuring that future expansions and updates would meet the technical standards of next-gen gaming.
What This Means for Xbox One X Cyberpunk Edition Bundle Owners?
If you were one of the players who purchased the limited Xbox One X Cyberpunk 2077 Edition bundle, which came with the promise of the first expansion for free, you might be wondering what happens now that Phantom Liberty is not available on Xbox One.
The good news is that CD Projekt Red is offering reimbursement in the form of Microsoft Store credits to compensate for the expansion’s unavailability on the Xbox One platform. This offer applies to all owners of the special edition console who were expecting to play Phantom Liberty.
To claim the reimbursement, eligible owners will need to follow specific instructions provided by CD Projekt Red and Microsoft. Although the exact details may vary, the process generally involves submitting proof of purchase for the bundle and the expansion code you received, either through your Microsoft account or by contacting customer support.
Further details on how to claim this credit will be made available through official announcements from CD Projekt Red or the Microsoft Store.
This reimbursement ensures that affected players are not left out, even if the expansion isn’t accessible on their console.
Can You Play Phantom Liberty on Xbox One Through Other Means?
Cloud Gaming (Xbox Cloud Gaming):
While Phantom Liberty isn’t natively available on Xbox One, there is a potential workaround: Xbox Cloud Gaming. This service allows Xbox One owners to stream next-gen games, including Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, through the cloud. To access this, players will need an active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, which includes Xbox Cloud Gaming as part of its offerings.
However, cloud gaming comes with some caveats. A stable and high-speed internet connection is essential for smooth gameplay, as any lag or connectivity issues can disrupt the experience. Although it provides an opportunity to play Phantom Liberty on Xbox One, performance will vary based on factors such as your internet speed and server load, so the experience may not be as seamless as playing on a next-gen console or PC.
Bundle Purchasing:
Another potential option that has surfaced is purchasing Cyberpunk 2077 bundled with Phantom Liberty. Some sources suggest that this might allow players to access the expansion on Xbox One, but this information remains unconfirmed.
The game and expansion were primarily designed for next-gen consoles, so even if you manage to buy the bundle, it’s highly unlikely that Phantom Liberty would function as intended on the Xbox One. Proceed with caution, as attempting this may not provide the experience you’re hoping for.
What About the Cyberpunk 2077 Base Game on Xbox One?
State of the Base Game:
Although Phantom Liberty is unavailable for Xbox One, the base game of Cyberpunk 2077 is still playable on the console. Following the rocky launch in 2020, significant updates have improved performance, with Patch 1.6 marking a major turning point. This patch brought much-needed stability, reducing bugs and crashes, and enhancing overall gameplay performance on Xbox One.
However, despite these improvements, the experience on Xbox One is still not on par with the next-gen versions.
Xbox One vs. Next-Gen Gameplay:
On Xbox Series X/S, players can enjoy higher frame rates, faster load times, and dramatically enhanced visuals, taking full advantage of the next-gen hardware. Features like ray tracing and dynamic 4K resolution elevate the game to a new level, delivering the intended immersive experience in Night City.
In contrast, the Xbox One version lacks these enhancements, running at a lower frame rate and resolution, with less detailed graphics.
While the base game is certainly more stable now on Xbox One, the gameplay experience feels noticeably scaled down compared to the polished and visually superior experience on next-gen consoles.
is phantom liberty on xbox one alternative ways
Upgrade to Xbox Series X/S:
For Xbox One players eager to experience Phantom Liberty in all its next-gen glory, the most straightforward solution is to upgrade to an Xbox Series X or Series S. With the enhanced power of these consoles, you can fully immerse yourself in Cyberpunk 2077 detailed world, including the new Phantom Liberty expansion.
The upgrade not only unlocks this expansion but also vastly improves the overall experience of the base game with better graphics, faster load times, and smoother gameplay.
Explore Other Games:
If upgrading isn’t an option, there are still plenty of open-world RPGs and cyberpunk-themed games available for Xbox One that can deliver a similar sense of adventure and exploration. Here are some alternatives worth checking out:
- Deus Ex: Mankind Divided – A cyberpunk RPG where you navigate a dystopian future full of conspiracy and intrigue, offering a more streamlined but equally engaging experience.
- Watch Dogs 2 – Set in a near-future San Francisco, this open-world game revolves around hacking, technology, and freedom fighting, with plenty of action and customization.
- The Outer Worlds – An open-world RPG with a strong narrative and deep role-playing mechanics, set in a futuristic universe full of quirky characters and challenging decisions.
These games can offer similar themes or gameplay mechanics, giving Xbox One owners something to enjoy until they’re ready to explore Night City in its next-gen form.
Conclusion
In summary, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is not available on Xbox One, primarily due to the technical limitations of older hardware and CD Projekt Red’s decision to focus on delivering a high-quality experience for next-gen platforms. While this news may be disappointing for Xbox One owners, there are still plenty of exciting alternatives to consider.
We encourage Xbox One players to explore other open-world RPGs and cyberpunk-themed games that can provide immersive gameplay and rich storytelling. Additionally, for those who can make the leap, upgrading to an Xbox Series X or S will unlock the thrilling new content of Phantom Liberty and enhance the overall Cyberpunk 2077 experience.
While you may not have access to the latest expansion just yet, there’s still a vast world of gaming opportunities awaiting you. Celebrate the creativity and innovation in the gaming industry, and look forward to the exciting content that continues to be released for next-gen platforms!