Inspirations
Among the games that have left a deep mark on me in recent years is a gem from Polish studio CD Projekt Red: Cyberpunk 2077. Defining themselves as "passionate creators of narrative role-playing games," they managed to infuse this title with remarkable narrative depth, carried by sweeping story arcs (the Peralez questline) and unforgettable missions (Burning Desire, for those who know…).
Without going into detail, Cyberpunk 2077 set the bar extremely high across the board: gameplay, lore, storytelling — it's an almost flawless achievement at every level, despite serious issues at launch.
Three years later, the studio returned with "Phantom Liberty," the game's only DLC to date (and likely forever, as a new title set in the same universe is currently in development). A new area (Dogtown), new stakes, and new antagonists await the merc V.
At the heart of this expansion? A dark political thriller that forces the player to question the price of freedom, loyalty, and where to place their trust when their life is on the line.
⚠️ POTENTIAL SPOILERS
During the main narrative arc, V gets to meet a pair of twins: Aurore & Aymeric Cassel, two French netrunners working for Kurt Hansen, the DLC's main antagonist. As the story unfolds and scattered pieces of information are uncovered across the map, we learn that the twins collaborated with (and later ran into serious trouble with) a French criminal organization known as the Collective.
During the mission "Firestarter," they are eliminated, and their storyline comes to a close. That's where my frustration began. As a French person myself, I would have loved to learn more about these two characters (both exceptionally well-written and performed) and about a criminal organization rooted in my own country.
Narrative context
"Night City With You" is a questline in which the events of Phantom Liberty have reached the ears of the Collective, who now come to settle scores in Night City.
After being approached by Bastien Bugarz, an officer of the French criminal organization, V is tasked with finding and erasing all traces of the ties between the Cassels and the Collective in Night City: data, associates, and equipment — anything that could link them must disappear.
Narrative arc diagram
Key characters
In this arc, V will encounter a set of new NPCs from the Collective.
Created specifically for this questline, they add depth to the lore while remaining faithful to the core narrative elements of Cyberpunk 2077.
Constance Anglert
A member of the Collective's inner leadership circle. She oversees the group's external operations, particularly in America.
As feared as she is respected, she is a figure who rarely appears in public.
Bastien Dugarz
Constance Anglert's right-hand man, he coordinates the Collective's external operations with non-affiliated contacts.
V's first point of contact in this arc, everything begins with him.
Sacha Eliert
The Collective's netrunner in Night City. Lost his left hand tearing out an unstable neural connector. Rumored to have no limits when it comes to diving into networks.
Madame Isabelle
When a scene or a body becomes too compromising, Mme Isabelle is sent in. Some call her the cleaner.
She prefers to think of herself as a perfectionist.
Overall rewards
The arc rewards players through its missions, then with a final reward in the form of a legendary weapon inspired by an iconic French rifle.
Upon completing the arc, the player also receives a bonus attribute point.
Breakdown by mission
| Quest | Experience | Street Cred | Eddies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction – C’est la V | ✓ | ||
| Mission 1 – Inventory | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mission 2 – The Teller | ✓ | v | ✓ |
| Mission 3 – Subcontracting | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mission 4 – Declared Value | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Side Mission – Sanitary Silence | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Side Mission – After-Sales Service | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Conclusion – Final Settlement | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Weapon obtained: Sys. Mannlichter Berthier Mannlichter Berthier
An Austrian-made rifle, modified and shipped from Paris. The Berthier didn't cross the Old Continent to gather dust: its heavy impact rounds made the Atlantic crossing with a very specific purpose.
The weapon of choice for Collective assassins, they say it's a gun you either own or only hear once.
- Type: Assault Rifle — Semi-Automatic
- Modifier: Power
- Base Quality: Tier 5+ — Iconic
- Iconic Mod: "Ordnance" — Heavy impact rounds deal increased damage against armored targets. Unarmored targets are knocked back on impact.
Mission links:
Introductory Quest — C’est la V
Mission 1 – Inventory
Mission 2 – The Teller
Mission 3 – Subcontracting
Mission 4 – Declared Value
Side Mission 1 – Sanitary Silence
Side Mission 2 – After-Sales Service
Concluding Quest – Final Settlement
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