Analyzing the Phantom Liberty OST and Sharing my Thoughts on the experience of playing it 

I think what people don't realize about Never Look Back (or many do, I don't know) is that the second sung melody is actually a rendition of V's theme, which just connects Song and V even more, almost painting them as the same person.

1:33:33 "Fuck dude." Yeah I felt the exact same way when I had just finished the expansion.

Best thing I can say about Phantom Liberty's ost is that it's soulcrushing but beautiful? P.T. Adamczyk is a legend!

I loved how much the "Phantom Liberty" felt inspired by Bond theme songs, from visuals to the overall composition, to instruments, to meaning. I also loved the inclusion of the repeating "I'm just tired of looking the other way" line into the chorus. Because it not only pertains to Reed, Songbird and Alex, but also V. For the first time in 2077 story you can be truly unselfish and give the potential cure to V's condition to someone else with nothing in return.

Phatom Liberty burned a hole in my soul. I think I will remember this emptiness after the PL credits rolled for the rest of my life.

Too bad Cyberpunk wasn't nominated in best music in Game Awards 2023.

Man... The dedication you have for your content is awesome to say the least, sitting there and analyzing an ENTIRE soundtrack is crazy! I know long videos like that never gets the same a amount of views and like but just know, i appreciate your work deeply.

Contra La Luna and Gate K9 are cyberpsychosis-inducing tracks. Insane.

The thing that strikes me about Force Projection is that it's leveraging a jazzy wordless "rap" to impart a sense of flow-state. You're not just the centre of the of violence taking place, you're the maestro.

The whole section that introduces “On the Prowl” cemented to me how great the OST is for this expansion. It evokes this feeling of just tension and danger. Barghest is different from other gangs, because they completely control Dogtown. V is fine on their own, but now they’re watching over someone with a huge target on their back. The feeling of “Don’t say a word, enemies are everywhere” is perfect for Dogtown’s setting and the theme of Phantom Liberty. Because in a game of spies, who can you trust but yourself? You should give a listen to the rest of Cyberpunk’s gang themes if you have the time. They’re my favorite soundtracks in the game. Each is unique and has their own stealth, tension, and action blends that flow seamlessly, and give a personality to each gang.

Your analysis of the theme from the Cynosure mission at 1:02:00 is even MORE impressive, considering you didnt do that pathline so didnt know the context. That choice, and pathline...was truly one of the most incredible experiences Ive had in a game...and that ending had the best voice acting Ive ever heard.

Its fascinating that you kept interpreting Songbird's traditional Korean vocalization as Slavic but I can understand they're familiar. CDPR tend to use specific lietmotif for musical characterization, like the use of several string music in the base ost to symbolize V and Johnny's personal journey. They did it before with inclusion of Japanese music and instruments in the ost. While I'm not a traditional musical expert, I do watch too many period kdrama and recognize the Korean musical lietmotif being more distinctive in the Firestarter's track Gate K9 with the inclusion of drums (Janggu) and string music (Gayageum) which interweaved with Tina Guo's electric cello. Understandably they're meant to represent Song So Mi inner themes (So-Ri means "sound" in Korean) and V's lietmotif. It was most likely they draw inspiration to Ghost in The Shell ost's Making of Cyborg.

So far, the best Cyberpunk combat song is definitely "Karate ha ha ha," just like Witcher 3 "Banana tiger" hehe

I started playing the game when 2.0 launched and I enjoyed every single moment. I'm glad I didn't played back in 2020 and got to enjoy this version. So beautiful. I'm still playing but just doing gigs and other missions. I don't wanna finish the game, I don't want it to end. Blackwall and all story is so fascinating.

This DLC solidified the fact - "There's no such thing as 'happy ending' in night city".

I would love to see a longer video on just 'Never Look Back' - it is one of the most beautifully haunting and incredible pieces of music I've ever heard in my life. It does SO MUCH in such little time and manages to encapsulate not just the relationship and situation of Songbird and V, but I think, the whole essence of Cyberpunk 2077. I think you even said in a previous video prior to playing the game, that the music almost asks the question 'What does it mean to have a soul? What does it mean to be human?'. A question ever so important when set against the backdrop of a bleak and brutal dystopian future like 2077. EDIT: Marco, regarding you not wanting to finish Cyberpunk because of how PL made you feel...I think it would be a shame if you didn't. Perhaps coming back to it at some point after this feeling dissipates might help but I think many would love to hear a post-Cyberpunk thoughts and reflection video. I too found it a very profound, deeply moving and emotional experience which is the main reason it's one of my favourite games of all time. Not because it's flawless, but because of what it made me feel.

I'm amazed of your analysis and deep dive into it. As a Pole I think Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 (including music of course!) are our modern national treasures. Your videos are also kind of promotions of these games so thanks for it!

Now this is the Video I have been waiting on!

Just started playing this game and Night City by Artemis Delta got me as soon as i heard it for the 1st time. A lot of great tracks in this game, i love discovering new music because of video games.

CP2077 and Phantom Liberty are a masterful display of storytelling where life is cheap and there is no happily ever after. Hope is the only light pushing us forward. The Quest names being linked to songs is so choice. "Lucretia My Reflection" was my favorite Sisters of Mercy song in my clubbing days, and it's lyrics are apt.. I hear the sons of the city and dispossessed Get down Get undressed Get pretty but you and me We got the kingdom We got the key We got the empire Now as then We don't doubt We don't take direction Lucretia My reflection Dance the ghost with me

Being that my fav playstyle was a netrunner this DLC was gold to me. Despite the silly name of "Dogtown", the atmosphere and environment was really amazing. This made me even more excited about Cyberpunk 2. For me there's three elements that are critical to an immersive world: World building (kinda obvious lol), characters, and music. They really knocked this out of the park.

I was waiting for more Phantom Liberty content from you! Loved your video analysis of Never Looking Back because you absolutely nailed it. This expansion is hands down the best I've played, EVER-and dare I say I liked it much more than the base game/storylines. I'm not even into spy-thrillers at all, haha. Oh, and of course the soundtrack is a masterpiece that I cannot praise enough. So thank you for appreciating it just as much and sharing your thoughts/opinions!

This is the channel I’ve been waiting to find

Listening to the title track still sends shivers down my spine. Absolutely beautiful.

The DLC story is better than the main quest but more linear. It was really good. The soundtracks was really amazing.

Thanks for the video! It was nice to hear the opinion of a professional, although without serious technical analysis :) I understand that such a thing will not go to the general public, and the production of such content will take a lot of time and effort. I do not know if you are serious about not finishing Cyberpunk 2077, but in my opinion you just have to do it. I went through Cyberpunk 2077 on release and I think this experience will stay with me forever. One of the best games of my life, if not the best. The soundtracks of the DLC and the main game (especially the last part of it) constantly echo each other, as do the stories of V and Songbird. Btw, the implementation of Chopin's nocturne Op.55 n°1, which you've probably already heard in the DLC, is simply golden in the main game imo. Of the good video game soundtracks, I can recommend the soundtrack to Metro Exodus. This is one of the soundtracks that led me to try to make music. You can also check out the soundtrack to Escape from Tarkov by Geneburn. It's good.

Amazing performances from all the characters in the DLC, including both Vs. I couldn't get myself to do it again for the '2nd' ending but I have watched it. The choice I made was not easy.

Have you listened to Delicate Weapon yet? It plays once in the expansion and otherwise on the radio in game, it's super vibey

it's imposssible to not move when Gate K9 kicks in haahahah my goddd. Amazing video, it's always a pleasure to listen to ur deep thoughts.

This game has ripped me apart and left me grieving. An absolute masterpiece.

Marco, here i come with a very personal request, as i've seen that you've took a liking to terraria fan music, there's a really great one called Theme of Nameless Deity, it's based on calamity, but this one is on another level of chaotic, and in a good way!

Each enemy faction theme has three stages: stealth, alert and combat, it's the same in base game, that's why there are three tracks with the same motif. Edit. Talking about Force Projection and the other two ofc

[SPOILER WARNING!] I do not know what ending you got Marco, but I got the ending where I send her to the moon, and I will do an analysis of it below of why, I chose that. (in a brief explanation of PL and all around dilemma of "hating" Songbird) Phantom Liberty is a beautifully crafted Tragedy. It deliberately puts the player between two complex characters and forces them to choose by making the player question their moral values and life principles. I believe this is the reason why solving this dilemma (In short, picking Songbird or Reed/Hating Songbird or Reed) is deeply personal. This is also why there is no correct option here. Every person needs to decide for themselves according to their thoughts. I'd like to add a few things to clearly explain my reasoning about my decision and how I feel about Songbird. I don't hate Songbird or Reed. Not only that, but I think they are both good characters fundamentally. I chose to send Songbird to the moon and will always do that. I don't think it's that simple. Just hating Songbird or Reed, I mean. If I have to answer your question, I'll just say that I don't hate Songbird, but I don't like her either. On the other hand, Reed is a snake that bites its own tail until forever. Johnny explains this perfectly. He says V "Think finally I understand why I couldn't bring myself to trust Reed". He then proceeds. "Because I know his type. Idealist, like me, who can't see that what he believes in will devour anyone he cares about". Then, If you killed Songbird, Johnny says this. "Only thing sets us apart is his faith in the system, in its principles. Except the line between believing in an ideal and being plain naive is pretty fucking thin". I was leaning towards Reed in my first playthrough, but then I realized Reed was too far gone. His intentions are good, but he can't understand the fact that if he keeps clinging to his ideals, those ideals will give Songbird a life worse than death. Songbird is like an adopted daughter to Reed. I feel for him. I really do. He wants to do the right thing for her because he feels responsible. If He had shown any sign of change for the better (putting aside his ideals to really help the person he sees almost as a daughter) I wouldn't have hesitated one second to side with him. Reed wants to have his cake and eat it too. I understand this. I want a happy ending too. But the moment we give Myers her personal weapon, she won't hesitate to use Songbird over and over again. Reed clearly knows this, but he still insists. This is why I will never side with him. As for Songbird and not hating her, I want to point out just one thing. The only reason why I don't hate her is that she finally comes clean. Unlike Reed, she actually shows a sign of change for the better. When she admitted she lied about the cure on the train, I wanted to just give her to Reed. But then I realized something. She just did something she never had the chance to do with Reed 7 years ago. This time, she chose to come clean with her conscience and V. She did this while V had the chance to just give her to Reed. This is the only reason why I don't hate her. I understand she had no choice but to lie V. Also, don't get me wrong, I am not saying she did a good thing. I am just saying I understand her reasoning. Being lied to is never a good thing, especially about matters like life and death. This is why I just feel sadness. Not anger. As I said, I neither hate nor like her.

By the way, I would love to see the gameplay of a game with your musical sensitivity, to compare how you perceive certain scenes as opposed to an everyday player who does not see these musical flavors. It would be an interesting experience.

The face freeze was perfect for the song xD

This entire soundtrack is just a masterpiece of atmospheric electronic music. Really elevates the entire game and really hammers in that cyberpunk dystopia atmosphere. Just as good and memorable as the Witcher 3 or even the iconic Doom Eternal soundtrack. Maybe even more so.

Apex Predators ist one of my fav. Like a broken machine, clinging to "life" or its sick idea of it.

I first heard "Force Projection" before I played PL it made me think of underground markets and backroom deals kind of like a Cyberpunk Good Fellas montage.

If you are looking for another excellent game that synchs emotional narrative and soundtrack well and is a lot shorter and simplier but no less deep than PL, may I suggest the survival horror game Signalis? It's probably one of the best indie horror games out out in the last five years and is rich in storytelling, atmosphere and emotional narrative of that its music and soundscape are an integral part of it.

told you, you will talk even more about it if you know the where it was played throu... tho also depends on which end of PL you choose coz i think this one is more powerful if you play with So Mi...

💛💙

but i would like to know, did you coment on the music you have when you fight cops? Alias NCPD Prowl?

I know this was posted months ago, but is there anywhere the Stream of you playing through Phantom Liberty can be viewed? Looks like Twitch only goes back a few months and as I just finished it myself, I would love to see your reaction to story as it unfolds

Wow, I saw you were reliving those momens again by glancing at your face! 1:18:40 I know how you feel. This was realy devastating. And it is every time i play " never look back again"

dude, if you love slavic singing in a modern style, check out Dakhabrakha Vesna from the KEXP set is just amazing

I still think you should check out the cult of the lamb soundtracks

I hope the guy keeps making the music for their games, so good. Next one will be a new Witcher

When does he listen to Gate K9?

Apex Predators plays when you betray Songbird, and then must rescue her from MaxTac's most elite four-stack. On Very Hard only, then the song makes sense because there are two parts of it which do not appear in the soundtrack.

Finish the game, go with the Nomads, it's the ending I think you'll like.

CDPR are geniuses

peak

gate k9 got me so pumped when playing that part i had to pause lmao