Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate or Standard: Which to Buy

If you are deciding between the Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition and the Standard Edition, the answer is simple: buy the Ultimate Edition if you want the complete game with the Phantom Liberty expansion and all bonus content; buy the Standard Edition only if you already own the base game or want to spend the least money upfront. The Ultimate Edition bundles the original 2020 release with the 2023 spy-thriller expansion, while the Standard Edition (often called the base game) includes only the core story and the free updates that have improved it since launch. Below we break down exactly what each edition contains, how the pricing usually compares, and which one fits your situation.

What Is the Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition?

The Ultimate Edition is a physical and digital bundle that includes:

The full base game (Cyberpunk 2077)
The Phantom Liberty expansion (a major story DLC set in the new district of Dogtown)
All bonus digital content from the original pre-order and collector’s editions (like the art booklet, soundtrack, and wallpapers) in digital form

It launched in December 2023 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The Ultimate Edition does not exist for PlayStation 4 or Xbox One because Phantom Liberty was only released for current-gen consoles and PC.

What Is the Standard Edition?

The Standard Edition is just the base game. It contains the full main story of V and Johnny Silverhand, the open world of Night City, and all the free updates released since 2020 (like the 2.0 overhaul that reworked perks, cyberware, and vehicle combat). It does not include Phantom Liberty or its exclusive content, such as the new Relic skill tree, the Dogtown district, or the alternate ending.

If you buy the Standard Edition digitally, you can later purchase Phantom Liberty as a separate add-on for about $30–$40, depending on sales. The physical Standard Edition for last-gen consoles (PS4/Xbox One) is the only version that lets you play on older hardware, but it lacks many of the improvements of the current-gen version.

What Does Phantom Liberty Add?

Phantom Liberty is the only paid expansion for Cyberpunk 2077. It adds:

A new district, Dogtown, a walled-off warzone
A new storyline featuring Solomon Reed (played by Idris Elba) and a spy-thriller plot
A new ending for the main game
New vehicles, weapons, cyberware, and a new skill tree (Relic)
About 15–20 hours of additional content

The expansion is generally considered essential by most players because it integrates with the main game and offers some of the best-written quests in the game. If you buy the Ultimate Edition, you get all of this at once.

How to Choose: Which Edition Should You Buy?

Consider these scenarios:

New to Cyberpunk 2077? Buy the Ultimate Edition. You get the full experience, and you won’t have to worry about buying the DLC later.
Already own the base game? Do not buy the Ultimate Edition. Just buy Phantom Liberty as a separate DLC, which is cheaper than buying the Ultimate Edition.
Playing on PS4 or Xbox One? You cannot run Phantom Liberty, so the Standard Edition is your only option. But note that the last-gen version is inferior and lacks the 2.0 update features.
On a tight budget? The Standard Edition is cheaper, but you’ll miss out on the expansion. If you can wait for a sale, the Ultimate Edition often drops to around $40–$50, which is a better value.

Cost Comparison: Is the Ultimate Edition Worth It?

At full price, the Ultimate Edition typically costs around $60–$70, while the Standard Edition is about $40–$50. Buying the Standard Edition plus Phantom Liberty separately would cost roughly $70–$90, so the Ultimate Edition saves you money if you want both. However, if you only want the base game, the Standard Edition is cheaper. Over time, sales make the Ultimate Edition even more attractive—it often drops to $40 or less on Steam and console stores, making it one of the best value bundles in recent gaming.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that the Ultimate Edition includes all future DLC. It does not—it only includes Phantom Liberty. CD Projekt Red has stated that Phantom Liberty is the only planned expansion, so there won’t be more paid DLC after this.

Another issue: the Ultimate Edition physical disc for consoles still requires a download for the expansion (the disc contains the base game, and the expansion is a code or download). So if you buy a used copy, make sure the code hasn’t been redeemed.

Also, the Ultimate Edition does not include the digital version of the original art book or soundtrack as a separate download—those are included as digital extras, but they are not physical items. If you want a physical art book, you need the collector’s edition, which is long out of print.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upgrade from the Standard Edition to the Ultimate Edition?

No, there is no official upgrade path. The Ultimate Edition is a separate purchase. If you already own the base game, you can simply buy Phantom Liberty as a DLC, which gives you the same content as the Ultimate Edition minus the digital extras.

Does the Ultimate Edition include the next-gen upgrade for free?

Yes. The next-gen upgrade (for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S) is free for all owners of the PS4/Xbox One version, and the Ultimate Edition already includes the current-gen version. If you buy the Standard Edition for PS4, you can upgrade to the PS5 version for free, but you still won’t get Phantom Liberty unless you buy it.

Is Phantom Liberty worth buying separately?

Yes, if you already have the base game. Most players and critics consider it a significant improvement, with a more focused story and better gameplay. It adds about 15–20 hours of content and a new ending, making it worth the $30–$40 price tag.

Which edition should I buy on Steam?

On Steam, the Ultimate Edition is often the better deal during sales. Check the price difference: if the Ultimate Edition is less than the base game plus Phantom Liberty, buy the Ultimate. If you already own the base game, just buy the DLC.

Does the Ultimate Edition include any exclusive in-game items?

Yes, it includes digital bonuses like the art booklet, soundtrack, and wallpapers, but these are cosmetic and do not affect gameplay. The in-game items (like the Witcher-inspired jacket) are the same as those given to pre-order customers and are not exclusive to the Ultimate Edition.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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