Anyone who has read Kanto Post or followed my coverage on Wargamer will know that, when it comes to the Pokémon TCG, I’m a collector, not a player. I’ve always been more interested in niche little cards and cool artwork than learning how to play, and considering how long the Pokémon TCG has been around, I’ve never felt much of a need to change that. However, Cyberpunk TCG might finally convince me to give the competitive side of the hobby a go, and it’s all thanks to Holophone.
When I first looked into Cyberpunk TCG’s debut set, I was mainly interested in hunting down the Welcome to Night City chase cards. That was pretty much it. Now, though, Holophone has me considering attending local events, and not just because of the exclusive cards on offer. This new companion experience, which will be accessible through a web app on desktop and mobile, gives players another reason to turn up, play matches, and get involved in the world of Night City.
Developed by WeirdCo in collaboration with CD Projekt Red, Holophone takes inspiration from the phones used by V and the like in Cyberpunk 2077. As long as Delamain doesn’t start calling, well, I’ll be happy. You’ll start by pledging yourself to one of three factions: Arasaka, Maelstrom, or, if you’re a good person like me, the Aldecaldos. Each faction has its own characters and storyline, with jobs to complete as you work your way through Night City.
Completing those jobs earns you Street Cred, which you can spend on rewards. More importantly, your choices and progress help shape a branching narrative that unfolds as you play. Holophone also connects with tournament results, meaning your matches at participating local game stores can feed into your story. Even losing a game can earn you progress and rewards, so there’s a reason to get involved even if you’re not quite ready to dominate the competition.
That’s what makes Holophone so interesting to me. Exclusive promos are always going to be tempting when you’re a collector, but this feels like a more engaging way to encourage people to turn up and play. Rather than treating each match as an isolated event, Holophone gives you a reason to return, meet characters, and see how your faction’s story develops. It’s a neat way to bring a little of Cyberpunk 2077’s role-playing experience into a physical trading card game.
There is a small catch, though. Holophone is launching in an early alpha state, with its initial experience offering a taste of the system rather than a complete narrative adventure. More story content and features are planned for early 2027, so we’ll have to wait a little longer to see how far WeirdCo takes the idea.
Still, I’m genuinely excited to see where this goes. The phone in Cyberpunk 2077 might not be the most essential feature of the game, but it’s a fun way to message characters, receive jobs, and feel connected to the people around V. Bringing that idea into the TCG could give matches a little more personality, especially for someone like me who’s more used to admiring cards in a binder than putting them to work.
So, if you’re attending any Cyberpunk TCG events in the near future, you might see me there. That's very unlikely, of course, considering we’re probably thousands of miles apart. And I never promised I’d start playing the game, either. But maybe we’ll meet in Night City. Who knows?
