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MissionmajorMain storyModerate

I’ve Seen That Face Before

A Phantom Liberty main-story mission in which V and Solomon Reed pursue information connected to Songbird by targeting the Cassel twins and exploiting their identities.

RoleMain-story mission
Statusreleased
Importancemajor
RewardMission completion rewards
TimeVaries by playstyle
  • GameCyberpunk 2077
  • ExpansionPhantom Liberty
  • Mission typeMain story
  • RouteReed’s Firestarter route
  • Primary locationDogtown
  • DifficultyModerate
  • Combat focusTargeted confrontation and infiltration
  • Replay valueBranch-dependent

The mission’s exact combat difficulty and duration vary with V’s build, difficulty setting and approach.

Key takeaways

The mission is a continuation of Reed’s route through Phantom Liberty and combines a targeted confrontation with an identity-based infiltration.

  • The mission is branch-dependent I’ve Seen That Face Before follows the Firestarter outcome in which V sides with Solomon Reed rather than helping Songbird escape.
  • The Cassel twins are central Aurore Cassel and Aymeric Cassel are the mission’s key targets, and the operation relies on what V and Reed can gain from their identities.
  • Follow Reed during the infiltration The safest progression is to stay with Reed, complete each prompted objective and avoid treating the mission as an open-ended exploration segment.
  • The story outcome matters more than the loot This mission primarily advances the Phantom Liberty narrative and the search for Songbird rather than introducing a major equipment reward.

I’ve Seen That Face Before

I’ve Seen That Face Before is a Phantom Liberty main-story mission that follows the branch of Firestarter in which V supports Solomon Reed and the FIA operation against Songbird.

The mission begins after the outcome of Firestarter changes the balance of power in Dogtown. Solomon Reed remains focused on recovering Songbird, while V is drawn into an operation that depends on surveillance, controlled access and the identities of two people connected to the wider conspiracy. The job is less about clearing a conventional combat arena than about creating a credible route through a heavily controlled environment.

The central targets are Aurore Cassel and Aymeric Cassel, twin netrunners whose presence gives the mission its title and its distinctive structure. V and Reed must deal with the twins before their identities can be used as part of the infiltration plan. The encounter can become a direct fight, but the mission’s wider purpose is to turn the twins’ access and recognition profile into an advantage for the FIA team.

Players should treat this as a story operation rather than a loot run. Keep the objective markers in view, follow Reed’s instructions during the approach and avoid wandering away from the planned route once the identity-based part of the mission begins. The job advances the Songbird storyline and leads into the next stage of Reed’s attempt to recover her, so its important revelations are best read with the Phantom Liberty branch structure in mind.

Where this sits

Branch pointFirestarter determines whether this mission becomes available
PursuitReed continues the search for Songbird
Identity operationThe Cassel twins become central to the plan
Next phaseThe search moves toward a larger recovery operation
  1. 1FirestarterprerequisiteComplete the relevant Reed branch
  2. ●I’ve Seen That Face BeforecurrentCarry out Reed’s operation
  3. 3Black Steel in the Hour of Chaosfollow-upRelated later mission in the Songbird recovery storyline

This mission belongs to the Reed branch that opens after the major decision in Firestarter.

Requirements

The mission is not a freely selectable side job. It becomes available through a specific Phantom Liberty story branch.

  • RequiredPhantom Liberty accessV must have access to Dogtown and the Phantom Liberty campaign.
  • RequiredComplete FirestarterThe story must reach the Firestarter decision that leaves V working with Solomon Reed’s plan.
  • RecommendedPrepare for mixed gameplayA combat-capable build is useful for the confrontation with the Cassel twins, while stealth, hacking and ranged options can make the approach more forgiving.
  • RecommendedSave before starting the operationA manual save is useful because the mission contains branch-specific story information and can lead into subsequent Reed-route content.

Objectives

  1. Meet Solomon ReedReach the designated meeting point and listen to Reed’s explanation of the operation.
  2. Track the Cassel twinsFollow the mission route toward Aurore Cassel and Aymeric Cassel without abandoning the active objective.
  3. Neutralize the twinsDeal with the immediate threat posed by the twins and secure the access needed for the next phase.
  4. Use the twins’ identitiesWork with Reed to pass through the controlled section using the plan built around the Cassels.
  5. Continue the search for SongbirdComplete the final story objectives and prepare for the next Reed-route mission.

WalkthroughSpoilers

  1. 01

    Meet Solomon Reed

    Travel to Reed’s meeting point

    Open the mission marker in Dogtown and travel to the location where Solomon Reed is waiting. If the objective does not advance immediately, approach Reed directly and allow the conversation to finish before moving away.

    Location: Dogtown

    TipMake a manual save before entering the meeting area so you can review the conversation and route without replaying the preceding mission.

  2. 02

    Follow Reed’s instructions

    Listen to Reed’s operation briefing

    Stay near Reed while he explains the plan and the importance of the Cassel twins. The dialogue establishes that the mission depends on reaching the targets and then exploiting the access associated with their identities, so do not skip the briefing if you want the infiltration context.

    Location: Reed’s rendezvous point

  3. 03

    Reach the Cassel twins

    Follow the route toward the Cassel twins

    Move with Reed through the marked approach rather than taking a long detour through Dogtown. The mission is built around a controlled sequence, and leaving the route can delay the next trigger or place V in unnecessary combat before the intended encounter.

    Location: Dogtown approach

    Watch outDo not treat every nearby hostile as a required target; fighting outside the objective area can create extra pressure without improving mission progress.

  4. 04

    Neutralize the twins

    Confront Aurore Cassel and Aymeric Cassel

    When the twins become vulnerable to the operation, take them out using the weapons, quickhacks or stealth tools available to V. Keep your attention on both targets and use cover, because the encounter can punish a player who focuses on one twin while ignoring the other or their supporting threats.

    Location: Cassel twins’ route

    TipRanged attacks and quickhacks help maintain control while Reed contributes to the encounter. Avoid standing in the open during the first exchange.

  5. 05

    Use the Cassels’ access

    Secure the identity-based access

    After the confrontation, follow Reed’s prompts and interact with the relevant objective rather than leaving the area to search for loot. This part of the mission converts the twins’ connection to the operation into a way through the next security checkpoint or controlled section.

    Location: The twins’ objective area

    Watch outThe mission can fail to advance if V runs past the interaction prompt or leaves Reed behind; return to the marked objective and wait for the next instruction.

  6. 06

    Continue the infiltration

    Move through the controlled area with Reed

    Proceed through the route that opens after the identity step and follow the on-screen prompts. Keep Reed within the mission space, because the disguise and recognition sequence is a story-controlled passage rather than a general Dogtown disguise system that can be used anywhere.

    Location: Restricted Dogtown route

  7. 07

    Continue the search for Songbird

    Complete the Songbird-related objectives

    Finish the remaining objective markers and conversations to close out the operation. The conclusion provides the next direction for Reed’s pursuit of Songbird and transitions the campaign toward the following recovery effort.

    Location: Dogtown

    Watch outThis mission’s important revelations are tied to its ending conversation, so remain in the area until the objective changes and the completion notification appears.

    Checkpoint

Mission mechanics

The mission’s signature mechanic is controlled access through identity. Rather than simply asking V to defeat a faction patrol and loot a location, the operation uses Aurore Cassel and Aymeric Cassel as the key to reaching the next stage. This makes objective discipline more important than exhaustive exploration: the game expects V to complete the confrontation, follow Reed and respond to the prompted interaction.

Combat is flexible, but the encounter rewards preparation. Stealth and quickhacks can reduce the pressure of the first exchange, while a direct build can use cover and focused fire to remove the immediate threats. There is no need to force one universal build solution, and the mission does not require a particular weapon category.

The mission also functions as a narrative bridge. Reed’s instructions, the Cassels’ role and the identity sequence all point toward a larger operation involving Songbird. Players who want to understand the route should pay attention to dialogue instead of rushing from marker to marker, especially because this content exists only on one major Phantom Liberty branch.

What works and what does not

Strengths

  • The mission gives Reed’s route a clear investigative purpose after the disruption in Firestarter.
  • The Cassel twins provide a memorable narrative hook that connects recognition technology with infiltration.
  • Combat, stealth and hacking approaches remain viable during the confrontation.
  • The identity-based progression gives the mission a different rhythm from a standard Dogtown assault.

Weaknesses

  • The mission is not available on every Phantom Liberty story route.
  • Players expecting a large open-ended location to explore may find the objective path relatively controlled.
  • The identity sequence is primarily a story mechanic and does not become a general-purpose disguise system for the rest of the game.

Best uses

  • Play it as a focused story mission rather than a resource-farming activity.
  • Use a manual save before the operation if comparing Phantom Liberty branches.
  • Bring both combat and infiltration tools so the Cassel encounter can be handled comfortably.

Phases

  1. 1

    Approach and briefing

    Starts: Reaching Reed’s meeting point

    V meets Reed and receives the plan for pursuing the Cassel twins. This phase is dialogue-led and establishes the mission’s identity-based objective.

    • Finish the briefing before moving away from Reed.
    • Use the pause to check weapons, cyberware and healing items.
  2. 2

    Cassel confrontation

    Starts: Reaching Aurore Cassel and Aymeric Cassel

    The operation turns into a targeted confrontation. V must survive the exchange and secure the twins’ role in Reed’s plan.

    • Direct gunfireTell Hostile movement and weapon draw signal the start of the firefight.Answer Use cover, break line of sight and focus on exposed targets rather than remaining in the open.
    • Crossfire pressureTell Multiple threats can force V to divide attention during the encounter.Answer Reposition around cover and use quickhacks or grenades to interrupt the most dangerous angle.
    • Keep track of both twins and do not overextend after dropping one target.
    • Stealth players should avoid turning the approach into a larger fight before the intended encounter.
  3. 3

    Identity access

    Starts: Completing the confrontation and reaching the prompted interaction

    Reed’s plan shifts from direct action to controlled access using the Cassels’ identities. The mission resumes its guided infiltration structure.

    • Follow the exact objective marker and wait for Reed’s dialogue.
    • If progression pauses, return to the interaction point instead of exploring farther away.
  4. 4

    Story resolution

    Starts: Completing the final Dogtown objectives

    V and Reed close this stage of the Songbird pursuit and receive the direction for the next operation.

    • Stay with the mission marker until the completion state triggers.
    • Save after the mission if you intend to continue Reed’s route without interruption.

Choices and consequencesSpoilers

  • Side with Solomon Reed during Firestarter

    I’ve Seen That Face Before becomes part of the resulting Reed-route sequence, with V and Reed pursuing Songbird through the Cassel operation.

    Spoiler
  • Help Songbird escape during Firestarter

    This mission is not the corresponding continuation of that route; Phantom Liberty follows a different sequence of missions and outcomes instead.

    Spoiler

Checklist

  • Complete Firestarter on Reed’s routeThe mission is branch-dependent.
  • Make a manual save before meeting ReedUseful when reviewing the branch and its story consequences.Optional
  • Check weapons, cyberware and healing itemsThe mission includes a targeted combat encounter.Optional
  • Listen to Reed’s full briefingThe dialogue explains why the Cassel twins matter.
  • Neutralize both Cassel targetsDo not leave the encounter until the objective confirms completion.
  • Complete the identity-access interactionFollow the prompted objective after the confrontation.
  • Remain with Reed during the final sequenceLeaving the mission area can delay progression or create unnecessary combat.
  • Save after mission completionPreserves the next point in the Reed route.Optional

Failure conditions

  • V dies during the Cassel confrontationReload the latest checkpoint or manual save and approach the encounter using cover, hacking or stealth.
  • A required mission participant is killedThe operation depends on its named targets and Reed’s continued participation; a critical scripted death can fail the objective.
  • V abandons the objective areaLeaving the guided route or moving too far from Reed can interrupt progression. Return to the mission marker if the next prompt does not appear.
  • V ignores the identity-access interactionThe post-confrontation sequence requires the prompted interaction before the mission can continue.

On failure

The game supplies checkpoints during the operation, but a manual save before the mission is the safest way to preserve the branch and avoid repeating the approach.

Rewards

  • Mission completion rewards
    Completing the mission advances the Phantom Liberty main story and grants the normal progression rewards associated with the job.
  • Access to the next Reed-route objectives
    The principal reward is narrative progression into the continuing search for Songbird.

Characters in this mission

AftermathSpoilers

The search continues

I’ve Seen That Face Before does not resolve the Songbird storyline by itself. Its conclusion confirms that Reed’s operation is moving toward a larger recovery effort, and the next missions continue to reshape the relationship between V, Reed and Songbird.

Trivia

  • The mission title draws attention to the resemblance between Aurore Cassel and Aymeric Cassel, whose twin identities are central to the operation.
  • The mission is one of the clearest examples in Phantom Liberty of story progression built around access and recognition rather than simply defeating every enemy in a location.
  • Its availability demonstrates how Firestarter changes the mission order and narrative content of the expansion.

Relationships