Introduction to Cyberpunk 2077 Upgrades
Cyberpunk 2077 has been extensively analyzed by Digital Foundry, beginning with its initial media and troubled console launch. Since then, various upgrades—especially the recent RT Overdrive for PC—have been released. CD Projekt RED continues to improve the game, now with a new upgrade for the PlayStation 5 Pro. After a week of testing, it’s evident that this is the best console experience available.
Ray Tracing Pro Mode Overview
Among the three new gameplay modes, the Ray Tracing Pro mode stands out as the most comprehensive. This mode serves as Cyberpunk 2077’s “all-in” visual showcase, closely resembling PC’s maximum RT features but with some necessary trade-offs. It primarily targets 30fps on 60Hz displays and aims for 40fps at 120Hz, with performance generally stable at 30fps but occasional drops at higher frame rates.
Visual Enhancements
The upgrade brings notable improvements such as enhanced sun shadows with better detail and stability. Ray-traced local shadows create more realistic lighting in both indoor and street scenes. Sky and emissive lighting enhancements prevent over-illumination in underpasses and walkways, effectively integrating indirect light into these environments. Neon signs and billboards now realistically illuminate the scene, replaced previous screen-space illusions.
Reflection Trade-offs
While ray-traced reflections are crucial for the Cyberpunk experience, this mode requires some compromises. Reflections are limited mainly to car windows and shiny surfaces, while other materials still depend on screen-space reflections—a disappointing trade-off for performance optimization. Despite this, the visuals hold up well when compared to the PC’s RT ultra settings, maintaining an internal resolution of around 1440p with PSSR upscaling to 4K.
Alternative Modes and Performance
The 60fps RT mode is recommended for players seeking a smoother experience, usually holding around 1440p resolution but minimizing RT features to achieve this frame rate. VRR functionality expands frame-rate capabilities, but dynamic resolution scaling reduces its effectiveness. Although still susceptible to pop-in issues, this mode often meets its 60fps target, albeit potentially hindered by CPU limitations.
Non-RT Performance Mode
Additionally, Cyberpunk 2077 offers a non-RT performance mode that can push frame rates above 60fps with active VRR. This mode matches the standard PS5 in appearance but features significantly higher internal resolution, providing a crisp 4K experience thanks to an enhanced temporal upscaler.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the PS5 Pro upgrade for Cyberpunk 2077 markedly enhances the gaming experience compared to the standard version, although there are some conservative elements regarding image quality. The ray-tracing enhancements in both RT and RT Pro modes significantly improve visual appeal, while the unlocked non-RT performance mode presents an interesting alternative. Importantly, this upgrade is free for those who already own the game, showing CD Projekt RED’s commitment to supporting their titles long after launch and strengthening their reputation in the gaming community.
