Chapter 1: Exploring Cyberpunk 2077 Post-Launch

Have the numerous updates finally improved the experience of Cyberpunk 2077?

Captured on PS5 by the author.

If you had posed this article’s main question back in 2020 when Cyberpunk 2077 first debuted, I would have confidently suggested “Google Stadia.” However, that perspective seems ludicrous today. Just recently, Google announced the discontinuation of their streaming service, effectively eliminating the most accessible high-performance version of Cyberpunk 2077. This title was a standout showcase for Stadia, demonstrating the platform's capabilities, and it was meticulously crafted to run on it. In fact, it performed comparably to a decent gaming PC from the onset.

Many dedicated gamers might instinctively shout “PC!” in response, but that route comes with its own challenges. The PC version boasts superior graphical features, but they demand a hefty investment in hardware. Nvidia has been eager to showcase how well the game operates on their new $1600 flagship 4090 card, which is quite a steep price—equivalent to nearly 27 copies of the now-defunct Stadia version, and you would still need the rest of the system along with a Windows license.

Playing on an older, less powerful PC is certainly an option, but it could mean sacrificing the stunning visuals that Cyberpunk 2077 is renowned for. This game is designed to utilize the full potential of your hardware, and running it on outdated technology feels like merely experiencing a preview for future upgrades. This serves as an unspoken marketing strategy cleverly hidden in the intricate settings menus on PC. They lure you in with the promise of enhanced experiences while showcasing the limitations of lesser setups, nudging you to invest in new hardware.

For those who prefer a more straightforward experience, console options are available. However, the PS4 and Xbox One are no longer viable choices; CD Projekt has officially ceased development for these older systems, and the upcoming expansion will only be available on the latest consoles.

So, which console should you opt for—Series S, Series X, or PS5? The answer is quite clear: PS5.

Captured on PS5 by the author. The driving experience feels most immersive on Sony’s console due to its haptic feedback.

Both the Series X and PS5 offer two graphics settings: a nearly locked 60FPS mode and a 30FPS mode with beautiful ray-traced shadows. While these shadows may not be as impressive as the ray-traced reflections and enhanced lighting seen on PC, they still look fantastic, and they don’t carry the steep price tag that deters new players.

My preference leans toward the PS5 because of the remarkable integration of exclusive hardware features. Cyberpunk 2077 takes full advantage of Sony’s Tempest 3D Audio and the haptic feedback capabilities of the DualSense controller. Each vehicle in Night City feels alive, providing realistic feedback through the triggers. You can sense the weight of numerous collectible weapons as you use them, and the surrounding sound environment is rich with details that shine through Sony’s audio system.

While Xbox consoles are more readily available at the moment, making them a solid choice for those who simply want to play the game without the exclusive features, I still find the PS5 to be superior.

If you’ve held off until now, the perfect moment to dive into Cyberpunk 2077 has finally arrived. I’ve kept an eye out for common bugs during my playthroughs after each patch, and during my latest session on PS5, I didn’t encounter any of these issues. The game now feels polished and stable, rather than a fragile assembly prone to crashing. I’m thoroughly impressed with how the audio and controller feedback work on Sony’s console, which might lead me to complete an entire playthrough while simultaneously trying to finish Elden Ring.

While the PS5 may not deliver the complete visual experience that a high-end PC does, it offers unique audio and control features that I find more gratifying than the demanding graphical settings on PC. However, everyone has their own preferences!

This article serves as a bittersweet reflection on Stadia. Despite Google's numerous missteps, I enjoyed my time with the platform. It provided an excellent version of Cyberpunk 2077 long before other consoles could, and its impressive video and screenshot capture features had the potential to significantly impact the creator community if Google had leveraged them effectively.

Captured on PS5 by the author.

Initially, I believed Cyberpunk 2077 would be my favorite game of 2020, and possibly one of my all-time favorites. While it fell short of the former, thanks to extensive updates and enhancements on PS5, it still has a chance at claiming a spot among my all-time favorites.

Update August 20, 2023: With the exciting Phantom Liberty expansion just around the corner, I’m revisiting the base game across different platforms to assess its current state. I’ve played on both consoles and even tested it on the ROG Ally, which surprisingly performs quite well. This handheld device has enough GPU rendering power to enable some ray tracing effects.

Overall, the game remains in remarkably good condition compared to its initial release, and I’m eagerly looking forward to the expansion. The technical proficiency displayed here poses a real challenge to the potential shortcomings of Starfield, which is set to launch on September 1.

I plan to publish a new article about Cyberpunk soon, and I’ll be diving into the expansion on launch day.

Chapter 2: Video Insights on Cyberpunk 2077

In the first video, titled "Is ANYONE Still Playing Cyberpunk 2077 in 2022?", we explore the game's community and player engagement post-launch, analyzing its revival and player experiences.

The second video, "Why You Should Absolutely Play Cyberpunk 2077 in 2022!", highlights the reasons for revisiting the game and showcases its improvements and features that make it worth playing today.