1. The PS5 Pro update for Cyberpunk 2077 significantly improves visuals and performance, especially with additional ray tracing options and upscaling techniques.
2. The new performance modes provide a balance between high visual fidelity and smooth gameplay, with up to 60 fps in Ray Tracing Pro mode on suitable displays.
3. Limitations remain in effects reliance on older screen-space techniques, and some visual issues like pop-in still persist despite hardware enhancements.
4. Digital Foundry prefers the Performance Mode for lower latency and consistent frame rates, especially when VRR is active.
5. The update offers substantial visual upgrades, but leaves room for further enhancements like full ray tracing implementation and addressing pop-in issues.
Enhanced Performance and Visuals in Cyberpunk 2077 PS5 Pro Update
CD Projekt Red’s newest update for Cyberpunk 2077 enhanced its experience on the latest PlayStation console, the PS5. The review from Digital Foundry shows that the game now runs much better with the new patch, mainly because of the improved PSSR upscaling and the advanced ray tracing features. But, some lighting effects still haven’t reached the potential seen on high-end PCs.
New Performance Modes and Their Impact
The game now has three new ways to play, with the Ray Tracing Pro option, which offers ray-traced reflections, better ambient occlusion, and realistic shadows. When playing on a 60Hz display, the target is 30 fps, but on 120Hz TVs or monitors, players get around 40 fps. Digital Foundry noticed that during intense scenes, frame rates occasionally dipped below these numbers, though they mostly stayed steady.
Upscaling and Ray Tracing Advantages
Using PSSR that upscales from 1440p to 4K makes a major difference, especially with ray tracing turned on. During the daytime, outdoor city views look more natural, and at night, the lighting effects are more convincing with neon signs glowing properly. Still, some reflections on windows and shiny car surfaces show limitations because they use older tech, not fully ray-traced effects, which results in some missed potential. Overall, despite these limits, the graphics on the PS5 Pro look very close to a good gaming PC, even at lower frame rates.
Balancing Graphics and Frame Rates
The Ray Tracing Mode in the game forgoes some features like global illumination to try to maintain 60 fps. Sometimes, frame rates dipped a little, but gameplay generally stayed fluid. Plus, the 1440p upscale to 4K results in sharper images than the standard PS5 modes. Digital Foundry thinks this setting strikes a good balance between smoothness and visual quality.
Choosing the Right Mode for Gamers
For players who want the lowest latency possible, Performance Mode without the extra lighting effects is recommended. Once Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) is turned on a compatible display, they found the game could hit around 90 fps in many scenarios, which is great for smooth gameplay. This mode sacrifices some of the lighting effects but offers a more responsive experience overall.
Summary of the PS5 Pro Patch Expectations
The review from Digital Foundry is mostly positive about the update. However, they note that there are still some missed opportunities, like adding an option for a fully ray-traced version at lower resolutions. Also, the game’s pop-in issues in the open-world environment persist to some extent, and the PS5 Pro’s hardware can’t fully eliminate those visual quirks.