CD Projekt Red has rolled out a major update for Cyberpunk 2077 on the PlayStation 5 Pro, and early performance analysis shows a noticeable leap in visual quality and smoothness — even if some ray tracing limitations remain.
According to testing from Digital Foundry, the new patch takes strong advantage of the upgraded hardware, particularly through improved upscaling and lighting techniques.
New Modes Bring More Flexibility
The update introduces three distinct performance modes, giving players more control over how the game runs.
The most visually advanced option, Ray Tracing Pro, enables enhanced reflections, ambient occlusion, and more realistic shadows. On standard 60Hz displays, the mode targets 30 fps, while 120Hz screens can push that up to around 40 fps. In demanding scenes, however, minor frame drops were observed.
Thanks to PSSR upscaling, which boosts 1440p resolution to near-4K output, the visual improvements are immediately noticeable compared to the base PS5 version.
Ray Tracing Looks Better — But Not Perfect
Ray tracing in this update significantly enhances the look of Night City. Daytime lighting appears more natural, and nighttime scenes benefit from more realistic reflections, especially from neon signs and billboards.
However, the implementation isn’t fully comprehensive. While reflections on windows and vehicles are ray-traced, many other surfaces still rely on older screen-space techniques. This creates a mixed visual experience where some elements shine while others fall short of high-end PC standards.
Even so, at lower frame rates, the overall presentation comes close to what you’d expect from a capable gaming PC.
Smoother Gameplay With Balanced Modes
For players who prefer smoother gameplay, the standard Ray Tracing Mode targets 60 fps by dialing back some advanced lighting features like global illumination. While minor dips can occur, performance remains stable overall.
Meanwhile, Performance Mode focuses purely on speed. Without enhanced lighting effects, it delivers significantly higher frame rates. With VRR enabled, tests recorded frame rates reaching up to 90 fps in many scenarios, making it the best option for low-latency gameplay.
Strong Upgrade With Some Missed Opportunities
Digital Foundry praised the update for striking a solid balance between visuals and performance. However, the analysis also pointed out areas where the PS5 Pro could have gone further.
Testers noted the absence of a fully ray-traced mode — even at a lower resolution — as a missed opportunity. Additionally, typical open-world issues like pop-in are still present, showing that hardware upgrades alone can’t completely eliminate them.
Conclusion
The latest update for Cyberpunk 2077 demonstrates how the PlayStation 5 Pro can meaningfully enhance both visuals and performance. While ray tracing still has limitations compared to high-end PCs, the improvements delivered by CD Projekt Red make this one of the most polished console experiences for the game so far.
