Digital Foundry has released a comprehensive review of the new official PS5 Pro patch for Cyberpunk 2077, marking a significant update for the game on Sony’s enhanced console. Despite Cyberpunk 2077’s troubled launch and multiple patches over the years, this latest update introduces three new modes, VRR options, a PSSR and FSR upscaler toggle, and 120 Hz support, enhancing the game’s visual fidelity and performance on PS5 Pro. The most notable addition is the RT Pro mode, which incorporates all available ray tracing enhancements, including reflections, shadows, skylight, emissive lighting, and ambient occlusion, delivering a visually richer experience albeit at a lower frame rate.
The RT Pro mode notably improves ray-traced shadows, local light shadows, skylighting under structures, emissive lighting from neon signs, and ambient occlusion, significantly enhancing the game’s atmosphere and realism. However, ray-traced reflections are limited primarily to car windows and some glossy car bodywork, unlike the more extensive reflections seen on PC. This limitation is likely due to performance constraints and the complexity of rendering layered reflections like clear coats on cars. Despite these restrictions, the mode runs at a stable 30 fps with an option targeting 40 fps at 120 Hz, offering a solid balance between visual quality and performance.
Another mode, simply called Ray Tracing mode, enables ray-traced reflections and shadows but targets a 60 fps performance with some frame dips, especially in CPU-heavy areas like Dog Town. This mode is recommended for new players seeking a visually enhanced but smoother experience. Meanwhile, the Performance mode offers a high internal resolution close to 4K with PSSR2 upscaling and stable 60 fps gameplay, sacrificing ray tracing entirely. This mode also supports an unlocked frame rate aiming for 90 fps with VRR, providing lower input latency and smoother responsiveness, ideal for players less concerned with ray tracing effects.
The patch also includes a toggle between PSSR and FSR upscalers, though the reviewers consider this option largely vestigial. The new PSSR (PSSR2) delivers superior image quality compared to FSR, with sharper, cleaner visuals and fewer artifacts, making the FSR toggle unnecessary and generally not recommended. While the update brings significant improvements, issues like texture pop-in remain unresolved, a persistent annoyance across all versions of the game. The reviewers suggest that the patch likely reflects design decisions made around the first generation of PSSR technology, explaining the relatively high internal resolutions and the presence of the FSR toggle.
Overall, the PS5 Pro patch for Cyberpunk 2077 is praised as a substantial and thoughtful upgrade that adds meaningful ray tracing enhancements and performance options, extending the game’s longevity on current-generation hardware. Digital Foundry commends CD Projekt Red for continuing to support the game years after its release, providing forward compatibility and improved scalability for PlayStation players. While there is room for further optimization and more extensive ray tracing features, this update represents a positive step in enhancing Cyberpunk 2077’s visual and gameplay experience on the PS5 Pro platform.
