The latest update for Cyberpunk 2077 is out today for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC players (Nintendo Switch 2 owners will have to wait slightly longer). If you’re confused, it’s understandable. CD Projekt RED said, fairly unequivocally, that it wrapped up support for the FPS/RPG. Phantom Liberty launched alongside the massive 2.0 overhaul in 2023; Patch 2.1 finally added the metro system and many other quality of life features; and it seemed like the redemption journey was complete, roughly three years after launch.
However, the team decided that wasn’t enough and partnered with Virtuos for Patch 2.2. It went live last December as a surprise, introducing the ability to customise your vehicle colours with the new Rayfield CrystalCoat. Photo Mode was overhauled with options for full collision, locking the camera, and adding light sources. The character creator received numerous new options, including fresh eye colors, face scars and new face cyberware options. If that wasn’t enough, Johnny Silverhand could join you while out on a drive after progressing enough through the story.
So what does Patch 2.3 have to offer, especially since it’s similar in scope to Patch 2.2? Believe it or not, even more options to improve immersion and really help players, new or otherwise, to take in the sights.
One of the most significant new features is also one that I’m surprised took this long to be added to the game: AutoDrive. Yes, you can finally set a destination or select a job, and V’s vehicle will take them there automatically (while abiding by the traffic rules, hopefully). Of course, you stop when attacked, but otherwise, this is a great way to pick a random objective that’s popped up – an NCPD call, a new Gig, a fresh cyberpsycho sighting – and seamlessly travel there.
If that isn’t enough, you can call a Delamain cab and have it drive you to a destination. Sit in the backseat, either alone or with Johnny. This is more of fan service for those who probably wanted to reunite with Delamain following the outcome of his side job. It may not feel significant, especially when there’s AutoDrive, but much like the metro, having the option feels nice. Almost like the world of Cyberpunk 2077 is still evolving in its own little ways.
Regardless of whether you opt to AutoDrive or take a cab, there’s a new cinematic camera that provides different angles as you seamlessly cruise through Night City. Think of it as an alternative to simply peering out in first or third-person all the time, and really observing your surroundings. But what if you want to endlessly observe the city while driving? AutoDrive lets you do that as well.
And if you’re looking for new wheels to do this in, four new vehicles are being added: the Yaiba ARV-Q340 Semimaru from the comic Cyberpunk 2077: Kickdown; the Rayfield Caliburn “Mordred”; the Yaiba ASM-R250 Muramasa motorcycle; and the Chevillon Legatus 450 Aquila truck. By completing existing jobs and activities – or in the case of the Muramasa, purchasing three vehicles from Autofixer, owning a Yaiba vehicle and completing a Reported Crime – you can unlock new side jobs for three of these new vehicles. The Aquila is purchasable directly from Autofixer instead of completing any associated gig. While not exactly the heftiest new narrative content, I’d rather have them than not at all.
CrystalCoat has also received some updates – you can now use it to customise more vehicles, and its functionality finally extends to motorcycles. Hilariously, “lower-end vehicles” can make use of a cracked version, complete with a glitched screen. It would have been enough to add as a feature and not think too much about it, but I appreciate the extra effort to justify it lore-wise.
Photo Mode users are making out like bandits once again with all the new additions. Twenty-seven new NPCs to add to shots (from The Mox’s Rita Wheeler to various fixers and the Cassel twins), whose alternate outfits can be swapped out; options for adjusting the time of day and weather (throw in some acid rain because why not?); and even Game Speed, which sees in-game time moving normally for some sick timelapses. That’s only a handful of new features, and while I’m not the biggest Photo Mode enjoyer, some of the work that fans have put into their shots has been exceptional, and it’s great to give them even more tools to play with.
In terms of graphical options, AMD FSR 4 support is finally here, but PC players need to wait until the corresponding AMD driver goes live at a later date. On the bright side, AMD FSR Frame Generation 3.1 is available immediately and can be combined with any upscaler. Intel GPU users also get XeSS 2.0 and XeSS Frame Generation alongside HDR10+ Gaming support. PS5 and Xbox Series X/S players can also rejoice, because Variable Refresh Rate support is also added.
When you take a step back and look at all this, you might debate how impactful any of these features are. After all, there’s no PS5 Pro support, which CD Projekt RED hasn’t ruled out but has no plans for either. New Game Plus still isn’t available, and some fans want a third-person camera for some reason. The biggest thing is likely that there are no new quests or stories to experience, and I can empathise.
However, the fact that CD Projekt RED continues to support the game is commendable. Not just because it moved on two years ago to work on Project Orion, the sequel, but also because it’s implementing features that the community has wanted for a long time.
You may not think of AutoDrive as a big deal, but as someone who restarted the game on different platforms twice (don’t ask), this would have been an excellent feature to have while attempting to complete all of Regina’s gigs before leaving Watson. New vehicles are always a plus, as are the new upscaling and console VRR options, since they allow even more players to enjoy the game in their preferred way.
Above all else, updates like these really add to the Night City experience while also addressing any lingering bugs and glitches, which means an even better experience for any new player. And while I’ve had my fill of Night City, returning for a new playthrough will be even more worthwhile, given all the new options and features.
Like anyone else, I’d love to see CD Projekt RED and Virtuos deliver something like New Game Plus, even if it needs to go beyond simply carrying everything over and bumping up numbers. But aside from that, the real question is: Where does the game go from here? What other patches could the team possibly unveil? Dare I hope for some new content to tie into Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2?
Regardless, patches like 2.3 are akin to dessert after the main course. They’re not necessary to enjoy the excellent story, combat, build-crafting, world-building, and quests. It’s the commitment to improving the game, even through bug fixes and Photo Mode options, that’s appreciated. Even as CD Projekt RED moves forward with Orion into a potential new era, the fact that it hasn’t forgotten what ultimately led it to this point – and beyond – bodes well for the future.
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