Today, CD Projekt Red has announced and revealed the details for the next-gen update of Cyberpunk 2077 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The next-generation update is part of Patch 1.5 which is available now on all platforms. During CD Projekt Red’s Redstreams live stream, they revealed and showcased some of the new additional content that is part of the new update. This includes the ability to rent/purchase additional apartments, the ability to customize V’s appearance in-game, new weapons, and adjustments to make Night City more lively such as changes to combat A.I., crowd improvements, the drive model, and vehicle traffic.
Cyberpunk 2077 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S features added ray-traced local light shadows, implemented native achievement support on next-gen consoles and two graphics modes: Performance and Ray Tracing. CD Projekt Red notes that since this next-gen version has a different SKU, trophies obtained in backward compatibility will not be transferred. Xbox achievements automatically appear on the new version with the Smart Delivery feature. Performance mode ensures smooth gameplay at 60 FPS with dynamic 4k scaling. The Ray Tracing mode provides photorealistic shadow and reflection rendering as well as gameplay at 30 FPS with dynamic 4K scaling. The Xbox Series S version has no graphics mode options. The game is presented at 30 FPS in 1440p with dynamic resolution scaling by default.
The new, additional content coming in Patch 1.5 is available on all platforms. Apartments can be rented (with a one-time fee) either by encountering them in Night City or through the EZstates website. There are 4 apartments available to rent in different districts. The available apartments are Northside, Watson (€$5,000), Japantown, Westbrook (€$15,000), The Glen, Haywood (€$40,000), and Corpo Plaza, City Center (€$55,000). Players can customize V’s starting apartment for a price as well. V’s appearance customization is done using the mirror. It’s free and can be done as many times as you want. There are also more makeup and hair color options in Character Customization. CD Projekt Red also added temporary buffs that players can get by interactions in the apartments. Taking a shower provides the Refreshed status for an hour. Refreshed allows health regeneration during combat. Health regenerates on its own up to 60% of the maximum threshold. Going to sleep regenerates health and gives V the Rested status for an hour. Rested gives you +20 skill XP. Brewing coffee applies the Energized status for an hour. The Energized buff adds +25 max stamina, +30 stamina regen.
Changes to combat A.I. includes multiple fixes and improvements to NPC melee and ranged combat AI and reactions. This includes cover, positioning, reloading, equipping weapons, dodging, blocking, and more. There are also multiple improvements to dismemberment triggers, hit reactions, and death animations as well as further diversification of melee and ranged combat behaviors for different factions: reckless, aggressive, balanced, defensive, and cautious. Enemies will be better at blocking and evading (Kerenzikov) attacks. Followers will contribute more in combat but can be defeated and temporarily disabled if they receive enough punishment. Crowd improvements includes aggressive crowd behavior. Certain NPC archetypes can and will enter combat with the player when provoked by aiming, shooting, or fighting. This change is not available on the previous generation of consoles. Time skips will affect the state of NPCs, as well as reset the state of the devices, environments and certain scenes. There are improved crowd reactions, pathfinding, and despawning.
The Drive Model introduces the new burnout mode. the old system only allowed rotating on the spot. A new braking system produces consistent performance, front to rear, across all speeds. ABS simulation has been added. The engine and gearbox simulation has been improved. Motorcycles have been improved and there are tune improvements to various cars. CD Projekt Red also added visual improvement to traffic movement. Traffic will now have the ability to drive away in panic from danger and NPC passengers can now die from car crashes. Vehicles will now have a wider range of reactions to being bumped into, and will recover and return to traffic more smoothly.
For the full list of changes, you can check it out on the official Cyberpunk 2077 website. CD Projekt Red also revealed that there is a 5-hour, 30-day free trial that includes all of the new updates released today. Save data will transfer if you decide to buy it after the trial.