Remember when “Cyberpunk 2077” was synonymous with broken promises and glitched-out taxi cabs falling from the sky? It’s been a long road since that disastrous 2020 launch, but if you’re holding a PlayStation 5 Pro, CD Projekt Red is finally ready to hand you the definitive console experience. Tomorrow, April 8, marks the arrival of a massive PS5 Pro enhancement update, and unlike the standard “next-gen patch” we saw years ago, this one leverages specific hardware tricks to close the gap with high-end PC rigs. But is it enough to drag you back to Night City, or is this just another layer of polish on a game you’ve already moved on from?
The “Ray Tracing Pro” Mode: What Makes It Different?
The headline feature here is the new Ray Tracing Pro mode. If you’re used to the standard PS5 version, you know you usually have to choose between a stable 60 frames per second (Performance mode) or pretty lighting (Ray Tracing mode) that tanks your frame rate. The PS5 Pro update changes the math by introducing a specific profile designed to push the console’s ray tracing hardware harder than ever before.
According to CD Projekt Red, this mode targets 30-40 fps, which might sound low to competitive shooter players, but for an open-world RPG, it’s a sweet spot for cinematic immersion. The key technical upgrade here is the implementation of BVH8 (8-way bounding volume hierarchy). Without getting too lost in the jargon, this allows the console to track up to eight rays of light simultaneously for reflections, shadows, and global illumination. The result? Reflections on wet pavement and neon-lit interiors that look significantly closer to the “Ray Tracing Overdrive” mode available on PC, rather than the watered-down reflections console players are used to.
Breaking Down the Three Performance Profiles
Confusion often sets in when developers offer multiple graphical modes without clear explanations. CDPR is giving players three distinct choices this time, each serving a different type of gamer. Here is how they stack up based on the upcoming update:
| Mode Name | Target FPS | Key Features | Best For… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ray Tracing Pro | 30-40 fps | BVH8 implementation, enhanced global illumination, realistic shadows. | Players who want the best visual fidelity and don’t mind lower frame rates for immersion. |
| Ray Tracing | 60 fps | Standard ray tracing effects balanced with smooth performance. | The default “best of both worlds” experience for most players. |
| Performance | High (60+) | Maximizes frame rate; visual quality similar to base PS5. | Competitive players or those with 120Hz displays who prioritize responsiveness. |
A common misconception is that “Performance” mode on the Pro will look drastically better than the base PS5. In reality, the visual boost here is minimal; the primary benefit is the higher, more stable frame rate. If you want the true “next-gen” look, you have to commit to the Ray Tracing Pro mode.
PSSR 2: The Hidden Engine Behind the Upgrade
We can’t talk about PS5 Pro enhancements without addressing PSSR 2 (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution). Sony confirmed earlier that Cyberpunk 2077 was in line for PSSR 2 upgrades, and this update is the delivery on that promise. Think of PSSR 2 as a highly specialized upscaling technology powered by AI. It allows the console to render the game at a lower internal resolution and then intelligently upscale it to 4K.
Why does this matter? Because ray tracing is incredibly demanding. Without PSSR 2, running BVH8 ray tracing at an acceptable resolution would likely melt the console’s thermal limits. By using AI upscaling, CDPR can allocate more power to lighting calculations while maintaining a sharp image. If the screenshots released on the PlayStation blog are accurate, this could be the proof of concept that shows PSSR 2 isn’t just marketing fluff—it’s a necessity for modern console gaming.
“If CDPR was able to get it looking as good as the PC version, it’ll go a long way to proving the power of PSSR 2.” — Jackie Thomas, Hardware and Buying Guides Editor, IGN
Why This Matters for Console Hardware Enthusiasts
For those of us obsessed with hardware specs, this update is a fascinating case study. It highlights a shift in console development: optimization is no longer just about squeezing efficiency out of a fixed GPU; it’s about leveraging machine learning. The BVH8 implementation is particularly notable because it suggests the PS5 Pro’s ray tracing accelerators are being utilized in a way the base PS5 simply cannot match.
However, don’t mistake this for a magic wand. The 30-40 fps target in Ray Tracing Pro mode implies the hardware is still being pushed to its absolute limit. Unlike a high-end PC graphics card, you can’t just overclock your PS5 Pro to get 60 fps with full ray tracing. You are bound by the thermal and power ceilings designed by Sony. This creates a clear delineation: if you want absolute top-tier performance with Ray Tracing Overdrive at 60+ fps, the PC is still king. But if you want a “good enough” approximation without spending $2,000 on a GPU, the PS5 Pro is finally offering a compelling alternative.
Should You Reinstall Cyberpunk 2077?
This is the practical question. If you played the game at launch and swore it off, version 2.0 and the Phantom Liberty expansion already fixed the bugs. This PS5 Pro update is the visual cherry on top. For players who care about digital tourism—walking through Dogtown, admiring the neon haze of Japantown, or watching the rain hit your car windshield—the Ray Tracing Pro mode is a must-see. It transforms the atmosphere from “video game” to “interactive cinema.”
However, if you are sensitive to frame rate drops or motion blur, the 30-40 fps target might feel sluggish. In that case, stick to the standard Ray Tracing mode. The 60 fps lock is still the gold standard for gameplay fluidity, and the visual downgrade compared to the Pro mode won’t ruin the experience.
FAQ
Do I need to own the Phantom Liberty expansion to get the PS5 Pro update?
No. The PS5 Pro enhancement update is a free patch for the base game. However, the visual improvements will be most noticeable in the Phantom Liberty expansion areas, which were designed with higher hardware specs in mind.
Will this update work on a standard PS5?
No. The Ray Tracing Pro mode and PSSR 2 features are exclusive to the PS5 Pro hardware. Standard PS5 owners will continue to use the existing Performance and Ray Tracing modes available in the current version of the game.
Does the update support 120Hz displays?
While the “Performance” mode targets high frame rates, CDPR has not explicitly confirmed 120fps support. It is likely that the mode will target a stable 60fps with lower input latency rather than a full 120fps output.
Conclusion
Cyberpunk 2077’s journey from disaster to redemption is almost complete. The PS5 Pro update doesn’t just add a few pixels; it restructures how the console renders light, bringing it closer to the PC experience than ever before. While the 30-40 fps cap on the highest visual setting proves that console hardware still has limits, the implementation of BVH8 and PSSR 2 shows that smart engineering can overcome raw power deficits. If you own a PS5 Pro, Night City is calling again—and this time, it actually looks like the future.