Cyberpunk 2077 On PS4 Is So Lonely
Gamers knew that CD Projekt Red left plenty of content out of "Cyberpunk 2077," but they didn't know that even more content would have to get the axe before the game would start to work on the PS4. After pulling "Cyberpunk 2077" from the PlayStation Store, Sony promised the game would return when it was playable on its consoles. Now, the game has returned to PlayStation's online storefronts, but with a catch.
Sony has previously announced that buyers should beware when buying "Cyberpunk 2077," and that performance issues on the PS4 were still probable. Sony recommended players experience the game on the PS4 Pro or, preferably, the PS5. However, fans weren't prepared for just how sparse Night City would become.
To illustrate the contrast between releases, YouTube creator ElAnalistaDeBits has made a comparison video in which they played "Cyberpunk 2077" on a PS4, PS4 Pro, and PS5. The differences were startling, but the most noticeable change was that "Cyberpunk 2077" now features an oddly deserted Night City.
Mixed reactions to the new Night City
In order to maintain the advertised 30fps frame rate, it seems as though developers had to remove many of the features that made Night City feel like, well, a city. Gone are the bustling crowds, the shouting street vendors, and the endless traffic. Instead, V wandered through an endless expanse of concrete, all by his lonesome. This is even more noticeable when playing on the PS5, which runs considerably more smoothly. Instead of bustling crowds, there are only a few people on the street. Night City no longer feels like a city; it feels like an empty environment.
Fans seemed simultaneously impressed and disappointed by the updates to "Cyberpunk 2077." One viewer said that it's impressive that CD Projekt got the game to work on the PS4, while another argued that the updated "Cyberpunk 2077" now lacks all immersion. One fan echoed these sentiments; they applauded the team's success at getting the game to run on the PS4, but also said, "Man, does it look empty."
At this point, fans are aware that the "Cyberpunk 2077" team knew the glitches were coming when the game was released in 2020, but CD Projekt decided to release the game anyway. Despite many customers demanding refunds and investors filing lawsuits, gamers still want a chance to play "Cyberpunk 2077" and to see the game they waited for as it was meant to be seen. Unfortunately, with CD Projekt's patches correcting frame rate at the cost of environment, fans may never see Night City as originally intended.