Since its tumultuous launch in 2020, Cyberpunk 2077 has undergone one of the most remarkable turnarounds in gaming history. With the Phantom Liberty expansion, countless patches, and a next-gen overhaul, Night City has truly realized its potential. As we step into 2025, many gamers are asking whether it is finally time to dive in, which platform delivers the best experience, and how to tackle lingering technical quirks. This definitive guide answers all those questions and more, ensuring you get the most out of your cybernetic journey.
Is Cyberpunk 2077 Worth Playing in 2025?
Unequivocally, yes. Cyberpunk 2077 now stands as a deep, immersive RPG with a gripping narrative, stunning visuals, and some of the best character writing in the genre. The 2.0 update and Phantom Liberty expansion have refined the gameplay, overhauled skill trees, and introduced a new district that rivals the base game’s quality. If you skipped it at launch or have been waiting for the complete package, this is the perfect moment to become a mercenary in Night City.
How Does It Compare to Hogwarts Legacy?
Comparing Cyberpunk 2077 to Hogwarts Legacy is a matter of taste: both are excellent open-world games released in the same generation, but they cater to different fantasies. Hogwarts Legacy offers a whimsical, light-hearted adventure steeped in Harry Potter lore, with broom flight, spell-casting, and a beautifully recreated Hogwarts. Cyberpunk 2077, in contrast, is a gritty, mature tale of survival in a dystopian future, emphasizing first-person immersion, complex moral choices, and a uniquely engaging combat system. If you crave an emotionally charged story with high stakes and top-tier production values, Cyberpunk takes the lead. For a more family-friendly, exploration-driven experience, Hogwarts Legacy is the better pick. Ideally, play both, but if you can only choose one, weigh your mood: neon-lit grit or magical whimsy.
Is It Still Playable on PS4 in 2025?
The short answer is yes, but with significant compromises. Cyberpunk 2077 on a base PS4 or even a PS4 Pro will run at lower resolutions, sometimes dipping below 30 frames per second, with reduced crowd density and texture quality. CD Projekt Red stopped major content updates for last-gen consoles, so you will miss out on the Phantom Liberty expansion entirely. While the base game is playable and the 1.6 patch improved stability, the hardware simply cannot deliver the experience the developers intended. If you have no other option, it is a functional way to explore Night City, but for the full, transformative experience, a PS5, Xbox Series X, or a capable PC is strongly recommended.
Choosing the Right Platform: Steam Deck, PS5, or Switch 2?
Your platform choice shapes how you experience Night City. Each option has distinct advantages.
Steam Deck vs. PS5
The Steam Deck provides portable play, which is a huge draw. With the right settings (covered later), you can achieve a steady 30-40 FPS, making it a viable and enjoyable way to play. The trackpads and gyro aim also add precision. However, the PS5 version delivers a notably superior visual experience: ray tracing, faster loading times, DualSense haptic feedback, and a more stable frame rate in performance mode. If you primarily play at home on a large TV and want no compromises, the PS5 is the winner. For those who value gaming on the go or prefer the flexibility of a handheld, the Steam Deck is a fantastic alternative. Both will give you access to Phantom Liberty as a separate purchase.
What About Switch 2?
As of mid-2025, the Switch 2 remains a speculative platform for Cyberpunk 2077. If a port materializes, expect a version tailored to the system’s capabilities, possibly using lower resolution textures and dynamic scaling. Given the game’s demanding nature, performance will lean heavily on upscaling technologies and likely target 30 FPS. Unless you have no other gaming device, it is wiser to plan for a proven platform like the Steam Deck or PS5. Keep an eye on official announcements for any confirmed details.
Cyberpunk 2077 on PS Plus: DLC and Licensing Issues
PlayStation Plus subscribers who have claimed Cyberpunk 2077 through the Game Catalog often encounter confusion regarding the Phantom Liberty expansion and strange disc-related errors. Here is what you need to know.
First, your PS Plus entitlement grants access to the base game only. Phantom Liberty is not included, but you can purchase and install the expansion separately, and it will work seamlessly with your catalog version. There is no need to own a disc or a separate digital license for the DLC to function. If you let your PS Plus subscription lapse, you will lose access to the base game, and by extension, the expansion, until you resubscribe or purchase the full game outright.
A persistent bug where the PS Plus version keeps asking for a disc is usually a leftover from a prior disc installation. The console may still reference data from that install. To resolve it, delete Cyberpunk 2077 completely from your console, then go to Settings, Account Management, and select Restore Licenses. After that, re-download the game directly from the PlayStation Store or the PS Plus collection page. This process should clear the phantom disc check. If the problem persists, ensure your PS5 is set as your primary console for game sharing.
Common Technical Issues and How to Fix Them
Despite the game’s improvements, certain hardware configurations or software setups still produce headaches. Below are the most frequently reported problems and their solutions.
Crackling Audio
Crackling or stuttering audio is often linked to sample rate mismatches or audio driver bugs. On Windows, go to your sound control panel, select your playback device, and under the Advanced tab, change the default format to 16-bit, 44100 Hz (CD Quality) or 24-bit, 48000 Hz. Disable audio enhancements if available. On Linux, using PipeWire or PulseAudio, try adjusting the buffer size. In-game, disable any spatial sound engines like Windows Sonic unless you specifically need them.
Low FPS on the Radeon RX 9070 XT
The RX 9070 XT is a modern powerhouse, but poor performance in Cyberpunk 2077 can stem from several culprits. First, verify that your GPU drivers are up to date directly from AMD’s website. Next, ensure the game is using your dedicated GPU and not an integrated graphics chip: in Windows Graphics Settings, add Cyberpunk2077.exe and set it to High Performance. In the game, disable Ray Tracing if enabled, as the 9070 XT’s ray tracing performance may not meet expectations without FSR. Set FSR 2.1 to Quality and texture quality to High, then start with medium to high settings and tweak downward. Also check that your power plan is set to High Performance and that your GPU is not overheating and throttling.
DLSS 4 or Model M Not Working
As of 2025, Cyberpunk 2077 officially supports DLSS 3.5, but DLSS 4 functionality is still in experimental or modded territory. If you are trying to force DLSS 4 features like the transformer model, ensure you have the latest NVIDIA drivers and a copy of the DLSS swap files. Some mods require manual replacement of .dll files in the game directory. Incompatibilities with other mods can also block the feature. For a foolproof experience, stick with the in-game DLSS Sharpness slider and Ray Reconstruction options, which provide a stellar image quality boost without the hassle of unsupported hacks. If you absolutely need DLSS 4, check the r/cyberpunkmods community for tested methods and avoid mix-and-matching outdated file versions.
Enabling DLSS 4 on Linux
Linux users running the game through Proton or Lutris can also experiment with DLSS 4, but it requires extra steps. Use a Proton version with bleeding-edge VKD3D patches, such as Proton GE. Set the environment variable VKD3D_CONFIG=dlss to enable DLSS swapping. Download the DLSS 4 .dll files and place them in the game’s bin/x64 directory. You must also have the nvapi.dll emulation working via a DXVK-NVAPI override. In Lutris, these environment variables and dll overrides can be set per game. Keep in mind that updates may overwrite these files, so back up your work.
MangoHud in Lutris
To monitor performance through MangoHud while playing Cyberpunk 2077 in Lutris, right-click the game and select Configure. Under System Options, scroll to Display and switch on Enable MangoHud. If it still does not appear, ensure MangoHud is installed on your system (via your package manager) and that you are not running the Flatpak version of Lutris, which can sandbox its operation. As a fallback, you can add the launch command MANGOHUD=1 %command% in the game’s arguments field.
Optimizing Performance: Best Graphics Settings for Steam Deck
The Steam Deck is a capable handheld, but squeezing the best experience out of Cyberpunk 2077 requires careful adjustments. Start with the in-game preset “Steam Deck” which CD Projekt Red added in a recent update, then fine-tune as follows:
- Resolution: 1280 x 720 (native) or 1152 x 720 for a slight performance bump
- Vertical Sync: Off (let the frame limiter handle it)
- Maximum FPS: Off in-game; use the Deck’s built-in limiter set to 30 or 40 FPS
- Texture Quality: Medium
- Dynamic Resolution Scaling: Off
- FSR 2.1: On, set to Quality
- Motion Blur: Off (improves clarity)
- Contact Shadows, Improved Facial Lighting Geometry: Off
- Anisotropy: 4
- Local Shadow Mesh Quality, Local Shadow Quality: Medium
- Cascaded Shadows Range: Low
- Volumetric Fog, Volumetric Cloud Quality: Off
- Max Dynamic Decals: Medium
- Screen Space Reflections Quality: Off (or Low for a small FPS cost)
- Subsurface Scattering, Ambient Occlusion: Low
- Color Precision, Mirror Quality: Low
- Level of Detail: Medium
With these settings, you can expect a smooth 30 FPS lock, or 40 FPS if you are willing to drop to Low on a few options. The image remains surprisingly sharp thanks to FSR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cyberpunk 2077 worth playing on PS4 in 2025?
It is playable but heavily compromised. Expect lower frame rates, reduced graphics, and no access to the Phantom Liberty expansion. If you can, play on a PS5, Xbox Series X/S, or a decent PC instead.
Should I buy Cyberpunk 2077 or Hogwarts Legacy?
Choose Cyberpunk 2077 for a mature, story-driven first-person RPG set in a dense futuristic city. Pick Hogwarts Legacy for a magical school simulator with light-hearted exploration. Both are excellent; the decision comes down to theme and tone preference.
Can I play Phantom Liberty with the PS Plus Game Catalog version of Cyberpunk 2077?
Yes, you can purchase and play Phantom Liberty as an add-on to the base game obtained through PS Plus. Your base game license must remain active (PS Plus subscription) to access the content.
Why does my PS Plus copy of Cyberpunk 2077 keep asking for a disc?
This is a licensing glitch usually caused by a previous disc installation. Delete the game, restore your PS5 licenses, then redownload the digital version from the PlayStation Store.
How do I fix crackling audio in Cyberpunk 2077?
Change your Windows sound device’s default format to 16-bit 44100 Hz, disable audio enhancements, and turn off spatial sound. On Linux, adjust buffer settings.
Why is my AMD RX 9070 XT performing poorly in Cyberpunk 2077?
Update drivers, ensure the game uses the dedicated GPU, disable ray tracing, and set FSR 2.1 to Quality. Also check for thermal throttling and set your power plan to High Performance.
How can I enable DLSS 4 in Cyberpunk 2077?
Official support currently only goes up to DLSS 3.5. DLSS 4 is experimental; manual .dll swaps and mods are required. Use at your own risk, and check reputable modding guides.
Can I use DLSS 4 on Linux for Cyberpunk 2077?
Yes, with Proton GE, VKD3D_CONFIG=dlss variable, and manual .dll replacement. Requires NVIDIA drivers and proper Vulkan extensions.
Why won’t MangoHud display when playing Cyberpunk 2077 in Lutris?
Ensure MangoHud is installed on your system, enable it in Lutris’s system options for the game, and avoid the Flatpak version of Lutris. Alternatively use the MANGOHUD=1 launch command.
Steam Deck or PS5 for Cyberpunk 2077?
PS5 delivers better visuals, performance, and haptic feedback. Steam Deck offers portability and a surprisingly stable 30-40 FPS with optimized settings. Pick based on where you will play most.
What graphics settings are best for Cyberpunk 2077 on Steam Deck?
Use the Steam Deck preset as a base, FSR 2.1 on Quality, medium textures, and turn off volumetric clouds and screen space reflections for a smooth 30-40 FPS.
Cyberpunk 2077 has evolved into a must-play title, and with the right platform and settings, your visit to Night City will be nothing short of unforgettable. The technical gremlins that remain are largely manageable, and the sheer depth of storytelling and world-building makes the journey truly worthwhile.
