Cyberpunk 2077 is finally out in the wild, and those playing on PS4 and Xbox One aren’t exactly impressed. As we’ve discussed, current base consoles have low resolution, lack of detail, and erratic frame rates that can drop to 15fps. But what about the next generation of consoles? The tech heads of Digital Foundry recently put the PS5 and Xbox Series X and S to the test and found that the experience was much improved, albeit surprisingly different from console to console. You can watch the full DF analysis below, provided you have about 20 minutes to spare.
While Cyberpunk 2077 runs via backward compatibility on both PS5 and Xbox Series X, Microsoft’s console offers a few more options. On PS5, you’re stuck with PS4 Pro’s settings and resolution, which is up to 1188p. On the Xbox Series X, you can choose between Performance mode, which is 1080p / 60fps, and Quality mode, which runs between 1512p and 1728p and adds a bit more visual brilliance, including greater crowds, ambient occlusion, and more detailed reflections, all at a locked 30 fps.
In terms of performance, the PS5 maintains a fairly steady 60fps, with occasional dips to the low 50s while driving. Meanwhile, the Xbox Series X’s 1080p performance mode actually struggles more than the PS5, running at a low 40fps during more frantic gunfights. As for XSX’s quality mode, that seems to be pretty much a lockdown at 30fps.
Of course, there is also a third player in the game: the Xbox Series S. Microsoft’s less powerful console offers only one visual mode, although it seems that most of the graphics settings are taken from the Series X’s quality mode. The Series S runs at a maximum resolution of 1296p and a mostly locked-down 30fps, although you’ll experience the occasional dip in the mid-20s.
So there really is no clear winner here. If performance is most important to you, the PS5 is probably the way to go. Meanwhile, if the visual quality is what you’re looking for, and you don’t mind downgrading to 30fps, then Xbox Series X is for you. Of course, a lot can and will change when CDPR releases Cyberpunk 2077’s next-gen updates sometime next year.
Cyberpunk 2077 is now available on PC, Xbox One and PS4 and can be played on Xbox Series X / S and PS5 via backward compatibility.