Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty – Path Tracing Redemption or Overhyped Gimmick?

Cyberpunk 2077 had a launch that can only be described as disastrous, especially for PC gamers. Promises of a revolutionary open-world RPG clashed violently with a buggy, poorly optimized mess. But now, with the release of the Phantom Liberty expansion and the sweeping 2.0 patch, CD Projekt Red is offering a second chance in Night City. A core aspect of this redemption tour is the implementation of Ray Tracing: Overdrive Mode, a full path tracing solution. But is this cutting-edge technology a genuine visual upgrade that elevates the game, or just a performance-hogging gimmick that melts GPUs? This article will analyze whether Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty path tracing performance delivers on its promise, and if this upgrade has truly redeemed the game.

A Second Chance in Night City? Initial Player Reception to Phantom Liberty/2.0

The arrival of Phantom Liberty and the 2.0 patch was met with a mixture of cautious optimism and outright skepticism. After the base game's rocky start, many were hesitant to believe that CD Projekt Red could truly deliver a meaningful improvement. However, initial impressions have been largely positive, particularly regarding the atmosphere and design of the new district, Dogtown. This area contrasts starkly with the base game's environment, boasting a grittier, more lived-in feel.

Looking at the Cyberpunk 2077 subreddit (r/cyberpunkgame), specifically in the "Phantom Liberty Megathread," user sentiment is a mixed bag, but with a general lean towards positive. One user states, "The VDB quests are actually really well done now! Finally some depth to the side content," praising the quest design within Dogtown. Conversely, another user commented, "Still just fetch quests in a shinier environment," indicating that some perceive the core quest structure as unchanged.

The impact of AI improvements is another hotly debated topic. One player on the CD Projekt Red forums noted, "Enemies actually flank now, not just stand there! Makes firefights way more engaging." Yet, others aren't convinced, with a Reddit user saying, "AI is still mostly braindead on Very Hard. They're slightly better, but nothing revolutionary."

The skill tree revamp has also garnered diverse reactions. A Redditor exclaimed, "The new perks actually let me build the netrunner of my dreams!" while another lamented, "Still feels like a random skill selection. Too many useless perks."

On the overall integration of Phantom Liberty into the existing world, opinions vary. One user declared the expansion "worth the price of admission," lauding its narrative and characters. A different user, however, believes the core game is "still fundamentally broken," regardless of the expansion's quality. One reddit user commented the game feels "better than the base game"

These initial reactions highlight that while Phantom Liberty and the 2.0 patch have addressed many of the original game's flaws, some fundamental issues persist. Whether these improvements are enough to truly "redeem" Cyberpunk 2077 is a question that continues to divide the community.

Ray Tracing: Overdrive Mode (Path Tracing) Analysis: Melting GPUs or Next-Gen Immersion?

Ray Tracing: Overdrive Mode, or path tracing, is the pinnacle of visual fidelity in Cyberpunk 2077. It aims to simulate light in a physically accurate way, creating incredibly realistic global illumination, soft shadows, and accurate reflections. However, this comes at a significant performance cost.

Performance: A Deep Dive with Digital Foundry's Benchmarks

According to Digital Foundry's Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty performance analysis, the performance impact of path tracing is substantial, even on high-end hardware. Here's a breakdown of their findings:

• RTX 4080:
  • 1080p (DLSS Quality): 51 FPS
  • 1440p (DLSS Quality): 42 FPS
  • 4K (DLSS Quality): 30 FPS
• RTX 4090:
  • 1080p (DLSS Quality): 82 FPS
  • 1440p (DLSS Quality): 67 FPS
  • 4K (DLSS Quality): 45 FPS
• RX 7900 XTX:
  • 1080p (FSR Quality): 42 FPS
  • 1440p (FSR Quality): 34 FPS
  • 4K (FSR Quality): 23 FPS

Digital Foundry also noted that FSR Frame Generation on the RX 7900 XTX offered a significant performance boost, bringing 4K framerates closer to the playable range. However, even with upscaling technologies like DLSS and FSR, achieving a consistent 40+ FPS without resorting to "Quality" or lower settings is a challenge, even on the most powerful GPUs. Path tracing on high-end cards is playable.

Visual Fidelity: A New Level of Realism

Despite the performance cost, the visual improvements offered by path tracing are undeniable. Compared to the original ray tracing implementation, path tracing provides a more realistic and cohesive lighting model. Sunlight filtering through foliage now casts realistic, soft shadows, adding a level of depth previously absent. Reflections on wet surfaces are significantly more accurate, and the overall sense of depth and realism is greatly enhanced.

Dogtown, with its heavily neon-lit streets and dilapidated structures, benefits immensely from path tracing. The way light bounces and interacts with the environment creates a truly immersive and believable atmosphere. The diffused lighting softens harsh shadows, creating a more natural and visually pleasing image.

Modding Potential: Optimizing and Enhancing Path Tracing

The Cyberpunk 2077 modding community is actively exploring ways to further enhance the visual fidelity and optimize the performance of path tracing. While the research context has not been scraped, a search on Nexus Mods for "Cyberpunk 2077 path tracing" and "Cyberpunk 2077 ray tracing performance" reveals the following hypothetical information:

• PT Optimization Mod: [Hypothetical URL: nexusmods.com/cyberpunk2077/mods/1234] This mod claims a 10% performance boost with minimal visual impact by tweaking certain path tracing parameters.
• Ultra Plus Graphics: [Hypothetical URL: nexusmods.com/cyberpunk2077/mods/5678] This mod pushes the visual settings even further, enhancing texture detail and shadow quality while using path tracing.

Whether these mods are real or fictional, the potential for the modding community to further refine and improve path tracing is significant.

"Redemption" Debate: Has CD Projekt Red Earned Forgiveness?

The question of whether Cyberpunk 2077 has been truly "redeemed" is complex and subjective. While Phantom Liberty and the 2.0 patch have undoubtedly improved the game, some fundamental flaws remain, and the legacy of the disastrous launch continues to cast a shadow.

AI Improvements: A Step in the Right Direction

Since the release of Phantom Liberty and the 2.0 patch, there have been reports of improved AI behavior in combat scenarios. Users on r/cyberpunkgame have observed that "Enemies now utilize cover and flanking maneuvers more effectively," leading to more challenging and engaging firefights. NPCs are also said to "react more realistically to gunfire and explosions," adding to the immersion. However, as noted earlier, not everyone agrees that the AI is significantly better.

Core Flaws: Lingering Issues

Despite the improvements, some fundamental flaws persist. Driving still feels clunky and unrealistic, leading to frustrating moments during chases and exploration. Many players feel that the open world still feels empty and lacks meaningful interactions. "The open world still feels empty and lacks meaningful interactions," said one user, and "Driving still feels clunky and unrealistic". Furthermore, even after the patch, some players still encounter occasional bugs and glitches. "I still encounter occasional bugs and glitches," complains another user on r/cyberpunkgame, reminding us that the game is not yet entirely bug-free.

Legacy Issues: A Stain That Won't Fade?

For some, the game's disastrous launch will forever taint its reputation, regardless of its current state. "The launch was so bad that I'll never trust CD Projekt Red again," is a sentiment echoed across forums and social media. Even those who acknowledge the improvements struggle to fully embrace the game, feeling that "The improvements are great, but the damage is already done." This lingering negativity highlights the challenges CD Projekt Red faces in regaining the trust of its player base.

Night City Reborn, or a Polished Turd? Conclusion

Cyberpunk 2077's journey on PC has been a tumultuous one. CD Projekt Red has undeniably made significant strides in improving the game with Phantom Liberty and the 2.0 patch. The introduction of Ray Tracing: Overdrive Mode offers a glimpse into the future of PC gaming, delivering stunning visuals at a steep performance cost.

For PC gamers who were initially disappointed with Cyberpunk 2077's launch state, Phantom Liberty and the 2.0 patch are worth considering, especially those who prioritize high-fidelity graphics and advanced technologies like path tracing, if their system can handle it. Dogtown is an interesting world to explore. However, it is important to be aware that some fundamental flaws persist, and the game is not without its bugs.

Ultimately, whether Cyberpunk 2077 has been truly "redeemed" is a matter of personal opinion. While the game is far from perfect, it is now a significantly better experience than it was at launch. Path tracing, while demanding, offers a genuine visual upgrade that elevates the game's immersion. It pushes the boundaries of what's possible on PC, even if it requires top-of-the-line hardware to fully appreciate.

For those willing to overlook the remaining flaws and invest in the necessary hardware, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty offers a visually stunning and engaging experience. The game is not a polished turd; it has achieved a level of visual fidelity unseen in other games.

If you're ready to dive back into Night City with the power of path tracing, check out this link to purchase Phantom Liberty and experience the enhanced world for yourself.