CDPR releases 37 minutes of Cyberpunk 2077 Switch 2 video – so what have we learned?
Developer CD Projekt RED has uploaded a generous batch of Switch 2 Cyberpunk 2077 footage last week – 37 minutes of direct 4K capture to be exact – giving us an early glimpse at the state of its docked 30fps quality mode. Since it releases on 5th June as a Switch 2 launch title, we don’t really have too long to wait to see the real thing in action, though given that this footage comes with no “early build” disclaimer or suchlike it appears CDPR is confident in what it’s showing in this material – and for good reason. Poring over all the assets, we have plenty to work with for some preliminary comparisons and even frame-rate analysis. In short, the prospects for this Switch 2 rendition are encouraging overall.
In terms of content, CDPR is showing all manner of gameplay: driving, combat, major mission set pieces – you name it, it’s included. Some clips even reveal, quite openly, the challenges Switch 2 faces in running such a complex open world game – notably for high speed car action. To its credit, frame-rate delivery at 30 frames per second is strong based on this footage overall, with drops into the 20-30fps range mainly being a problem while speeding through Night City’s streets. Especially at points where multiple AI cars clog up its roads, it appears drops and traversal hitches are possible, something we’re keen to re-test on its release. It’s a positive showing overall, though: on-foot exploration around its markets, the bustling parade sequence teeming with NPCs, and even combat during the Phantom Liberty DLC all run at a perfect 30fps here.
In performance terms, this showing is perhaps best put in the context of what’s currently possible on last-gen consoles, and also Series S. In re-testing the base PS4 version today for example, it’s sobering to find that open world roaming there still plays out with hitching, geometry pop-in and drops to 20-30fps – certainly more than is evident in this Switch 2 footage. Going hands-on with the final build ourselves is a must for any final word on this, but early signs point to fewer glaring issues in traversal and battle.
0:00:00 Introduction0:00:39 News 1: 37 minutes of Cyberpunk 2077 Switch 2 footage released!0:18:51 News 2: AMD introduces 9060 XT0:31:43 News 3: AMD teases “FSR Redstone”0:44:15 News 4: Doom has hidden performance metrics on Xbox0:53:38 News 5: Mario Kart World originally planned for Switch 11:02:49 News 6: Hellblade 2 coming to PS51:11:29 Supporter Q1: What do you make of the Nvidia/Gamers Nexus controversy?1:19:41 Supporter Q2: If Microsoft is working on an Xbox emulator for Windows, does that signal the end for traditional Xbox consoles?1:28:56 Supporter Q3: Should Nintendo release a non-portable, home-only Switch 2?1:35:32 Supporter Q4: Could Switch 2 become a dumping ground for last-gen games?1:40:29 Supporter Q5: What are your hopes and concerns for Switch 2?
On the other hand, Xbox Series S’ performance level – in its own 30fps quality mode – is a more aspirational target for Switch 2. We described this version as ‘what last-gen should have been’ in our original review, thanks to it boasting a broadly rock-solid 30fps experience, and it even went on to receive a 60fps mode post-release. A question mark hovers over the viability of Switch 2’s own 40fps performance mode though, where we have no recent assets. More to come on this when we get the game ourselves.
