Many assume Cyberpunk 2077 on PS4 was simply a bad port that never improved. In reality, the game’s troubled launch and subsequent patches tell a more complex story of technical limits and gradual fixes.
How CD Projekt Red Tried to Fix the PS4 Version
The developer’s primary tool was a series of large patches. Patch 1.2, arriving in March 2021, targeted stability and crash reduction. It helped, but players on base PS4 hardware still faced frequent frame rate drops and texture pop-in.
A more significant update came in February 2022 with Patch 1.5. This version added next-gen upgrades for PS5, but it also signaled a shift. CD Projekt Red focused less on optimizing the old PS4 hardware, acknowledging that the console’s aging components limited what could be achieved. If you want to go deeper, Jasper Breckenridge Johnson: The Untold Story of a Forgotten Pioneer covers an adjacent angle worth reading
According to the studio, fully fixing the PS4 version was practically impossible given the hardware constraints. The weaker claim here is that the game could ever run flawlessly on a 2013 console.
What Insiders and Developers Have Said About the PS4 Debacle
In January 2021, CD Projekt Red co-founder Marcin Iwiński issued a public apology. He admitted the studio underestimated the gap between the PC version and the base PS4, leading to a launch that failed to meet player expectations.
Iwiński’s apology was a rare moment of candor from a major studio. He explained that the game was tested primarily on high-end PCs, and the console versions, especially the PS4, were not given enough attention before release.
This insider perspective highlights a common industry problem: optimizing for older hardware is often an afterthought. The result was a game that, on PS4, felt unfinished to many players. For a broader factual overview, Cyberpunk 2077 lays out the key context
How PS4 Players in Different Regions Experienced the Game
Reception varied by region, but the core issues were universal. In North America and Europe, players reported crashes and visual glitches, leading to a wave of refund requests. Sony responded by removing the game from the PlayStation Store on December 17, 2020, and offering full refunds to dissatisfied players.
The game returned to the store on June 21, 2021, but with a warning about performance on base PS4 consoles. This warning was a first for Sony, signaling that even the platform holder acknowledged the game’s problems.
In Japan, where console gaming is particularly strong, the backlash was equally severe. The game’s reputation suffered, and sales figures, while not publicly detailed, were likely impacted by the negative word-of-mouth.
Clearing Up Misconceptions About the PS4 Version
One common misconception is that the PS4 version was abandoned entirely. In fact, CD Projekt Red continued to release patches throughout 2021 and 2022, improving stability and fixing bugs. However, the studio’s focus shifted to next-gen consoles and the Phantom Liberty expansion, which launched exclusively for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on September 26, 2023.
Another myth is that the game was unplayable on all PS4 models. While the base PS4 struggled, the PS4 Pro offered a somewhat better experience, though still far from ideal. The game’s performance varied significantly between the two models.
It’s also worth noting that the game’s story, following V, a mercenary in Night City, was praised by many. The narrative, based on Mike Pondsmith’s Cyberpunk tabletop RPG, was not the source of the criticism—the technical execution was.
| Event | Date | Impact on PS4 |
|---|---|---|
| Game release | December 10, 2020 | Severe bugs and crashes reported |
| Removed from PlayStation Store | December 17, 2020 | Refunds offered, sales halted |
| Patch 1.2 | March 2021 | Improved stability, reduced crashes |
| Return to store | June 21, 2021 | Warning about performance on base PS4 |
| Patch 1.5 | February 2022 | Next-gen focus, less PS4 optimization |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the PS4 version compare to the PS5 version of Cyberpunk 2077?
The PS5 version, enhanced with Patch 1.5, offers faster loading times, improved graphics, and more stable frame rates. The PS4 version, especially on base hardware, still suffers from performance issues, though patches have made it more playable than at launch. Public records covering this story are gathered in Cyberpunk 2077 – PS4 & PS5 games | PlayStation (US)
Is Cyberpunk 2077 on PS4 worth buying now?
If you own a PS4 Pro, the game is more stable than at launch, but it still has occasional bugs. On a base PS4, expect lower frame rates and visual pop-in. Given the availability of next-gen versions, many players prefer those if possible.
Is it ethical for CD Projekt Red to sell the PS4 version given its history?
The studio has been transparent about the game’s limitations on older hardware, and the PlayStation Store listing includes a warning. As long as players are informed before purchase, selling the game is not inherently unethical, though some argue the initial launch was misleading.
Why did Cyberpunk 2077 perform so poorly on PS4 at launch?
The game was developed with high-end PCs in mind, and the PS4’s older hardware struggled to handle the dense open world. CD Projekt Red underestimated the optimization needed, leading to crashes and low frame rates that were not fully resolved until later patches.
Is Cyberpunk 2077 still receiving updates for PS4?
No. Major updates, including version 2.0 and the Phantom Liberty expansion, are exclusive to PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. The PS4 version received its last significant patch in early 2022, and further support is unlikely.
