Many games releasing at the tail end of the PS4/Xbox One console generation are getting free upgrades to their next-gen counterparts in the near future. While Xbox Series X is implementing Smart Delivery for several Xbox One games, PS5 is implementing a similar system on a case-by-case basis as well. This includes Cyberpunk 2077, which has announced official support of Smart Delivery to Xbox Series X, as well as a free next-gen upgrade from PS4 to PS5.
Like many other games receiving the same treatment, CD Projekt Red has made it abundantly clear that an official next-gen optimized version of Cyberpunk 2077 is in development for next year. This is certainly good news, but for some it may leave players feeling like they're playing a weaker or cheapened experience of the same game. Other more patient gaming fans may be willing to wait until what would ultimately be the definitive version of the game. Frankly this is a good problem to have, but it does beg the question of whether or not waiting for the next-gen versions or playing the game right away is the right move.
Play Cyberpunk Now, Get Enhanced Versions Later
The quick and pragmatic answer would be to say no. Obviously with all these consumer-first programs like Smart Delivery, players only need to buy the game once but will be able to play the definitive versions upon their release, assuming they have the PS5/Xbox Series X. Unless there's some kind of egregious technical problem like game saves not transferring between versions, it's realistically a no-brainer. Additionally, Cyberpunk 2077 has been in active development for at least four years, so the game's been optimized for PS4 and Xbox One primarily.
Plus, considering how many times this game has been delayed, fans have been waiting a long time to play Cyberpunk 2077. CD Projekt Red's first official trailer for the game came out all the way back in early 2013, over seven years ago. Hardcore fans of the Cyberpunk universe have been waiting a long time to finally get their hands on CD Projekt Red's interpretation of the dystopian tabletop universe. Since announcing the initial release date at E3 2019, the game has been delayed twice from April to November of this year. It's understandable if fans have been waiting patiently since 2013,
Waiting for the Definitive Version of Cyberpunk 2077
Alternatively, for more patient or casual fans of Cyberpunk 2077, theoretically waiting until the PS5/Xbox Series X versions will allow players to get the definitive experience of Cyberpunk. With any game, the higher graphical and processing power can result in higher fidelity and performance from optimized games. Longer draw distances, more NPCs on screen, faster texture streaming and loading environments, among other enhancements are expected in the PS5/Xbox Series X versions of Cyberpunk 2077. Both next-gen consoles have very similar hardware, so the optimizations will likely perform the same across the board.
Normally fans would wait for this version if it was like a remaster from the previous generation. In some cases, early adopters of the PS4 played The Last of Us for the first time with the remaster instead of the original on PS3. That's not going to be the case here, considering the remaster/enhancement of Cyberpunk 2077 will come free of charge for those who buy the first release of the game. Waiting for the next-gen release is probably going to be a very niche opinion among gaming fans given the circumstances.
A Good Problem for Gaming Fans to Have
Either way, gaming fans win. Cyberpunk 2077 is shaping up to be a definitive experience for games period, regardless of which version fans play on primarily. Knowing the pedigree of CD Projekt Red, and the fact that upgrading to the optimized version will be free, there likely won't be much noticeable parity between both releases. The largest changes will likely be loading times, thanks to the consoles' respective SSDs, along with some higher anti-aliasing and sharper resolutions. Other than that, outside of paid DLC (which would likely release for both versions anyway), Cyberpunk 2077 should be practically identical between both versions of the game.
Fans who've been waiting a while are just a few months away from finally getting their hands on Cyberpunk 2077. Although there may be a subset of fans who would want to wait until the higher-performance version of the game on next-gen consoles, deciding which version to play is a good problem to have in an industry that has traditionally charged full price for next-gen ports or remasters.
Cyberpunk 2077 releases November 19, 2020, on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. PS5, Stadia, and Xbox Series X versions are slated for release in 2021.