CD Projekt Red has had a busy 2021, with the developer hard at work bringing Cyberpunk 2077 to a satisfactory state. At the same time, free DLC for Cyberpunk 2077 is likely in the works, proper story DLC expansions are in the pipeline, and proper PS5/Xbox Series X upgrades for the game are in development for this year. But that's not all.
Alongside the plate of Cyberpunk 2077 content/patches/upgrades in the work, CD Projekt Red will also be releasing PS5 and Xbox Series X upgrades for The Witcher 3. With this in mind, what should be Cyberpunk 2077's redemption year may just be overshadowed by its cousin, with Geralt standing head and shoulders over V and Johnny Silverhand.
The Witcher 3 on PS5, Xbox Series X
It's worth mentioning that The Witcher 3 was buggy at launch, but it was nowhere near the level of Cyberpunk 2077. At release, the latter was practically unplayable on PS4 and Xbox One, with the PlayStation Store removing the game and the Microsoft Store adding a warning shortly after launch. Cyberpunk 2077 is back on the PS store now, it's moving forward, but it's hard not to compare the two and see how The Witcher 3 stands as the better CD Projekt Red product. And in turn, it's only getting better in 2021.
It does not have a proper release date yet, just a release window for this year, but fans know some of what to expect from this upgrade. There will be targeted enhancements for PS5 and Xbox Series X such as shorter load times and ray-tracing capabilities, among others. It is also getting new DLC based on the Witcher Netflix show, which is likely to be minor but is exciting for many fans nonetheless. After all, The Witcher 3 is in solid enough state that all it needs are general, console-targeted improvements, and it's almost guaranteed to launch in a condition much better than Cyberpunk 2077's original release. This indubitably means that The Witcher 3's PS5 and Xbox Series X upgrade will be compared to Cyberpunk 2077's, for better or worse.
Cyberpunk 2077 on PS5, Xbox Series X
Even less is specifically known about Cyberpunk 2077's PS5 and Xbox Series X upgrade, other than it is supposed to release this year too. PS4 and Xbox One owners will be able to upgrade for free, but therein lies a catch: Cyberpunk 2077 is much newer than The Witcher 3. Many fans may have pushed off playing the game because they wanted to play it at its best on PS5 and Xbox Series X, instead of PS4 and Xbox One.
No one waited for The Witcher 3's upgrade; it's a nice surprise and a welcome one, with many likely returning to the Continent with its release. Cyberpunk 2077's upgrade doesn't only have the onus and expectation to be the best console version of the game, but it has to hold its own against The Witcher 3 in comparison, as well as make an impression on any newcomers giving the game a chance.
CD Projekt Red has been hard at work on the game, but many are still split after Cyberpunk 2077's release. This PS5 and Xbox Series X upgrade already has that pressure but is amplified by the Witcher 3 upgrade. That is enough for concern, but a double-edged sword has potential too: this version of Cyberpunk 2077 could win over a lot of those unsatisfied with the game, if done right. If Cyberpunk 2077 nails the landing, perhaps one day it'll be held up in good comparisons to The Witcher 3, but for now, all eyes are on the upcoming upgrades.
Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3 are getting PS5 and Xbox Series X upgrades in 2021.