Cyberpunk 2077 Switch 2 DF Review: It Runs Well But The Phantom Liberty Struggles

Cyberpunk 2077 on Nintendo Switch 2: A Technical Overview

Performance and Optimization

• Cyberpunk 2077 is a significant benchmark for the Nintendo Switch 2, showcasing its capabilities through demanding open-world design and effects-heavy battles.

• The game is ported in-house by CD Projekt Red (CDPR), optimized specifically for the ARM-based architecture of Switch 2, including both the core game and the Phantom Liberty expansion.

• Despite being too demanding for last-gen consoles like PS4 or Xbox One, Cyberpunk runs effectively on Switch 2, although frame rates struggle in newer regions like Dogtown.

Visual Configurations

• Switch 2 offers four configurations: a quality mode targeting 30 FPS and a performance mode aiming for 40 FPS, available in both docked and portable modes.

• Unique to Switch 2 is its use of Nvidia's DLSS upscaler instead of AMD's FSR2 or CDPR's temporal AA solution found on other systems.

Resolution Scaling

• In docked play, both modes target resolutions of up to 1080p; however, performance mode adjusts between 540p to 1080p to maintain frame rates.

• Portable play sees further resolution drops ranging from 450p to as low as 360p depending on the mode used. This scaling is necessary due to reduced GPU clock speeds when not docked.

Image Quality Insights

• While DLSS enhances static shots significantly, fast-paced action can reveal lower resolution artifacts such as blurriness during high-motion scenes.

• Core visual settings remain consistent across docked and portable modes; however, reflections suffer clarity loss in performance mode.

Comparison with Other Consoles

• The Switch 2 employs a hybrid setup that combines features from both last-gen and current-gen consoles while maintaining competitive texture quality akin to PS5.

• With access to usable RAM similar to PS5, textures are often superior compared to last-gen systems like PS4 or even Xbox Series S in certain aspects.

Performance Comparison: Switch 2 vs. PS4 and Series S

Visual Quality and Optimization

• The lower base resolution of Switch 2 leads to more aliasing on hard edges, but it competes well with Series S, sometimes even surpassing it.

• In terms of streaming complex details in Night City, Switch 2 is better optimized than PS4 due to higher bandwidth access to internal storage compared to PS4's mechanical HDD bottleneck.

• While stationary, the level of detail between Switch 2 and PS4 is comparable; however, PS4 struggles significantly during fast-paced actions like sprinting or driving.

Performance Challenges

• NPC and vehicle density on Switch 2 matches that of the base PS4 version, limiting traffic congestion and crowd density compared to PS5 and Series S.

• This limitation likely stems from CPU constraints aimed at maintaining a stable frame rate of 30 FPS or 40 FPS in performance mode.

Shadow Rendering Limitations

• Interior shadows are improved on Switch 2 compared to PS4 but outdoor shadows show a decline in quality with pixelation issues.

• Shadows from thin details suffer due to low-resolution effects outdoors, leading to less stable visuals overall.

Frame Rate Performance

• Despite some limitations, Switch 2 achieves a consistent 30 FPS in its quality mode for most gameplay scenarios, outperforming the mid-20 FPS range often seen on PS4.

• Odd frame drops occur as dynamic resolution scaling adjusts but do not significantly detract from gameplay experience.

Stress Testing Scenarios

• During stress tests like alleyway shootouts or accelerated driving through Kabuki region, Switch 2 shows significant improvement over PS4 but still experiences frame drops into the mid-20 FPS range under extreme conditions.

Phantom Liberty Expansion Performance

• The Phantom Liberty expansion presents greater technical challenges for Switch 2 with frequent sub-30 FPS drops during intense scenes such as shootouts or driving through busy areas.

Overall Playability Insights

• Retesting core Cyberpunk against Series S reveals both run at similar performance levels for most scenarios despite Series S clearing stress tests comfortably at stable frame rates.

Conclusion on Performance Modes

Performance Analysis of Switch 2 with Cyberpunk 2077

Frame Rate Performance in Different Scenarios

• The Switch 2 delivers a mixed performance, achieving 40 fps in simpler interior areas but dropping to around 30 fps during intense shootouts and driving sequences.

• Lack of Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support during docked play makes frame drops more noticeable compared to the stable 30 fps quality mode, which is easier on the eyes.

• In docked play, a consistent target of 30 fps proves to be more reliable for the system than fluctuating performance modes that can dip below this threshold.

Portable Play Experience

• In portable mode, frame rates are generally comparable to docked play, maintaining around 30 fps due to lower resolutions; however, certain areas like Kabuki drive test show performance issues.

• The portable performance mode utilizes Switch 2's integrated VRR support effectively, minimizing visible frame drops under 40 fps while using its 120 Hz LCD panel.

Unique Features and Overall Impression

• While frame rates drop below 30 FPS lead to visible juddering outside the ideal VRR range, portable play benefits from smoother gameplay overall.

• Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 showcases the console's technical capabilities despite some performance issues; it serves as an ambitious launch title with unique features like Joy-Con mouse control and USB keyboard/mouse support.