Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.20 2.21 -23.01.2025- [ 2026 ]
Cyberpunk 2077 Patch 2.21: The Full Breakdown of the January 23 Update
On January 23, 2025, CD Projekt Red released Patch 2.21 for Cyberpunk 2077, marking a significant technical milestone for the game nearly five years after its initial launch. While following the major Update 2.2 from December 2024, this newest iteration focuses heavily on cutting-edge PC performance and deep-rooted bug fixes. The PC Revolution: DLSS 4 and RTX 50 Series Support
A major highlight of Patch 2.21 is the introduction of DLSS 4 with Multi-Frame Generation, designed specifically to leverage the power of NVIDIA’s RTX 50 series GPUs for improved frame rates. Additionally, all RTX users can now select a new Transformer model for DLSS Ray Reconstruction, promising higher visual fidelity, alongside improved memory optimization for faster rendering. Enhancing Your Journey in Night City
Beyond performance, this update addresses several community-reported issues to improve overall gameplay. Key changes include: Cyberpunk 2077 PATCH 2.21 Review & Biggest Changes!
The release of updates 2.20 and 2.21 for Cyberpunk 2077 in early 2025 represents the final polishing stages of one of the most significant redemption arcs in gaming history. By January 2025, CD Projekt Red had transitioned from the transformative "Phantom Liberty" era into a phase of deep maintenance, ensuring the game’s legacy remains one of technical excellence rather than its rocky launch. Refining the "Ultimate Edition" Experience
While the massive 2.0 overhaul redefined the game’s core mechanics—perks, police AI, and vehicle combat—updates 2.20 and 2.21 focused on the "invisible" quality-of-life improvements. These patches addressed the fringe stability issues that emerged as players pushed the game's limits on high-end hardware. Specifically, these updates optimized the interaction between the REDengine and modern GPU architectures, smoothing out micro-stutters in high-density areas like the Dogtown market. Technical Granularity
The January 2025 patches were particularly vital for the PC and current-gen console parity. Update 2.20 introduced more nuanced toggles for Ray Reconstruction and Path Tracing, allowing players with mid-range builds to experience advanced lighting without the prohibitive performance cost. Update 2.21 followed quickly to address specific logic bugs in late-game quests, ensuring that the complex web of narrative choices in Phantom Liberty remained seamless for new players entering the "Ultimate Edition." The Legacy of Night City
Beyond the code, these updates serve a symbolic purpose. They signal that Cyberpunk 2077 is now a "complete" work. CD Projekt Red’s commitment to patching the game four years after release has rebuilt player trust, turning Night City into a gold standard for atmospheric world-building. With the 2.2x series of patches, the developer has effectively "frozen" the game in its best possible state before fully shifting focus to the sequel, Project Orion. Conclusion
Updates 2.20 and 2.21 are not about new content, but about respect for the player's immersion. By ironing out the final creases in the game’s performance and stability, CD Projekt Red has ensured that Cyberpunk 2077 will be remembered as a masterpiece of the genre. Night City is finally as dangerous, beautiful, and fluid as the original vision promised.
Night City Re-Examined: What’s New in Cyberpunk 2077 Patch 2.21
Just when we thought CD Projekt RED was ready to let the neon dust settle on Night City, they’ve dropped another surprise. Released on January 23, 2025 Patch 2.21
focuses on cutting-edge PC tech and deep-diving into the fan-favorite Photo Mode.
Whether you're a virtual photographer or looking to push your RTX hardware to the limit, here is a breakdown of what this update brings to the table. 🚀 Cutting-Edge Tech: DLSS 4 Support
For the PC enthusiasts, the headline feature is the official introduction of DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation . This is specifically optimized for the GeForce RTX 50 Series
, allowing the AI to generate up to three times more frames per traditionally rendered frame. Transformer Model: You can now toggle between the standard CNN model and a new Transformer model
for Ray Reconstruction and Super Resolution, which offers better stability and detail for moving objects. Performance Boosts:
The update also reduces memory usage for Frame Generation on both RTX 40 and 50 Series cards. 📸 Photo Mode Overhaul & Fixes
Patch 2.21 builds on the "Express Yourself" philosophy introduced in Update 2.2
(December 2024). It addresses several "pre-alpha" feeling quirks that players noticed: Spawn Logic:
You can now spawn Nibbles and Adam Smasher even if V is in the air or in water. No more snapping to the ground mid-jump. Adam Smasher Fixes:
The "Facial Expression" option for Smasher has been fixed, and his missing glowing chest cyberware is finally restored. Saved Presets:
V’s rotation, position, and spawned characters are now properly saved within your presets, making it easier to recreate that perfect shot. 🛠️ Key Gameplay & UI Fixes
Beyond the visuals, a few lingering quest and world bugs have been squashed: Aguilar Imprint:
Fixed the issue in the "Run This Town" quest where the Aguilar imprint wouldn't deactivate after meeting Bennett. Johnny Duplicates:
Resolved a glitch where Johnny Silverhand would sometimes appear twice (or not at all) as a passenger. Vehicle Painting: Corrected texture and color inconsistencies in the CrystalCoat™
system and added missing UI descriptions for the "Autofixer" website icons. Final Thoughts Patch 2.21 - Home of the Cyberpunk 2077 universe
Released on January 23, 2025, Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.21 introduces NVIDIA DLSS 4 support for RTX 50-series GPUs on PC and addresses various bugs, particularly within the Photo Mode and character creation features. The patch also resolves issues with vehicle paint jobs, console stability, and character animations, building upon the content from Update 2.2. For the official patch notes, visit Cyberpunk.net Patch 2.21 - Home of the Cyberpunk 2077 universe
Update 2.20 (January 20, 2025) – The Groundwork
The first part of the January patch cycle, Update 2.20, focused on systemic improvements and long-standing community gripes.
6. Community & Developer Response
- Community sentiment: Positive regarding stability; some disappointment that no 2.20 features (like New Game+) were added.
- CDPR statement (via X/Twitter, Jan 22, 2025): “Update 2.21 is a small hotfix to address the most pressing bugs following the 2.2 update. Larger updates are not planned for 2025 as the team focuses on Project Orion (Cyberpunk sequel).”
1. The Police System Refinement
While the 2.0 police system (NCPD MaxTac) was a massive leap forward, players noted that officers sometimes spawned inside vehicles or ignored crimes happening directly behind them. Update 2.20 revises the line-of-sight algorithm. Now, police drones will actively scan alleyways, and vehicle pursuit logic has been tuned to prevent the "rubber-banding" that occurred when driving an OP Caliburn.
Conclusion: The End of an Era
Update 2.20 and 2.21 (23.01.2025) aren’t flashy. There’s no new quest, no hidden ending, no metro expansion. But what they represent is a game finally finished – polished, stable, and feature-complete. Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.20 2.21 -23.01.2025-
Cyberpunk 2077 now stands alongside The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt as a monument to CD Projekt Red’s post-launch dedication. If you’ve been waiting for the definitive moment to re-enter Night City, January 23, 2025 – Update 2.21 – is that moment.
V out.
For help with mod compatibility after Update 2.21, visit our modding guide. For sequel news, search “Project Orion” – CDPR’s next-gen Cyberpunk.
On January 23, 2025, CD Projekt RED released Patch 2.21 for Cyberpunk 2077
. While Patch 2.20 focused on expanding customization, Patch 2.21 was primarily a stabilization and performance update designed to refine those new features and introduce cutting-edge support for high-end PC hardware. 1. Hardware & Visual Performance (PC Focus)
The standout feature of Patch 2.21 is the official implementation of NVIDIA DLSS 4 support.
Multi Frame Generation: Enabled for GeForce RTX 50 Series cards, this technology can boost FPS by up to 3x using AI.
DLSS Transformer Model: Users with any GeForce RTX card can now choose between the standard CNN model or a new Transformer model for Ray Reconstruction and Super Resolution, which offers improved lighting stability and sharper detail in motion.
Bug Fixes: Resolved "smudging" and artifacts on in-game screens when using Ray Reconstruction. 2. Photo Mode & Character Refinements
Patch 2.20 introduced "express yourself" features like spawning NPCs in Photo Mode, but 2.21 fixes many of the bugs that came with them.
Presets & Spawning: V's rotation, position, and spawned characters are now correctly saved in presets.
Adam Smasher Fixes: Fixed Smasher's facial expressions and missing glowing chest cyberware when spawned in Photo Mode.
Environmental Physics: Characters spawned in air or water no longer snap immediately to the ground. 3. Vehicles & Navigation
CrystalCoat™: Fixed several texture and color inconsistencies for vehicles using this color-changing tech.
Johnny Silverhand: Fixed an issue where Johnny appeared duplicated in the passenger seat or failed to appear frequently enough during free-roam driving.
Quest Fixes: Resolved a bug in the "Run This Town" quest that prevented deactivating the Aguilar imprint after meeting Bennett. 4. Platform Specifics
Consoles (PS5/Xbox): Improved screenshot handling in the Xbox Gallery, specifically for HDR10 users, and fixed an issue where Xbox Series S could default to "Quality" mode instead of "Performance".
Download Sizes: PC users saw a roughly 4 GB update, while console players required a larger 22 GB download due to file restructuring. Patch 2.21 - Home of the Cyberpunk 2077 universe
Ghost in the Machine: The Night the Code Screamed
Night City, January 23rd, 2025 – 03:17
The air in Jig-Jig Street smelled of stale synth-beer, ozone, and desperation. For most, it was just another Thursday. But for a select few—the netrunners, the tech-priests, and the conspiracy-addled—the clock was ticking toward something else entirely.
Update 2.20 had dropped two days prior, on the 21st. Patch notes were typical: "Improved pathfinding for trauma drones," "Fixed an issue where Panam’s pants would clip through the Thorton," "Adjusted damage scaling for Smart Weapons in late-game scenarios." The usual ghost-hunting in the machine.
But then, on the 22nd, a silent hotfix—2.21—rolled out with zero announcement. That’s when the whispers started.
V (no relation to the original, just a wannabe edgerunner with a Kiroshi Optics knock-off) first noticed it in The Afterlife. A braindance junkie in the corner was convulsing, not from a BD, but from something leaking through the local data-term. His agent was repeating a string of hex code out loud: 0xDEADBEEF 0xCAFEBABE 2.20.2.21.230125.
“That’s not a normal error,” V muttered, sliding a fresh magazine into her Omaha.
Her choom, a washed-up netrunner named Deckard, pulled his hood tighter. “That’s a timestamp. 23rd of January, 2025. 03:17. That’s… three minutes from now.”
At that exact second, every screen in The Afterlife flickered. Not a glitch—a message. In stark, glowing orange text, the same font as the update logs, three words appeared:
> SYSTEM_REMEMBER_ME?
Then: Update 2.22: UNPLANNED. INITIATING MORGUE PROTOCOL.
Across the city, the dead began to call home. Cyberpunk 2077 Patch 2
First, the memorial kiosks in North Oak—the ones displaying Jackie Welles’s face—spontaneously rebooted. His pixelated ghost smiled and said, "Hey, choom. Miss me?" Then the Columbarium’s data-slabs scrolled names that weren’t there a second ago: Evelyn Parker. T-Bug. Rebecca. David Martinez.
The real terror, however, was the relic. Every person with experimental neuroport tech, every veteran of the Arasaka soulkiller program, felt a cold shiver as their bio-monitors received a silent ping: PATCH REQUIRED. YOUR GHOST IS OUT OF DATE.
V felt it too. A whisper in the back of her skull—not Johnny Silverhand, but someone else. Someone new. “They didn’t delete us,” the voice said, a chorus of a thousand dead runners. “They just compressed us. Update 2.20… they accidentally defragmented the cemetery.”
Panic seized the city. Militech AVs scrambled. NetWatch went dark—not from an attack, but from internal chaos. Their own Blackwall AIs were partitioning, forming digital trade unions.
And then, at 04:00, the true patch notes streamed directly into every HUD in Night City:
Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.21 – Unofficial Changelog:
- Fixed an issue where dead characters remained fully deleted.
- Added new feature: Residual Self-Image Manifestation (RSIM). Your regrets can now pathfind.
- Removed the barrier between Relic storage and active RAM.
- Known issue: The dead may be slightly angry.
V ran outside. Above the MegaBuilding H10, the sky was wrong. The usual smog had arranged itself into a massive, flickering QR code. She scanned it with her optics.
It linked to a single, hidden file in the old Arasaka subnet: a farewell message from Alt Cunningham, dated before her transcendence.
“You thought 2.0 was a rebirth,” it read. “No. That was the funeral. This? This is the wake. And everyone’s invited.”
As the first digital ghost—a phantom Jackie Welles, still holding his shotguns—materialized in the middle of the intersection of Halsey and MLK, V smiled despite the fear.
“Patch 2.21,” she whispered. “They finally fixed the bug that was life.”
In the distance, a rogue Delamain cab drove itself off a cliff, honking "Never Fade Away" in binary. Night City wasn’t just a city anymore. It was a séance. And the update had just gone live.
End of transmission.
Cyberpunk 2077 Patch 2.21 was released on January 23, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. It primarily serves as a follow-up to the major 2.2 "Express Yourself" update, addressing critical bugs and introducing advanced graphics features for PC players. Key Features & Technical Updates
NVIDIA DLSS 4 Support (PC Only): Introduces support for DLSS 4, featuring multi-frame generation for RTX 50 series GPUs to significantly boost frame rates.
New Reconstruction Models: Users can now choose between the standard CNN model and a new Transformer model for DLSS Ray Reconstruction and Super Resolution, which reduces artifacts and improves sharpness.
Visual Fixes: Resolved issues with "smudging" and artifacts on in-game screens when using Ray Reconstruction. Photo Mode Improvements
The update includes over 20 fixes for Photo Mode to enhance the character customization features added in 2.2:
Character Spawning: Nibbles and Adam Smasher can now be spawned while V is in the air or water.
Adam Smasher Fixes: Restored his glowing chest cyberware and fixed facial expression options.
Preset Reliability: Positions, rotations, and spawned characters (like Johnny Silverhand) now save correctly in presets and no longer snap to the ground unexpectedly. General Bug Fixes
Johnny Silverhand: Fixed a bug where Johnny would often fail to appear in the passenger seat or would appear as a duplicate during certain quests.
Vehicles: Corrected the description for the Quadra Turbo-R V-Tech and fixed issues with the CrystalCoat systems.
UI & Audio: Fixed the "Check What's New" main menu popup and addressed quiet or missing voiceovers on TV news channels.
Quest Fix: Resolved an issue in the mission "Run This Town" where players could not deactivate the Aguilar imprint after meeting Bennett. Installation Notes PC Download: Approximately 4 GB.
Console Download (PS5/Xbox): Approximately 22 GB due to file re-formatting requirements. Cyberpunk 2077 PATCH 2.21 Review & Biggest Changes!
Released on January 23, 2025, Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.21 served as a critical follow-up to the broader version 2.20, primarily focusing on advanced PC hardware support and extensive refinements to the game’s Photo Mode. While CD Projekt Red had previously suggested major development would wind down after the 2023 Update 2.0, this early 2025 patch continued the "redemption story" of the game into its fifth year. Key Features of the 2.21 Update 1. PC Technical Advancements
The headline feature for PC enthusiasts was the official integration of NVIDIA DLSS 4 support.
Performance Boosting: Optimized for the RTX 50-series GPUs, this update introduced multi-frame generation capabilities aimed at significantly increasing frame rates. Update 2
DLSS Ray Reconstruction: The patch addressed artifacts and "smudging" on in-game screens specifically when using Ray Reconstruction and Frame Generation.
New AI Models: Users gained the ability to toggle between the standard CNN model and a new Transformer model for DLSS Super Resolution and Ray Reconstruction, offering a sharper image with fewer artifacts. 2. Extensive Photo Mode Overhaul
Following new options introduced in version 2.20, Patch 2.21 fixed several functional "pain points" for virtual photographers:
Character Spawning: Fixed issues where characters like Nibbles or Adam Smasher could not be spawned while V was in mid-air or water.
Preset Saving: A major quality-of-life fix allowed V’s exact rotation and position to be correctly saved within presets.
Adam Smasher Fixes: Resolved issues with Smasher’s facial expressions and restored missing glowing chest cyberware. 3. Vehicle Customization & Bug Fixes Neon Dreams: Returning to Cyberpunk 2077 in 2025
Patch 2.21 for Cyberpunk 2077 was released on January 23, 2025
, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. While the previous Update 2.2 was intended to be the final major addition, CD Projekt Red continued support through 2025 to refine technical features and improve stability. Key Technical Additions DLSS 4 Support
: Introduced the newest NVIDIA Multi Frame Generation technology for PC users, offering significantly increased frame rates for those with RTX 5000 series GPUs. Console Fixes : Addressed an issue with SmartFrames
specifically on Xbox and introduced miscellaneous stability fixes across all platforms. Photo Mode & Character Customization
A major focus of this update was resolving issues introduced in the 2.20 expansion of Photo Mode. Spawn Fixes
: Nibbles and Adam Smasher can now be spawned while V is in the air or water. Character Accuracy
: Fixed an issue where Johnny Silverhand would always appear in his "Alternate Appearance" even if the default was selected. V's Position : Improved the Up/Down slider
for V and ensured that position and rotation are properly saved in presets. UI Improvements
: Fixed various localization errors and missing sound effects in the SmartFrames and Gallery menus. Gameplay & Miscellaneous Fixes Johnny in Vehicles
: Fixed an issue where Johnny Silverhand did not appear as a passenger often enough. CrystalCoat™
: Resolved color inconsistencies and instances where vehicle customization was unavailable for compatible cars. Character Creation
: Preservation of randomizer settings when advancing to the attribute step and fixed missing piercing options. Crowd Interaction
: NPCs that turn invisible after disabling the "Surrounding NPCs" option no longer have collision. Future Outlook (2025 and Beyond)
Cyberpunk 2077 : The 2025 Evolution (Updates 2.20 & 2.21) Following the game's massive redemption arc, CD Projekt Red continued to refine Night City in early 2025. While the major "expansion" era concluded with Phantom Liberty Update 2.20 (released December 2024) and the subsequent Update 2.21 (January 23, 2025)
introduced significant technical milestones and quality-of-life features. Update 2.21: The "New Generation" Patch (Jan 23, 2025) Released on January 23, 2025
, this update primarily focused on cutting-edge PC performance and vital bug fixes across all platforms. www.cyberpunk.net NVIDIA DLSS 4 Support : Introduced support for on PC, specifically targeting the RTX 50 series
GPUs. This includes multi-frame generation that can boost FPS by up to three times using AI. AI Model Selection : Players can now choose between the standard Transformer model
for DLSS Ray Reconstruction and Super Resolution. The Transformer model generally offers a sharper image with fewer artifacts. Photo Mode Enhancements New Spawns : You can now spawn (the cat) and Adam Smasher while V is in the air or water.
: Improved facial expressions for Smasher and fixed issues with Johnny Silverhand’s alternate appearance. Key Bug Fixes "Run This Town"
: Fixed a frustrating bug where players couldn't deactivate the Aguilar imprint after meeting Bennett. Johnny in the Car
: Fixed instances where Johnny appeared duplicated in the passenger seat or failed to appear often enough during free-roaming. Update 2.20: The Foundation (Dec 2024)
Update 2.21 built upon the major features introduced just a month prior in Update 2.20 , which was a collaboration with Virtuos Games. Cyberpunk 2077 UPDATE 2.2 Review & Biggest Changes!
1. The "Living City" AI Overhaul
The biggest complaint since launch has been the "hollow" feeling of NPCs. Update 2.20 introduces a new crowd density algorithm.
- NPC Daily Routines: Citizens now have persistent schedules. If you follow a specific NPC, they will go to work, go to a food stall, and return home, rather than despawning around the corner.
- Gang Territory Logic: Entering gang territory is now dangerous even outside of missions. Gang members will actively threaten V before engaging, and police response times are slower in these "No-Go" zones.