Ahead of its disastrous launch, the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of Cyberpunk 2077 were delayed from 2021 to 2022, over an entire year after the original, previous-gen version would release to a devastating response. Sure, Cyberpunk 2077 has accrued a slightly less problematic reputation since, with its developer-publisher CD Projekt Red having implemented multiple updates and patches along the way. Unfortunately, it's not enough to awash the history of problems at Cyberpunk 2077 has had, as well as the ongoing ones. Cyberpunk was an ambitious project from the start, but with so many bugs and glitches already, it's a bit unclear what players might be able to expect with the PS5 and Series X versions aside from next-gen enhancements.
Now, however, a recent rumor suggests that Cyberpunk 2077 might be surprise-launching on the most up-to-date consoles tomorrow when CDPR is scheduled to have a livestream highlighting news about the game. Other leaks and datamines have led fans to believe that a big update, Cyberpunk's 1.5 patch, is due to release sometime soon as well. If these suggestions are true and the updated versions of the game are releasing this month, it could be bad timing due to how many other major titles are releasing this month.
February 2022 Gaming Releases
Most avid gamers already know that Horizon Forbidden West and Elden Ring are launching just one week apart from one another. Both having suffered delays, they're among the most highly-anticipated games set to release in 2022 such as Starfield and God of War: Ragnarok.
While Cyberpunk 2077 might be among the biggest IPs releasing this year—and that's really only considering the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S upgrades—and it was highly anticipated ahead of its launch in December 2020, its reputation involving numerous problems precede any future release or updates made to Cyberpunk 2077. Some other titles with disappointing launches like No Man's Sky were able to bounce back from the negative feedback, but it's possible that folks who know of the problems with Cyberpunk 2077, which are now permanently a part of its history, previous or not, will simply never return to the game. So if these leaks and rumors are true, it would be an odd decision, to say the least, to pit it against Elden Ring, made by a company with a rock-solid prestige, and Horizon Forbidden West
Of course, these are simply rumors, though there is formidable evidence online suggesting that the new-gen updates are coming to Cyberpunk 2077 quite soon, meaning players should take the information with a grain of salt. However, even if it doesn't release in February, CDPR itself has stated that Cyberpunk 2077's PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions will launch in Q1 2022, giving them a deadline of March. That's still just about a month after Elden Ring and Forbidden West's release dates, possibly not giving gamers enough time to finish one game and move on to the next. Hype and news of other releases could swoop in and turn their attention away before some folks have time to once again consider if Cyberpunk 2077 is worth it.
Some could even say that it would be a bit bold for CDPR to launch Cyberpunk 2077 for PS5 and Xbox Series X the same month as Horizon Forbidden West and Elden Ring, possibly implying confidence in Cyberpunk's sales despite competition with the other two IPs. On the other hand, Cyberpunk 2077 did sell quite well as a result of Black Friday sales (due to a marked-down pricepoint), so perhaps the new-gen release is a chance to give Cyberpunk 2077 a second chance—at least, for those who got their hands on a PS5 or Xbox Series X/S.
Cyberpunk 2077 is currently available for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.
