Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.5 Brings New Features as CDPR Keeps the Free Content Coming

CD Projekt Red isn't letting up on its support for Cyberpunk 2077, as the developer has officially announced another RPG update. After releasing The Witcher 3 remaster, the studio has more in store for Night City, and Update 2.5 will add new features and gameplay options.

The news coincides with the release of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Season 2, now available to watch on Netflix. The developer continues to give fans reasons to return to its futuristic world, and the latest update shows that Cyberpunk 2077 still has life in it six years after its original release.

CD Projekt Red first teased the update via Cyberpunk's official social media accounts, sharing a promotional image of V and content for Edgerunners 2. The studio later followed up with another message: "New Edgerunners, new chrome, new play style. Sounds like we need another REDstreams."

The developer confirmed a new REDstreams broadcast on Wednesday, October 21, at 5:00 P.M. CST. Fans can look forward to more of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2, Update 2.5, and features coming to Cyberpunk 2077 during the presentation.

Confirmed new features include cyberware customization and a dual-wielding playstyle. CD Projekt Red has also teased additional features that haven't been fully revealed, so the upcoming broadcast should give players a clearer idea of what to expect.

You probably shouldn't expect Update 2.5 to be quite as big as Update 2.0, which massively changed Cyberpunk 2077 with major gameplay changes. Still, it's impressive that CD Projekt Red is still rolling out new features six years after the game's release.

Cyberpunk 2077 is also one of those games that makes you want to play it again. New gameplay options give you more reasons to experiment with different builds, while updates and improvements (including for PlayStation 5 Pro) keep the experience relevant.

The game has also become more affordable. You can find the base version for around $17, but the Ultimate Edition is the better option if you want the complete experience, including the Phantom Liberty expansion. If you've been waiting for the right opportunity to explore Night City, the lower price and ongoing free updates make now a good time to jump in.

The timing is particularly interesting because Update 2.5 follows the release of The Witcher 3 remaster. CD Projekt Red has faced its share of challenges, especially after Cyberpunk 2077's troubled launch, but the studio seems to be in a strong period for its major franchises.

When Cyberpunk 2077 launched in 2020, the backlash was enormous. Many players even ranked it as the worst video game ever made, especially because of the technical issues on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions. The game was full of bugs and glitches, and it didn't live up to the hype its extensive marketing campaign created.

But the reaction also illustrated what happens when expectations are too high. Many players expected a revolutionary open-world RPG, and the gap between those expectations and the final product fueled the controversy. The launch problems were valid, but calling Cyberpunk 2077 the worst game ever made was an overreaction.

Over the years, CD Projekt Red has patched the game with many updates. It's not perfect, and the central story can still feel a little too fast, especially near the end. Still, Cyberpunk 2077 is a great RPG with plenty of room for future stories.

The Cyberpunk franchise arguably has an even higher ceiling than The Witcher. The sci-fi setting gives developers plenty of room to play with new ideas, characters, and gameplay systems. The first game has laid a good foundation, and continued updates and the success of Edgerunners suggest CD Projekt Red is still interested in expanding the universe.

The franchise's future also points to the challenge Rockstar faces when Grand Theft Auto 6 eventually releases. Expectations are sky-high, and even a good launch could disappoint some players if it doesn't match their personal vision. Cyberpunk 2077's launch reminds us that a game's quality might not always match what people expect.

Until then, Edgerunners Season 2 will provide fans with another way to experience the Cyberpunk universe. The first season was known for its emotional story, though its heavier moments may not suit everyone. If you're planning to watch it, be prepared for a series that can hit harder than you might expect.

As for Update 2.5, CD Projekt Red is expected to share more information during its October 21 REDstreams broadcast at 5:00 P.M. CST. The update may be coming soon after the presentation, but the announcement didn't provide a specific release date.

The most important thing is that the update will be totally free. CD Projekt Red has mostly delivered smaller additions and improvements without charging players for every new feature, unlike publishers that sometimes sell cosmetic items separately for $3.99, $4.99, or even $9.99.

When the studio does release paid content, it's usually something meatier. The Witcher 3's Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions, plus Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty, suggest what players can anticipate in its larger paid releases. Even Hearts of Stone, despite being smaller than Blood and Wine, delivered a worthwhile expansion.

That distinction makes Update 2.5 particularly welcome. While its additions might not match the scale of Update 2.0, you won't have to pay extra to access the new cyberware customization options, dual-wielding gameplay, or other features included in the update.

With Cyberpunk 2077 still receiving support, Edgerunners returning for another season, and The Witcher 3 getting a remaster, CD Projekt Red has plenty going on across its biggest franchises. Update 2.5 might not completely transform Night City, but it offers another reason to return.

If you've kept Cyberpunk 2077 in your backlog for years, plenty of content is already waiting for you. You could even wait for an upgraded version on future hardware, perhaps a PlayStation 6 release in 2031, before Cyberpunk 2 arrives. But with the game now more affordable and continued updates adding new reasons to play, you don't necessarily need to wait another generation to experience it.