A Surprising New Chapter for a Reborn City
Just when we thought the turbulent, brilliant, and ultimately triumphant saga of Cyberpunk 2077 was winding down, CD Projekt Red has pulled one last rabbit out of its cybernetically-enhanced hat. In a move that caught many by surprise, the definitive version of the game is not only receiving its final significant patch this week but is also expanding its reach to an entirely new ecosystem. On Thursday, July 17, 2025, Night City will officially open its gates to Apple gamers, as Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition makes its native debut on Apple Silicon Macs alongside the release of Update 2.3 for all platforms.
This isn't some hastily thrown-together port run through a compatibility layer. The launch on Mac is a full-fledged, native release optimized specifically for the architecture of Apple's M-series chips. For Mac users who have long been on the outside looking in, this means they are not only getting access to the game but are receiving it in its most polished and complete form. The Ultimate Edition bundles the base game-now a sprawling, feature-rich RPG that has more than delivered on its initial promises-with the absolutely stellar Phantom Liberty expansion. It's the whole story, the whole city, finally available to a new audience.
Update 2.3: The Final Polish
Coinciding with the Mac launch, Update 2.3 will roll out for players on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. While CD Projekt Red has made it clear this isn't a major content drop on the scale of Phantom Liberty, it serves as a crucial final polish for the game. Think of it as the last layer of chrome before the developers move on to the sequel, currently codenamed Project Orion.
So, what’s inside? The patch notes promise a suite of enhancements aimed at refining the experience: However, let's manage expectations, as CDPR themselves are doing. For the legion of fans still hoping for it, the developer has confirmed that with this update. It appears that this much-requested feature will remain on the drawing board, a final, unfulfilled wish for some players as the studio pivots to the future.
- Performance and Optimization: Continued improvements to stability and performance across all platforms. A key highlight is the integration of AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 3.0 (FSR 3.0), which should provide a welcome framerate boost for those with compatible hardware.
- New Content: While not story-driven, the update adds a few more toys to the sandbox, including new vehicles, some fresh missions, and a new explorable apartment location for V.
- Bug Squashing: The patch addresses a host of lingering bugs across quests, the open world, and UI elements, further tightening the game's mechanical cohesion.
The End of a Redemption Arc
The arrival on Mac marks a significant, and likely final, milestone in one of the most compelling redemption arcs in modern gaming. Cyberpunk 2077's disastrous launch in 2020 has become an industry legend, a cautionary tale of hype, pressure, and publisher interference. Yet, through years of relentless patching, a transformative 2.0 update, and the Phantom Liberty expansion, CD Projekt Red has slowly and methodically rebuilt its reputation and the game itself.
For Mac players, this is an ideal entry point. They get to bypass the entire tumultuous journey and experience Cyberpunk 2077 as it was always meant to be: a dense, visually stunning, and narratively ambitious RPG. The fact that this is a native port is a testament to the technical work done and a significant win for the viability of high-end gaming on Apple hardware.
With Update 2.3 serving as the likely endpoint for major development on this chapter of the franchise, the focus now shifts entirely to what comes next. As V’s story concludes, the groundwork for Project Orion begins. For now, players on all platforms-new and old-can enjoy the most complete and refined version of Night City ever released. It took a long time to get here, but the destination was worth the ride.