Night City Chaos Unleashed: Cyberpunk 2077’s Latest Patch Transforms AutoDrive into a Wreckless Joyride

CD Projekt Red continues its relentless pursuit of perfection in Night City with the surprise release of Patch 2.31 for Cyberpunk 2077. This latest update, rolling out across all platforms—PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Mac, and the Nintendo Switch 2—focuses heavily on Quality-of-Life improvements and, most notably, a complete overhaul of the much-debated AutoDrive feature. The new programming is a decisive pivot from the previous, overly cautious, and often frustratingly slow autonomous driving experience, transforming it into a high-speed, red-light-ignoring, efficiency machine. This change is poised to significantly impact player immersion and the overall gameplay experience in the neon-drenched metropolis.

AutoDrive: From Sticky Brakes to Street Scourge

The AutoDrive system, introduced in the preceding Update 2.3, was initially met with mixed reactions. While the convenience of letting the AI take the wheel for mundane travel was appreciated, the execution often felt hampered. Vehicles would inexplicably slam on the brakes, struggle to maintain a decent speed, and often get stuck in basic traffic scenarios. Patch 2.31 addresses these critical flaws with a bold and distinctly un-pedestrian-friendly solution.

The official patch notes detail the radical changes:

• Updated AutoDrive: “When driving to a selected point, the vehicle now drives smoothly, overtakes blocking vehicles, and no longer stops at traffic lights.”
• Free Roam Mode: “Free Roam mode has also been upgraded to follow traffic rules and navigate the city more reliably.”

This stark contrast—smooth, fast travel at any cost for a set destination versus rule-abiding navigation in Free Roam—creates a fascinating dichotomy. Players seeking the most efficient travel to their high-value contracts or essential quest markers will find the new AutoDrive a massive time-saver, effectively bypassing the congestion that previously plagued the system. However, this newfound aggression means Night City’s streets just got a whole lot more dangerous for NPCs, making the ‘Red Light Runner’ reputation a literal in-game mechanic for V.

Impact on Gameplay and Player Experience

The implications of this AutoDrive re-engineering are far-reaching. For players focused on the narrative and high-stakes missions, the ability to activate AutoDrive and step away for a moment—or simply enjoy the improved Cinematic Camera angles—without the risk of getting stuck at a perpetual red light is a major win for player retention and reducing frustration. The previous ‘sticky handbrake’ effect, where the car would constantly accelerate and brake in short, jarring bursts, has also reportedly been smoothed out, leading to a much more pleasing passenger ride. This addresses a common complaint that the feature felt more like a perpetually nervous driving instructor than a cutting-edge autonomous system.

Beyond convenience, the patch subtly reinforces the Cyberpunk aesthetic.

• Efficiency Over Ethics: The choice to ignore traffic laws for waypoint navigation perfectly aligns with the ‘every-man-for-himself’ ethos of the game’s setting.
• Fast-Paced Action: The removal of traffic light stops ensures that players remain engaged with the flow of the game, rather than being forced to wait for arbitrary rules in a world where anarchy often reigns.

Early community feedback has been largely positive regarding the increased speed and smoothness, though there are inevitable reports of the AutoDrive AI still occasionally displaying ‘psychopathic’ tendencies, crashing into cars or performing erratic maneuvers. Nevertheless, for a game that has seen a phenomenal turnaround, these tweaks are crucial for maintaining the polished feel established by the groundbreaking Update 2.0 and the Phantom Liberty DLC.

Additional Quality-of-Life Fixes in Patch 2.31

While AutoDrive is the headliner, Patch 2.31 includes several other important fixes and new toggles that contribute significantly to the overall stability and customization options. These smaller changes demonstrate CDPR’s continued commitment to long-term game maintenance and listening to its player base.

Key Miscellaneous Fixes and Features:

• Vignette Toggle: A highly-requested feature, players can now disable the subtle darkening effect at the edges of the screen, providing a cleaner, less ‘cinematic’ look for those who prefer it. This setting is available in the Graphics menu.
• Photo Mode Enhancements: The popular photo mode receives an upgrade, making “most” new poses from Update 2.3 gender-neutral. Crucially, NPC collision has been disabled in photo mode, making complex scene staging—like perching an NPC on a vehicle—much simpler.
• Quest Blockers: Several progression-blocking bugs in quests like Motorbreath and Nitro (Youth Energy) have been resolved, ensuring smoother playthroughs, especially for new players or those on a second run.
• Delamain Cab Fix: An amusing but persistent bug where Johnny Silverhand would always spawn in the passenger seat when using a Delamain taxi has been fixed.
• Ray-Tracing & DLSS Stability: PC and Mac players benefit from stability upgrades, including fixes for ray-traced reflections and an issue where the combination of NVIDIA Reflex and DLSS Frame Generation could cause visual glitches, such as the screen turning pink.

This ongoing dedication to fine-tuning every aspect of the game solidifies Cyberpunk 2077’s current status as one of the most remarkable redemption stories in the history of AAA gaming. The willingness to return years after launch to fix a niche but impactful feature like AutoDrive speaks volumes to the developer’s commitment to the long-term value of the Night City experience. The new, aggressive AutoDrive may not follow the traffic rules, but it certainly adheres to the rule of efficiency, making traversing the massive open-world far more engaging and less of a chore.

Gamers and tech enthusiasts looking for the ultimate showcase of open-world fidelity and next-gen graphics will find that Patch 2.31 makes the experience smoother, faster, and just a little bit more gloriously lawless.