While it is indeed the case that the next PlaneShift release (CB) will use the new renderer of Crystal Space don\'t expect huge visual differences (yet). The basic system that is usec by the PlaneShift maps is still the same (lightmapped lighting). The use of the NR is only visible in some small areas and hopefully also in speed improvements.
Future releases will of course try to use more eye candy features that are possible with NR.
Greetings,