Tag: Digital Foundry

  • Zelda Ocarina of Time Remake Trailer: 1440p 60fps No Open World

    Zelda Ocarina of Time Remake Trailer: 1440p 60fps No Open World

    Key Takeaway

    – The trailer likely shows in-game real-time footage at 1440p/60fps with no DLSS, suggesting a first-party Nintendo Switch 2 title.
    – Nintendo appears to be taking a safe, 1:1 retelling approach rather than an open-world reinterpretation of the N64 classic.
    – A faithful remake with major graphical upgrades and quality-of-life improvements is expected, avoiding performance issues seen in more ambitious games like *Donkey Kong Bananza*.

    The trailer for the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake left viewers wanting more, despite a 2026 release date its unclear how many risks Nintendo will take with the Switch 2 game. However Digital Foundry has found evidence that may point to a 1:1 retelling of the N64 classic.

    Digital Foundry’s Analysis of the Teaser Footage

    Digital Foundry extracts a suprising amount of information from short videos. In the Nintendo Direct teaser, a slumbering Link briefly appears with a glowing Triforce symbol on his hand. The site believes gamers are seeing in-game real-time footage. As a result it could reflect the performance buyers can expect in the final build.

    Resolution and Frame Rate Details

    The analysis reveals that the footage is rendered at approximately 1440p/60 fps, with no signs of DLSS. Thats a clue that the Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is an internally developed first-party Switch 2 game. While partners like Capcom have relied on the upscaling technology Nintendo has largely avoided it.

    Ahead of its potential holiday release date, fans are debating how the gaming giant will modernise the 1998 title. An open-world reinterpretation may never have been likely, but it seems far-fetched now. At the trailers frame rate and resolution and lacking DLSS the experience would tax the console.

    Comparison with Donkey Kong Bananza Performance

    Using Donkey Kong Bananza as an example its open-world environments display at up to 1200p/60 fps in docked mode. The developers also couldnt avoid occasional stuttering. If players have more freedom to explore Hyrule the Ocarina of Time remake would struggle to achive superior performance.

    Less Risky Recreation Anticipated

    Based on the handling of favorites like Star Fox Digital Foundry anticipates a less risky recreation. A recent Google search metadata leak hinted at a safer approach. Before the publisher edited the description it included phrases such as “timeless gameplay”.

    Even if gameplay is familiar the Nintendo Direct trailer signals major graphical upgrades. Building on the 2011 3DS entry quality-of-life improvements can also make the popular Zelda game less frustrating for Switch 2 owners.

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  • Halo Evolved PC vs Xbox: Campaign Performance Review

    Halo Evolved PC vs Xbox: Campaign Performance Review

    Key Takeaway

    – Xbox Series X delivers smoother 60 fps performance than all but the most powerful PCs
    – Mid-range PCs (e.g., RTX 4060) struggle to maintain 60 fps at 1440p due to CPU throttling
    – UE5 drawbacks like temporal noise and flickering persist
    – Handhelds like ROG Ally X and Steam Deck likely face major performance issues
    – Console version keeps ray tracing enabled via DRS at ~1080p, with minimal stuttering

    Xbox Showcases Halo: Campaign Evolved

    The Xbox Games Showcase confirmed a Halo: Campaign Evolved release date on July 28th. Fans are now seeing early performance impressions of the anticipated Combat Evolved remake. In the Digital Foundry preview, the site surprisingly revealed how the Xbox version had an edge over modest PC configs.

    Visuals and Frame Rate Comparrisons

    On both platforms, Digital Foundry noted dramatic improvments over the 2011 Anniversary Edition. Unreal Engine 5 introduces updated lighting effects, like Lumen global illumination, that make outdoor environments feel more natural. Reflections are also convincing as Master Chief traverses a sun-drenched coastline.

    The Halo: Campaign Evolved preview includes two missions, The Silent Cartographer and Assault on the Control Room. Xbox Series X players can expect a 60 fps performance mode, which was the only option available in the demo. The final build should offer a 30 fps quality preset with improved image quality.

    Console Performance and PC Challenges

    Digital Foundry praised the shooter’s performance on the Series X console. Dynamic Resolution Scaling (DRS) settles at around 1080p, but Unreal Engine 5 perks like ray tracing remain enabled. Most importantly, frame rates met the 60 fps target with minimal or no stuttering.

    The Halo: Campaign Evolved demo currently lacks Series S optimization, so the site turned its attention to the PC version. At 4K and max settings, an RTX 5090 configuration kept GPU utilization near 50%. Frame rates easily held at 60 fps with a cap applied.

    Mid-Range Hardware Limitations

    Unfortunately, mid-range and lower-end gaming rigs may encounter some limitations. A machine with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and an RTX 4060 produced mixed results at 1440p. DLSS balanced mode wasn’t enough to keep the fps counter at a consistent 60. CPU throttling is the likely culprit, particularly when many enemies are on the screen.

    Less capable hardware could raise even more concerns. The ROG Xbox Ally X gaming handheld struggled to stay at 30 fps using TSR upscaling. Digital Foundry suspects that the Combat Evolved remake will fare even worse on the Steam Deck.

    Common Unreal Engine 5 Drawbacks

    The Halo: Campaign Evolved performance preview also exposed common Unreal Engine 5 drawbacks. Temporal noise can manifest through flickering, detracting from overall image quality.

    Even with some shortcomings, the benchmarkers were largely impressed by the shooter. Still, ahead of its release date, the Xbox Series X console produces smoother visuals than all but the most powerful PCs.

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  • Doing It Too Early: Digital Foundry Warns on Xbox Exclusives

    Key Takeaway

    – Xbox’s return to console exclusivity for Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution is risky due to its small install base.
    – Digital Foundry analysts question the financial viability of AAA exclusives, especially with many players on Game Pass.
    – The decision could strain studios financially, potentially leading to layoffs or quality sacrifices.
    – Exclusivity may strengthen brand identity but is unlikely to significantly boost console sales late in the generation.
    – The success of Halo Campaign Evolved on PS5 could spark interest in Xbox, but the overall strategy remains uncertain.

    Xbox’s big exclusivity shift sparks debate

    Xbox moved away from console exclusivity for its games during the latter half of ex-CEO Phil Spencer’s tenure. This shift was viewed as Xbox transitioning from a console platform to a game publisher. It made sense given Xbox’s current status as a publisher owning giants like Bethesda and Activision/Blizzard. When new CEO Asha Sharma announced at the Xbox Games Showcase 2026 that Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution are Xbox console exclusives, it ignited online debate.

    Fanbase celebrates, media raises concerns

    While the hardcore Xbox fanbase celebrated this return to catering to its core audience, media reaction was mixed. Digital Foundry falls into the latter category, discussing how Xbox’s sudden shift back to console exclusivity appears confusing. DF’s Oliver Mackenzie thinks Xbox’s latest experiment with console exclusivity will be short-lived. Per Oliver, a game like Gears of War: E-Day with an enormous budget might not be financially viable as an Xbox console exclusive due to Xbox’s small install base compared to the Sony PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2. Many Xbox players will play it on Game Pass, adding to the financial hit for The Coalition, the studio behind Gears.

    John Linneman shares this concern, explaining he is worried about impacted studios. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma recently shared an internal memo detailing Xbox’s precarious financial situation. If Gears of War: E-Day fails to be as big a hit as it could have been if also releasing on PS5, things could get ugly for Xbox Games Studios employees. We have already seen Microsoft close studios and fire thousands, so the threat of more mass layoffs is very real here.

    Timing and strategy questioned

    Interestingly, John Linneman thinks Xbox should have saved this return to console exclusivity for the next-gen Xbox Helix. He suggests that since Xbox fans were never going to leave the platform anyway, reinstated console exclusivity won’t “move the needle”. In other words, John thinks it is unlikely Xbox will manage to sway or onboard more people with a 6-year-old console that now costs much more than its first launch price.

    Financial strain on studios

    On one hand, DF’s concern regarding console exclusivity makes sense. Xbox has relatively small player numbers, and many, if not a majority, of these players use Game Pass. AAA games exclusive to Xbox are limited in their financial capacity, putting extra strain on studios. They will eventually have to sacrifice quality to lower budgets or downsize to become cheaper to run.

    That said, we can not deny that people buy consoles to play games they want. There is a reason almost every new console generation launches alongside exclusive games meant to attract people. While Microsoft’s primary rationale for bringing back console exclusivity might be to strengthen Xbox’s brand identity, we cannot dismiss the pulling power of a great game.

    Halo example and future outlook

    For instance, Halo Campaign Evolved is launching on July 28 on Xbox Series consoles, the Sony PS5, and PC. This will expose millions of PlayStation gamers who have never played Halo before because it was an Xbox exclusive to one of the most defining Xbox games. This could result in many players getting interested in the franchise and buying an Xbox to play other Halo titles.

    In the end, only time will tell how well Xbox’s latest pivot pans out. The new Xbox CEO looks to be taking the job seriously, and there appear to be many new developments regarding Xbox on the horizon.

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  • 007 First Light PS5 Performance Review: Poor Image Quality vs PS5 Pro

    007 First Light PS5 Performance Review: Poor Image Quality vs PS5 Pro

    Key Takeaway

    – PS5 Pro delivers sharper visuals and steadier 60 fps thanks to its upscaling (PSSR) compared to the base PS5.
    – Base PS5 struggles with image quality and softer visuals, despite 60 fps mode being available.
    – RTGI-based lighting adds realism, but artifacts and pixelation can appear, especially in performance mode and foliage.

    Intro

    At a 2025 Sony State of Play, viewers first saw footage of IO Interactive’s new James Bond game. Aided by a 2-month release date delay, frame rates are no longer an issue. Even so, a 007 First Light PS5 performance analysis highlights the base console’s lackluster image quality. On the other hand, the PS5 Pro again shows the advantage of its upgraded PSSR.

    Performance Analysis

    Digital Foundry’s review compared performance on both PlayStation consoles. In either case, the spy thriller boasts a more modern look than the developer’s Hitman 3. A software-based form of ray-traced global illumination (RTGI) delivers convincing lighting effects. Yet, players may notice artifacts popping up more frequently than anticipated.

    Graphics Modes

    Gamers who prioritize smooth graphics can opt for a 60 fps performance mode that mostly meets that target. Meanwhile, the quality mode aims to render improved visuals at 30 fps. RTGI lighting is available in either preset, which minimizes the advantage of the lower frame rate option.

    Resolution and Artifacts

    Unfortunately, the limitations of FSR 3.1.5 become apparent, particularly in performance mode. Digital Foundry believes the game renders at a 720p internal resolution. Even after upscaling, 007 First Light PS5 players could find the overall image softer than expected. Downgraded shadows somewhat spoil the presentation, while foliage appears pixelated.

    PS5 Pro Advantage

    The flickering that’s apparent during fast camera pans diminishes somewhat in the quality preset. The resolution sees a bump up to 1152p, but the gains in visual fidelity are modest. Frame rates are as advertised, only occasionally dipping below 30 fps.

    Upscaler Impact

    Since Sony introduced its updated PSSR, the performance gap between its consoles has grown. That’s also the case with the IO Interactive title. The 007 First Light review demonstrates how the PS5 Pro’s upscaler generates sharper graphics. With an internal resolution of around 1000p, frame rates again hold steady at 60 fps.

    Overall Impressions

    007 First Light PS5 buyers may be let down by its mediocre image clarity. Regardless, Digital Foundry hails it as the best James Bond game since GoldenEye. Other reviews also celebrate gameplay and cinematics that’s faithful to the movies.

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  • Forza Horizon 6 Reviews: Mostly Positive With Caveats

    Forza Horizon 6 Reviews: Mostly Positive With Caveats

    Key Takeaway

    – Stunning visuals, but the world feels “empty” with wide roads and sparse traffic, especially in Tokyo.
    – PC VRAM matters: 8 GB variants struggle to hit 60 FPS at 1080p with DLSS Quality + Extreme+RT; 16 GB variants are significantly faster, with ~12 GB VRAM usage at these settings.
    – Console performance is strong (Series X/S) with good visuals and smooth play, but pop-in exists and not all ray tracing features are present compared to PC.
    – Frame generation helps a lot: 4x FG can push FPS over 120, and the Extreme preset without RT + TAA gives around 64 FPS at 1080p—useful as a VRAM-friendly starting point.

    Early reviews for Forza Horizon 6 are out, and for the most part, the game looks quite promising. In our first impressions video, we compared the performance on an RTX 5060 gaming laptop and one with an RTX 5090. The game is well-optimized (check out our benchmarks), looks stunning, and is fun to play, but there are some aspects that could leave racers wanting for more.

    Initial impressions

    With the review embargo lifted, several channels have released their reviews after testing the game for a couple of weeks. In Digital Foundry’s review, John mentions that the game is “beautiful but empty,” pointing to the wider roads with minimal traffic. While Tokyo has been recreated really well in Forza Horizon 6, the streets feel empty. This was the larger community’s feedback as well after the first gameplay footage dropped.

    Community reaction

    On Xbox consoles, both the Series X and S, the game looks and runs great. Pop-in is an issue, but not as much as Forza Horizon 5, John notes. Also, consoles don’t get the full ray tracing feature set when compared to the PC version. The Japan festival seems to have the exact same presentation as Forza Horizon 5’s Mexico festival.

    Platform differences

    For a more technical preview, Hardware Unboxed tested the game on 8 GB and 16 GB VRAM versions of an RTX 5060 Ti. The results were not very surprising as the 8 GB variant struggled to reach 60 FPS at 1080p with DLSS quality and the Extreme + RT (ray tracing) preset. However, the 16 GB variant was 56% faster with average framerates in the low 70s. At these settings, Forza Horizon 6 demands around 12 GB VRAM. We found similar results with our RTX 5060-powered Lenovo Legion 7a, with the game running at around 37 FPS at these settings.

    Technical notes

    That being said, the Extreme preset (without RT) + TAA looks pretty good and delivers a solid 64 FPS average at 1080p, so those with limited VRAM can use that as a starting point to tweak settings. Furthermore, FG (frame generation) helps greatly with 4x FG, pushing framerates to over 120 FPS.

    Performance takeaways

    Overall, Forza Horizon 6 is looking like a great addition to the series. It is releasing on May 19 on Xbox consoles and PC, and our first impressions come from Digital Foundry on YouTube and Hardware Unboxed on YouTube.

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  • Alex Battaglia Critiques DLSS 5 for Distorting Art and Ethics

    Alex Battaglia Critiques DLSS 5 for Distorting Art and Ethics

    Key Takeaways

    1. Digital Foundry faced backlash after their positive review of DLSS 5, leading them to acknowledge flaws in their initial impressions.
    2. Alex Battaglia criticized DLSS 5 for compromising artistic vision, particularly in character portrayals like Grace from Resident Evil Requiem.
    3. DLSS 5 is limited by its reliance on 2D data, resulting in an “AI slop” appearance instead of utilizing 3D face scans for better accuracy.
    4. The significant visual changes introduced by DLSS 5 raise ethical concerns, with some developers reportedly unaware of the visual effects being used.
    5. Nvidia has largely dismissed the criticisms surrounding DLSS 5, with Jensen Huang stating that gamers are mistaken in their concerns.

    The strong reaction after the announcement of DLSS 5 was directed not only at Nvidia but also at Digital Foundry. This was because Digital Foundry had given a very favorable review of DLSS 5. To help ease the tension and reassure their audience, DF admitted that their first impressions of DLSS 5 had flaws while addressing users’ inquiries about it. Although the whole video is worth viewing (linked below), a part where Alex Battaglia shares his thoughts on DLSS 5 is particularly compelling.

    Alex Battaglia’s Insights

    Alex Battaglia, who is recognized for his thorough analysis of PC game graphics, believes that DLSS 5 tends to “trample on artistic vision in a very hardcore way.” He points out that the portrayal of Grace from Resident Evil Requiem looks like a completely different character due to the altered facial features.

    Technical Limitations

    On the topic of DLSS 5’s technical issues, Alex mentions that it seems to rely solely on 2D data, such as motion vectors, rather than any specialized information like 3D face scans of the game characters. As a result, DLSS 5 is seemingly averaging the outcomes based on its training data, leading to what many have termed the “AI slop” appearance that we’ve all become frustrated with over the last year.

    Ethical Concerns

    Beyond the technical problems, the drastic changes in characters and settings brought by DLSS 5 raises ethical questions, according to Alex. Nvidia asserts that they have received approval from studios for their DLSS 5 demonstrations. However, reports from Insider Gaming indicate that developers at Ubisoft and Capcom were unaware of the actual visual effects, which only heightens Alex’s concerns regarding ethics.

    Sadly, Nvidia has mostly dismissed these worries. Jensen Huang has already stated that gamers are incorrect about their legitimate criticisms of DLSS 5. So while we wish that Nvidia would consider the points raised by Alex Battaglia, only time will show if Team Green is genuinely addressing the issues enough to make necessary changes to DLSS 5.

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  • Internet Reacts to Nvidia DLSS 5: Jawlines and Hyper-Realism

    Internet Reacts to Nvidia DLSS 5: Jawlines and Hyper-Realism

    Key Takeaways

    1. Mixed Reactions to DLSS 5: While some experts praise Nvidia’s DLSS 5 for its advanced technology, others criticize it as a form of “AI mess creator” and accuse it of unmarked marketing.

    2. Power Demand: The technology requires significant computing power, demonstrated by a demo that ran on two GeForce RTX 5090 graphics cards costing nearly $3,849.

    3. Personal Preferences in Gaming Visuals: Gamers have differing opinions on visuals; some prefer hyper-realistic graphics, while others enjoy stylized art that reflects developers’ creativity.

    4. Potential Beyond 3D Games: YouTuber Cary Golomb suggests DLSS 5 could also transform 2D games, leading to unexpected and innovative visual changes.

    5. Impact on Art and Character Design: DLSS 5 may redefine artistic standards, making traditional art less relevant and favoring uniform beauty ideals in game character designs.

    While some people call Nvidia DLSS 5 an AI mess creator, Digital Foundry’s gaming experts actually commend the tech. This praise, however, has drawn harsh backlash in YouTube comments for “unmarked marketing.” The system demands a lot of power, as the demo ran on two GeForce RTX 5090 graphics cards, which cost $3,849 on Amazon.

    Player Choices Matter

    Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference: some gamers might favor the hyper-realistic and detailed visuals of DLSS 5, while others might enjoy the stylized appearance of a game that showcases the developers’ creative vision. However, the online community has reacted humorously to the introduction of DLSS 5, showing the potential outcomes if the AI filter is allowed to run wild. For instance, Razer illustrated how its well-known mascot, Sneki Snek, could appear with DLSS 5 enabled.

    A New Era for Gaming

    Gaming YouTuber Cary Golomb envisions that DLSS 5 might not just be limited to 3D titles in the future; it could also revolutionize 2D games, transforming them into something almost unrecognizable.

    The Rise of AI Art

    Why bother with artists when you have DLSS? Nvidia’s AI could potentially turn even hand-drawn visuals into stunningly realistic graphics.

    What if Nvidia pushes the boundaries of realism too far? If it doesn’t resemble something filmed with a smartphone, DLSS 5 may not deem it realistic enough.

    Even Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s CEO, seems susceptible to the attractiveness standards set by his own AI through DLSS 5.

    Once traditional art becomes outdated, DLSS 5 will effortlessly adjust it to fit modern beauty ideals.

    After many games have introduced an arachnophobia mode that swaps out spiders for cuter creatures, DLSS 5 could finally give even the most frightening characters a fresh look.

    If Nvidia’s demo footage demonstrates anything, it’s that DLSS 5 favors wide jawlines—why should game characters have diverse facial structures?

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  • Crimson Desert PS5 Reviews Blocked Before Release Date

    Crimson Desert PS5 Reviews Blocked Before Release Date

    Key Takeaways

    1. Limited gameplay footage for Crimson Desert on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S has led to criticism, but Pearl Abyss claims no performance issues are being hidden.
    2. Digital Foundry provided a positive performance review for the PS5 Pro version but noted a lack of footage for the standard PS5 and Xbox versions due to an offline activation server.
    3. Pearl Abyss has been transparent about technical challenges related to rendering the game’s expansive world, but limited access has affected testing on less powerful consoles.
    4. Many reviews at launch are expected to focus on the PC version, raising concerns among console gamers reminiscent of the Cyberpunk 2077 launch issues.
    5. The PS5 Pro has a stronger GPU compared to the standard PS5, but the CPU difference is less significant; the Pearl Abyss BlackSpace Engine may offer better performance on lower-end systems.

    Ahead of the March 19th release of Crimson Desert, there has been a surprising absence of gameplay footage for the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. This led to criticism, which prompted Pearl Abyss to state that they weren’t hiding any performance issues. However, just before the game’s launch, a well-known tech site still was unable to review the open-world game on these consoles.

    Digital Foundry’s Insights

    Gamers often turn to Digital Foundry for insights on how games perform across different hardware. They recently shared a largely positive performance review of Crimson Desert on the PS5 Pro. Yet, on Discord, they informed followers that there wouldn’t be any footage available for the PS5 or Xbox versions. John Linneman noted that the activation server needed for testing was still offline.

    Pearl Abyss’s Openness

    The site pointed out how transparent Pearl Abyss has been regarding the technical hurdles of rendering the expansive world of Pywel. Interestingly, they even sent a representative to Linneman with a copy of the game running on a PS5 Pro. Nevertheless, the limited access has hindered testing on less powerful consoles.

    Concerns of Console Gamers

    This update seems to back up the rumors that most reviews for Crimson Desert on its launch day would focus on the PC version. Many gamers remember the launch of Cyberpunk 2077, where CD Projekt Red overlooked the PS4 and Xbox One. Since the PS5 and Xbox Series X had just hit the market, many players faced stuttering issues.

    It’s not very clear how much better the PS5 Pro performs compared to the less capable systems. Digital Foundry noted that with Performance mode aiming for 60 fps and an upscaled 4K, busy scenes caused frame rates to drop below 40 fps. Sony’s top-tier hardware also features a more efficient PSSR upscaler, with an improved version already being released.

    Comparing Specs

    When looking at specifications, the GPU in the PS5 Pro is much stronger than that of the standard model. However, the difference in their CPUs isn’t as striking. Digital Foundry highlighted that the Pearl Abyss BlackSpace Engine is often less demanding on CPUs compared to Unreal Engine 5. This could result in acceptable performance on lower-end PCs and consoles.

    It’s still possible the studio might release more Crimson Desert videos for other platforms. Nevertheless, while Steam pre-orders have been robust, some console gamers are still waiting for reviews.

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  • Crimson Desert PS5 Pro Performance Review: Enhanced Game Insights

    Crimson Desert PS5 Pro Performance Review: Enhanced Game Insights

    Key Takeaways

    1. The PS5 Pro handles Crimson Desert well, providing impressive open-world performance even without the latest PSSR.
    2. Players can choose between Performance, Balanced, and Quality modes on the PS5 Pro, with ray tracing available in all modes.
    3. Performance mode aims for 60 fps with upscaling from 1080p to 4K, but frame rates can drop below 40 fps during larger battles.
    4. Potential improvements with the updated PSSR could enhance image quality, but some visual glitches may still occur.
    5. Despite minor flaws, the PS5 Pro’s performance has generated excitement, with the game being described as one of the most impressive open-world experiences to date.

    With worries that Crimson Desert might put pressure on less powerful consoles, the PS5 Pro has gained some attention. Digital Foundry has reported that this top-tier PlayStation system can handle the game well. Even without the newest PSSR, the performance analysis praises the open-world settings as breathtaking. The ray tracing and extremely high detail levels bring vibrancy to a game already filled with action.

    Pre-Launch Concerns

    As the March 19th release of Crimson Desert approaches, experts have questioned why Pearl Abyss prioritized the PC version. Digital Foundry has only shared their thoughts on the PS5 Pro so far, but they plan to provide insights on other consoles soon. Nevertheless, it seems the game could be well-optimized for various platforms.

    Gameplay Options

    On Sony’s premium hardware, players have the choice between Performance, Balanced, and Quality modes. Ray tracing is available in all three modes, enhancing the realism of lighting effects.

    In Performance mode, the game upscales from 1080p to 4K, aiming for 60 fps. Digital Foundry discovered that the PS5 Pro Enhanced version usually meets this goal, with infrequent stuttering. However, larger battles and scenes featuring many NPCs can drop frame rates below 40 fps. Digital Foundry suspects that CPU limitations might be to blame.

    Balanced mode offers a native resolution of 1440p, resulting in visuals at 40 fps. Meanwhile, Quality mode runs at 30 fps, showcasing Crimson Desert in full detail. Frame rates were stable in both modes, though controls became less responsive.

    Possible Improvements

    If the updated PSSR is released on the same day as Crimson Desert, Performance mode could become the best option. Image quality is expected to enhance, but as seen with Resident Evil Requiem, some visual glitches might still be present. The analysis reveals that the denoiser can create flickering, especially along the edges of jagged objects.

    Activating VRR in Performance and Balanced modes brings additional drawbacks. When frame rates dip below the minimum VRR threshold, screen tearing occurs. Digital Foundry attributes this issue to the absence of low frame-rate compensation (LFC).

    Despite some flaws, the PS5 Pro performance review for Crimson Desert has only increased excitement. Echoing the findings of another leaked review, John Linneman describes it as one of the “most impressive open world experiences” to date. Distancing itself from competitors, even far-off objects appear clear. The physics engine also impresses, with foliage responding to the faintest gusts of wind.

    Digital Foundry’s

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  • Resident Evil Requiem PS5 Patch Disables Ray Tracing Downgrade

    Resident Evil Requiem PS5 Patch Disables Ray Tracing Downgrade

    Key Takeaways

    1. Digital Foundry praised the performance of Resident Evil Requiem on PS5 Pro but noted a decline in ray tracing quality after a March 4 patch.
    2. The update aimed to fix graphical issues but led to player dissatisfaction due to visual artifacts and a loss of realistic reflections in Raccoon City.
    3. John Linneman from Digital Foundry criticized the effectiveness of the new denoiser, suggesting it was inadequate for the open-world environment.
    4. Mixed player reactions emerged, with some appreciating the cleaner visuals while many lamented the loss of vibrant lighting and reflections.
    5. The impact of the update on the Steam version remains uncertain, with reports of lighting issues prompting some players to disable ray tracing.

    Digital Foundry has given high marks to the performance of Resident Evil Requiem on PS5 Pro in a recent review. Nevertheless, the once impressive ray tracing seems to have vanished in Raccoon City. A recent patch attempted to fix the noisy visuals, but the tech site sees this as a major step back.

    The Impact of the March 4th Update

    Players started to notice the alterations after Capcom released an update on March 4. This patch was meant to resolve various graphical issues across several platforms. Ray traced global illumination (RTGI) can create lifelike reflections, but it may also bring about some unwanted effects. Gamers expressed their dissatisfaction with visual artifacts in certain locations, which hampered image sharpness.

    Insights from Digital Foundry

    In a podcast exclusive to Patreon, John Linneman from Digital Foundry discussed the changes in Resident Evil Requiem. He mentioned that a denoiser was put in place to lessen the grainy effects that ray tracing can produce, particularly noticeable in Leon’s segments of Raccoon City. However, Linneman thinks that this post-processing solution isn’t sufficient for the challenging open-world settings, leading Capcom to react.

    Mixed Reactions from Players

    Sadly, both Linneman and many fans are not happy with the outcome. The streets in the PS5 Pro Enhanced version of the game now appear flat, missing the realistic reflections that once made them vibrant. The lighting effects previously brought energy to the otherwise lackluster city ambiance. Many users on Reddit share this view, with one user, Resevil67, commenting on how the “graphics took a big hit there compared to the Grace parts.”

    Conversely, some players are not as concerned about the update and appreciate the tidier visuals. Nonetheless, Digital Foundry contends that Capcom should have offered an option to disable ray tracing. The developers might have opted for a quick fix instead of tackling the more challenging task of improving the denoiser.

    Uncertain Effects on the Steam Version

    It’s still not clear how the update has impacted the Steam version, but there are claims of strange lighting issues. Some players have chosen to turn off ray tracing, hoping Capcom will implement enhancements in the future.

    For fans of RTGI, apart from Raccoon City, much of the survival horror experience remains intact. Plus, there are numerous benefits to the PS5 Pro Enhanced edition, with the improved PSSR still in operation. Resident Evil Requiem is the first title on the console to utilize this upgraded upscaling, enhancing overall performance.

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