DF Direct Weekly 190: PSSR Analysis and PS5 Pro Updates
The PSSR Analysis
In this episode, the team conducts a deep dive into the PlayStation 5 Pro and the performance of PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution).
• General Performance: The consensus is that PSSR performs well in less demanding scenarios, but struggles with complex ray tracing and high-noise environments.
• Worst Offenders: Titles like Silent Hill 2, Star Wars Outlaws, and Jedi Survivor have shown less than ideal results, highlighting limitations in the current implementation.
• Future Outlook: The team discusses the potential for system-level updates to PSSR and emphasizes the need for better QA and developer transparency.
Game-Specific Updates and News
After the initial analysis, the discussion evolves as new patches become available.
Silent Hill 2 Patch 1.06
"Solution is a strong word, Rich. I don't know that I'd say solution. Mitigation is, I think, a more accurate term."
- The team analyzes the recent patch for Silent Hill 2, which mitigates graphical artifacts by switching from PSSR back to TSR in performance mode, demonstrating the importance of platform-appropriate upscalers.
Stalker 2 and Assassin's Creed
- Stalker 2: The discussion covers the harsh reality of launch day technical states and the impact of Day Zero patches versus reviewer experiences.
- AC Syndicate: A surprise 60FPS patch for Assassin's Creed Syndicate is tested on current-gen consoles, leading to a broader discussion on the benefits of BackCompat Plus and missed opportunities like Assassin's Creed Unity.
Industry Speculation and Q&A
- Kadokawa Acquisition: The team weighs in on the news of Sony's interest in acquiring FromSoftware's parent company, Kadokawa, analyzing the potential impacts on console exclusivity and technical development.
- PS Portal Updates: The addition of cloud streaming to the PlayStation Portal is tested, with the team remaining skeptical about its overall value due to persistent latency and image quality issues.
- GPU Market: A direct answer to a supporter question regarding under-$400 GPUs concludes that there are currently few compelling options in the market.