DF Direct Weekly 198: Doom The Dark Ages, 5090 Analysis
Overview of Developer Direct 2025 Highlights
This episode of DF Direct Weekly provides an extensive breakdown of the titles showcased during Microsoft's Developer Direct 2025. The hosts analyze the technical ambition and artistic direction of the upcoming games, focusing on how studios are utilizing modern engine capabilities.
Key Titles Discussed
• Doom: The Dark Ages: The team expresses excitement over id Software's decision to embrace ray tracing and path tracing as foundational elements, enabling larger maps and more complex AI encounters. The game's performance and scalability on PC are highlighted as key talking points.
• Ninja Gaiden (Remake/New Title): A surprising collaboration between Platinum Games and Team Ninja. The discussion focuses on the game's distinct visual aesthetic and whether it utilizes UE5 or proprietary technology.
• Expedition 33 & South of Midnight: Both games are noted for their unique visual styles. While Expedition 33 offers a fresh take on turn-based combat, South of Midnight faces scrutiny regarding its use of decimated animation techniques, leading to potential concerns about performance consistency.
GPU Performance and Future Tech
RTX 5090 Review Analysis
"The GPU is astonishingly fast, but it's also astonishingly expensive."
- The hosts discuss the lack of a major generational node shift compared to the 4090, noting that gains are more iterative than groundbreaking.
- The conversation shifts to the necessity of evaluating modern GPUs based on "transformative" software features rather than raw rasterization performance.
- Multi-Frame Generation (MFG) is identified as a critical tool for achieving fluid experiences in ultra-high frame rate scenarios, though concerns about input latency on lower-end parts remain.
The Future of Reviewing
- The team reflects on the necessity of evolving review methodologies. The consensus is that bar charts alone are insufficient; reviews must now incorporate the subjective experience afforded by technologies like DLSS 4 and Reflex.