PS5 Pro’s Upgraded PSSR Upscaler Debuts in Resident Evil Requiem

Sony’s second-generation PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) upscaler is now live for PlayStation 5 Pro players, debuting with the launch of Resident Evil Requiem. The upgraded PSSR, based on AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR4), aims to deliver improved image quality and performance on the console.

What is PSSR and Why Does it Matter?

PSSR is an AI-powered image upscaling technology designed to enhance the visual fidelity of games on the PS5 Pro. Upscaling allows games to render at a lower internal resolution and then intelligently reconstruct the image to a higher output resolution, like 4K, with minimal loss in visual quality. This can lead to improved frame rates and a smoother gaming experience. The new version represents a significant overhaul of the original PSSR implementation.

Resident Evil Requiem: The First Game to Utilize the New PSSR

Resident Evil Requiem is the first title to take advantage of the enhanced PSSR technology. According to Sony, the upgraded PSSR is “helping to keep both frame rate and image quality high” in the game. Capcom’s development team focused on enhancing the presentation quality of the protagonist, leveraging the new PSSR to render details like individual strands of hair and realistic lighting effects [PlayStation Blog].

How Does the New PSSR Compare to the Original?

The original PSSR, even as effective in some games like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Stellar Blade, could suffer from noise and artifacting, particularly in ray-traced content. Issues with unstable lighting and reflections were observed in titles like Silent Hill f and Silent Hill 2. The new PSSR, built on AMD’s FSR4, is designed to address these shortcomings. Early reports indicate improved edge clarity and convincing resolution of fine details, such as text and character clothing, when upscaling to 4K from a base resolution slightly above 1080p [Digital Foundry].

System-Level Toggle and Future Support

Sony plans to roll out the upgraded PSSR globally to PS5 Pro players in the coming weeks. Importantly, the new PSSR will also be offered as a system-level toggle, allowing players to swap out older PSSR implementations in existing games. More games supporting the upgraded PSSR are expected to be announced in March [IGN].

Key Takeaways

• The upgraded PSSR upscaler is now available on PS5 Pro with the launch of Resident Evil Requiem.
• The new PSSR is based on AMD’s FSR4 technology, promising improved image quality and performance.
• A system-level toggle will allow players to enable the upgraded PSSR in existing compatible games.
• More games with support for the new PSSR are coming in March.