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[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

These are the latest update notes for Alan Wake 2

16th December 2024

PlayStation 5 (1.200.007)
Xbox Series (1.2.0.7)
PC (1.2.7)

Improvements and additions

• [PS5 Pro] Added a new “Balanced” graphics mode. This mode requires compatible displays that can achieve a 120Hz refresh rate. The Balanced mode combines PS5 Pro Quality mode settings including raytracing with Performance mode resolution. This mode targets 40fps.
• [PS5 Pro] Slightly adjusted visual settings of the Performance mode to achieve a more consistent framerate.
• [PS5 Pro] Quality and Balanced mode: Adjusted Raytracing settings to achieve a less noisy image.
• [PS5 Pro] Added an option to toggle PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) On/Off.

Fixes

• [The Lake House] Fixed manuscript collectables that showed the wrong page in Saga’s Mind Place.
• [The Lake House] Fixed “Welcome to the Lake House” video collectable missing audio.
• Minor fixes and optimizations.

 

[saintjules]

It's a little funny to me that people are adding options to turn off PSSR. It's literally one of the major selling points of the Pro hardware.

I guess people have more work to do to harness the true potential of it.

 

[Gaiff]

It's a little funny to me that people are adding options to turn off PSSR. It's literally one of the major selling points of the Pro hardware.

I guess people have more work to do to harness the true potential of it.

It's a good thing. There is the option to turn upscalers on or off on PC despite everyone overwhelmingly agreeing that DLSS is a boon. There are people who still don't care for upscalers and all of them have some unintended side-effects.

The real question is, why do devs still take months to implement a 40Hz mode? It's often the best one on consoles. 30fps is too slow and laggy. 60fps is too demanding and has bad IQ. 40fps feels smooth enough and the IQ is often far better than 60fps.

 

[Euler007]

It's a little funny to me that people are adding options to turn off PSSR. It's literally one of the major selling points of the Pro hardware.

I guess people have more work to do to harness the true potential of it.

Pretty much. Take my half-assed implementation or turn it off, I'm off doing my next game. 2025 games should make better use of it.

 

[Fbh]

Adding a 40fps mode only for the pro sucks.

The base console could also have benefited from one

 

[adamsapple]

Is .. there a particular reason the 40fps option is not on the Xbox or base PS5?

Weird omission, just like with Calisto's update.

 

[Luipadre]

40 fps with rt sounds great if the fps is locked 40. Gonna test it tomorrow

 

[Gonzito]

The fact that they are updating games to be able to remove PSSR is not a good look for the PS5 Pro

 

[Harlock]

In Series S before the patch still some cutscenes had no audio unless you close and restart the game.

 

[SlimySnake]

Outlaws and avatar also got a pssr on off toggle.

Finally some common sense.

 

[owandeseis]

Outlaws and avatar also got a pssr on off toggle.

Finally some common sense.

 

[Luipadre]

I

The fact that they are updating games to be able to remove PSSR is not a good look for the PS5 Pro

Its a hit or miss in this early stage. Having a toggle is a good thing. PSSR is a lot better in AW2 than fsr tho, especially in performance mode

 

[Physiognomonics]

Is .. there a particular reason the 40fps option is not on the Xbox or base PS5?

Weird omission, just like with Calisto's update.

The others console are likely not powerful enough to run quality settings (RT) at that framerate specifically if RT is done using hardware. RDNA2 totally lacks that hardware.

 

[MaKTaiL]

Sony needs to act quickly on this matter. The biggest selling point of PS5 Pro is being slowly disabled by devs. This is mess right now (and I have a Pro).

 

[adamsapple]

The others console are likely not powerful enough to run quality settings (RT) at that framerate specifically if RT is done using hardware. RDNA2 totally lacks that hardware.

OG PS5 and SX didn't have RT and they were practically locked at 30 in last year's DF testing, which would likely have improved upon over the years worth of patches.

It doesn't make any logical sense why those consoles don't get a 40fps Resolution/Quality mode based on their existing settings.

 

[Radical_3d]

Chop, chop! Digital Foundry.

 

[Magic Carpet]

PSSRR OFF!

 

[Shmunter]

Pssr is a scham, should never have been released in its current form.

Cerny no longer my idol.

 

[diffusionx]

It's a good thing. There is the option to turn upscalers on or off on PC despite everyone overwhelmingly agreeing that DLSS is a boon. There are people who still don't care for upscalers and all of them have some unintended side-effects.

The real question is, why do devs still take months to implement a 40Hz mode? It's often the best one on consoles. 30fps is too slow and laggy. 60fps is too demanding and has bad IQ. 40fps feels smooth enough and the IQ is often far better than 60fps.

if i wanted to spend hours fiddling with settings I would just play these games on PC.

This shit has to go.

 

[Bojji]

Is .. there a particular reason the 40fps option is not on the Xbox or base PS5?

Weird omission, just like with Calisto's update.

Yep. They are fucking up base consoles owners for no good reason.

This game should have 40fps mode day one on PS5/XSX.

 

[Astray]

Chop, chop! Digital Foundry.

lol don't worry they're pixel peeping as hard as they can rn.

 

[Gaiff]

if i wanted to spend hours fiddling with settings I would just play these games on PC.

This shit has to go.

Good thing that it’s a simple toggle and not a full suite of options like on PC.

 

[Physiognomonics]

OG PS5 and SX didn't have RT and they were practically locked at 30 in last year's DF testing, which would likely have improved upon over the years worth of patches.

It doesn't make any logical sense why those consoles don't get a 40fps Resolution/Quality mode based on their existing settings.

It would mean more work for a specific version with different settings on base consoles (and XSS too). Also those patches train developers for >RDNA4 RT on future PS5 Pro modes and PS6. For instance all the work devs put on PS4 Pro CBR or FP16 often helped them in the PS5 generation.

Working on PS5 / XSX won't help them develop better games on PS5 Pro or PS6.

 

[S0ULZB0URNE]

It's a little funny to me that people are adding options to turn off PSSR. It's literally one of the major selling points of the Pro hardware.

I guess people have more work to do to harness the true potential of it.

It's not in a good state across the board.
Hopefully they improve it.

 

[diffusionx]

Good thing that it’s a simple toggle and not a full suite of options like on PC.

A toggle too much. PS5 Pro is locked hardware. It doesn't change. They need to decide how their game is best presented and set it. That's one of the advantages of a console. It's not my job to decide how Alan Wake 2 looks best on a fixed piece of hardware.

 

[Shaki12345]

They can easily run this game at 40fps on base consoles with a compromise in resolution. Not going to buy this game on base console till it's 40fps or I'll play it on next gen.

 

[Fake]

It's a little funny to me that people are adding options to turn off PSSR. It's literally one of the major selling points of the Pro hardware.

I guess people have more work to do to harness the true potential of it.

They have two options:

- Make good use of PSSR
- Add option to disable PSSR

Figures.

 

[Physiognomonics]

They have two options:

- Make good use of PSSR
- Add option to disable PSSR

Figures.

PSSR probably doesn't work well with their game and heavy post processing they use. I mean does this game work well with DLSS?

 

[diffusionx]

They have two options:

- Make good use of PSSR
- Add option to disable PSSR

Figures.

No, the two options are:

-Make good use of PSSR (use it in their game)
-Make bad use of PSSR (don't use it).

"Leave shitty PSSR implementation in and let gamers figure it out and turn it off" is totally idiotic. It's not a solution. This is not that hard. Some of the best looking PS5 Pro games don't use PSSR. Devs should be smart enough to figure out how their game is best seen, and do that.

 

[Fake]

PSSR probably doesn't work well with their game and heavy post processing they use. I mean does this game work well with DLSS?

I'll be honest, nothing works well with this piece of crap.

This game already run in a very low resolution on consoles, no matter the configuration.

There is no fucking optimization for this game. They just want people to force brute that crap engine.

No, the two options are:

-Make good use of PSSR (use it in their game)
-Make bad use of PSSR (don't use it).

I thought my options already gave a tip about 'why' would devs add option for disable PSSR.

 

[rm082e]

It seems like PSSR is going through the same evolution that DLSS did when it came out. The first version was pretty bad. DLSS 2.0 was a huge improvement. By the time we got to DLSS 3.0, it's fantastic, and that evolution happened pretty quickly. I expect a year from now PSSR will be great and just about everyone will be using it across the board.

 

[Mister Wolf]

I'll be honest, nothing works well with this piece of crap.

This game already run in a very low resolution on consoles, no matter the configuration.

There is no fucking optimization for this game. They just want people to force brute that crap engine.



I thought my options already gave a tip about 'why' would devs add option for disable PSSR.

Doesn't bode well for the Max Payne Remake or Control 2.

 

[ElCasual]

I want a update to make Saga a better character like the agent Stevez. Or VRR on the base PS5.

 

[Gaiff]

PSSR probably doesn't work well with their game and heavy post processing they use. I mean does this game work well with DLSS?

At 864p? No, DLSS doesn’t work well. It’s not as bad as PSSR, but hardly what I would describe as good.

 

[Giallo Corsa]

Doesn't bode well for the Max Payne Remake or Control 2.

Control 2 is gonna be Control 1 all over again brother : it's gonna need a new generation of console(s) as to have it perform well - and even then, without RT (or with RT turned on but with half the game's framerate).

 

[FeralEcho]

Pay 700$ to get the option to turn off the feature you payed 700$ for.

Amazing!

 

[Wolves hunt in packs]

if i wanted to spend hours fiddling with settings I would just play these games on PC.

This shit has to go.

No going back, (maybe in select games that don't give a shit).

 

[rofif]

What’s the point of consoles at this point with so many, some even granular settings. Just optimise for hardware. Having these many settings is leaving the responsibility and false choice to gamers.

Maybe it’s not too much choice yet but doesn’t bode well

 

[diffusionx]

I thought my options already gave a tip about 'why' would devs add option for disable PSSR.

I am saying that, if they feel that PSSR doesn't; show their game in a good light, then it's not up to gamers to turn it off. It's up to them. Adding an option is just ridiculous and, again, it makes their game look worse than it should.

No going back, (maybe in select games that don't give a shit).

I'm actaully hoping that improved PSSR would mean we do go back.

The conceit of PS5 Pro - quality mode with performance level framerates - means you don't need options. You open the game and it runs at 60fps and looks great.

 

[AngelMuffin]

It's a good thing. There is the option to turn upscalers on or off on PC despite everyone overwhelmingly agreeing that DLSS is a boon. There are people who still don't care for upscalers and all of them have some unintended side-effects.

The real question is, why do devs still take months to implement a 40Hz mode? It's often the best one on consoles. 30fps is too slow and laggy. 60fps is too demanding and has bad IQ. 40fps feels smooth enough and the IQ is often far better than 60fps.

Probably not a priority since most console owners don’t own a 120Hz capable TV. However, it seems simple enough to implement for those that do.

 

[Wolves hunt in packs]

A toggle too much. PS5 Pro is locked hardware. It doesn't change. They need to decide how their game is best presented and set it. That's one of the advantages of a console. It's not my job to decide how Alan Wake 2 looks best on a fixed piece of hardware.

But perhaps there isn't one optimal option? and perhaps people like options? you can't go back to only one option when you introduce all those already.

 

[diffusionx]

But perhaps there isn't one optimal option? and perhaps people like options? you can't go back to only one option when you introduce all those already.

yes, if you like options, get a PC, you get tons of them.

 

[Fake]

I am saying that, if they feel that PSSR doesn't; show their game in a good light, then it's not up to gamers to turn it off. It's up to them. Adding an option is just ridiculous and, again, it makes their game look worse than it should.

Look, I don't think they care much. They already do a terrible job in this regards.

I guess they ask Sony to gave them an option to disable because they don't do a good job with anything at all.

If I was a PS5pro consumer, I would be pretty upset.

 

[diffusionx]

Look, I don't think they care much. They already do a terrible job in this regards.

I guess they ask Sony to gave them an option to disable because they don't do a good job with anything at all.

If I was a PS5pro consumer, I would be pretty upset.

I am a PS5 Pro customer and yes, this is not what I signed up for. I can understand PSSR being flawed, but again, just dont use it, like Fortnite or HFW.

Telling me to go through and decide what algorithm to use is just.... like I said, if I wanted to do this, and I don't, I would just play the game on PC.

 

[blastprocessor]

These boys need to optimise the engine instead they add crutches.

 

[Wolves hunt in packs]

I'm actaully hoping that improved PSSR would mean we do go back.

The conceit of PS5 Pro - quality mode with performance level framerates - means you don't need options. You open the game and it runs at 60fps and looks great.

Amen to that. Maybe on PS6.. doesn't seems the Pro can handle 60fps with high res without any compromise.

 

[Wolves hunt in packs]

yes, if you like options, get a PC, you get tons of them.

I like consoles, and to have some options.

 

[Gen.Grievous]

yes, if you like options, get a PC, you get tons of them.

Are you sure you're a console gamer? Consoles have had graphics options for over a decade now.

And a lot of people playing don't really notice these issues but they notice the smoother gameplay with PSSR turned on. Options are never a bad thing.

 

[saintjules]

yes, if you like options, get a PC, you get tons of them.

Yeah, maybe I should try that on Bloodborne.

Oh wait

 

[diffusionx]

Are you sure you're a console gamer? Consoles have had graphics options for over a decade now.

And a lot of people playing don't really notice these issues but they notice the smoother gameplay with PSSR turned on. Options are never a bad thing.

Yea and it was a mistake a decade ago.