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A free upgrade grants current-gen consoles a suite of upgrades and new performance modes - allowing play at 30, 40, 60 and even 120 frames per second. All options have their pros and cons however, though the overall state of this enhanced Stalker package presents the best way to dive into these games today.

00:00 Overview
02:48 Original versus Enhanced Edition Comparison
06:00 Console/Mode Comparisons
08:20 Performance tests
12:18 Conclusion

 

[adamsapple]

- Takes existing package and improves it further
- SSR, improved GI, new sky boxes and mouse + KB support added for cosnoles
- 30, 40, 60 and 120fps support added

- All 3 games get similar upgrades
- Older PC version compared to new console versions shows many upgrades.
- Pre-rendered scenes use higher 4K encode, using AI up-scaling
- Enhanced version does little in terms of improving textures, but adds SSR for water bodies, no RT though.
- Foliage, geometry, draw distance are increased over original PC's maxed
- Improved GI gives the game a thicker, better atmosphere
- Global shadow quality is also increased, new higher resolution sky boxes also praised
- Enhanced edition is 'easily the best way' to jump into the games now.

- All consoles run matching visual settings, with resolution scaling being the only real difference.
- PS5 Pro generally runs higher pixel count compared to other consoles with hitting native 4K at 30/40 fps modes, DRS 1800p~2160p on 60fps and 1440p on 120fps.
- Base PS5/SX run 4K/30, DRS 4K/40, DRS 1755p in 60 and DRS 1440p in 120fps
- Series S runs at 1440p/30, DRS 1440p/40, DRS 1080p/60 and does not have a 120fps mode

- Aside resolution, no visual / settings difference on the consoles modes other than the 120fps mode.
- In the 120fps mode, SSR is lost, some draw distances are cut and shadow resolution is lowered

- DF's recommended mode is the 60fps mode on each console
- Based on their testing, all consoles run at a mostly locked 60fps with minor odd drops to mid 50's seen on base PS5 in one of the games.

- 30fps is the clearest but the cost in performance is too much to justify.
- The 30fps mode is also unevenly frame-pace on all consoles.

- 40fps balanced mode offers a better performance profile but it also suffers frame pacing issues.
- However, the Series X version does not have any frame pacing issues in this mode, so this mode is easier to recommend here.

- 120fps mode has a practical usecase for VRR display owners, holds between 100~120fps generally, but dips and hitches become more prominent whenever weather changes or in heavy combat.

- Verdict: Huge improvement in playability over last year's console release.

 

[hououinkyouma00]

I started a play through when it first came out but dropped off of it. I think I'm gonna jump in again though especially with the K/BM.

 

[TintoConCasera]

Enhanced Edition already available for free for those that own the original games.

It has cheevos, and... workshop support! Nice.

 

[WoodyStare]

Maybe it's just me but I'm getting some bad screen tearing on SX for SOC in the 120fps mode even with VRR turned on. It's fine when I'm walking/running, but once I look around it's all over the place and this is without the weather changing or heavy combat.

 

[Darsxx82]

Great porting and optimization work...

I'd love to play it, but I have a ton of games pending. Maybe in the summer, when I finish those games.

 

[Physiognomonics]

On Pro it's basically the boost mode working with DRS. They didn't even increase the resolution cap of the 120fps mode.

 

[CrimsonTide]

Steam reviews are terrible, they botch the PC port?

 

[Killer8]

They did a great job on the enhancement. So many studios ruin the original look of their games. The work they've done here is additive in nearly every comparison i've seen.

 

[roosnam1980]

what is the purpose of quality and balanced modes here?

 

[Schachtier]

So. A nearly 20 year old Game that a potato can run 200fps wont hit 60 in 4k on Consoles? Yeah...

 

[adamsapple]

what is the purpose of quality and balanced modes here?

Higher resolution for folks who value resolution / IQ above other things.

So. A nearly 20 year old Game that a potato can run 200fps wont hit 60 in 4k on Consoles? Yeah...

Not the same game tho, plenty of visual enhancements over the original PC's max settings.

 

[Gonzito]

Steam reviews are terrible, they botch the PC port?

It seems like it's the russians trying to boicot the game. There are political reasons behind the review bombing

 

[CrimsonTide]

It seems like it's the russians trying to boicot the game. There are political reasons behind the review bombing

So the PC port is fine?

 

[Gonzito]

So the PC port is fine?

I've been testing them this morning and they work great. No issues and they even have Dualsense support.

 

[CrimsonTide]

I've been testing them this morning and they work great. No issues and they even have Dualsense support.

Good to hear then!

 

[TintoConCasera]

I've been testing them this morning and they work great. No issues and they even have Dualsense support.

Papi, do you need to install the community patches like the Zone Reclamation patch with the new Enhanced Edition? Or is it fine to just install the game and play?

 

[Bulletzen72]

So the PC port is fine?

Just played through Call of Pripyat for an hour and the port is fine.

 

[Gonzito]

Papi, do you need to install the community patches like the Zone Reclamation patch with the new Enhanced Edition? Or is it fine to just install the game and play?

No idea about that to be honest, we'll have to wait and hear what people say but what I tested was quite good and polished.

 

[Futaleufu]

Does the update fix the factions in Clear Sky? In regular edition you needed a mod for it to work properly.

 

[LordBlodgett]

This looks great!

 

[JaksGhost]

On Pro it's basically the boost mode working with DRS. They didn't even increase the resolution cap of the 120fps mode.

It's not a Pro Enhanced title so that's to be expected.

 

[MrTroubleMaker]

Nice Free upgrade on PC

 

[Gp1]

I just installed Clear Skies since is the least played here, but oh boy... the infamous vaseline filter is strong on this one.