For quite some time, the gaming community has been yearning for a future where poorly optimized PC ports are relegated to the past. Unfortunately, recent years have not aligned with these hopes. Titles such as Rise of the Ronin, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and Monster Hunter Wilds have emerged, plagued by persistent stuttering issues and an over-reliance on upscaling technologies like DLSS to maintain performance stability.
Performance is not the only concern; the absence of ultrawide compatibility in many contemporary games is increasingly troubling. As ultrawide displays gain traction among gamers, the expectation for support in new releases grows. However, Stellar Blade stands out as a refreshing exception, showcasing remarkable performance and optimization, including compatibility with ultrawide screens up to a 32:9 aspect ratio.
Stellar Blade is a dream for most desktop and handheld gaming PCs
To illustrate the impressive performance of Stellar Blade, I have managed to achieve over 60 frames per second (fps) at 1080p on medium graphics settings using my Asus ROG Ally, occasionally even hitting the low 80s. Activating AMD Frame Generation propels the frame rate to an astonishing 112fps, all while maintaining a smooth experience. This is largely due to the fact that frame generation technology thrives when the base frame rate is already solid—60fps being an ideal benchmark.
The Steam Deck also delivers a commendable performance, easily reaching 60fps on lower settings, making it one of the few games that is Deck Verified and truly lives up to that designation. The experience only improves with more powerful devices like the MSI Claw 8 AI+, which offers superior performance compared to its competitors.
On the desktop front, Stellar Blade consistently exceeds 100fps without relying on Nvidia’s Frame Generation, even at the highest graphics settings. This is achievable with robust hardware such as the RTX 4080 Super and an AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D, underscoring the potential of PC hardware when games are optimized effectively.
While there are certainly other titles that manage to impress with their optimization, the gaming landscape is still marred by a significant number of disappointing PC ports among triple-A releases. These subpar adaptations can leave a bitter taste for gamers who invest in high-end hardware, as even the most powerful systems have their limits when it comes to compensating for poor optimization.
Handheld gaming PCs are gaining popularity, with some equipped with powerful hardware, while others, like the Steam Deck, may not boast the same level of performance. Therefore, successful ports like Stellar Blade on PC are a welcome sight for fans, and there is hope that game developers and publishers will take this as a model for future releases.
