Earlier this month, THQ Nordic unveiled the Gothic 1 Remake for PC, a title that has generated considerable excitement among gaming enthusiasts. Utilizing the advanced capabilities of Unreal Engine 5, this remake invites players to explore its performance metrics across a variety of hardware configurations.
Performance Benchmarks
For the benchmarking process, an impressive setup was employed, featuring an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D processor paired with 32GB of DDR5 RAM clocked at 6000MHz. The graphics were powered by a selection of GPUs, including AMD’s Radeon RX 6900XT, RX 7900XTX, RX 9070XT, and NVIDIA’s RTX 2080Ti, RTX 3080, RTX 4090, RTX 5080, and RTX 5090. The tests were conducted on a Windows 10 64-bit system, utilizing the latest drivers from both NVIDIA and AMD.
Alkimia Interactive has incorporated a wealth of graphics settings, allowing players to fine-tune their experience. Options include adjustments for Textures, Global Illumination, View Distance, Shadows, and more. Additionally, the game supports cutting-edge technologies such as NVIDIA DLSS 4.5, AMD FSR 3.1, and Intel XeSS 1.3.
Notably, Gothic 1 Remake lacks a built-in benchmark tool. To navigate this limitation, testing was performed in one of the game’s most graphically demanding early scenes, providing a reliable indicator of overall performance.
Visual Settings and Performance
Benchmarks were executed using the Very High preset, while Alkimia designates its Maximum preset as “Experimental,” intended for high-end GPUs and best utilized with an upscaler. A comparative analysis between the Very High preset and the Alkimia Overdose preset revealed subtle visual differences; the Very High preset exhibited some object pop-ins absent in the Experimental settings.
At 1080p with Very High Settings, Gothic 1 Remake consistently achieves 60FPS across a broad spectrum of GPUs. The top-performing graphics cards maintained frame rates above 60FPS, with the NVIDIA RTX 3080 and AMD Radeon RX 6900XT also performing admirably, although users may experience occasional drops into the 50s without a G-Sync or FreeSync monitor.
When tested at 1440p/Very High Settings, the leading NVIDIA GPUs sustained frame rates exceeding 60FPS, while AMD’s RX 9070XT and RX 7900XTX recorded averages of 70FPS and 68FPS, respectively, albeit with potential dips to 49FPS and 47FPS.
For those aiming for Native 4K at Very High Settings, the NVIDIA RTX 5090 stands out, delivering a minimum of 65FPS and an average of 74FPS. This performance is commendable, especially considering the inclusion of Lumen technology.
The game demonstrates impressive scalability with its graphics presets. At Native 4K using the Overdose Settings, the RTX 5090 achieved a minimum of 37FPS and an average of 42FPS, while the Very High Settings ensured frame rates remained above 60FPS. Lowering the settings to High or Medium provided a modest performance boost, and opting for Low Settings resulted in a minimum of 109FPS and an average of 117FPS.
DLSS Performance and Visual Quality
Gothic 1 Remake’s support for NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 was also put to the test. Benchmarking the same scene under the Alkimia Overdose Settings at Native 4K yielded 37/42FPS on the RTX 5090. With DLSS 4.5 set to Quality mode, frame rates improved to 55/64FPS, and utilizing MFG X2 pushed performance beyond 100FPS.
The implementation of DLSS 4.5 MFG appears robust, as evidenced by screenshots taken during rapid camera movements, which displayed only minor visual artifacts. In typical gameplay scenarios, these issues are unlikely to detract from the overall experience, making MFG a recommended option for enhancing performance smoothness.
Graphically, Gothic 1 Remake impresses with its stunning environments, characteristic of many double-A titles developed on Unreal Engine 5. However, character models and animations may not reach the same level of refinement, falling short of the standards set by titles such as Hellblade 2 or Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Nevertheless, it significantly surpasses the graphical capabilities of many previous double-A projects utilizing Unreal Engine 4.
While minor traversal stutters were observed, they were not as disruptive as those experienced in other titles, such as Oblivion Remastered. For most players, these occurrences are infrequent enough that they do not significantly impact the gaming experience.
In summary, Gothic 1 Remake demonstrates the ability to run smoothly across a diverse range of PC configurations, provided users steer clear of its experimental settings. With an AMD Radeon RX 6900XT or NVIDIA RTX 3080, players can enjoy a seamless experience at 1080p/Very High Settings, especially when paired with a G-Sync or FreeSync monitor. For those seeking to game at native 1440p or 4K, a powerful GPU is essential, or alternatively, players can take advantage of the included upscalers. Compared to many other Unreal Engine 5 titles, Gothic 1 Remake’s performance is notably commendable, much to the delight of eager fans awaiting its release.
