In the ever-evolving landscape of PC gaming, performance remains a critical factor that can make or break a player’s experience. Over the past year, a meticulous examination of 13 newly released titles has revealed a spectrum of performance levels, with some games standing out for their exceptional optimization and others faltering under the weight of technical shortcomings.
Performance Highlights of 2025
Among the standout titles, Battlefield 6 has emerged as a benchmark for what a well-optimized game should look like in 2025. Achieving a frame rate of 100 fps at 1440p on an RTX 4070 without the aid of upscaling or frame generation, it showcases the developers’ commitment to maximizing performance over flashy rendering techniques like ray tracing. The game maintains its signature environmental destruction, delivering an epic experience that runs smoothly even on older hardware.
Similarly, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has impressed with its performance, utilizing voxel-based software ray tracing effectively. The game cleverly hides shader compilation during loading screens, ensuring a stutter-free experience even in densely populated areas. Players with basic RTX 4050 laptops can expect to hit 60 fps at 1080p on high settings, a testament to the developers’ focus on performance.
On the other hand, Doom: The Dark Ages has shown that ray tracing can coexist with high frame rates. Running at 64 fps at 1080p Ultra quality on a Ryzen 5 5600X and RTX 3060 Ti, it manages to deliver impressive lighting and reflections without significant performance degradation. However, its compatibility is limited, as older GPUs struggle to keep up, highlighting the challenges of balancing cutting-edge graphics with accessibility.
The Struggles of Game Development
Not all titles have fared as well. Monster Hunter Wilds launched to widespread criticism, struggling to achieve even 55 fps at 1080p on low settings, and its visuals left much to be desired. Despite some improvements over time, the game has been labeled a low priority for developers, with performance issues persisting months after release.
Borderlands 4 also faced its share of challenges, with a disappointing 40 fps at 4K Badass quality on high-end hardware. Although patches have addressed some stability issues, the initial performance woes have overshadowed the game’s visual appeal, leaving players frustrated.
Lastly, Gears of War: Reloaded, a remaster of a remaster, has drawn scrutiny for its poor performance on handheld devices. Despite being an older title, it struggles to maintain consistent frame rates, raising questions about optimization priorities in remastered games.
As we reflect on the state of PC gaming in 2025, it becomes evident that while some titles have excelled in performance and optimization, others have fallen short, leading to a mixed bag of experiences for players. The industry continues to grapple with the balance between stunning graphics and smooth gameplay, a challenge that will undoubtedly shape the future of game development.
