texture quality Archives

AppWizard

June 1, 2025

Painkiller RTX is a path-traced upgrade to a classic but almost forgotten shooter

Nvidia's RTX Remix is a tool that allows game modders to enhance classic PC games with path-traced visuals. One notable project is the transformation of the 2004 game Painkiller into Painkiller RTX, currently at version 0.1.6. This project utilizes a custom rendering technology called PainEngine, replacing the original Direct X 8.1 rendering with a path tracer, resulting in improved visuals such as real-time shadows and moving lights. The gameplay retains its fast-paced action focus, with enhanced mechanics through Havok physics, allowing for dynamic interactions with the environment. Painkiller RTX features significant upgrades in lighting, including dynamic lighting that interacts with moving objects and improved texture quality using Quixel megascan assets. However, the path-tracing technology requires robust hardware for optimal performance, and even mid-range GPUs like the RTX 4060 may struggle with frame rates during intense gameplay.

AppWizard

May 30, 2025

Stellar Blade demo for PC now available

Sony Interactive Entertainment, in collaboration with SHIFT UP, has released a demo for the PC version of Stellar Blade on Steam. Players control EVE, a warrior from the 7th Airborne Squad, on a mission to reclaim Earth from the Naytiba. The demo features fast-paced combat, allowing players to perform attack combos and carry over save data to the full game. EVE faces powerful creatures in a post-apocalyptic world filled with mysteries. Key features include ultrawide monitor support, enhanced graphics, unlocked framerates, 4K texture pack support, and compatibility with both controller and keyboard. Stellar Blade is available on PlayStation 5 and will launch on PC on June 11.

AppWizard

May 30, 2025

Stellar Blade PC demo to be released on May 31st

A PC demo for Stellar Blade will launch on May 31st, allowing players to experience the game before purchasing. Players will assume the role of Eve, who is on a mission to salvage Earth, encountering various characters and facing challenges. The game features fast-paced combat with impressive attack combos, unlockable moves, and boss battles requiring strategic thinking. The PC version will include an HD Texture Pack, 4K option, support for ultra-wide monitors, and will be powered by Unreal Engine 4 with uncapped framerates. It will also support NVIDIA DLSS 4 and AMD FSR 3.0, but will not have new PC-exclusive Ray Tracing effects. Visual fidelity may be slightly improved over the PS5 version. Stellar Blade will use Denuvo anti-tamper technology, which may lead to performance issues. The full game is set to release on PC on June 11th.

AppWizard

April 18, 2025

PC is the definitive way to play The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

Sony's exclusives on PlayStation hardware are known for their seamless performance, but PC ports can vary in quality. The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered has been released on PC, offering a polished experience and various customizable graphics settings, including level of detail, texture quality, shadow quality, NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency, AMD Anti-Lag 2, and upscaling technologies like NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS. While the gameplay experience is generally smooth, some minor graphical glitches may occur. The game has received patches since launch to improve performance. It retains a stunning aesthetic, enhanced by modern PC capabilities, making it a worthwhile investment for both newcomers and those who have played it on PS4 or PS5. Players are encouraged to check their system's specifications to ensure compatibility for an optimal experience.

AppWizard

April 1, 2025

The Last of Us Part II Remastered Coming to PC On April 3, 2025

“The Last of Us Part II Remastered” will be released on PC on April 3, 2025, available on Steam and the Epic Games Store. This marks the first time Windows users can access the game, which previously received over 300 Game of the Year awards on PlayStation. The remastered edition includes enhancements such as improved graphics, performance, and new content, including a roguelike mode called “No Return.” Pre-orders are currently available. The PC version will support customizable graphics settings, ultrawide monitor support, and full DualSense controller features. New playable characters Bill and Marlene will be introduced in the “No Return” mode, alongside a Guitar Free Play mode and restored cut content. The game will require a minimum of an Intel Core i3-8100 or AMD Ryzen 3 1300x processor and 16GB RAM.

AppWizard

March 1, 2025

Monster Hunter Wilds – we can’t recommend the PC version

Monster Hunter Wilds has been released on PC, but users with lower-end graphics cards are experiencing significant performance issues. Initial impressions were positive, but players face a lengthy shader compilation process, with times varying from six minutes on a Ryzen 7 9800X3D to over 13 minutes on a Ryzen 5 3600. The graphical settings menu is detailed, but a prompt to enable frame generation appears misplaced for low-end machines. Players reported PS3-level texture quality and stuttering during gameplay, particularly when turning the camera. Adjusting texture settings from high to medium alleviated some stuttering, but texture quality remained poor. Performance issues may stem from aggressive texture streaming and decompression processes, affecting cards like the RTX 4060. Users with 8GB of VRAM or less should approach the game cautiously, as similar performance issues were noted on other mid-range GPUs. Higher-end GPUs like the RTX 4070 also experienced stuttering, raising concerns about performance with higher-resolution texture packs. Overall, the game’s optimization across various hardware configurations appears lacking.