visual fidelity 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.

Winsage

June 1, 2025

I just tested the new Legion Go S — and it’s the Steam Deck killer I’ve been waiting for

The Lenovo Legion Go S is a handheld gaming device that operates on SteamOS, starting at a price of 9. It features an AMD Z2 Go chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage in the base model, while the reviewed unit has an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. The device has an 8-inch WQXGA (1920 x 1200) LCD display, a weight of 1.63 pounds, and includes ports such as a Micro SD card slot, two USB-C ports, and a headphone jack. The design is ergonomic with a Nebula color scheme, and it has responsive controls. The SteamOS version outperforms the Windows 11 variant in gaming performance, achieving higher frame rates in gameplay tests.

Winsage

June 1, 2025

We installed SteamOS on our ROG Ally and Legion Go Windows handhelds and we don’t want to go back

SteamOS has been released for non-Steam Deck gaming handhelds, including the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go. To install SteamOS, users need a USB-C stick and the SteamOS recovery image, which can be downloaded from Steam's website. The installation process involves creating a bootable USB drive using the Rufus utility, adjusting BIOS settings to disable Secure Boot, and following specific steps to wipe the device and install SteamOS. After installation, users can set up their Steam account and check for updates. The transition to SteamOS enhances performance and visual fidelity for these devices.

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

May 27, 2025

F1 25 review

Sebastian Vettel's reminder about cherishing current moments resonates within the context of the F1 gaming franchise, particularly with the release of F1 25 on May 30, 2025, developed by Codemasters and published by Electronic Arts. The game is priced at £50 and is the 17th annual edition of the official F1 game. F1 25 features a nine-hour story in Braking Point 3, concluding the saga with character development for Aiden Jackson and introducing California Mayer as a rival. The game includes an email system for team management, allowing players to connect with staff achievements. However, it has faced criticism for its handling model, particularly for pad control, and contains bugs like incorrect radio messages. The game showcases modern advancements such as path-traced lighting but may struggle with performance on lower-end graphics cards. Overall, while F1 25 offers a high-quality racing experience, it lacks significant innovation compared to its predecessors.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

The Sinking City Remastered PC Performance Analysis

Frogwares has released a remastered edition of The Sinking City for free to existing owners, utilizing Unreal Engine 5 and Lumen technology. The remaster retains original settings while adding options for Upscaling and Ray Tracing, supporting NVIDIA DLSS 3 and AMD FSR 3.0. However, the DLSS Frame Generation feature is currently non-functional, and FSR Frame Gen is limited to AMD FSR Upscaling. Performance testing indicates that the game is GPU-bound, requiring at least an NVIDIA RTX 4080 or AMD Radeon RX 9070XT for over 60FPS at 1080p with maximum settings and no Ray Tracing. The AMD Radeon RX 6900XT underperformed compared to the NVIDIA RTX 3080, while the RX 9070XT matched the RX 7900XTX. At 1440p with maximum settings and no Ray Tracing, only the NVIDIA RTX 4090 and RTX 5090 achieved consistent framerates above 60FPS. No GPU provides a smooth experience at native 4K resolution with maximum settings and no Ray Tracing, with the RTX 5090 occasionally dipping below 55FPS. Adjusting in-game settings can significantly enhance performance, with High settings yielding over 83FPS on the RTX 5090. The remaster features higher-quality textures and improved lighting, although traversal stutters from the original version persist.

AppWizard

May 12, 2025

6 PC gaming myths that sound right (but aren’t)

- Maxing out graphics settings to "Ultra" can lead to performance drops without significant visual improvements; "Very High" or "High" settings often provide a better balance of visuals and performance. - The effectiveness of ray tracing in games varies based on implementation; some games showcase its benefits while others do not. - Photorealism in graphics does not necessarily equate to immersion; true immersion relies on art style, narrative, gameplay, and performance. - Modern upscaling technologies like DLSS and FSR have improved to the point where the difference between upscaled and native resolution is often imperceptible to most gamers. - Frame generation can create visual artifacts and latency issues, particularly for budget GPUs, making it less effective at low framerates. - Recent advancements in GPUs have made high-quality gaming more accessible, challenging the belief that only high-end GPUs are needed for top-tier gaming experiences.

AppWizard

May 4, 2025

Nvidia’s DLSS is a game-changer for PC gaming – here’s how it works

Nvidia's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) was introduced in 2018 with the GeForce RTX 20-series graphics cards and has evolved into its fourth iteration, becoming a standard expectation for modern PC games. DLSS enhances gameplay by upscaling lower-resolution images, improving frame rates, and enabling advanced graphical effects without sacrificing performance. The latest version, DLSS 4, debuted with the GeForce RTX 50-series in 2025 and features a new transformer model to enhance image quality. DLSS includes Frame Generation, which creates additional frames to improve gameplay fluidity, and Multi-Frame Generation, which can produce up to three additional frames per real frame. DLSS significantly reduces the performance impact of ray tracing, allowing gamers to enjoy high-quality graphics without compromising frame rates. Over 500 games and applications currently support DLSS technology.

AppWizard

April 19, 2025

The Best PC Games Right Now (2025)

PC gaming in 2025 features a mix of innovative remasters, indie titles, and new intellectual properties, providing a wide range of experiences for gamers. The most played games on Steam include Counter-Strike 2, PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, and Dota 2, with Counter-Strike 2 leading in player engagement due to its esports scene. Notable new releases include Blue Prince, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, and Promise Mascot Agency. Other popular games outside Steam are Minecraft, Fortnite, and Valorant. Genre-specific leaders include South of Midnight for action, Myst (Remastered) for adventure, and Street Fighter 6 for fighting. Upcoming anticipated titles include Grand Theft Auto 6 and Elden Ring: Nightreign. Trends in 2025 highlight esports engagement, indie innovation, purposeful remakes, and cinematic storytelling. Last Epoch's Season 2 update has revitalized player interest with new content and enhancements. The year 2019 was significant for PC gaming, with acclaimed titles like Resident Evil 2, Control, and Disco Elysium, and marked by the influence of digital distribution platforms.

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

Best Single-Player PC Games to Play in 2025

Single-player PC games are thriving in 2025, featuring captivating narratives, intricate gameplay, and stunning visuals. Notable titles include: 1. Blue Prince - An indie roguelike puzzle game with a Metacritic score of 93, set in a shifting manor where players solve interconnected puzzles. 2. Assassin’s Creed Shadows - Set in feudal Japan, this game features two protagonists with distinct playstyles and has been praised for its narrative pacing and environmental design. 3. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle - A cinematic first-person adventure focusing on exploration and puzzle-solving, released on PC in late 2024. 4. South of Midnight - A magical adventure following a girl with weaving abilities, notable for its claymation art style and emotional depth. 5. Avowed - A first-person fantasy RPG with choice-driven storytelling, set in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity. Upcoming games include: - Blades of Fire (May 22, 2025) - A Soulslike combat game with a focus on cinematic storytelling. - Cairn (TBA 2025) - A survival climbing simulator emphasizing precision control mechanics. - Hell Is Us (September 4, 2025) - A narrative-driven action game that eschews traditional open-world design. - Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream (Late 2025) - A stealth-adventure game featuring orphans uncovering a conspiracy. The PC platform remains the best for single-player games due to mod support, performance flexibility, a vast library, and indie innovation. The evolution of gaming technology has led to cutting-edge graphics, immersive storytelling, and innovative exploration mechanics, enhancing player engagement.