Resident Evil Requiem Debuts as First Title to Utilize Sony's Enhanced PSSR Upscaler on PS5 Pro, Additional Games to Follow in March

Sony has officially announced that Resident Evil Requiem is the inaugural game to implement its enhanced PSSR upscaler on the PlayStation 5 Pro. This confirmation came via a PlayStation Blog post where Mark Cerny, Lead Architect for both PS5 and PS5 Pro, detailed that the upgraded version of PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) will be rolling out globally to PS5 Pro users in the upcoming weeks.

Cerny explained that PSSR is an AI-driven library that meticulously analyzes game images pixel by pixel during upscaling, having already enhanced the effective resolution of more than 50 titles on the PS5 Pro. "We've dedicated significant effort to developing a new iteration of PSSR, which adopts a distinct approach not only to the neural network but also to the overall algorithm," he added. "We're thrilled to reveal that Resident Evil Requiem, launching today, is the first game to leverage this advanced PSSR, helping maintain high frame rates and superior image quality."

Masaru Ijuin, Senior Manager of Engine Development Support Section in Capcom's R&D Foundational Technology Department, shared insights on the collaboration: "With Resident Evil Requiem, our goal was to enhance the protagonist's visual presentation through an upgraded RE Engine, deepening player immersion in the horror experience. For instance, each strand of hair and beard is rendered as a polygon, allowing realistic movement in response to body motion and wind. The interaction of light with hair also varies based on strand overlap. These intricate texture details are elements we're particularly eager for fans to appreciate."

He continued, "The enhanced PSSR has enabled us to elevate our expressiveness by effectively processing these complex details and textural nuances, which are typically challenging to upscale due to their intricacy. We hope players will experience an unprecedented level of horror, visual fidelity, and the novel gameplay sensations it delivers."

To demonstrate the improvement, Sony released a comparison screenshot showing Resident Evil Requiem with the original PSSR upscaling alongside the same image using the new PSSR. The hair strands appear slightly more defined in the updated version.

Cerny noted that the algorithm and neural network for the new PSSR originate from Sony's Project Amethyst partnership with AMD. "Through AMD's FSR 4 upscaling technology, PC gamers have already witnessed the advantages of our collaboration," he said. "With the updated PSSR, we're delivering the latest co-developed technology, refined over an additional six months specifically for PS5 Pro players."

Sony has indicated that multiple existing games will receive upgrades to the improved PSSR in March, though the specific titles have not yet been disclosed. A system software update will accompany this release; enabling the "Enhance PSSR Image Quality" option in the PS5 Pro Settings will allow users to experience the new PSSR with any PS5 Pro games currently supporting the technology.

"Once the system update launches next month, give it a try—you might notice significantly crisper graphics in some games," Cerny advised.

In related news, Resident Evil Requiem has already become Steam's largest launch for a Resident Evil title, despite being available for only a few hours. Meanwhile, players are engrossed in solving a complex in-game mystery that has perplexed those with early copies, described as more intricate than any previous installment in the franchise, a development that is being closely monitored.

IGN's review of Resident Evil Requiem, awarded a 9/10, praised the game: "Like the result of an experiment in an underground Umbrella Corporation lab, Resident Evil Requiem successfully merges two distinct strains of survival horror into one highly infectious new mutation." For assistance, IGN's Resident Evil: Requiem guide offers tips, tricks, and a comprehensive walkthrough to help players navigate from the Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center to Raccoon City without missing any collectibles or files.