Alan Wake 2 on PlayStation 5 Pro – Behind The Scenes

[John Elden Ring]

Take a deep dive into how Remedy’s Northlight engine team updated the technology behind Alan Wake 2 to support the new features of PlayStation 5 Pro.

Alan Wake 2 is taking full advantage of Sony’s PlayStation 5 Pro to enhance the game experience further. Remedy’s Northlight engine team has spent a good amount of time updating the technology behind Alan Wake 2, with the main new feature for the Pro being the addition of ray tracing.
The Quality and Performance modes in Alan Wake 2 are upgraded on the PS5 Pro. They utilize Sony’s new “PlayStation® Spectral Super Resolution” aka PSSR upscaling method. To quote Sony’s marketing language, "PSSR is an AI-driven upscaling that uses a machine learning-based technology to provide super sharp image clarity by adding an extraordinary amount of detail."
Quality Mode  
The PS5 Pro Quality mode features ray tracing, which isn't available on the base PS5 version of the game.

• 30fps with ray tracing
• Ray traced reflections (opaque and transparent)
• Output resolution 3840 x 2160 (4K)
• Render resolution 2176 x 1224

Performance Mode 
The Performance Mode on the PS5 Pro features significantly higher output resolution and has more visual detail compared to the base PS5. The Pro Performance mode uses approximately the same image quality (render) settings as the base PS5’s Quality mode.
The overall image stability, fog, volumetric lighting, and shadow accuracy have been improved on the Pro.

• 60fps
• Using approximately the same render (image quality) settings as the base PS5 Quality mode.
• Base PS5 Performance mode version runs at lower render (image quality) settings
• Render resolution 1536 x 864
• Output resolution 3840 x 2160 (4K)
• Base PS5 version outputs 1440p.

 

[ToTTenTranz]

If anything, this is a nice example of what to expect from the cost-effective RDNA4 cards releasing early 2025.

Assuming FSR4 will be ready by then.

 

[SuperPotato]

With each passing week, the PS5 Pro becomes more and more worth it.

Sony did a horrible job with the announcement.

 

[Evilms]

 

[rofif]

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED.
30fps now has rt and pssr. It's not fucking grainy anymore!
60fps is using old quality settings and PSSR so it's also much less grainy anymore!!!

Alan Wake 2 on PlayStation 5 Pro – Behind The Scenes

Take a deep dive into how Remedy’s Northlight engine team updated the technology behind Alan Wake 2 to support the new features of PlayStation 5 Pro.

www.remedygames.com

I was very sour about the game so I should be the last person to get the physical release... alas...

 

[Luffy123]

holy shit this is crazy

 

[Entropi]

What a huge bump in visual quality.

 

[FatKaz]

The reflections in alan wake 2 on base ps5 is disgusting.

A shame pro has to come and save it, should have done better on the base.

 

[rofif]

The reflections in alan wake 2 on base ps5 is disgusting.

A shame pro has to come and save it, should have done better on the base.

Seriously. I get that they couldn't fit RT on base console version... but to have no substitute and just use this weird, grainy ssr... yikes.
Pro came and pro rescued. And right in with physical version. better late than never

 

[DarkLordOtaku]

I'm happy to see this console is being so well received by Playstation fans!

 

[Evilms]

 

[Shmunter]

These 30fps modes are a waste of time. Can’t they get all the fruit into 60? Here are the DLSS profiles, go Ultra Performance equivalent if possible:

1. DLSS Quality Mode: Renders at 66.6% of the display resolution.
• For 4K (3840x2160), base resolution is 2560x1440.
• For 1440p (2560x1440), base resolution is 1706x960.
• For 1080p (1920x1080), base resolution is 1280x720

2. DLSS Balanced Mode: Renders at 58% of the display resolution.
• For 4K, base resolution is 2227x1253.
• For 1440p, base resolution is 1478x832.
• For 1080p, base resolution is 1117x628.

3. DLSS Performance Mode: Renders at 50% of the display resolution.
• For 4K, base resolution is 1920x1080.
• For 1440p, base resolution is 1280x720.
• For 1080p, base resolution is 960x540.

4. DLSS Ultra Performance Mode: Renders at 33.3% of the display resolution.
• For 8K (7680x4320), base resolution is 2560x1440.
• For 4K, base resolution is 1280x720.

It is possible the pro GPU/CPU just cannot do it fast enough for 60 irrespective of res however.

 

[YeezyDude]

Looks good tbh!

 

[Bo_Hazem]

The PS5 Pro is as massive of an upgrade as PS4 Pro to base PS4, if not even more thanks to 2-3x ray tracing and PSSR.

 

[rofif]

These 30fps modes are a waste of time. Can’t they get all the fruit into 60? Here are the DLSS profiles, go Ultra Performance equivalent if possible:

1. DLSS Quality Mode: Renders at 66.6% of the display resolution.
• For 4K (3840x2160), base resolution is 2560x1440.
• For 1440p (2560x1440), base resolution is 1706x960.
• For 1080p (1920x1080), base resolution is 1280x720

2. DLSS Balanced Mode: Renders at 58% of the display resolution.
• For 4K, base resolution is 2227x1253.
• For 1440p, base resolution is 1478x832.
• For 1080p, base resolution is 1117x628.

3. DLSS Performance Mode: Renders at 50% of the display resolution.
• For 4K, base resolution is 1920x1080.
• For 1440p, base resolution is 1280x720.
• For 1080p, base resolution is 960x540.

4. DLSS Ultra Performance Mode: Renders at 33.3% of the display resolution.
• For 8K (7680x4320), base resolution is 2560x1440.
• For 4K, base resolution is 1280x720.

It is possible the pro GPU/CPU just cannot do it fast enough for 60 irrespective of res however.

Nonsense. Even 4080 is it doing 60 with rt in this unless you use dlss.
I am happy with 30fps. Not a problem for me.
My bigger problem was with image quality in reflections rather than 30fps although it was unstable too in original.

30’is fine. Too play for 5 minutes and get used to it.

 

[Shmunter]

Nonsense. Even 4080 is it doing 60 with rt in this unless you use dlss.
I am happy with 30fps. Not a problem for me.
My bigger problem was with image quality in reflections rather than 30fps although it was unstable too in original.

30’is fine. Too play for 5 minutes and get used to it.

Denied

 

[arvfab]

Let's hope more devs offer 30fps modes with improved graphics and more bells & whistles.

 

[Evilms]

 

[Systemshock2023]

This game is too demanding for what you see on screen and most of all for what you get in GAMEPLAY as a return. Lots of slow walk and talk with the tired OTS camera.

Nothing wrong with the first Alan wake graphics, those looked great and didn't need a nuclear reactor to run with good IQ.

At some point developers and studios will have to get their priorities straight. Older developers were smarter working with hardware limitations. These Starbucks sipping hacks just know to brute force games.

 

[Shmunter]

This game is too demanding for what you see on screen and most of all for what you get in GAMEPLAY as a return. Lots of slow walk and talk with the tired OTS camera.

Nothing wrong with the first Alan wake graphics, those looked great and didn't need a nuclear reactor to run with good IQ.

At some point developers and studios will have to get their priorities straight. Older developers were smarter working with hardware limitations. These Starbucks sipping hacks just know to brute force games.

“These Starbucks sipping hacks“