PS5 Pro Runs Naraka: Bladepoint Twice as Fast, Says Developer; PSSR Has Similar Quality to DLSS

This is the week of the PS5 Pro, and you can expect lots more coverage on Sony’s mid-generation console refresh. Earlier today, we published our unboxing of the hardware; now, here’s another episode of our chats with game developers who have chosen to support the new console at launch.

This time around, we interviewed Yongcheng Liu, Console Version Producer of Naraka: Bladepoint at NetEase ThunderFire Universe X Studio. The free-to-play battle royale game continues to be extremely popular and just received a new gameplay mode and new hero (Cyra, a high priestess from the Temple of Light and Shadow, a support-oriented character who excels at healing teammates, controlling enemies, and dealing damage).

In our PS5 Pro chat, Liu said the new console runs the game twice as fast as the base PlayStation 5. The producer also reckons PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution offers similar visual quality to the current AI upscaling benchmark, NVIDIA DLSS, save for minor differences in small details. Keep scrolling below for the full Q&A.

What do you think of the PS5 Pro’s hardware? Which single feature were you most impressed with?

The GPU upgrade is highly significant, offering approximately double the performance improvement for Naraka: Bladepoint. The most impressive features are PSSR and VRS. In particular, VRS, when applied to specific rendering processes in Naraka: Bladepoint, can drastically reduce rendering time. This is extremely important for a competitive game like Naraka.

Compared to the jump between PS4 Pro and PS4, would you say the PS5 Pro-PS5 difference is similar, reduced, or increased?

The PS5 version of Naraka: Bladepoint is our first console game, so unfortunately, we did not have the experience of transitioning from PS4 to PS4 Pro. I believe that with the next generation of console upgrades, we will have much more experience and informed insights to answer this question.

Due to Naraka: Bladepoint’s large PC user base and our diligent efforts, we release game updates frequently, with significant content updates every 2–3 weeks. Consequently, you will consistently notice new graphical technologies and features being added to the game. For the console version, our usual approach is to optimize the performance of these updates as much as possible rather than retain everything. Therefore, Sony’s recent hardware upgrade will allow us to timely integrate many of the accumulated graphical effects into the console version.

How much of an improvement is there between the PS5 and PS5 Pro versions of the game? Also, how does the PS5 Pro version stack with the maxed-out PC game?

Naraka: Bladepoint can achieve 4K 60FPS on the PS5 Pro without using upscaling technologies, which is not possible on the PS5. In balanced mode, the PS5 Pro with PSSR enabled offers better visual quality compared to the PS5 using other upscaling methods while still maintaining a stable
frame rate.
As a live-service battle royale game, Naraka: Bladepoint places significant stress on the CPU, often resulting in CPU bottlenecks in many circumstances. Therefore, there is some FPS difference between the PS5 Pro and high-end PCs. However, we have implemented different graphical modes to provide our fans with more freedom of choice.

Can you share the complete details of the various PS5 Pro modes available to Naraka: Bladepoint players?

● Quality Mode: Provides native 4K ultra-clear visuals, ideal for users seeking better visual experiences.
● Balanced Mode: Enhances fluidity while maintaining 4K resolution, balancing both visual quality and smoothness.
● Frame Rate Mode: Offers native 1080P visuals for users who need the highest frame rates, ensuring smoother gameplay.

Are you using PSSR? If so, how does it compare to the premiere AI-based upscaling solution, NVIDIA DLSS?

Yes, Naraka: Bladepoint does use PSSR. We believe that the various upscaling technologies have
had the most significant impact on game development in recent years, and we actively embrace this trend while also exploring the application of new graphics technologies.
When comparing PSSR to DLSS, the overall visual performance is similar, with minor differences in some small details. For a competitive game like Naraka: Bladepoint, we strive to ensure that players do not notice these differences during regular gameplay unless the platform’s performance cannot support it.

The big controversy about Sony’s new console is related to its pricing. Based on the hardware, do you believe it to be fair or excessive?

From a developer’s perspective, better GPUs and CPUs provide more development headroom, helping us apply new graphics technologies to our games. The high pricing could be due to various reasons, such as changes in chip prices, increased manufacturing costs, and so on. I hope these
factors do not hinder players from experiencing the games they love. Therefore, we will continue to
support both the PS5 and PS5 Pro versions, ensuring that every PS player who enjoys Naraka:
Bladepoint can have a great experience with the game.

Thank you for your time.