Upgraded Next-Gen Games

Housemarque has released a PS5 Pro enhancement patch for Returnal to commemorate the game’s fourth anniversary. The update significantly improves resolution, offering up to 2.5 times the pixels compared to the base PS5 version. The original game utilized temporal reconstruction to upscale its resolution, but the new patch introduces dynamic resolution scaling, allowing the game to reach a peak resolution of 3072x1728 pixels. This enhancement results in a cleaner image, reducing visual noise and improving clarity, particularly in high-action sequences. While the patch does not introduce ray tracing or a 120 FPS mode, it provides a notable visual upgrade for players using Sony’s latest hardware1.

The update aligns with Housemarque’s broader commitment to optimizing its titles for next-generation hardware. The studio, which was acquired by Sony in 2021, has continued to refine Returnal’s technical performance while developing its upcoming title, Saros. The Returnal patch ensures smoother gameplay, particularly during boss battles, where previous frame rate dips have been mitigated. Although some micro-stutters may occur due to dynamic resolution adjustments, the overall experience is more stable. This enhancement reinforces Housemarque’s reputation for delivering high-quality, visually immersive gaming experiences while maintaining the fast-paced, roguelike mechanics that define Returnal.

Image Credit: Housemarque