Chapter 1: A New Update Arrives

This morning saw the release of Patch 1.09 for the acclaimed RPG, Elden Ring. This update introduces various balance adjustments alongside new ray tracing features for PC, Xbox Series X, and PS5.

You might expect these specifications to deliver stunning graphics, featuring impressive global illumination and high-quality reflections. However, the reality is quite different. The new ray tracing implementation primarily enhances ambient occlusion, providing slightly improved shading around objects, foliage, and crevices. Characters benefit from better self-shadowing, and environments appear marginally more realistic. Overall, the improvements are subtle at best, with a significant performance trade-off.

Section 1.1: Performance Issues

The performance drop is stark, with users experiencing nearly a 50% decrease even on top-tier hardware. Ray tracing effects like ambient occlusion and shadows are often seen as lighter options, yet Elden Ring opts for a more demanding implementation that yields minimal graphical upgrades.

In order to notice any differences, players may need to compare screenshots side by side or have logged countless hours in the game to spot slight shading variations. The minimal gains are overshadowed by the considerable performance costs, leading me to advise against using this feature.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Struggle Continues

Elden Ring has always struggled with performance issues. While the game has improved over the past year, it still doesn't deliver a stable experience, even without the new ray tracing effects.

The game remains capped at 60 FPS across all platforms, which can be challenging for many players. On my AMD 6800XT, I find that enabling ray tracing dramatically reduces my frame rates, often dropping below 30 FPS. This has prompted a wave of complaints on platforms like Steam, and they are entirely justified.

Chapter 2: Console Challenges

The situation on consoles mirrors that of PC. Testing on a PS5 reveals a sluggish experience with ray tracing activated. The game lacks an optimized setting, and the results are less than ideal.

The new ray tracing feature was highly anticipated, yet it falls short of expectations, still relying on low-resolution screen space reflections. While PC users have multiple quality settings, performance remains subpar across the board, leaving players wondering if the visual improvements are worth the sacrifice in frame rates.

The visual upgrades, while appreciated, hardly justify the performance decline. Gamers looking for a seamless experience might be better off avoiding ray tracing entirely, especially when considering how well other titles implement the technology.

In summary, while Elden Ring remains a landmark title in the action RPG genre, its recent ray tracing update is a frustrating addition that fails to meet expectations. For those with powerful hardware, it might be worth a brief look, but the performance issues could outweigh any minor visual enhancements.