We tested the first twelve hours of Death Stranding’s PC port. Kojima Productions has done a superb job: this is how it works on a computer.
It took Sam Bridges more than six months to get to the computer bunker. Although you still have two weeks to fulfill your goal, at FreeGameTips we have spent 12 hours with the first bars of Death Stranding on PC.
A version that, as you will see in these impressions, reaches a level according to the demands of its users. It is a flexible port, tremendously optimized and with options that allow you to take advantage of the latest functionalities on the platform.
What do I need to run Death Stranding?
The minimum and recommended requirements allow us to get an idea of the performance objectives that the title points to. As you can see in the image below this paragraph, standard equipment is not particularly demanding. For 1080p and 60fps it requires a mid-range graphics from just four years ago.
Within the graphic settings menu we find the right and necessary options to adapt the performance to the point we want. From the game itself we can layer the maximum framerate between the different refresh rates, something quite useful when we do without vertical synchronization.
Yes, it is compatible with 21: 9 monitors natively, in addition to having multi-monitor support. We will be able to select the details of the models, the memory of transmission of the textures, the resolution of the shadows, environmental occlusion (each other or not) and the reflections of the screen. Another meter indicates the available graphic memory. In the highest quality you will have plenty.
In our team, which consists of an RTX 2070 Super and an i7 8700K processor, we managed to obtain an average of 115 images per second at 1440p resolution. They are quite high figures and they demonstrate the potential that can be achieved in performance. We will find two formats of anti-aliasing: FXAA and TAA.
DLSS 2.0, the jewel in the crown
Having DLSS 2.0 is one of the keys on which Death Stranding’s PC port revolves. Nvidia’s exclusive RTX technology offers added performance and sharpness when reconstructing images from an AI. The internal resolution decreases at the same time that the result you receive on the screen is even better than your objective resolution, in addition to disappearing all traces of aliasing.
The first version of DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) was seen in titles like Metro Exodus. It showed a promising technology, which improved performance at the cost of offering an unclean image, even with artifacts. Version 2.0 leaves that behind, and while there are certain ‘buts’, it will all depend on which option you select.
We can activate DLSS 2.0 to prioritize performance or quality. Just by activating it we earn on average 20fps in both options. In performance we reached approximately 137fps, although the image was blurred at some point, especially in the contours of the characters. On the other hand, in quality mode, the result is impeccable. It’s the best way to enjoy Death Stranding, and the performance was just under 130fps depending on what situation.
Playing it while we have it activated is a real visual spectacle. The environments are alive, shows a game that although it already showed its graphic qualities on PS4, here is one step further. It is a graphic show with all the letters. We couldn’t imagine a better release of the Décima engine on PC. Special mention to the plot scenes, which further highlight the quality of the modeling. They come blocked at 60fps.
AMD users can take advantage of FidelityFX’s adaptive contrast. When activated we can adjust from 0 to 100 the sharpness that we want to inject into the final frame. It does not achieve the same as DLSS, but at least it is something that can be used by those who have a graphics compatible with it.
Features: a unique game
Death Stranding on PC is exactly the same game as in its version for PlayStation 4. The only variable is the specific content of Valve, a chain of missions that we will receive throughout the adventure that will make us obtain several exclusive items from the major brands. of the study.
You will receive these missions in your ingame mailbox. You will know that it is because of the unmistakable lambda symbol that accompanies them. The first we could do invited us to search the stage for a company bucket, which when bringing it to the base rewarded us with Gordon Freeman’s glasses. Details that make you smile.
Photo mode is another of the features that it includes at launch. Although it came through a console update a few weeks ago, PC gamers will be able to enjoy it from the first minute. It is a very well designed (and addictive) tool so that players without photographic knowledge can learn in a matter of minutes. The stages lend themselves a lot to capturing the wild beauty of this apocalyptic United States influenced by Icelandic landscapes. During video scenes it is also possible to activate it, although we will not be able to adjust the camera.
Photo mode result.
Being a game so dependent on the inertia of the character, we were very curious about the way in which the Kojima Productions team had transferred the control to keyboard and mouse. It is well controlled, somewhat limited by the lack of the analog stick at critical moments, but it is an option to consider if you do not have a PC controller. Sam’s speed can be controlled in two stages. By pressing the control key, we will go from jogging to walking, and vice versa. Of course, at times, especially when we carry a heavy load, it feels that it is designed one hundred percent to handle it with sticks and triggers. It has native support for Dualshock 4 and the Xbox One controller; from options you can choose what type of buttons are displayed.
Unrivaled sensations
This first installment with Death Stranding on PC is flawless. As we said at the beginning, our performance analyzes so far have been very positive. It is a port that lives up to what the community expects, both in options and optimization. One of the great titles of the past 2019 successfully points to its landing on the compatible platform.
Death Stranding is coming to PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store on July 14.
