Black Myth: Wukong Updated! PlayStation 5 Pro Support Added - But Is Base PS5 Improved Too?

00:10:57
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAkyg8r3A_A

Summary

TLDRBlack Myth Wukong initially faced issues on the PS5, mainly due to strange frame rate locks and a base frame rate of 30fps. However, recent patches have addressed these problems by introducing a sharpening slider and refining graphical elements, such as the game's lumen GI presentation and shadow maps. The updates have enhanced performance while maintaining a 1080p resolution with no apparent upscaling. The PS5 Pro, through PSSR technology, provides a 4K-like output from a 1296p input, improving image sharpness, especially in motion. Though frame generation remains at 60 FPS, the balance mode now supports a smooth 40fps at 120 HZ. Overall, the PS5 and PS5 Pro versions now deliver a significantly better visual experience, albeit with some configuration issues still present. Fans can look forward to a more stable game experience, although some conservative upgrade choices mean certain graphical enhancements have not been fully explored.

Takeaways

  • 🎮 Initial frame rate issues on PS5 needed fixing.
  • 🔧 Recent patches improved visual and performance aspects.
  • 🎥 A sharpening slider was introduced for clearer images.
  • 📈 PS5 Pro upgrade provides enhanced image quality using PSSR.
  • 🕹️ Balance mode now offers a stable 40fps at 120 HZ.
  • 🌟 Visual settings were bumped up for better shadow resolution.
  • 📊 Conservative pro upgrade choices limit some enhancements.
  • ⚙️ Frame generation remains a point of consideration.
  • 🖥️ No significant attempts at extra ray tracing features.
  • 👍 Overall, positive progression since the game's initial release.

Timeline

  • 00:00:00 - 00:05:00

    Black Myth: Wukong, a hit action epic powered by UI5, initially launched with impressive gameplay and visuals but had configuration issues on PS5, such as frame rate locks and frame generation at 30fps. The latest patch addresses some concerns and adds PS5 Pro support, enhancing image quality through PSSR for Pro users. The patch introduces a new sharpening slider, tweaks to the game's GI presentation, and sharper shadows. Despite similar resolutions and use of frame gen, performance mostly holds at 60fps with some dips when frame gen is disabled.

  • 00:05:00 - 00:10:57

    The patch allows for 120Hz output in performance modes, targeting 60 and 30fps respectively. The Quality and Balance modes now look similar but differ slightly in settings, with the balance mode providing a stable 40fps at 120Hz. PS5 Pro introduces PSSR for sharper images, aiming at a 4K-like resolution from 1296p input. Both Quality and Balance modes achieve better visual fidelity and stable frames, though frame gen issues persist in performance mode. Overall, enhancements are noted, but some configuration choices still leave room for improvement.

Mind Map

Video Q&A

  • What was the main issue with Black Myth Wukong on PS5?

    The main issue was the bizarre frame rate locks and frame generation with a 30fps base frame rate.

  • What improvements have been made to Black Myth Wukong on the PS5?

    Developers added a sharpening slider, improved the lumen GI presentation, enhanced shadow mapping, and optimized frame rates, among other changes.

  • What is the preferred mode on PS5 Pro for Black Myth Wukong?

    The 40fps balance mode at 120 HZ is recommended for its good input response, consistent frame pacing, and smooth experience.

  • Has the resolution of Black Myth Wukong changed with updates?

    Yes, the quality mode resolution went from rendering at 1080p to a more 1440p-like output with enhanced visual settings.

  • What does the PS5 Pro upgrade offer for the game?

    The PS5 Pro upgrade introduces PSSR, which improves the game's image quality by enhancing resolution to a 4K-like image.

  • Are there any unresolved issues with the game on PS5 or PS5 Pro?

    Yes, frame generation at 60 FPS and 45 FPS frame rate targets at 60 HZ still present challenges, making some mode configurations less usable.

  • Does the PS5 Pro version significantly enhance the game experience?

    Yes, the PS5 Pro version offers cleaner image quality and is sharper, especially during movement, but the upgrade is conservative.

  • What graphical improvements are seen in the Pro version?

    Enhanced shadow resolution and notable improvement in the overall clarity and quality of the image.

  • Is the Black Myth Wukong's lighting affected by the updates?

    The lighting is stable and consistent, with some lumen changes between PS5 and PS5 Pro but generally improved.

View more video summaries

Get instant access to free YouTube video summaries powered by AI!
Subtitles
en
Auto Scroll:
  • 00:00:02
    black myth Wukong was a phenomenon this
  • 00:00:05
    ui5 powered action epic sold millions of
  • 00:00:08
    copies when it launched earlier this
  • 00:00:10
    year impressing with its fast gameplay
  • 00:00:12
    and sophisticated visuals but its
  • 00:00:15
    configuration on PS5 left something to
  • 00:00:17
    be desired employing bizarre frame rate
  • 00:00:19
    locks and frame gen with a 30fps base
  • 00:00:22
    frame rate developer game science has
  • 00:00:24
    addressed at least some of those issues
  • 00:00:26
    as of the latest patch and they've also
  • 00:00:28
    added PS5 Pro support using pssr to
  • 00:00:32
    improve image quality for pro players so
  • 00:00:35
    is PS5 finally in reasonable shape and
  • 00:00:37
    should we expect any issues from the pro
  • 00:00:46
    upgrade let's start by taking a quick
  • 00:00:49
    look at the patched PS5 code the most
  • 00:00:51
    obvious superficial change here is that
  • 00:00:53
    the PS5 has a sharpening slider now with
  • 00:00:56
    no sharpening applied the image looks
  • 00:00:58
    pretty soft but relatively free of Alias
  • 00:01:00
    edges dialing it up to five which is the
  • 00:01:03
    default gives the image a look that is
  • 00:01:05
    pretty typical for lower res crun and
  • 00:01:07
    console titles 10 provides maximum
  • 00:01:09
    crispiness for players who want to max
  • 00:01:12
    out on local contrast compared to the
  • 00:01:15
    launch code a value of about seven
  • 00:01:17
    matches the base PS5 in its performance
  • 00:01:19
    configuration though I've dialed it to
  • 00:01:21
    five for the rest of my PS5 comparisons
  • 00:01:24
    to best represent the default experience
  • 00:01:26
    outside of the sharpness tweak the most
  • 00:01:29
    obvious visual Chang is that the game's
  • 00:01:31
    luming GI presentation has been altered
  • 00:01:33
    slightly there's more obvious occlusion
  • 00:01:35
    present in certain parts of the game
  • 00:01:36
    World essentially the shadow Maps
  • 00:01:39
    sometimes appear slightly different as
  • 00:01:40
    well the other modes also have some GI
  • 00:01:43
    differences relative to the launch code
  • 00:01:45
    although they are affected less
  • 00:01:47
    obviously other visual settings appear
  • 00:01:49
    similar at least in my tests that
  • 00:01:51
    includes resolution which remains at
  • 00:01:53
    1080p internally with no apparent
  • 00:01:56
    upsampling to a higher output resolution
  • 00:01:58
    frame gen is unfortunately still a
  • 00:02:01
    reality here and performance is
  • 00:02:03
    generally similar in my tests as well
  • 00:02:05
    usually holding 60 FPS fairly well the
  • 00:02:08
    game's intro runs with frame gen
  • 00:02:10
    disabled and mostly hangs in the 40s and
  • 00:02:12
    50s and there are some occasional dips
  • 00:02:15
    during other segments as well I suspect
  • 00:02:17
    the game may be disabling frame gen
  • 00:02:20
    during especially sudden changes in
  • 00:02:21
    camera position which is likely the
  • 00:02:24
    source of some of these dips it's not a
  • 00:02:26
    great fit for a fast action game running
  • 00:02:28
    it only 60f PS and it's likely not even
  • 00:02:32
    necessary for 60fps gameplay for the
  • 00:02:34
    most part as Rich demonstrated in some
  • 00:02:36
    tests a few months ago lean more heavily
  • 00:02:39
    on FSR or TSR and a reasonable 60fps
  • 00:02:42
    experience should be achievable even on
  • 00:02:45
    the PS5 CPU and GPU performance mode is
  • 00:02:48
    pretty similar then but the other two
  • 00:02:50
    modes differ more dramatically the
  • 00:02:52
    quality mode takes a pretty obvious hit
  • 00:02:54
    to image quality with less definition
  • 00:02:56
    and Detail in foliage and fine geometry
  • 00:02:59
    it's a substantial loss relative to the
  • 00:03:01
    earlier code a quick pixel count reveals
  • 00:03:04
    the issue the quality mode appears to be
  • 00:03:06
    rendering at 1080p here down from
  • 00:03:08
    roughly 1440p on average before the Old
  • 00:03:12
    Quality mode was upsampling to 4K while
  • 00:03:15
    the new quality mode looks more like
  • 00:03:17
    1440p or perhaps 162p other visual
  • 00:03:21
    settings do seem to have been bumped up
  • 00:03:23
    though Shadows are obviously higher res
  • 00:03:25
    and have less aggressive Cascades and
  • 00:03:27
    the draw distance for foliage has has
  • 00:03:29
    been improved somewhat essentially
  • 00:03:31
    you're trading a higher resolution in
  • 00:03:33
    the launch version for better visual
  • 00:03:35
    settings in the current version frame
  • 00:03:38
    rates are improved over the base game at
  • 00:03:40
    least in a sense the original quality
  • 00:03:42
    mode ran with an unstable frame rate
  • 00:03:44
    often running in the low to mid-30s now
  • 00:03:47
    the quality mode has a more sensible
  • 00:03:49
    straight 30fps cap producing an evenly
  • 00:03:52
    frame paced experience without dips
  • 00:03:54
    balance mode gets a very different
  • 00:03:56
    visual treatment though the new image
  • 00:03:58
    obviously has more detail
  • 00:04:00
    and finer geometric lines manag to
  • 00:04:02
    present without artifacting a pixel
  • 00:04:04
    count reveals a similar setup to Quality
  • 00:04:07
    mode a 1080p internal resolution with a
  • 00:04:10
    subjectively 1440p like output
  • 00:04:13
    performance-wise it spends most of its
  • 00:04:15
    time at or close to 45 FPS which is the
  • 00:04:19
    default frame rate cap in this mode that
  • 00:04:21
    means a pretty unsteady procession of
  • 00:04:24
    frames 60 HZ output with a mix of 16 and
  • 00:04:27
    33 millisecond frames into typical play
  • 00:04:30
    but new in this patch is an alternative
  • 00:04:33
    version of the balance mode with the PS5
  • 00:04:35
    set to automatically enable 120 HZ
  • 00:04:38
    output the balance mode now aims for a
  • 00:04:40
    flat 40fps reading with each frame
  • 00:04:43
    essentially tripled to evenly fit a 120
  • 00:04:46
    HZ refresh in my experience this
  • 00:04:49
    actually holds a pretty stable 40fps
  • 00:04:52
    with relatively small and rare dips this
  • 00:04:55
    small change makes this mode highly
  • 00:04:57
    useful in my opinion the other mode can
  • 00:05:00
    also run at 120 HZ output with a
  • 00:05:03
    compatible display but they still Target
  • 00:05:05
    60 FPS and 30 FPS respectively to wrap
  • 00:05:09
    things up I thought I'd quickly compare
  • 00:05:11
    the patched modes together the quality
  • 00:05:13
    mode and balance mode look very similar
  • 00:05:15
    now though the quality mode has higher
  • 00:05:17
    settings for Shadows which is pretty
  • 00:05:20
    obvious in this scene but the quality
  • 00:05:22
    mode and balance mode have a very
  • 00:05:24
    similar Lumen GI presentation with the
  • 00:05:26
    performance mode appearing a little
  • 00:05:28
    coarser than there are the expected
  • 00:05:30
    image quality differences the
  • 00:05:32
    performance mode is visibly 1080p like
  • 00:05:34
    while the quality and balance modes have
  • 00:05:37
    greater Clarity of these modes I really
  • 00:05:39
    think the 40fps balance mode at 120 htz
  • 00:05:43
    is best it has good input response
  • 00:05:46
    consistent frame pacing and feels
  • 00:05:48
    reasonably smooth the quality mode is
  • 00:05:50
    fine though the hit to frame rate is a
  • 00:05:52
    little steep and the performance Mode's
  • 00:05:54
    frame gen is still a bit too much for my
  • 00:05:56
    taste I might prefer a non-frame gen 60
  • 00:06:00
    FPS targeting mode though if one was
  • 00:06:09
    available on PS5 Pro let's start with
  • 00:06:12
    the quality mode the biggest change here
  • 00:06:15
    is the introduction of pssr which works
  • 00:06:18
    from roughly a 1296p input resolution
  • 00:06:21
    typically but produces a 4K like final
  • 00:06:24
    image it's perceptibly sharper
  • 00:06:26
    especially during movement and holds up
  • 00:06:28
    really nicely on a 4K TV set some
  • 00:06:31
    elements that weren't effectively
  • 00:06:33
    anti-alias with FSR are actually a bit
  • 00:06:35
    cleaner here like the noisy hair on the
  • 00:06:38
    first boss and recently discluded detail
  • 00:06:41
    in general which tends to look a bit
  • 00:06:43
    blurred instead of fizzly like with FSR
  • 00:06:46
    there is a bit of that signature pssr
  • 00:06:48
    noise if you look closely though it's
  • 00:06:50
    not obvious from normal viewing
  • 00:06:52
    distances I've turned off sharpening for
  • 00:06:54
    my Pro comparisons so you should be
  • 00:06:57
    getting a good impression of the detail
  • 00:06:59
    in underlying image here despite the
  • 00:07:02
    fact that we are looking at a u5 game
  • 00:07:04
    the lighting is generally pretty stable
  • 00:07:06
    and consistent here with pssr without
  • 00:07:09
    Silent Hill 2 like Shimmer but the
  • 00:07:12
    lighting here was already pretty stable
  • 00:07:14
    with FSR so perhaps that's just less of
  • 00:07:17
    an issue in general for the content in
  • 00:07:19
    this title I did note some Lumen changes
  • 00:07:21
    again between the PS5 code and PS5 Pro
  • 00:07:25
    though these seemed more substantial
  • 00:07:26
    than the tweaks I noted between the
  • 00:07:28
    various PS5 vers versions performance is
  • 00:07:31
    in line with the base console at a lock
  • 00:07:33
    30 frames per second in my tests which
  • 00:07:35
    feels all right on a controller with
  • 00:07:37
    motion blur maxed the balance mode is
  • 00:07:39
    quite similar to Quality mode with a
  • 00:07:41
    roughly 1296p typical internal res taken
  • 00:07:45
    to 4K using pssr the most conspicuous
  • 00:07:49
    visual difference here comes down to the
  • 00:07:51
    Shadows which are higher res in the
  • 00:07:53
    quality mode the setup is pretty similar
  • 00:07:55
    to the PS5 split then with a fairly
  • 00:07:58
    conservative up upgade for the 30fps
  • 00:08:00
    targeting mode variant there are some
  • 00:08:02
    Lumin tweaks here though that do mirror
  • 00:08:05
    the quality mode a little bit as well
  • 00:08:08
    frame rates hovering around 45 FPS are
  • 00:08:10
    typical at 60 HZ output and the game
  • 00:08:13
    delivers a more or less straight 40 FPS
  • 00:08:16
    at 120 HZ output I'm not a fan of the
  • 00:08:19
    way the game looks on a 60 HZ panel in
  • 00:08:22
    this mode but at 120 HZ you get steady
  • 00:08:25
    frame pacing and consistent controller
  • 00:08:27
    response the performance mode mod hasn't
  • 00:08:30
    changed much it's still a 60fps
  • 00:08:32
    targeting mode using frame gen and still
  • 00:08:35
    runs at a 1080p resolution compared side
  • 00:08:38
    by side it appears very similar to the
  • 00:08:40
    old performance mode minus some Lumin
  • 00:08:43
    discrepancies this Mode still appears to
  • 00:08:45
    use FSR 3 as well it also performs very
  • 00:08:48
    similarly to the base console
  • 00:08:50
    performance mode again we see the same
  • 00:08:52
    procession of 33 millisecond frames if
  • 00:08:55
    the camera position changes rapidly and
  • 00:08:58
    nonlinearly suggest ing frame gen may be
  • 00:09:00
    turned off in these moments it's
  • 00:09:02
    unfortunate that this mode hasn't been
  • 00:09:04
    substantially revised because this is
  • 00:09:06
    probably the mode on the base console
  • 00:09:08
    that I find most lacking between the PS5
  • 00:09:11
    Pro's larger GPU and boosted CPU I'd
  • 00:09:14
    hope the resources would be there for a
  • 00:09:16
    decent 60fps targeting mode without
  • 00:09:19
    frame gen perhaps this is something game
  • 00:09:21
    science can consider for a future update
  • 00:09:29
    I'm reasonably pleased with black myth
  • 00:09:31
    wukong's technical Evolution on PS5
  • 00:09:33
    since launch as both the quality and
  • 00:09:36
    balance modes feel like they make
  • 00:09:38
    reasonable trade-offs and can achieve
  • 00:09:41
    stable frame rates there are still some
  • 00:09:43
    unusual elements in the mix like frame
  • 00:09:45
    gen at 60 FPS and 45 FPS frame rate
  • 00:09:48
    targets at 60 HZ that do Mar the game
  • 00:09:51
    and make certain mode and refresh rate
  • 00:09:54
    combinations difficult to use in my
  • 00:09:56
    opinion the pro upgrade is on the
  • 00:09:58
    conservative side but it does represent
  • 00:10:00
    a clear improvement from the base game
  • 00:10:02
    the quality and balance modes go from a
  • 00:10:05
    1440p like image to a 4K like one with
  • 00:10:08
    pssr proving a nice upgrade for pro
  • 00:10:11
    users there's no wild settings bump here
  • 00:10:13
    or attempts at extra rate tracing but
  • 00:10:16
    the image quality does look clearly
  • 00:10:18
    better in typical play which is
  • 00:10:20
    something we can't always say for Pro
  • 00:10:22
    upgrades so black myth Wukong has taken
  • 00:10:25
    several steps in the right direction
  • 00:10:27
    even if I think a few configuration
  • 00:10:29
    calls remain misguided I'm pretty
  • 00:10:31
    comfortable recommending the PS5 and pro
  • 00:10:34
    versions of the game now just with a few
  • 00:10:37
    caveats if you enjoyed this video please
  • 00:10:39
    like subscribe and press the bell for
  • 00:10:42
    YouTube notifications check out the
  • 00:10:44
    patreon at digital.net for exclusive and
  • 00:10:48
    Early Access content and to get in touch
  • 00:10:51
    use social media thanks for watching
Tags
  • Black Myth Wukong
  • PS5
  • PS5 Pro
  • Frame Rate
  • PSSR
  • Game Performance
  • Visual Quality
  • Graphics Enhancement
  • Frame Generation
  • Gaming Review