## Delving into the Darkness: Can Your PC Handle Clair Obscur’s Expedition 33?
Prepare to descend into the chilling depths of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This survival horror masterpiece isn’t just about jump scares and eerie ambiance; it’s a technical test for your hardware.
Recently, the brilliant minds at DSOGaming put that theory to the test, analyzing the PC performance of Expedition 33. Join us as we dissect their findings, uncovering the secrets behind this game’s demanding visuals and exploring whether your rig is up to the challenge of surviving the claustrophobic terrors that await.
Are you ready to face the darkness?Performance Analysis: Resolution and Quality
Our in-depth performance analysis of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, powered by the formidable Unreal Engine 5, evaluates the game’s performance across various resolutions and graphical settings. We delve into the minimum GPU requirements for a smooth experience at 1080p, explore the capabilities of various GPUs at 1440p and beyond, and assess the impact of DLSS and XeSS on 4K performance. Furthermore, we examine the game’s scalability on older GPUs by utilizing the in-game Medium and Low presets.
1080p: Epic Settings and Minimum GPU Requirements
At 1080p with Epic settings, we determined that a minimum GPU requirement of an AMD Radeon RX9070 XT is necessary for a smooth gaming experience. While the NVIDIA RTX 3080 fell short of delivering a satisfactory framerate, the AMD Radeon RX 6900XT, although capable of achieving an average framerate of 62FPS, exhibited dips down to 53FPS.
1440p: Evaluating GPU Performance at Epic Settings
Pushing the resolution to 1440p with Epic settings, only the most powerful GPUs, namely the NVIDIA RTX 4090 and RTX 5090, managed to maintain a framerate consistently exceeding 60FPS.
4K: Maximum Performance and the Impact of DLSS and XeSS
Native 4K/Epic settings proved to be a demanding scenario, pushing even the most capable GPUs to their limits. However, the NVIDIA RTX 5090 emerged victorious, consistently delivering framerates above 60FPS. We also observed the significant impact of DLSS and XeSS at 4K/High settings. Utilizing these technologies unlocked smoother performance, with framerates ranging from 80-92FPS on the RTX 5090. Furthermore, dropping to Medium settings yielded consistently impressive framerates exceeding 99FPS, while Low settings propelled the framerate to an impressive 119-132FPS.
Low-End Performance: Scaling with In-Game Presets
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 demonstrates commendable scalability on older GPUs. The in-game graphics presets allow for fine-tuning the visual fidelity while maintaining acceptable frame rates. The Medium preset proved effective in maintaining over 99FPS at Native 4K, while the Low preset further amplified performance, resulting in framerates between 119-132FPS.
Visual Quality and Technical Observations
In addition to performance analysis, Gamestanza scrutinizes the visual quality and technical aspects of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. We examine the sharpening filter, address perceived issues with resolution rendering, discuss the implementation of Nanite, praise the consistent lighting achieved through Lumen, and reassure readers about minimal stuttering encountered during gameplay.
Sharpening Filter: Critique and Mod Recommendation
A notable observation is the application of a sharpening filter that, while intended to enhance image clarity, can inadvertently create artifacts and negatively impact the overall visual fidelity. Our assessment suggests that the sharpening filter is not implemented optimally and can lead to a less refined visual experience. Thankfully, a community-created mod offers a solution by removing the sharpening filter, resulting in a more natural and pleasing image.
Blur Issues: Resolution Rendering Concerns at TSR 100% and with DLAA
We noticed a peculiar issue where the game appeared to render at a lower resolution when configured with TSR 100% or when utilizing DLAA (Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing). This observation suggests potential discrepancies in the game’s rendering pipeline or settings. While the precise cause remains unclear, the visual impact is a noticeable reduction in sharpness and detail.
Nanite Implementation: Pop-In Issues Despite UE5.4.4 Support
Despite utilizing Unreal Engine 5.4.4, which theoretically supports Nanite for most assets, we encountered occasional pop-in issues. This suggests that the game’s implementation of Nanite may not be fully optimized or may have certain limitations in asset loading and rendering. Further investigation is warranted to understand the specific assets affected by these pop-in instances.
Lumen Lighting: Praise for Consistent and High-Quality Lighting
One of the standout features of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the implementation of Lumen, Unreal Engine 5’s advanced real-time lighting system. The game consistently showcases high-quality and realistic lighting throughout its environments, adding a significant level of visual immersion and believability. The dynamic nature of Lumen ensures that lighting adapts realistically to changes in time of day, weather conditions, and object placement, further enhancing the overall visual experience.
Stuttering: Minimal and Random Occurrences
During our extensive gameplay sessions, we were pleased to encounter minimal stuttering issues. The instances of stuttering that did occur were sporadic and random, not consistently tied to traversal or shader compilation. This suggests that the game’s optimization is generally sound, and the stuttering is likely attributed to other factors or temporary glitches rather than inherent performance bottlenecks.
Conclusion
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has undoubtedly captivated players with its unique blend of narrative-driven exploration and survival horror. However, the PC performance analysis by DSOGaming sheds light on a crucial aspect often overlooked: the technical backbone that brings this immersive experience to life. The findings reveal that while the game boasts stunning visuals, achieving optimal performance can be a delicate balancing act, especially for those with less powerful hardware.
The implications of this analysis extend beyond mere frame rates. It underscores the growing importance of optimization and accessibility in modern gaming. As developers push the boundaries of graphical fidelity and complexity, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience across a wide range of PC configurations becomes paramount. Clair Obscur’s journey serves as a reminder that technological prowess should complement, not hinder, the artistic vision. As we venture further into the realms of immersive gaming, developers must prioritize not just the “wow” factor, but also the seamless and accessible experience that allows everyone to truly lose themselves within the world they create.
The question remains: will Clair Obscur’s technical challenges ultimately overshadow its narrative brilliance, or will future updates pave the way for a more consistently satisfying experience? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the performance analysis by DSOGaming has ignited a crucial conversation about the delicate balance between artistic ambition and technical execution in the ever-evolving landscape of PC gaming.