It was last month when rumors pointed towards PSSR 2 arriving soon, and while Sony hasn’t officially announced 2.0, so to speak, it has announced an “Upgraded PSSR upscaler” for PlayStation 5 Pro. The improved technology is first being implemented in Resident Evil Requiem, which launched on February 27 (some regions got it the night before, thanks to timezone differences).

Lead Architect of the PS5 and PS5 Pro, Mark Cerny, has published a blog post to talk about the improvements in this enhanced PSSR version, which uses a new model to improve image quality in “some supported games”. So far, we know this is already implemented in Resident Evil Requiem, but more games will be getting support soon.

New ‘Enhance PSSR Image Quality’ setting now available

Cerny notes that the algorithm and neural network used in the new PSSR model stem from Project Amethyst, the multi-year partnership between AMD and Sony to improve the richness of game graphics on console, in the same way PC players are already enjoying AMD’s FSR 4 (and now FSR Redstone) upscaling technology. PSSR is co-developed between Sony and AMD.

PlayStation 5 Pro owners next month will now be able to toggle on ”Enhance PSSR Image Quality’ in Video Output settings, which you’ll find under the Screen and Video heading. Cerny says “multiple existing games” will support the improved PSSR next month – and “any PS5 Pro games that currently support PSSR” will benefit from the new setting (picture below) as soon as a system update arrives in March.

Sony has worked closely with Resident Evil creators Capcom to implement the new PSSR model into Requiem. The added fidelity lent to the game’s graphics using upgraded PSSR helps improve details that are “traditionally difficult” to upscale, such as fine strands of hair. Improved hair rendering is one thing Sony makes obvious in its comparisons so far.

“With Resident Evil Requiem, we focused on enhancing the presentation quality of the protagonist through an upgraded version of RE Engine to deepen the player’s immersion in horror. For example, each individual strand of hair and beard is rendered as a polygon, allowing it to move realistically in response to body motion and wind. The way light passes through his hair changes depending on how the strands of hair are overlapped as well. This detailed expression of texture is one of the many details that we would especially love for our fans to see.

The upgraded PSSR has allowed us to elevate our expressiveness by successfully processing these details and textural particularities, which are traditionally difficult to upscale because of their intricacy. We hope you will experience this unprecedented level of horror and visual fidelity, and the new gameplay feel it delivers.”

Masaru Ijuin, Senior Manager Engine Development Support Section R&D Foundational Technology Department, Capcom

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Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.