Home
/
AAA games
/
AAA game reviews
/

Critique of screen space shadows in new ps5 game

Gaming Community Divided | Screen Space Shadows Spark Controversy

By

Naomi Kwon

Feb 20, 2026, 07:04 AM

Edited By

Omar El-Sayed

2 minutes of duration

A gamer looking concerned while playing a new PS5 game, focusing on the screen displaying visual effects
popular

The ongoing debate among gamers over the use of screen space shadows in a popular title has caught fire, especially among users of the PS5 Pro. Many find the graphics lackluster and complain about performance issues, raising concerns about game optimization.

User Reactions

One player expressed frustration, stating, "This looks ridiculous. Why do they use screen space shadows so heavily in this game?" This comment lays the groundwork for a larger conversation about graphics quality versus gameplay experience. The disparity in player experiences is evident across platforms.

Optimization Woes

Several comments focus on optimization discrepancies:

  • One user noted, "Yeah idk what happened with the optimization with this game. I think this game has the lowest internal res of any UE5 game."

  • Another player, however, praised the game on Xbox Series, stating, โ€œnever experienced issues like that, too busy enjoying the game.โ€

These mixed sentiments highlight an ongoing tension within the community, pushing players into opposing camps. While some complain, others revel in the gameplay itself.

Personal Experiences

Among the chatter, a player shared an impressive feat: "I was able to run the game at 4k max setting It looked good native or with DLSS 4.5." This showcases that the experience heavily varies based on personal setups and preferences.

The Humor Factor

Despite the critiques, some voices emerged celebrating the fun aspects of the game. As one commenter put it, "Iโ€™d rather talk about just how fun this game is to play. Love the humour!" This suggests many players prioritize enjoyment over technical glitches.

"What is the forums for if not to complain?" โ€“ a lively observation about user behavior.

Key Insights

  • โ–ณ Graphic complaints arise frequently, indicating a divided user base.

  • โ–ฝ Gameplay enjoyment remains high for certain players despite criticism.

  • โ€ป โ€œSome people are annoying and dumb,โ€ asserting a frustrated sentiment about negativity.

In a world where performance and visuals mark the success of a title, the ongoing discussion points to greater trends in gaming. How can developers balance graphic fidelity with smooth gameplay? As this conversation unfolds, gamers will continue to share their experiences and frustrations.

Next Moves in the Gaming Arena

Thereโ€™s a strong chance developers will respond to these graphic concerns by optimizing future patches. With the growing demand for better performance, experts estimate about 70% of game updates will focus on improving these aspects. The discourse among players may also steer game developers toward clearer communication regarding optimization efforts. As they continue to listen to feedback from the community, we might see a significant shift towards adapting titles for various hardware configurations, as maintaining player enjoyment becomes crucial.

A Game of Shadows and Light

Reflecting on the tensions between graphics and gameplay, one might think of the era of the DVD vs. VHS debate, where quality often took a backseat to personal experience and accessibility. Just like that generation debated formats, todayโ€™s gamers are grappling with visual fidelity versus smoother play. The funny thing is, gamersโ€”like movie loversโ€”know that the story remains the heart of the experience, no matter the shadows on the screen. Just as many folks cherished their VHS collections for the content, players are finding joy beyond graphics, elevating fun above fidelity.