The critically acclaimed remake of Naughty Dog’s iconic title, The Last of Us: Part I, received its first major PC update in March 2024. Patch 1.1.3 brought much-anticipated support for AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) 3.0 technology, including both the base Super Resolution mode and the groundbreaking Frame Generation feature. However, a curious phenomenon has emerged: early reports from PC gamers suggest that the official FSR 3.0 implementation falls short of the community-created FSR 3.0 mod that was already available.
A Tale of Two FSRs: Official vs. Community-Made
FSR is AMD’s answer to NVIDIA’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) technology. Both aim to improve performance by rendering frames at a lower resolution and then intelligently upscaling them to match your display’s native resolution. FSR 3.0 takes this a step further by introducing Frame Generation, which essentially creates new frames in between existing ones, leading to smoother gameplay at higher frame rates.
The excitement surrounding the official FSR 3.0 integration in The Last of Us: Part I was palpable. However, players quickly voiced their disappointment after experiencing the technology firsthand. Here’s where the community-made FSR 3.0 mod comes into play. Created by dedicated modders, this unofficial solution offered a smoother gameplay experience and seemingly better image quality compared to the official implementation.
Beyond Frame Rates: The Nuances of Image Quality and Feel
While frame rate improvements are a key benefit of FSR, it’s not the sole factor influencing player experience. Image quality and overall gameplay feel are equally important. According to player reports, the official FSR 3.0 in The Last of Us: Part I suffers from artifacts, ghosting, and a general lack of sharpness compared to the mod. Additionally, some players claim that the official implementation feels less responsive and introduces a sense of input lag.
A Work in Progress? Looking Towards the Future
It’s important to acknowledge that this is a relatively new update. Patches and optimizations can significantly alter the user experience. Naughty Dog and AMD might be able to address these issues through further updates and fine-tuning. Additionally, the absence of NVIDIA DLSS 3 remains a point of contention for some players. While not directly comparable to FSR 3.0, DLSS 3 utilizes AI to create entirely new frames, potentially offering even smoother gameplay. Whether or not The Last of Us: Part I will receive future support for DLSS 3 remains to be seen.
A Positive Step, But Room for Refinement
The introduction of FSR 3.0 in The Last of Us: Part I presents players with more options to optimize their experience. While the official implementation currently falls short of the community-made mod in some aspects, it’s still a positive step towards wider FSR adoption. We can expect developers and AMD to continue refining the technology, potentially leading to a more polished experience in future updates. For now, players seeking the absolute best performance might consider sticking with the FSR 3.0 mod while keeping an eye on future official updates and the potential arrival of NVIDIA DLSS 3 support.
FAQs
Q: Is the official FSR 3.0 in The Last of Us: Part I worse than the mod?
A: Early reports suggest that the official implementation suffers from image quality issues and a less responsive feel compared to the community-made FSR 3.0 mod.
Q: Will Naughty Dog and AMD improve the official FSR 3.0?
A: It’s possible. Patches and updates can significantly alter the user experience. Future optimizations could address the current shortcomings.
Q: Will The Last of Us: Part I get DLSS 3 support?
A: There’s no official confirmation from Naughty Dog or NVIDIA. However, players are hopeful for future DLSS 3 integration.
