DLSS 5 looks creepy in some games, but these examples show its real potential
CheckMag
Nvidia's DLSS 5 has faced criticism for its uncanny visuals and performance hit, but when used correctly, it can transform how games look. Here are some of the best examples of the neural rendering technology enhancing visuals while preserving the original art direction.Anmol Dubey Published
DLSS 5.0 is getting its fair share of criticism. And rightly so. It is hammering down GPU performance and making some images and games look eerily unreal or downright creepy. But I am here to argue that, if done correctly, DLSS 5.0 can do wonders.
What is DLSS 5 and what does it do?
Nvidia launched DLSS 5, a neural rendering pipeline, on September 3, 2026. And it fundamentally changes the way in which the technology works. Earlier iterations of DLSS were focused on image upscaling and frame generation, while DLSS 5 is designed to deliver photorealism. It injects new lighting and photorealistic materials into the image that the game engine originally skipped, and hence the resulting image looks like the game has been remastered because of DLSS 5.
Games that Use Nvidia DLSS 5 the Best
Here are what I think are some of the best examples of DLSS 5.0 being used, and being used correctly at that. Not only is the new technology enhancing the lighting in these games, but it would be safe to say that this tech is able to remaster entire games at the touch of a button.
The first example is that of the only game which can save Sony's and PlayStation's rapidly plummeting reputation if announced fully on a disc: Bloodborne. With DLSS 5 Neural Rendering, the FromSoftware PS4 exclusive looks like a fever dream. Many people in the comment section rightly point out that it looks like a remaster. Not the kind of remaster game studios are infamous for, CD Projekt Red, Hello Games and others excluded, but something akin to a proper remake with brand-new textures.
Another comment points out that DLSS 5 grinds the frame rate down to 24 FPS, just like the original release on PS4, which is hilarious, almost as hilarious as Sony making the argument in court that you don't own your games while simultaneously taking away the option to actually own your games physically. Before you comment anything down below, by "games" here I mean "licences". A digital licence can be taken away. A physical one cannot be.
The next game which would benefit greatly from DLSS 5 is The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt. You must have seen DLSS 5 messing with characters' faces in other games. Well, it does that in The Witcher 3 too, but the thing is that it doesn't make a mess here. Everything looks more life-like, more real, but you can still see that DLSS 5 has just made the graphics better and not made them photo-realistic. In The Witcher 3, this tech preserves the art direction very well. Geralt looks like Geralt, just with more scars and wrinkles on his face.
And speaking of photo-realism in games, I am usually the person that absolutely despises it. I am a hardcore fan of art direction and developers just making things look as per their vision and their art style. But, that being said, DLSS 5 in Forza Horizon 6 makes the image look like you're watching your car in real life. And I think that photo-realism works in favour of the game because the more real the car looks the better immersed you will be in driving it in the game.
Which other game do you think would benefit the most from DLSS 5? Let me know in the comments below.
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