Resident Evil Requiem PS5 Pro patch that disables ray tracing in Raccoon City called a downgrade

Digital Foundry praised the Resident Evil Requiem PS5 Pro release in a performance review. However, the often impressive ray tracing has suddenly disappeared in Raccoon City. While a recent patch addressed the noisy images that result, the tech site considers it a significant downgrade.

One PS5 Pro perk is now crippled

Gamers began noticing changes when Capcom distributed a March 4th update. Among other fixes, the patch targeted graphical glitches on multiple platforms. Ray traced global illumination (RTGI) produces realistic reflections, but can introduce side effects. Players had complained about visual artifacts in certain areas, affecting image clarity.

In a Patreon-exclusive podcast, Digital Foundry’s John Linneman shared his insight on the Resident Evil Requiem tweaks. A denoiser reduces the grainy byproduct of ray tracing, most obvious in Leon’s Raccoon City segments. Linneman believes the post-processing tool isn’t adequate for these demanding open-world environments, prompting Capcom to take action.

Unfortunately, Linneman and other fans aren’t pleased with the solution. City streets in the PS5 Pro Enhanced game now look flat, lacking the convincing reflections. The lighting effects had added life to the otherwise dull urban atmosphere. Many Redditors agree, with Resevil67 noting how the “graphics took a big hit there compared to the Grace parts.”

The importance of ray tracing is debatable 

Other gamers are less bothered by the patch, preferring the cleaner visuals. Regardless, Digital Foundry argues that Capcom should have made disabling ray tracing optional. The developers likely chose a quick fix rather than the more difficult task of improving the denoiser.

It’s less clear how the update affected the Steam release, but there are reports of wonky lighting. Some players have opted to turn off ray tracing in the hope that Capcom will make improvements.

For RTGI admirers, aside from Raccoon City, much of the survival horror title remains unchanged. Also, there are many advantages to the PS5 Pro Enhanced game, with the upgraded PSSR still active. Resident Evil Requiem is the first project on the console to employ the improved upscaling, boosting performance.