Genre: Action RPG
Developer: Avalanche Software
Publisher: Warner Bros. Games
Release Date: February 7, 2023
PS Studios Game? No
PSVR2 Compatible? No
Metacritic Score: 84
PSSR? Yes
RT? Yes
RT Types: Ray traced reflections and shadows
Highest Resolution: 1728p to 4K PSSR
Highest FPS: 90fps
fidelity ray-tracing: 1728p to 4K PSSR at nearly locked 30fps with RT reflections and shadows.
fidelity: 1728p to 4K PSSR at locked 30fps without RT.
balanced: Only for 120 Hz screens. 4K PSSR at nearly locked 40fps without RT.
performance: 1440p to 4K PSSR at nearly locked 60fps without RT.
high frame rate: Only for 120 Hz/VRR screens. Can drop to 1080p as base resolution and no framerate cap. Usually around 80fps without RT.
Disclaimer: HL uses PSSR1 natively, so this page still displays PSSR1 metrics. However, as of September 26, the 'Enhance PSSR Image Quality' toggle (which forces PSSR2 upscaling) is activated by default. PSSR2 was made the default because it resolves a sharper, more stable image and removes PSSR1's film grain-like noise. Digital Foundry also reviewed HL with PSSR2 and confirmed these improvements (especially the sharper foliage/trees), so PSSR2 is recommended.
You can remove the framerate cap in the fidelity and balanced modes, increasing the framerate by 5-10fps. RT shadows are better quality than base PS5, but less accurate on some moving objects. RT reflections have twice the resolution on Pro compared to base PS5. It also applies to bodies of water unlike base PS5 which uses SSR, though can look noisy due to PSSR1 (fixed with PSSR2). Pro performance modes have same graphical settings as the other Pro modes outside of RT. Base PS5 uses FSR1 to upscale, which looks sharper, but more aliased than PSSR1 (again, all improved with PSSR2).