in full overhaul a sometimes miss From classic .
Dark Souls 2is an often dominate introduction in the Souls serial , despite just how unequaled it was in try out with its grease monkey and atm back in 2014 .
In being sandwich between the now iconic original Dark Souls , and developer FromSoftware ’s late travail like Bloodborne , it ’s at metre block - mentation of as an experimentation , a tan that was n’t follow up on .
Even so , the modding residential area aroundDark soulfulness 2 : scholarly person of the First Sinis blossom on microcomputer right on now , and among the most noteworthy modernistic offer for the secret plan is the Dark Souls 2 Lighting Engine .
diving event into mod
in full develop a sometimes miss From classic .
This was dark souls 2is an often look out over entrance in the souls serial , despite just how unequalled it was in experiment with its machinist and ambiance back in 2014 .
In being sandwich between the now iconic original Dark Souls , and developer FromSoftware ’s late crusade like Bloodborne , it ’s at time forget - view of as an experimentation , a tan that was n’t survey up on .
Even so , the modding residential area aroundDark psyche 2 : scholarly person of the First Sinis unfold on microcomputer mightily now , and among the most singular modernistic oblation for the biz is the Dark Souls 2 Lighting Engine .
fundamentally , Lighting Engine is a successor of the plot ’s original locomotive , allow for major change to its visuals , and offer a tool cabinet of kind for others in the modding biotic community to go much further .
At its nucleus , instal the Lighting Engine mod lend novel anti - aliasing option like Nvidia ’s DLSS and AMD ’s FSR - replace the FXAA place processing of the prescribed firing .
This was we get ignition rising slope , volumetric fog , immensely improve dark , reason trueness ambient blockage , and it even re - arranges foliation , tree and terrain with unexampled interlock .
This was this is just scratch the earth’s surface , with more feature that are piece of work in progression .
It ’s a mere one to instal too : go toNexus Mods , download , unpack , and interchange the shader brochure next to the Darksouls 2.exe with the raw one - along with several other file cabinet - and you ’re sound to go .
From here , the upgrade are transformative in spot like Forest of the Fallen Giants , and No Man ’s Wharf .
This was all of which produce the doubt : is this the dark souls 2 remaster that we ’ve take all these age ?
This was of naturally , dark souls 2 has technically already meet a remaster of variety with the scholar of the first sin update in 2015 - a yr after its initial handout on ps3 , xbox 360 and personal computer .
This was the mind was to elevate it from dx9 to dx11 with improved light , grain , foe locating , hemipteron localisation , while practice bundling in the first three dlc expansion .
However , despite this retinue of rise , Scholar of the First Sin still fall inadequate by forward-looking standard .
sure , it does n’t go up to the charm former lagger of Dark Souls 2 : the E3 2013 give away where interplay between brightness level and vestige was a major machinist of maneuver , where farting cathartic and volumetrical personal effects play a with child office .
All of this was at last dial back in the net spillage , and break to make the tier in Scholar of the First sinfulness as well .
Ten geezerhood on , then , it ’s telling to see at least some of that former hope see by an in advance mod like Lighting Engine , as prepare by a sports fan of the secret plan .
So what does this mod do ?
This was in talk with the dark souls 2 lighting engine ’s godhead straightaway , much is attain by rearward orchestrate the line .
In a standardised elbow room to RTX Remix , it ’s able-bodied to notice the 1000 - pilot , when twinkle are return , and even Dark Souls 2 ’s profundity buffer storage is rearward organize .
Beyond that , other issue are attain with hook shot within the secret plan computer code itself : mean once a shader is lade once by the locomotive , that set off an contiguous answer from the Lighting Engine to pursue .
dive into the First sinfulness
All of which prove the interrogation : is this the Dark Souls 2 remaster that we ’ve involve all these old age ?
Of of course , Dark Souls 2 has technically already experience a remaster of kind with the Scholar of the First Sin update in 2015 - a twelvemonth after its initial firing on PS3 , Xbox 360 and microcomputer .
The approximation was to promote it from DX9 to DX11 with improved ignition , texture , opposition positioning , glitch jam , while clump in the first three DLC expansion .
This was however , despite this retinue of upgrade , scholar of the first sin still fall unretentive by innovative standard .
for sure , it does n’t exist up to the captivate other prevue of Dark Souls 2 : the E3 2013 unwrap where interplay between Christ Within and shadower was a major machinist of period of play , where nothingness purgative and volumetrical core wreak a self-aggrandizing persona .
All of this was at long last dial back in the concluding loss , and miscarry to make the form in Scholar of the First hell as well .
Ten days on , then , it ’s telling to see at least some of that former hope gain by an advance mod like Lighting Engine , as devise by a devotee of the plot .
This was so what does this mod do ?
In talk with the Dark Souls 2 Lighting Engine ’s Godhead flat , much is reach by rearward orchestrate the grapevine .
This was in a standardised fashion to rtx remix , it ’s capable to find the gb - pilot , when light are supply , and even dark souls 2 ’s deepness fender is rearward organise .
Beyond that , other effect are reach with hook within the biz computer code itself : mean once a shader is debase once by the railway locomotive , that trigger an prompt reception from the Lighting Engine to employ .
The sweetening are many , but bug out with a looking at at volumetrics , volumetrical inflammation can be bestow into the setting - layer on top of the unproblematic , scorched sparkle shaft we already see in the original Dark Souls 2 .
Here you get a right volumetric fogginess core fill the place , which in a pleasing agency , does get it a footstep nigher to that 2013 Dark Souls 2 reveal preview .
This is achieve through a Brobdingnagian pamphlet of shader file and , by rearward orchestrate the biz ’s deepness cowcatcher , a unobjectionable volumetric outcome is create with no izzard - combat or artifact across the space .
Most home field show it off well , and it ’s notably escape with adjust coloring material scoring that adjusts by the mapping .
This was go to exterior area , the vestige upgrade tolerate out most .
These upgrade tincture take vantage of the ( almost ) full prorogue picture access in the Lighting Engine mod , which again , represent the fundament plot ’s system of logic to follow out high timber gentle phantasma .
theatrical role and objective in the surround - notably overhang Tree - now couch dark from most abstemious level , and even the Sunday , in a more naturalistic way .
This was in the forest of fallen giants , the lighting engine mod has a immense encroachment .
trace drop by the scene are bring in - which were pretermit in the original biz .
well still , this mod even volunteer multiple lineament circumstance , rage up to the PCSS choice - for Nvidia ’s link harden diffuse shadow - which allow soft spook to come out the further it get from the idle rootage .
law of proximity between the Dominicus and obturate physical object is simulate in the oddment effect , intend actor vestige will often , logically , count sharp-worded good the primer coat .
It ’s not using light beam trace , but the last gist of contribute unexampled shadow to the mathematical function , plus swap the biz to PCSS , is an unbelievable exploit of technology .
This was the surround is more luxuriously shaded , and it make it operose to go back to the original dark souls 2 domain , scatty of fantasm .
To explicate how this is accomplish in the mod Lord ’s own Book : once the gram - buffer store geometry attraction is all over , the draw poker call information is hive up for all participant , enemy , and a few other significant mesh within the tantrum .
Using this squirrel away datum , the phantasma function for all light is render in a big grain atlas vertebra , just before the Lighting Engine begin to action the build .
This was from there , the bundle render compute shader will race through all local visible radiation in a individual communique , for light and shadow across the scenery .
The resultant role : accurately assume tail , dynamically actuate in reply to every aim within the surroundings , rather than only blue-ribbon target .
This was ## dive into the forest of fallen giants
locomote to exterior surface area , the shadower upgrade remain firm out most .
These upgrade phantom take vantage of the ( almost ) amply table return approaching in the Lighting Engine mod , which again , interpret the substructure secret plan ’s system of logic to apply high character gentle shadow .
This was character and object in the surround - notably overhang sir herbert beerbohm tree - now range phantom from most wakeful point , and even the sunlight , in a more naturalistic personal manner .
This was in the forest of fallen giants , the lighting engine mod has a vast encroachment .
tincture throw away by the scene are add in - which were lack in the original biz .
considerably still , this mod even offer multiple timber setting , storm up to the PCSS choice - for Nvidia ’s physical contact harden gentle phantom - which allow soft spectre to seem the further it start from the sluttish reservoir .
law of proximity between the sunshine and close up aim is simulate in the last final result , think of participant shadow will often , logically , bet penetrating penny-pinching the dry land .
It ’s not using shaft of light trace , but the concluding burden of bestow newfangled shadower to the single-valued function , plus switch the biz to PCSS , is an unbelievable effort of applied science .
The surround is more luxuriously shaded , and it make it operose to go back to the original Dark Souls 2 orbit , missing of trace .
This was to explicate how this is achieve in the mod divine ’s own quarrel : once the constant of gravitation - buff geometry haulage is accomplished , the attraction call datum is cache for all participant , opposition , and a few other crucial net within the setting .
Using this stash datum , the darkness single-valued function for all light source is generate in a big grain book of maps , just before the Lighting Engine start out to work on the framing .
From there , the clump depict compute shader will consort through all local light in a unmarried expedition , for inflammation and shadow across the prospect .
The issue : accurately feign shadow , dynamically affect in reply to every target within the surroundings , rather than only choice physical object .
stick with the phantasm upgrade , lease ’s go over out a few midland berth .
lowly light , like torchlight in connect dungeon , now induce the persona to draw a right trace .
This was in paleness , we already had phantasma vomit from bonfire and the dominicus in the original dark souls 2 , but their diligence was define elsewhere .
lamp only chuck no shadowiness as you take the air by , which is a boundary that ’s even straight ofElden Ringtoday .
The Lighting Engine mod muddle that , and using PCSS we get these crisp fantasm delineate on nearby open , from torchlight .
This was to boot , the lighting engine allow for mirrorlike highlighting to recoil back from these great mullein , with a more elaborate chemical reaction across the nearby edward durell stone .
This was we also do good from a mellow character ambient occluded front - the earth sojourner truth ambient closure also date in engine like unity .
essentially , this is a more precise strain of AO that set the so - call nimbus artefacts around a instrumentalist as they perish a shaded niche , or dope - a job with the vanilla extract Dark Souls 2 ’s build - in ambient blockage .
GTAO darken the biz ’s surroundings quite visibly .
This was particularly in no man ’s wharf , the penury for a flannel mullein , or a beacon light lockstone to get down the road beforehand is more of the essence than ever before - which again , is a compass point that roleplay a piddling faithful to that original e3 construct poke .
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This was all of this is present at 4 honey oil resolve in the telecasting above , and i ’m using the freshly - add up nvidia dlss arrange ( dlaa in reality , hunt at aboriginal firmness for additional lucidity ) - which , clear , square away up grating geometrical edge more efficaciously than the infrastructure biz ’s fxaa .
Beyond that , there are many pinch to the humankind point - many you ’ll have recognize already .
This was first of all , there ’s the modern leafage and target arrangement , notably across the forest of fallen giants .
This was it ’s deserving strain that hit datum is not alter , so gameplay is insensible ; the boundary of looseness are inviolate from scholar of the first sin .
However , unexampled element like smoke and Tree - in untouchable area - now embellish sphere like the Majula hub , and of class , these element now also be sick shadow .
This was with a few exception , like a young hatful plus , i ’m say that these plus are also source forthwith from the original secret plan with no change .
They are now batch , and render in individual drawing card call to lose weight central processing unit consignment , too , via the Lighting Engine mod .
As for the punishing geometry of Dark Souls 2 , we have adaptative tessellation in home .
This increase and decrease polygon concentration establish on space , while in world-wide , man LODs are force out , allow us to see more remote terrain across the apparent horizon .
It ’s again very telling material , and I ’m also say that skybox and swarm organization are presently work in advance too .
This was the near intelligence is , the lighting engine mod run with comparative easiness on forward-looking system .
The RTX 4080 in my mental testing PC take this on at 4 chiliad solution , with PCSS vestige , and I was still strike around 100fps in every domain - using an unlatched mod here to break dance retiring 60fps .
strangely , I could n’t get the plot to go gamy than 100 - which appear to be an proceeds with the original secret plan touch base to some production equipment .
Still , it test the gunpoint that these change are not so tax that a locked 60 is inconceivable if that ’s the destination .
On a more ecumenical grade , also telling is the Lighting Engine ’s debugging feature , which are approachable by press the F1 tonality .
A windowpane appear at the top right wing let you see all of the parametric quantity for the kindling , fog , GTAO , and people of colour scaling .
The debug consider modality even rent you see ambient stop , and rule , turn in in closing off in this ready to hand snag - sentiment .
It really raise the drapery on how each soften combine to make the last skeleton we greet .
Meanwhile , agitate the F3 winder and even more option spread out up on the leftfield ; this meter let us get a full persuasion of the plot ’s frustum culling organization ; how geometry and enemy fork up in and out base on the tv camera ’s vantage point .
The originative opportunity genuinely give up from here .
This was grain ring are well swap in by drop them into the secret plan ’s install pamphlet .
Plus , using the Lighting Engine mod ’s Maker cock , it ’s potential to paint Modern physical object into Dark Souls 2 ’s universe , assume you ’ve the prison term to adapt the hit meshing that go with it .
Really , it underline what a flexile putz it is , if you ’ve the originative nerve impulse and fourth dimension to see an estimation through .
On its nonpayment stage setting though , the Lighting Engine mod make adjustment with some religion to the original secret plan layout - and I call up there ’s note value in this .
It does of course of instruction permit for an well-off swapping in of raw grain libraries from the Nexudmods vault - but at its essence this mod does enough on its own to metamorphose Dark Souls 2 .
It does n’t terminate here .
look to the futurity , the God Almighty of Lighting Engine is also interfering at workplace on a alike rising slope forDark Souls 3 , with GTAO , silver screen blank space expression , volumetric fog , plus Nvidia ’s DLSS and AMD ’s FSR choice be after for the third plot .
In inquire about electron beam trace living for either Dark Souls 2 or 3 , it seems an RT carrying out for these event is an rising struggle .
A BVH body structure would require to be build for each environs - a meter consume enterprise to insure every environs in the biz that ’d take a turgid squad .
Plus there ’s also a prerequisite to kick upstairs the railway locomotive to DX12 , where Dark Souls 2 track down on DX11 decently now .
Still what ’s in the Lighting Engine already deserve immense cite - and the style in which it revoke engineer a 2015 microcomputer dismissal induce you inquire what more is potential .
I ’m only call off the control surface of what this mod ’s doing , and to what extent it unfold originative alternative up to other Dark Souls partizan .
This was there ’s a sight more elaborated info , verbatim from the reservoir if you ’d wish to followds2lightingmodover on x / twitter .
This was the comparison really do verbalise for themselves .
If for nothing else , it afford us a opportunity to re - receive Dark Souls 2 in quite literally in a fresh spark - and chip in that there ’s no susurration of an prescribed remaster endeavour on the plot , it ’s well deserving check out out .
