A revolutionary new mod for Max Payne 2 has been introduced, bringing the power of RTX Remix and path tracing to some of the game’s initial locations. This upgrade delivers breathtaking visuals but comes at a cost to performance. Even top-tier GPUs like the RTX 5080 struggle due to the lack of optimization for this advanced lighting technology.
Visual Marvel with a Performance Cost
Reports suggest a comparison video from MxBenchmarkPC showcases the modded and vanilla versions of Max Payne 2 side by side in 4K with NVIDIA DLSS. The footage highlights the stunning visual improvements in certain areas thanks to path tracing. However, the video also reveals the significant performance hit: the RTX 5080, in Performance Mode, plummets from 1,255 FPS in the vanilla game to a mere 38 FPS in the modded version. This marks an astonishing 97% drop in performance. Only with Frame Generation does the mod reach playable framerates above 60 FPS.
Optimization: The Key to Viability
The substantial performance degradation seen in the Max Payne 2 RTX Remix mod isn’t unique. Other classic games receiving path tracing updates, such as the original Max Payne, Half-Life remake Black Mesa, and Left 4 Dead 2, experience similar FPS drops on high-end GPUs. These games highlight the need for optimization and upscaling, alongside technologies like Frame Generation, to maintain acceptable performance levels. Recent titles like Alan Wake 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 exemplify successful implementation of such technology.
The Future of RTX Remix Remasters
Despite the heavy hardware demands of current RTX Remix mods, these overhauls often represent the best method to bring classic games up to modern graphical standards when official updates are absent. Games like Grand Theft Auto 4, unlikely to receive path tracing in any official remaster, could benefit from such mods. In time, it’s hoped that gaming hardware will advance to a point where these stunning yet demanding remasters are accessible to players without the need for top-end systems.