Lords of the Fallen, a Soulslike game developed by Hexworks, has recently released a major performance patch aimed at addressing several technical issues that plagued the game on PC. This patch has not only improved the game’s performance but has also helped boost its reception among players, as reflected in the updated Steam reviews. With the resolution of some of the major problems, Lords of the Fallen seems to be on the path to redemption.
One of the key issues addressed in the 1.1.191 patch is game crashes. Hexworks identified four main factors contributing to these crashes. First and foremost, many players had not updated their graphics card drivers to be compatible with Lords of the Fallen’s use of Unreal Engine 5. To tackle this, Hexworks implemented a pop-up reminder that prompts players to update their drivers, ensuring a smoother gaming experience. Additionally, the patch temporarily deactivated frame generation stability for 40-series Nvidia GPUs to provide a more reliable experience. Furthermore, the patch resolved errors affecting certain 30 and 40 series GPUs that caused crashes even when the game was set to auto-detect graphics quality. Hexworks also highlighted that some players were pushing their PCs’ hardware beyond its capabilities, which led to instability and crashes. The patch now includes an automatic setting detection that prevents crashing and instability when players exceed their hardware limits.
Apart from addressing crashes, the patch also tackled certain code errors that caused potential crashes after the game’s first cinematic. Although the issue should now be fixed for most players, Hexworks provided a workaround for those still experiencing the problem. By adding “-nopsos” to the game’s launch line in Steam, players can disable the shader compiling calculation responsible for the crash.
Performance Enhancements
The performance patch not only resolved crashes and code errors but also included improvements to enhance the overall gameplay experience. For example, a lingering visual effect caused by the Barrage of Echoes’ eyeball explosion was reduced to prevent potential performance issues. The patch also included tweaks to game balancing, with enemy nerfs to make the gameplay slightly less punishing. The hit direction of certain projectiles was adjusted to ensure players react accurately, and the hitbox of the Sunless Skein working forces was delayed by a few frames. Additionally, the Ruiner boss saw a slight increase in standard damage, while the fire shield attack and jump knockdown ability were softened to reduce one-shot instances in later regions of the game. The Spurned Progeny boss no longer interrupts combos, adding to the overall challenge of the fight.
Enhancing PvP Mechanics
For players who enjoy PvP combat, the patch made changes to the parry system. Players can no longer parry other players’ kicks, offering more options for high-level parriers. This adjustment aims to diversify combat strategies and introduce new dynamics to player-versus-player encounters.
Changing Player Perception
As a result of these improvements, Lords of the Fallen has seen a positive shift in player reception. The game’s reviews on Steam have transitioned from a “Mostly Negative” rating to a “Mixed” rating, with over 50% of reviews being positive. The combination of the performance patch and the developers’ assurance that the game will never utilize controversial anti-piracy technology, Denuvo, has helped the game regain player confidence and trust.
With the release of the major performance patch, the developers of Lords of the Fallen have taken significant strides towards improving the overall gameplay experience. By addressing crashes, code errors, and enhancing performance, Hexworks has demonstrated its commitment to player satisfaction. The positive reception from players, as reflected in the updated Steam reviews, indicates that the game is on the path to a redemption arc. With continued support and attention to player feedback, Lords of the Fallen stands to regain its standing as a standout Soulslike game in the gaming industry.
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