Demon’s Souls Remake in Power Saver Mode: A Preview of PlayStation Handheld Capabilities

The recently updated Demon’s Souls remake for PlayStation 5 now features compatibility with the system’s Power Saver Mode. This enhancement not only improves performance and resolution but also reduces energy consumption. This could potentially serve as a preview of the capabilities of the anticipated PlayStation handheld, rumored to support PS5 titles.

Developed by Bluepoint Games and launched alongside the PS5 in November 2020, the remake’s update is signified by a leaf icon on the main menu. This change aligns with Sony Interactive Entertainment’s commitment to its “Road to Zero” initiative, aimed at achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

The icon indicating that Demon’s Souls supports Power Saver Mode.

Demon’s Souls Remake: Power Saver Mode Performance and Screenshots

The integration of Power Saver Mode not only exemplifies Sony’s push for sustainability but also serves as a potential test for how a PlayStation handheld might perform while running PS5 games. Initial observations regarding performance adjustments support this speculation.

Researching the visuals while playing in Power Saver Mode reveals a notable drop in resolution compared to both Performance and Cinematic modes, a fact that can easily be noted through a quick glance at the captured gameplay images.

Player in armor holds sword in misty ruin scene with on-screen health and item indicators. — Demon’s Souls: Power Saver display mode

Character in armor explores a forest path in Demon's Souls with a HUD displaying health, items, and 2 souls.

Character in armor stands in a ruined castle corridor, message option reads “Read Message.”

In terms of frame rates, Power Saver Mode has been adjusted to target 30 FPS, a significant decrease from the 60 FPS achieved in Performance Mode. Users can view this performance transition in a relevant YouTube video, demonstrating the gameplay experience in this mode. While 30 FPS might not be ideal for a console of this caliber, it could be acceptable for a handheld gaming device.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74O_MroI6GQ

PS5 low power mode test (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74O_MroI6GQ)

Energy Efficiency of Demon’s Souls Remake in Power Saver Mode

The introduction of Power Saver Mode brings significant reductions in energy consumption. According to a test performed by a ResetERA forums member named vicegold, power usage dropped from around 224 Watts in normal operation to approximately 98 Watts with Power Saver Mode engaged. This substantial decrease, while excessive for a handheld system, indicates that the game was not severely impacted by the reduction in performance, which is promising for the development of the upcoming portable console.

The Demon’s Souls remake is just one of several PS5 games receiving this Power Saver Mode update. Notably, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is another title set to adopt this feature, which will be interesting to evaluate due to its impressive 60 FPS performance and high-quality graphics.

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