My guide was stolen (with proof) - Optimized settings, fps unlock, FOV, ultrawide fix, color fringing, etc.

[DaemonX_HUN]

October 10 edit:

The creator who stole my guide (from this post) DMCA takedowned my guide in the Silent Hill 2 / Guides section and removed it, even though I'm the original guide author. I wrote about this to Steam.

TL;DR: Here's video proof that I'm the creator of this guide:

Video link

---

My Silent Hill 2 settings guide only existed on Steam Forums and on Reddit a few days ago. I also wanted to make it available as a proper guide under the Guides tab, but I got hospitalized for a day due to a small surgery, and I wasn't able to work on it.

During this time, my guide was stolen and copied by Steam user Sumi, who published my work under the Guides section without asking for permission or without crediting me. Moreover, he begged for money (through Ko-Fi) and he acted like he is the original creator of the guide. Also, when another user and I called him out in the comments, he deleted those comments.

On October 8th, I came home from the hospital, and I released my guide (which was previously only available here on the forums and on Reddit) under the Guides section too. Furthermore, I added a lot of new information into it (clarifications, new fixes), and also new images.

On October 9th, I saw that Steam user Sumi copy-pasted those new information and pictures too from my updated guide. I find this extremely unethical. He doesn't credit the original author, he deletes my and others' comments, and he begs money for work/research that's not even his.

On October 9th/10th (not sure) he tried to DMCA-takedown my guide.

So to sum it up:

• He acts like created the guide he stole from me
  
• He begs for Steam Awards for a guide he stole
  
• He begged for money through Ko-Fi for a guide he stole (until presumably Steam removed his Ko-Fi link)
  
• He tried to take down my guide/writings, even though I'm the original creator
  
• He deleted all the comments of those who called him out, and disabled the ability to comment on his video

The post has been made into a guide.

Optimized settings

1. Under Display & Graphics, set Renderer Quality Preset to Custom to enable Advanced Quality Settings.
   
2. Disable SSR. Screen space reflections are ugly in this game (as proven by this image[i.imgur.com]), and even without SSR, the game uses a combination of Lumen and cube maps for puddles, etc.
   
3. Set Shadows to Low. It could result in a staggering 35%+ fps gain compared to High. While the difference is stark before entering the city (first 10 minutes), after that, it will be mostly imperceptible in outside areas (due to atmospheric fog), or inside of buildings.
   
4. Set Shaders to Medium for a 7% increase in fps. Keep in mind though that this may introduce white artifacts (e.g. around James' eyes) on certain setups.
   
5. Leave all other options at the highest setting (and texture at what your GPU can handle), as those have a seemingly negligible impact on performance.
   
6. By disabling ray tracing, you can get an additional 27%+ boost to your framerate. RT is not noticeable at all in most scenarios, and it doesn't disable and replace the bad SSR implementation either. However, it completely changes the rendering of certain sections (due to bounce lights), making some interiors go from completely black to naturally filled with light (although it can be argued it makes those parts less moody and atmospheric). Here's a comparison[i.imgur.com] for both scenarios.
   
7. Use DLSS Quality at 1080p, DLSS Balanced at 1440p, and DLSS Performance at 1600p UW / 2160p for a significant boost in performance.

Unreal Engine 5 Unlocker (FoV, Free Camera, etc.)

Unreal Engine 5 Unlocker is a paid software, but you can use it to tweak a wide variety of settings. You can increase/decrease the field of view, change the camera position like in other games' photo modes, or even add different post-processing effects. To use UE5U, follow the steps below.

1. Download Unreal Engine 5 Unlocker[opm.fransbouma.com].
   
2. Open the unlocker, run the game, add the executable to the app, and inject DLL.
   
3. If you want to use the in-game console to use commands (e.g. FOV change), hit the Tilde key to open it(or set it to a different button under the Configuration menu if you are using a European keyboard).

Color fringing and ghosting fix

Similarly to other modern third-person games with lots of post-processing effects (e.g. A Plague Tale: Requiem, Jedi: Survivor, Black Myth: Wukong), when you rotate the camera, there is a very noticeable and distracting, white halo/ghosting/fringing effect around the playable character. This can be mitigated by using the code below, but you can't get fully rid of it, as there will still be some ghosting around James body while rotating the camera in/near foggy areas.

1. Navigate to C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\SilentHill2\Saved\Config\Windows and open Engine.ini
   
2. Copy the code below to the end of the ini file and save it.

Code:

[SystemSettings]
r.SceneColorFringe.Max=0
r.SceneColorFringeQuality=0
r.motionblurquality=0
r.Distortion=0
r.DisableDistortion=1

Here's a video after applying the fix (no more ghosting). This also disables Chromatics Abberation.

Frame Gen

The game doesn't have built-in frame generation support, but Unreal Engine 5 does, at least for FSR. You can enable FSR frame generation by following these steps.

1. Navigate to C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\SilentHill2\Saved\Config\Windows and open Engine.ini
   
2. Copy the code below to the end of the ini file and save it.
   
3. Select FSR 3.0 Supersampling option under Display & Graphics.

Code:

[SystemSettings]
r.FidelityFX.FI.Enabled=1.

Keep in mind that:

1. It is suspected that the frame generation here is the older, inferior version of AMD FSR (3.0 instead of 3.1).
   
2. You can't enable Nvidia Reflex (or its AMD Alternative) in the game, so you need a really high base fps to make the extra input lag added by frame generation less noticeable. Alternatively, you can add Reflex via RivaTuner Statistics Server.
   
3. Frame generation is only possible by using AMD's upscaling method, which generally provides worse image quality than DLSS and XeSS.
   
4. Frame generation doesn't work well with the in-game vignette, especially on wider screens than 16:9. It can lag in motion[i.imgur.com] compared to the rest of the image if you turn the camera fast. You need to disable it.

Nvidia Reflex

You can force the game to use Nvidia Reflex which will decrease input latency and make the game more responsive. This is useful for normal play and especially useful for those who want to use frame generation.

1. Download and install MSI Afterburner + RivaTuner Statistics Server[www.guru3d.com].
   
2. Launch MSI Afterburner (which will also launch RTSS), then inside RTSS, click on Setup, then for the Enable Framerate Limiter option, choose Nvidia Reflex, then hit OK. This will force Nvidia Reflex on globally, but you can also enable it on a game-by-game basis.

Vignette removal

You can disable the vignette to get a clearer, more consistent image, and to get rid of potential artifacts that are caused by using FSR Frame Generation and vignette together.

1. Navigate to C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\SilentHill2\Saved\Config\Windows and open Engine.ini
   
2. Copy the code below to the end of the ini file and save it.

[SystemSettings]
r.Tonemapper.Quality=1

Ray tracing ray reconstruction

If you decide to use ray tracing, you can also use ray reconstruction to improve certain reflections. Here's a comparison with the feature turned off and on by Reddit user robbiekhan. However, based on my experience, this also significantly strengthens the ghosting/color fringing around James when rotating the camera.

1. Navigate to C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\SilentHill2\Saved\Config\Windows and open Engine.ini
   
2. Copy the code below to the end of the ini file and save it.

[SystemSettings]
r.NGX.DLSS.denoisermode=1
r.Lumen.Reflections.BilateralFilter=0
r.Lumen.Reflections.ScreenSpaceReconstruction=0
r.lumen.Reflections.Temporal=0
r.Shadow.Denoiser=0
r.SceneColorFringeQuality=0

Cutscene framerate unlocker

You can use the Silent Hill 2 fps unlocker[github.com]. made by RoseTheFlower. There are two versions. While using version 1.0, the cutscenes will technically run at unlocked framerates, some animations will still be capped at 30 fps. With 1.1, all animations will run at unlocked framerates, but it may introduce some desync with dialogue and mouth movement (further testing needed). However, both versions will fix the inverse ghosting and flicker issue that low framerates introduce on OLED screens and certain TCL TVs while using VRR.

Ultrawide cutscene fix

You can use the Silent Hill 2 widescreen mod[github.com]. made by RoseTheFlower.

Stutter mitigation

It's not possible to fix stutters, but it may be possible to reduce their frequency and intensity.

Option #1 - Switch to Vulkan rendering

Using the DXVK translation layer, you can switch to Vulkan rendering by forcing the game to launch in DirectX 11 mode. Keep in mind that this disables AI-based upscaling (so only TSR and FSR 1.0 will work), frame generation, and ray tracing. Furthermore, you may experience visual bugs.

• Download DXVK from the official GitHub page[github.com].
  
• Copy the contents of the ZIP file (d3d11.dll and dxgi.dll to "SHProto\Binaries\Win64").
  
• In Steam, right-click the game and select Properties, then enter '-dx11' (without quotes) under Launch Options.

Option #2 - Forcing shader precompilation

Another option is to force the game to compile shaders. You need to copy the following commands to Engine.ini, and launch the game in DirectX 11 mode. Keep in mind that this disables AI-based upscaling (so only TSR and FSR 1.0 will work), frame generation, and ray tracing. Furthermore, you may experience visual bugs.

r.ShaderPipeLineCache.Enabled=1
r.ShaderPipeLineCache.Precompile=1

To run the game in DirectX 11 mode, in Steam, right-click the game and select Properties, then enter '-dx11' (without quotes) under Launch Options.

Additional tweaks

Some users have reported less frequent stuttering with the following Windows settings.

1. Disable hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling. In Windows 11, this can be changed by going into Settings, then choosing Graphics, and then changing the default graphics settings. For the setting to take effect, a restart is required. This will also disable frame generation.
   
2. Changing CPU priority to High, IO priority to High, and Page priority to Normal. It can be done manually, but there's also a mod[www.nexusmods.com] for it by Gantz79 on NexusMods.

Update DLSS and fix DLSS ghosting

The game uses an older version of DLSS (3.5.10). You can upgrade it to the latest version (3.7.20) to potentially gain some image quality improvements.

• Visit TechPowerUp[www.techpowerup.com] and download the latest DLL.
  
• Replace the old DLL (which is located in D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\SILENT HILL 2\SHProto\Plugins\DLSS by default) with the new one.

To fix DLSS ghosting (e.g. on leaves and small particles), use DLSSTweaks.

• Visit NexusMods[www.nexusmods.com] and download the latest DLL.
  
• Copy the contents of the ZIP file to the folder where the game's executable is located (D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\SILENT HILL 2\SHProto\Binaries\Win64 by default).
  
• Run DLSSTweaks from the game's folder, hit OK, then under DLSSPresets, force preset E for all the DLSS modes you use, then click Save.

[DaemonX_HUN]

Originally posted by Rancid:

Thanks. The 30 fps cap on the cinematics is a godsend. It makes no sense they forced this (Even if it was something artistic, hell, make it optional), specially when someone could fix it on its own day one.

You are welcome! That was especially problematic for me because my TV (like many other TCL TVs) suffers from inverse ghosting at 60 fps and below with VRR enabled (which is basically the same as VRR/brightness flicker). Now that cutscenes are unlocked I can finally play the game on my TV without this problem at 120 fps.

[Virgo]

wow the mod to unlock the frame rate is already out! And there's also a fix for chromatic aberration and ghosting. I love the pc community

[Rayza]

What goes through devs minds when they do things like this, it's hard to comprehend. There should NEVER be a lock on frame rates on PC, I don't buy a 4090 to have to look at 30fps. Thank you for the fix bro.

[VastDarknyss]

Originally posted by ZAHRAMAR:

Originally posted by Rancid:

Weren't you refunding the game because it doesn't have Denuvo? Yet here you are. Lol

I had change of heart!

Buh bye.

[Rancid]

Originally posted by ZAHRAMAR:

Originally posted by Rancid:

Weren't you refunding the game because it doesn't have Denuvo? Yet here you are. Lol

I had change of heart!

Well that was the right move i'd say. The game is good. Not pushing denuvo is a pro consumer move afterall. If you pay for the game, you are supporting the devs and maybe more SH remakes / games. I can't wait for my PS5 with steelbook to arrive. Meanwhile i'm playing it with my friend on his PC and it's amazing so far.

Too bad all this tech nosense is getting on the way.

[kazak119]

Originally posted by DaemonX_HUN:

Optimized settings

Frame Gen

The game doesn't have built-in frame generation support, but Unreal Engine 5 does, at least for FSR. You can enable FSR frame generation by following these steps.

1. Navigate to C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\SilentHill2\Saved\Config\Windows and open Engine.ini
   
2. Copy the code below to the end of the ini file and save it.
   
3. Select FSR 3.0 Supersampling option under Display & Graphics.

Code:

[SystemSettings]
r.FidelityFX.FI.Enabled=1.

Keep in mind that:

1. It is more than likely FSR Frame Gen 3.0, not 3.1 (inferior version).
   
2. You can't enable NVidia Reflex Boost (or its AMD Alternative) in the game, so you need a really high base fps to make the extra input lag added by frame generation less noticable.
   
3. Frame generation is only possible by using AMD's upscaling method, which generally provides worse image quality than DLSS and XeSS.

Will there be a solution for Nvidia?

[DaemonX_HUN]

Originally posted by kazak119:

Will there be a solution for Nvidia?

I guess only when PureDark releases a DLSS Frame Gen mod (or if the developers decide to implement it). But you can at least use AMD Frame Gen on an Nvidia card.

[Plλyer]

Turn off Film Grain

[SystemSettings]
r.Tonemapper.GrainQuantization=0
r.Tonemapper.Quality=0

[Sustain]

Originally posted by kazak119:

Originally posted by DaemonX_HUN:

Optimized settings

Frame Gen

The game doesn't have built-in frame generation support, but Unreal Engine 5 does, at least for FSR. You can enable FSR frame generation by following these steps.

1. Navigate to C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\SilentHill2\Saved\Config\Windows and open Engine.ini
   
2. Copy the code below to the end of the ini file and save it.
   
3. Select FSR 3.0 Supersampling option under Display & Graphics.

Code:

[SystemSettings]
r.FidelityFX.FI.Enabled=1.

Keep in mind that:

1. It is more than likely FSR Frame Gen 3.0, not 3.1 (inferior version).
   
2. You can't enable NVidia Reflex Boost (or its AMD Alternative) in the game, so you need a really high base fps to make the extra input lag added by frame generation less noticable.
   
3. Frame generation is only possible by using AMD's upscaling method, which generally provides worse image quality than DLSS and XeSS.

Will there be a solution for Nvidia?

This is a solution for Nvidia FSR framegen works on everything.

[Rayza]

Originally posted by Plλyer:

Turn off Film Grain

[SystemSettings]
r.Tonemapper.GrainQuantization=0
r.Tonemapper.Quality=0

is this in the game folder? struggling to find it

[its4n00brain3r]

Originally posted by DaemonX_HUN:

Cutscene framerate unlocker

You can use the Silent Hill 2 fps unlocker[github.com]. made by RoseTheFlower.

Thanks!
Does the cutscene framerate unlocker disable achievements or have any other effects than simply unlocking the fps in cutscenes?

[DaemonX_HUN]

Originally posted by its4n00brain3r:

Thanks!
Does the cutscene framerate unlocker disable achievements or have any other effects than simply unlocking the fps in cutscenes?

I don't think so, but if you are so stressed about achievements, you can just use Steam Achievement Manager.

[East]

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ man, are you with the devs? Thank you so much for this writeup.

[Plλyer]

Originally posted by Rayza:

Originally posted by Plλyer:

Turn off Film Grain

[SystemSettings]
r.Tonemapper.GrainQuantization=0
r.Tonemapper.Quality=0

is this in the game folder? struggling to find it

C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\SilentHill2\Saved\Config\Windows and open Engine.ini

[Habboi]

Thank you for these tweaks, tried them out on a 2080GTX I9, 32 gb ram station and with the unlocker for cutscenes getting about 80-90 fps average. Good enough for me.