How to get pixel perfect graphics (Great for 1440p displays)

When playing the game normally in fullscreen the image will be slightly blurry. This happens when the game's pixels are scaled up by a factor that is not an integer, for example 2.5x times bigger as opposed to 2x or 3x times bigger. The solution to this is integer scaling which only scales with integers (2x, 3x, 4x e.t.c.). This preserves the sharp pixels and completely nullifies any blur due to scaling.

Warning!

Adding pixel perfect graphics (ie: integer scaling) may result in black bars depending on your native resolution. This is because the game is only allowed to scale by integers.

If your native resolution is 1080p, which is just casual speak for 1920x1080, then the game normally takes 1280x720 * 1.5 = 1920x1080.

1.5 is not an integer so this would result in black bars if you use integer scaling!

But if you have a 1440p display, 2560x1440 that is, then it would be: 1280x720 * 2 = 2560x1440.
2 is an integer so this would not result in black bars.

Same is true for 4K, 3840x2160, it is just 1280x720 * 3.

1080p = Not recommended, would result in black bars

1440p = Perfect

4K = Perfect

Comparison

As mentioned, the game will be slightly blurry due to the game's scaling and Inti Creates refusal to implement integer scaling in their games (Had the same problem in Blaster Master Zero).


As you can see, the image to the left is blurry. This is an extreme example, the game doesn't look that bad, this is just to illustrate the problem.

Here's what the game normally looks like (Fullscreen on a 1440p monitor).

Click the image. Due to how steam works you will probably see a downsized image and not the full image. But if you look at the left side you will see that I have zoomed in on the wall (red box). Look at the line there, it is not sharp.

Here's what it looks like with integer scaling (Pixel Perfect)

Look at the red box again. Notice how the line is perfectly sharp without any blur. That's what we want.

How to add integer scaling

There are various ways to add integer scaling. Nvidia has for instance added support for it but it doesn't work on old graphics cards, like my GTX 1070. The method I've found that was both easy to use and works for pretty much everyone does require a paid software. It is pretty cheap though and you can use the same method in other games, like Blaster Master Zero.

Requirements

https://store.steampowered.com/app/993090/Lossless_Scaling/
There is a free demo version that may work. The software basically works like Borderless Gaming except that it also supports integer scaling.

Step 1

Start Lossless Scaling and make sure the settings are like this. Don't close the software.

Step 2

Start the game and change to 1280x720 (window mode). 1280x720 because that is the highest resolution you can pick where the pixels are not blurry. This differs from game to game and depends on the original resolution the game was made in.

Step 3

Press Ctrl + Alt + S. The game should now be fullscreen with crisp pixel perfect integer scaling. If you get a lot of black bars around the screen, read my warning at the top of the guide.

Step 4

Let Inti Creates know that they should add integer scaling in their games and uncap the damn 60fps lock. Come on guys, you make so good games, but even small indie titles like Midnight Castle Succubus supports integer scaling and uncapped fps.

[Lancer]

You sure it's not a graphics card thing? Intel has a Retro Scaling thing and that gives me sharp edges, sharper than the console versions even lol.

I agree that they should give us better visual options, but fps options... You can see that the game engine logic is tied to the framerate if you set your monitor lower. Down to 30 is probably possible, but up would require a total engine rewrite. Not even sure that's possible with their in-house engine.

[neurosis51]

Ah, okay, the guide at the start made it seem as if it doesn't work well with 1080 screens

[Citronvand]

@neurosis51 The same as shown in the guide.

[neurosis51]

So if you did have 1920x1080 res screen what would be the optimal set up to get the crisp pixels even with the black bars on the side of the screen?