"Spider-Man 2 Launches on Steam with Lenient PC Requirements"

Sony's Marvel Spider-Man 2 has finally swung onto PC as of January 30, and while the anticipation for this port has been building, the specifics of its PC performance were a mystery until now. Developer Nixxes Software, in a detailed post on the PlayStation Blog, has outlined the extensive PC features designed to optimize performance and visual fidelity across a wide array of hardware setups.

Alongside a new trailer, it's been confirmed that Spider-Man 2 on PC does not require a PSN account, a significant change from its console counterpart. Additionally, the port introduces advanced raytracing capabilities, including DLSS 3.5 Ray Reconstruction. According to Nixxes graphics programmer Menno Bil, "In Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on PC with ray reconstruction enabled, we see more detailed ray-traced reflections and better-defined ray-traced shadows, especially when viewing raytracing effects at steep angles. We also see improvements in the ray-traced interiors and less ghosting and noise in the ray-traced ambient occlusion."

The game also supports DLSS 3 and FSR 3.1 for upscaling and frame generation, with Intel’s XeSS upscaler also available. While DLSS 4’s Multi Frame Generation isn't supported out of the box, users can potentially enhance DLSS 3’s Frame Generation image quality using the Nvidia app. For those with wider screens, ultrawide support extends up to a 48:9 aspect ratio, with cinematics viewable up to 32:9.

The system requirements are thoughtfully divided into ray-traced and non-ray-traced configurations. If you're not keen on fancy reflections, you can run the game at 720p and 30 FPS on a modest setup with an Nvidia GTX 1650, an Intel Core i3 8100, and 16 GB of RAM. For those with high-end rigs, achieving 4K at 60 FPS with "Ray Tracing Ultimate" settings requires an RTX 4090, an AMD Ryzen 7800X3D, and 32 GB of RAM.

As for running Spider-Man 2 on a Steam Deck, the high RAM and modern graphics card requirements suggest it might be feasible, but don't expect Steam Deck verification anytime soon. Previous titles like Spider-Man and Spider-Man: Miles Morales, which were PS4 ports, were more scalable, whereas Spider-Man 2, being a PS5 exclusive, may push the hardware further.

The community has lauded the comprehensive hardware requirements. A Reddit user commented, "This must be the best hardware requirements sheet I’ve seen so far." Another user, ItsMeIcebear4, added, "Honestly, great job. If performance lives up to this, it'll be very well received."