A new YouTube test suggests that Assassin’s Creed Shadows can run up to twice as fast with DLSS 5 enabled. The video’s title even asks if the game is “really better now.” You can check out the test, which adds to the ongoing coverage of DLSS 5 for Ubisoft’s 2025 release. However, we couldn’t verify the frame-rate data behind that headline claim.
This claim follows a similar test we reported on October 15, which ran Shadows on an RTX 5080 at 1440p. Both videos show creators using Ubisoft’s open-world action game to stress-test the new upscaling technology. Shadows launched on March 20, 2025, and currently has no Metacritic score in our records.
Modders are already diving into this technology, too. TweakTown reports that modders found a way to boost DLSS 5 performance by over 50%. While this figure is a headline claim from a separate article, it indicates that DLSS 5 performance may continue to evolve as the community makes tweaks.
Ubisoft’s PC ports are under close technical scrutiny elsewhere as well. Wccftech recently released a PC performance analysis and tuning guide for Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced. Various outlets are testing the publisher’s PC releases thoroughly, examining settings one by one, rather than just looking at average frame rates.
Take the “2X” claim with a grain of salt until the methodology is clear. Doubling performance can mean different things depending on the baseline—whether it’s native resolution or another upscaler, which frame generation settings are used, and what hardware is involved. Averages can also mask frame-time stutter, which can affect how a game feels more than a peak number.
| Release date | March 20, 2025 |
| Developer / Publisher | Ubisoft / Ubisoft Entertainment |
| Claimed DLSS 5 uplift (video title, unverified) | 2X |
| Reported modder DLSS 5 boost (TweakTown) | 50%+ |
| Price listed on Steam in our data | $0.49 |
Community Pulse
The community’s sentiment toward the game leans negative across 10 tracked signals, primarily due to monetization issues rather than performance. One unhappy Steam reviewer cautioned, “If you hunt to get 100% completions, prepare to shell out $90 USD in dlc to get the last achievement for that hundo.” Improved frame rates probably won’t change that perception.
What To Watch
- Independent benchmarks: Keep an eye out for tests that publish frame-time data and clearly state the baseline, hardware, and settings related to any “2X” claims.
- Modder tweaks: See if the 50%+ DLSS 5 gains reported by TweakTown can be replicated in Shadows, and whether they affect image quality.
- Ubisoft patch notes: Any official DLSS 5 support or optimization updates would indicate whether the company is addressing the testing.
Alex Mercer
Alex Mercer is the Gaming News Editor at Explosion.com with over 8 years of experience covering the gaming industry. He previously wrote for several gaming publications and has attended E3, Gamescom, and The Game Awards as press. Alex specializes in breaking news coverage, studio analysis, and tracking industry trends. When not writing, he's grinding ranked matches in Valorant or exploring the latest RPG releases.
