NVIDIA DLSS 5 faced strong criticism right after its reveal, but early footage from Starfield is shifting that conversation as players now point to visible improvements in lighting and overall presentation, with many calling the upgrade a clear step forward for the game’s visuals.
Plano Plays Games shared a hands-on video from GTC 2026, showing Starfield running with DLSS 5 enabled. The footage is off-screen, yet it still shows how the tech improves lighting across New Atlantis, giving the city a sharper and more refined futuristic look. You can see better depth, cleaner highlights, and more consistent brightness, which helps the environment feel more detailed without losing its original tone.
The response from players stands out. User UniOnDirectOr described the change as a “night and day difference,” while igorallexsander called it “amazing technology.” Others, like Dan_102, dismissed the ongoing “AI witch hunt” and said the game looks “incredible” with DLSS 5 active.
At the same time, some users shared balanced feedback. Boneymines11 called it “really impressive for a first iteration” and pointed out that quality remains stable during motion. The user also said the technology builds on what developers create instead of replacing it, which keeps the original artistic work intact.
Some concerns still remain
Even with the positive feedback, a few issues are still visible. Character faces continue to look slightly off in motion, especially when compared to the improved environments. The showcase also did not include combat, so it remains unclear how DLSS 5 handles fast-paced gameplay where stability matters more.
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang addressed the criticism and said he feels “empathetic” toward concerns around AI visuals, adding that he also dislikes “AI slop.” He maintained that DLSS 5 is not meant to degrade visual quality, though early reactions show that NVIDIA still needs to prove this across more games and scenarios.
For now, Starfield gives one of the first clear looks at what DLSS 5 can do, and players seem ready to give it a fair chance.
