Phantom Blade Zero dev says don't get the latest Nvidia drivers

Phantom Blade Zero, a forthcoming wuxia action RPG, is set to release, but Nvidia users may want to think twice about using the latest Nvidia driver update. Against the standard pre-launch advice from developer S-Game, they have now advised against it. In a post on Steam titled "Reason and Madness," the team shared their history, previous projects, and the genesis of Phantom Blade Zero.

Alongside this, they made three announcements: suggesting the download of a 5 GB day one patch, inviting players to try the game on handhelds and mid-range PCs, and crucially, not to use the most recent Nvidia driver, 621.01. The statement reads, "Based on our testing, version 617.42 currently offers the best experience in Phantom Blade Zero.

If you’ve installed a driver newer than 617.42, we recommend rolling back to 617.42 and choosing the clean installation option. Please remain on this version until Nvidia releases its next driver update, which we expect to arrive soon." While the reason for the recommendation isn't elaborated upon, it suggests that the previous drivers significantly improve the overall experience.

The Game Ready Driver 621.01, launched on October 21, aims to enhance support for DLSS and RTX in games like Phantom Blade Zero, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and NBA 2K27. While the specific reasons for the recommendation of the older driver aren't provided, the implication is that it could negatively affect gameplay. To revert to an older Nvidia driver, users can access the Nvidia app, select "Drivers," choose the prior version, and install it.

Alternatively, the Device Manager can be used to roll back drivers by right-clicking on the GPU, selecting "Properties," navigating to the "Driver" tab, and rolling back drivers there. The Phantom Blade Zero team does not anticipate when Nvidia will release its next driver, but they hope it will be soon for those who may not be playing the game immediately.