Minecraft with path tracing almost looks like Minecraft 2

It's Minecraft, but not as we know it. The latest build of popular shader pack Sonic Ether’s Unbelievable Shaders (SEUS) implements path tracing, a rendering method similar to ray tracing, and the results are stunning.

I love the way the light reflects off the floor in the first clip below, and in the second clip you can see sunlight streaming through a window. It looks better in videos than in screenshots—almost like Minecraft 2.0. Make sure you hit fullscreen on the videos for the full effect.

Messing around a bit moreyou can do indirect lighting and stuff now pic.twitter.com/X8q3msBen7March 30, 2019

Naturally, getting visuals this good out of Minecraft requires a powerful set-up. Notglacier, the user that posted the videos on Twitter, said he was getting between 25 and 40 fps from a rig that includes an i9-9900k CPU and a GTX 1070 Ti.

The latest build of SEUS is currently only available to Patreon backers, but I'm sure it won't be long until it makes it into the general release.

Samuel Horti is a long-time freelance writer for PC Gamer based in the UK, who loves RPGs and making long lists of games he'll never have time to play. He's now a full-time reporter covering health at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. When he does have time for games you may find him on the floor, struggling under the weight of his Steam backlog.