Wow...this is surprising. This honestly looks more like a gen 9 game, forced onto gen 8 hardware. Lets get into the basics...
Frame rate drops into the low 20s on the PS4 and into the teens on the X1. The X1X struggles to hold 30 fps in firefights, appearing to be around 25-28 fps. The Series S however holds a solid 30 fps with no dips.
The image quality is crisp on the Series X and PS5 on both quality and performance modes, and puts the blurry image of the gen 8 consoles to shame. Both the PS5 and Series X (performance mode) hold a stable 60 fps, with a few minor dips to as low as 57 fps. The Series X has an added quality mode that runs at a solid and locked 30 fps with a few minor improvements to shadows and the like, but offers little over the performance mode overall.
Take a look for yourself, this game should have probably just been moved to gen 9 exclusive by the look of it. With both poor image quality and failure to maintain a stable framerate on gen 8 consoles, but smooth performance with clear visuals on gen 9 consoles...one has to wonder if at some point this just did not become a gen 9 game overall.
I know a true next gen patch is coming with extra bells and whistles, but honestly the difference between versions here already looks a generation apart in practice. Unless you are desperate to play, I would suggest waiting till you have a next gen console based on this footage to play the game (with or without the "next gen patch").
EDIT
PS5 vs XSX comparison by digital Foundry added. Key notes...
Performance mode
XSX capped at 1080p
PS5 hangs around 1188p
XSX has noticeable higher crowd and traffic density.
PS5 dips as low as 52 fps in driving, but mainly around 60 fps outside of that.
XSX has identical minor issues while driving, plus a bug that can make the screen freeze and hang for a few seconds on rare occasion. In heavy combat, frame rate will fluctuate to the mid 50s where the PS5 seems more stable.
Due to higher crowd and traffic density on XSX with minimal resolution differences, XSX edges visuals in this mode. PS5 has a slight frame rate advantage as a trade off.
Quality mode (XSX and S only)
Higher resolution (1512p-1728p) with better lighting, reflections, shadows, and ambient occlusion on XSX.
XSS has runs the same visual effects as XSX, but lower resolution.
XSX runs at locked 30 fps with no dips at all. XSS is also locked at 30 fps, but can get a very RARE drop to 20s for a moment during heavy driving sequences.
Series S impresses as it appears to be more than just the One S version in BC.
Overall it looks like the XSX is the best console version to play at this time, and offers the best visuals on console with quality mode. Even in performance mode, while the PS5 does have a slight frame rate advantage, due to having higher crowd and traffic density I give the nod to the XSX overall here as well.
EDIT 2
Added the comparison for PS5 vs XSX on NXgamer, which shows the XSX also has the clear advantage in visual fidelity across the board in performance mode as well with a slightly higher average resolution (XSX 2304x1296 to PS5 2160x1215), emphasis on crowd and traffic density, and visuals effects.
However the difference in frame rate puts an even bigger advantage on PS5 for 60 fps mode, making DF statement about XSX being the visual choice and PS5 being the performance choice even more relevant.
If you play on XSX, quality mode is the way to go. And in all honesty, to me, quality mode on the XSX feels the most polished and complete of any console version available as it has the best image quality and effects, but has a pretty much locked 30 fps.
When taking into consideration the higher crowd density and everything, one has to wonder if that is the reason for the dips in 60 fps mode. Maybe if they scaled that stuff back to match the PS5 on performance mode, it could have also had a smooth 60 fps experience as well with a bit more of a resolution bump. If people want the extra crowd density and effects, it should have been left to performance mode (where it can actually benefit from those extra bells and whistles).
In any case, they still have a lot of optimization on both consoles to do. I have a feeling the "next gen" patch is a long way out, because they have bigger things to worry about.
Performance winner = PS5
Visual fidelity winner = XSX
My person choice= XSX wins overall due to quality mode. This is subjective however as some people may prefer a stable 60 fps over the clear visual advantages on XSX.
Last edited by Shiken - on 13 December 2020Nintendo Switch Friend Code: SW-5643-2927-1984
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