Performance Analysis
Ongoing coverage on Performance Analysis.
Latest coverage
Crimson Desert has sold through 4 million copies worldwide
Crimson Desert has surpassed 4 million copies sold worldwide. A Digital Foundry analysis highlights significant graphical and performance improvements on the PlayStation 5 Pro, particularly noting the effectiveness of its PSSR upscaling technology over FSR3.
Crimson Desert on PS5 Pro Delivers Another Big Leap Over The Base Console
Digital Foundry's analysis reveals that Crimson Desert on PlayStation 5 Pro offers significant upgrades over the base console, particularly through its PSSR technology which enhances image quality beyond FSR3. The 60fps mode now targets settings closer to the PS5's quality mode, while the 30fps mode achieves ultra-quality ray tracing and native 4K resolution.
'No Mode Is Properly Optimised on Base PS5': Crimson Desert's Console Performance a 'Mixed Bag'
Digital Foundry's analysis reveals that Crimson Desert suffers from significant performance issues on both the base PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro. None of the three graphical modes on the base PS5 are properly optimized, with issues ranging from blurry resolution to frame rate drops. While the PS5 Pro offers improvements, it still struggles with CPU bottlenecks in busy areas, leading to substantial frame rate dips across all modes.
Bargain hunters will know the MSI Cyborg well but are its sacrifices worth it?
The MSI Cyborg gaming laptop offers workable RTX 5050 performance and a surprisingly sturdy design at a budget price point. However, it sacrifices quality of life features like a soft trackpad and a less vibrant display compared to competitors. While it can run many games at 1080p, its performance is at the lower end for its class, making it a viable option primarily when found on sale.
Game Reviews
This article provides a performance analysis and tuning guide for DEATH STRANDING 2: On The Beach on PC. It aims to help players achieve the best possible experience by offering optimization tips and insights into the game's technical performance.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits' Switch 2 port is fine, but doesn't offer an upgrade over handheld PC or last-gen experiences
The Nintendo Switch port of Kena: Bridge of Spirits functions adequately, maintaining a steady 30 FPS and consistent visuals. However, it fails to leverage the console's capabilities, offering no graphical modes or DLSS implementation, and performs comparably to or worse than handheld PC versions like the Steam Deck.
MacBook Neo review
The MacBook Neo is a budget laptop that, despite its iPhone-derived processor, can surprisingly run a selection of PC games at playable frame rates. While not a dedicated gaming machine and requiring significant graphical compromises, it offers a decent experience for less demanding titles and casual play, making it a compelling option for Apple users seeking an affordable all-around laptop.
Video: Super Mario Bros. Wonder Side-By-Side Graphics Comparison (Switch & Switch 2)
A graphics comparison video highlights the visual and performance differences between Super Mario Bros. Wonder on the Nintendo Switch and its 'Switch 2 Edition'. The comparison shows a resolution jump to native 4K in docked mode and a maintained 60fps frame rate on both platforms.
Game Reviews
Reviews for Death Stranding 2 on handhelds, Project Songbird, and Screamer's PC performance have been released. The analysis covers benchmarks and overall performance on PC hardware.
Evening Multiplex
Gearbox Software released a special DevCast episode to check in on Borderlands 4 PC performance. The article also mentions official trailers and a trailer for SIRENS: Nyr.
Report: Crimson Desert's Story Was Decided Last Minute; Dev Reveals Strife During Development
A report indicates that the story for Crimson Desert was finalized late in development, with internal strife occurring during the game's creation. The article also discusses performance issues on Xbox Series X, suggesting PC as a potential alternative if console performance does not improve.
Game Reviews
This analysis examines the PC performance of Death Stranding 2, detailing frame rates, graphical settings, and potential optimizations. The article provides insights into how the game runs on various PC hardware configurations.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach feels great on the PC (but not so great on the Steam Deck)
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach offers a visually stunning experience on PC, closely matching the PlayStation 5 version's fidelity. However, the PC port suffers from minor stutters and frame drops, which were absent in the original console release. Performance on the Steam Deck is significantly poor, with framerates inconsistently ranging between 15-25 FPS even with dedicated low-settings presets.
Crimson Desert Looks 'Rough' on Base PS5, Here's 25 Minutes of Direct Capture Footage
Crimson Desert has been tested on the base PlayStation 5, with footage showing the game looking 'rough' and 'fuzzy' with significant screen tearing in Performance Mode. Despite visual shortcomings, the gameplay experience is reported to be adequate, offering similar content to the PS5 Pro or high-powered PC versions.
Crimson Desert's Performance Mode 'Not Recommended' on Base PS5, Here's 25 Minutes of Direct Capture Footage
Digital Foundry's early analysis suggests that Crimson Desert's Performance Mode is not recommended on the base PlayStation 5 due to unstable frame rates and low resolution. Quality and Balanced modes offer more stable performance, while the PS5 Pro with its PSSR 2 upscaler targets 60fps with improved image quality. The game's visuals are described as 'rough' and 'fuzzy' on the standard PS5.
How is Crimson Desert on PS5?
Crimson Desert offers a visually impressive open world on PlayStation 5, though performance varies across its three graphical settings: Balanced, Performance, and Quality. While Balanced mode provides a stable experience closer to 30fps with good visuals, Performance mode achieves near 60fps at the cost of resolution and visual fidelity. The Quality mode is not recommended for general gameplay due to severe camera motion stutter.
Crimson Desert Studio Share Prices Fall by Almost 29 Percent Following Reviews
Following the release of Crimson Desert, developer Pearl Abyss's share price has fallen by nearly 29 percent, likely due to mixed reviews with an aggregated Metacritic score of 78. The game's performance on PlayStation 5, including its Pro version, has been detailed, while information regarding its performance on Xbox Series X/S is still anticipated.
Tested: PS5 Pro's Upgraded PSSR Put Through Its Paces On Four Top-Tier Games
Digital Foundry tested Sony's PlayStation 5 Pro with its upgraded PSSR technology across four games: Silent Hill f, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard. A separate analysis of Alan Wake 2 is forthcoming.
Tested: PS5 Pro's Upgraded PSSR Put Through Its Paces On Four Top-Tier Games
Digital Foundry tested the PlayStation 5 Pro's upgraded PSSR technology using four games: Silent Hill f, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard. A separate analysis of Alan Wake 2 is forthcoming. The article focuses on the performance improvements offered by the new hardware.
Crimson Desert PC: Nvidia And AMD ML Tech Delivers Vastly Improved Lighting
Digital Foundry's analysis of Crimson Desert suggests impressive visual fidelity and performance, particularly on the PlayStation 5 Pro. While further testing is needed for base PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, the current signs point to a potentially phenomenal experience, especially with the Pro's upgraded PSSR technology.
