And an unforgivably cut-back Series S version.
But let’s go back to the technology and what we mean by ‘dated’ elements in the renderer.
In fairness, there are some positives.
Each console has two modes, favouring resolution or performance.
However, both target similar resolutions it’s just that the dynamic resolution range in performance mode is wider.
PS5 and Series X aim for 4K output in both modes, with Series S targeting 1080p instead.
For starters, there’s no temporal anti-aliasing, so the image is very unstable and messy.
Shimmer is common and transparent elements like hair get no anti-aliasing coverage.
like enable JavaScript to use our comparison tools.
That’s just the beginning of the issues though as we move onto platform comparisons.
Most of the detail and the artistic intent behind it is gone.
As it stands, Stranger of Paradise looks strangely flat and simple on Microsoft’s current-gen machines.
Resolution mode typically operates with a circa-10fps deficit relative to performance mode.
It doesn’t feel qualitatively different from performance mode but it does feel noticeably less stable.
Xbox Series X and S are curiously a bit differently configured.
The performance mode still targets 60fps, but the resolution mode now operates at 30fps.
This can present as a run of poorly-paced frames or a one-off 50ms frame followed by a 16.7ms one.
In gameplay it’s quite annoying.
Is there any way to get stable performance?
Yes, but only at a severe trade-off.
Worse still, asset quality is cut all the way down to the Series S standard.
However, there is a ‘hidden’ mode on PS5.
This mode appears to trigger the game at a straight 1080p output with no signs of checkerboarding.
The dips are still quite noticeable unfortunately.
Interestingly, PS4 Pro and Xbox One X perform fairly well.
It looks quite similar to the Series S release but drops frames much more rarely.
Resolution mode targets 30fps but frequently misses it, bottoming out at around 20fps.
This is not great - the base consoles are playable but only barely.
Performance is very poor here but I feared even worse results, coming from the current-gen releases.
At least the enhanced machines are reasonably functional, although asset fidelity and image quality remain somewhat dire.
Ultimately, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is a technically confounding game.
Visually it’s a throwback that combines reasonably detailed artwork with dated-looking rendering techniques.
Some areas look a bit garish or generic but others actually look decent.
