Avowed PS5/PS5 Pro - DF Review - Excellent Game, Decent Port, Light on Pro Upgrades

Obsidian's Avoued: A Detailed Look at the PS5 Version

Overview of Obsidian's Avoued

• The speaker expresses enthusiasm for Obsidian's Avoued, highlighting its stylistic RPG elements and impressive use of Unreal Engine 5.

• Oliver McKenzie has played the game for the first time, setting the stage for a discussion on its performance and features.

Performance Modes and Visual Quality

• The game offers three modes: 30 FPS mode, balanced mode targeting 40 FPS, and a 60 FPS mode, allowing players to choose based on their preferences.

• Image quality is noted as superior compared to other recent UE5 games, with rich world details enhanced by technologies like Lumen and Nanite.

Technical Insights on Reflections

• Previous Xbox versions displayed results akin to software lumen reflections; however, it was revealed that hardware mode was utilized but with simplified geometric models.

• The hybrid approach in rendering reflections allows for better visual fidelity than pure SDF reflections while maintaining good performance.

Comparison Between PS5 and Xbox Series X Versions

• Initial comparisons show that both PS5 and Xbox Series X versions are similar in quality mode at 30 FPS, with minor differences in foliage and shadow quality.

• Dynamic resolution is employed on both platforms; however, PS5 occasionally falls short of the targeted 1440p resolution compared to Series X.

Frame Rate Stability and Performance Differences

• While both consoles maintain a consistent 30 FPS in quality mode, frame pacing issues are more pronounced on PS5 compared to Series X’s steadier performance metrics.

• In performance mode, visual settings differ notably; distant shadows are less detailed on PS5 while Series X maintains higher resolutions across various scenarios.

Performance Comparison: PS5 vs. Xbox Series X

Frame Rate and Performance Modes

• The PS5 generally maintains a closer proximity to the 60 fps mark compared to the Xbox Series X, which shows slightly lower performance in wilderness settings.

• Both consoles achieve a stable 40 fps during testing, although capturing balance modes proved challenging due to limitations.

VRR Implementation and Issues

• Unlocked modes are available on both consoles; however, the Series X experiences screen tearing even with VRR enabled, making these modes undesirable. In contrast, PS5's unlocked modes function correctly with VRR but offer only marginal performance increases (e.g., 65-70 fps in performance mode).

• The discussion highlights that while many PS5 third-party games lack proper VRR implementation, this title successfully incorporates it on the PS5. Conversely, issues persist on Xbox regarding VRR functionality.

Visual Quality and Shadow Details

• Notable differences in shadow detail were observed in specific areas (e.g., town area), where the PS5 exhibited less shadow detail compared to Series X; however, overall image quality remained similar across both platforms.

• The resolution is slightly reduced on PS5 due to dynamic resolution techniques; nonetheless, these differences are not significantly noticeable during gameplay. Overall minor downgrades exist but do not detract from the experience substantially.

Native Support for PS5 Pro

• The game is labeled as "PS5 Pro enhanced," yet enhancements are minimal; it matches Series X in resolution across various tests (1440p or 1080p depending on mode). No significant improvements were found when comparing image quality between consoles using FSR technology without PSSR implementation issues noted in other titles.

• Differences in shadow coverage were identified: Series X had superior coverage compared to both standard and Pro versions of PS5 during performance mode testing. In balance mode, shadow coverage was more aligned between standard and Pro versions of PS5.

Stability and Frame Rate Analysis

• In terms of frame rate stability, the performance mode on PS5 Pro showed fewer drops than its counterparts; however, quality mode still faced frame pacing problems albeit less severe than before. Balance mode remains locked at 40 fps across all tested consoles. Overall impressions suggest that while the PS5 Pro performs better than Series X overall, it does not fully utilize its hardware capabilities effectively within this title context.

Game Performance Analysis: Unreal Engine 5

General Observations on Game Performance

• The performance differences between consoles are minimal, with expectations for better quality settings not fully realized.

• The Series X is identified as the "pro console," leading to a lack of excitement regarding performance improvements.

• Overall image quality and performance are commendable, especially with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), despite some drawbacks in rendering resolution.

Rendering and Visual Quality Insights

• The game meets typical expectations for a UE5 title, although the PS5 may perform slightly worse than anticipated compared to Series X.

• Notably absent features include PSSR (Post-Processing Screen Space Reflections) and ray tracing for higher-end consoles, which is disappointing.

• Despite visual limitations, the port is well-executed; the game's aesthetic appeal surpasses that of "The Outer Worlds 2."

Artistic Elements and Environment Design

• The game boasts beautiful art and lighting but suffers from noticeable pop-in effects, particularly in shadows.

• Static environments are common in UE5 games due to optimization strategies that limit animated foliage to certain distances from the camera.

Gameplay Experience and Content Length

• The game offers a reasonable length of about 10 to 15 hours for completion, with ample side content available for exploration.

• While console configurations are satisfactory, the PC version remains superior overall.

Final Thoughts on Game Quality

• Despite its flaws, the game performs well across all platforms including Series S; it’s deemed worth playing by Obsidian.

• A positive discussion wraps up with an invitation for viewers to engage further through subscriptions and support on Patreon.