Performance Analysis: The Evil Within

Resolution is the first order of business: the developer opts for an extra-wide aspect ratio, presumably in order to reduce the games' rendering load - though HUD elements are displayed in this region. Based on what's rendered inside the letterbox, however, we're left with a 1920x768 resolution on PlayStation 4 and a meagre 1600x640 on Xbox One. In effect, it's the now-familiar 1080p vs 900p set-up here, but the intrusive borders serve to cut-down actual rendering resolution significantly. Only 71 per cent of the screen's real estate is actually used for gameplay - and the aspect ratio utilised is actually a higher 2.5:1 rather than the 'cinematic' 2.35:1.

(...)

As it stands the results aren't looking great for either console but the PS4 version takes the lead for the moment with its higher resolution and smoother update when running at 30fps. It is odd that certain scenes do operate with a slight advantage on Xbox One, however, and we'll have to play further to see how the game trends...

[vishmarx]

xb1 version is 900p, certainly looked that way from the comparison vids. despite the older claims of same res

[jackanderson1985]

it's not really 900p with the borders, same way the PS4 isn't actually 1080p

[I_am_Batman]

The image quality is the same as 900p though. It's just not filling out the whole frame due to a different aspect ratio.

It's disappointing to see that a game which looks mediocre graphically can't even run at 30fps on either current gen console. Maybe cross gen development was too much for them to handle considering it's a new formed dev team.

I'll still get the game though but I definately am disappointed that they couldn't sort the issues out before launch.

[mandf]

I am batman

Is that same logic going to be used when the order comes out? I'm asking a legitimate question.

[darthv72]

Serious question here. 'IF' there was none of these analysis being done...would anyone really notice?

The games atmospheric style, coupled with what I would presume to be an audio experience to set the mood, is what they were going for.

So setting things the way they did worked out from what I have read and seen. The game play (shock and awe type) was the main focus overall.

[the_dark_one]

do you know more then this guys who did the analysis of the game???? or do you know more then the devs who created the game????? you do realize that the game still is rendered at 900p on xbox one and 1080p on ps4 it just they add the borders to make it an aspect more cinematographic. and if you read the article on pc you can remove the borders and it still look the same, just would be more on stuff rendered on screen but the resolution wouldnt increase.

PS- next time get your facts right

[mandf]

Darthv73

I agree but the borders actually are cool to me. Once an exclusive has borders we both know it's going to be used as a negative when it shouldn't be.

[jackanderson1985]

@dark

1080p as defined by almost everyone is 2073600 pixels, the "1080p" mentioned above is 1397760 pixels.

pretty big drop in pixels, borders or no borders the output is 1920 x 768, not 1920 x 1080, so it's less than 1080p

it's like putting a limiter on a car engine, it may well be able to do 200 mph but if it's limited to 120 it's top speed will always be 120

[I_am_Batman]

@mandf: "Is that same logic going to be used when the order comes out? I'm asking a legitimate question."

Yes.

@jackanderson1985: Again, The image quality stays exactly the same. You get a cropped image but the image isn't upscaled as opposed to a smaller resolution with the same aspect ratio.

Most movies are shot in 21:9 and it's still called 1080p by most. I agree it's actually more accurate to call both dimensions of the resolution though.

[mandf]

I am batman

You nailed a very articulate and well managed explaination.

[starchild]

1080p is 1920 x 1080 pixels, 900p is 1600 x 900 pixels. Those are standard resolutions and this is why they can be shortened to 1080p and 900p. It makes no sense to refer to other pixel densities and ratios by those terms just because the horizontal pixel count is the same.

Otherwise I could make a game that displays at 1920 x 80 and still call it 1080p. It would be only a thin horizontal strip across the middle of the display and would be vastly easier to render by the hardware, but we could pretend it was 1080p, even though it doesn't make sense.

The fact is, such resolutions are done to reduce load on the hardware, not because they are "more cinematic". They effectively give us a smaller display with less visual information and they are much easier to render. There is a cost to the gamer and a savings in terms of rendering load, so let's not pretend that it is the same thing. It's sub 1080p, period.

[MRMagoo123]

@darth

*"'IF' there was none of these analysis being done...would anyone really notice? "*

http://n4g.com/news/1603783...

I can say without a doubt I noticed and so did a lot of others so yes would be the answer

[gfk342]

Not only that X1 is 900p, but from the read of the article (comments on each photo comparison) seems that X1 has worse texture filtering and also loss in distant detail.

[TheXgamerLive]

Yet Xbox One better video cut scene rendering? Sadly both aren't this gen current. But once again, is the game fun? Then enjoy:)

[Letthewookiewin]

Quick I need an X1. The leading graphical powerhouse of this gen!

[TheXgamerLive]

Nov 2nd the Holiday bundles will be out. Nows the time. Get ready for a great experience.

[Evo21]

"As it stands the results aren't looking great for either console but the PS4 version takes the lead for the moment with its higher resolution and smoother update when running at 30fps..."

[hello12]

I haven't had frame rate drops at all, the resolution looked 720p to me., surprised its 900p.

Good game so far played for around 20 minutes. Its gruesome, and bloody.

Does Digital foundry not watch their own videos? Jeez the frame rate is worse on the PS4, but they saying the opposite when they write an article. I don't get it?

If the PS4 is running 30fps better explain the 25fps 28fps for x box 1 at 26 seconds?

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[triangle_todd]

Did you read the article? Apparently not.

"What's worse, on Xbox One, it almost feels as if the renderer is out of sync with the game simulation. These particular issues don't appear in the performance metrics yet the issue is very much present. As a result, even when the game is rendering out 30fps, it sometimes feels worse than it should. To illustrate the issue, right-click, save as, and download this Xbox One clip, and compare it with this matched PlayStation 4 clip. Both games are rendering at a locked 30fps, but something's clearly very wrong with the Xbox One build. Looking at the numbers alone suggests that both versions produce similar performance metrics with some scenes even operating a touch smoother on Xbox One but, in practice, the Microsoft version feels worse, but ultimately, neither version feels particularly smooth during normal gameplay."

[Artista]

I wonder why the game is so unoptimised.

It runs poorly on both consoles, especially on XO.

Only the PC can do full HD and unlocked 60fps, even the PC version is unoptimised.

[Software_Lover]

That's almost the same resolution as The Order. I'm sure they can get it locked since its a one console game.

[Jide]

'It is odd that certain scenes do operate with a slight advantage on Xbox One' How come this part was skipped in the comments? Everybody hates the Xbox lol

[windblowsagain]

Poor Optimization.

Idtech5 wasn't good in rage tbh.

Texture were crap up close and it was nothing special.

Textures in this game are meh as well.

Looks like they've just ported from PC straight over and done nothing.

Both console versions are 30fps or under. But x1 actually screen tears in places.

[kevnb]

I bet pc whiners will still blame consoles that it isn't optimized and say they would be better off with the console version.

[sorane]

Not sure why you would ever think someone would choose the console version of this game if they have the choice of playing the much superior PC version. Game runs like a dream on PC compared to the console version even on cards like the 750ti.

[starchild]

Yeah, kevnb, I know what you are talking about. There are PC gamers like that and they are pretty ignorant. They don't put things in perspective. They simply think their medium range PC should run everything maxed out with flawless framerates. And, sure, it would be nice if that were the case, but it's simply never going to happen.

However, I have yet to find a multiplat that wasn't still quite superior on the PC. Even the ones some people complain about are still much better on PC both in terms of graphics and framerate.

[kevnb]

dont get me wrong I agree, but these angry keyboard warriors will be pissed they cant run it maxed at 1080p 60 fps using a 6 year old video card.

[mochachino]

Personally, I'm not buying any sub 30 FPS games this gen. If the engine can't handle what's going on at 30 FPS then lower other effects.

I much rather we don't have a situation like last gen where you have all these games trying to push the graphical envelope but become choppy 20-30 FPS messes. Too me a constant variable sub 30 framerate looks far to choppy to be enjoyed.

[Dannagar]

OMG! I bought this game yesterday and it runs like $#!t! WTF happen?

[WayneKerr]

How's the 360/Ps3 options?????

[u4one]

I guess the PS4 version is the one to get if you have the option of choosing.

[turdburgler1080]

Hmmm I've been too busy playing the game and having fun to notice these small discrepancies. Maybe you should stop watching these videos by eurotrash and digital dumpster and go play the game. #notmychristian

[strangeaeon]

Not sure I will be dropping the cash for this one, maybe PC.

[CernaML]

Bu bu but...

PCBOX said this game was going to be 1080p on the X1 because of the amazing idtech 5 engine!
Haha Another day, another bowl of crow served.