Sonic fan site Sonic Stadium managed to get some hands-on time with Sonic Forces at this year’s E3 event and have presented their reasonably alarming impressions. The game, which is coming to the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4, only runs at 30fps on Nintendo’s latest console. There’s other compromises to be had which you can read below. However, it is still early days as Sonic Forces isn’t out till the fall.
The most notable difference is that the game runs at 30 frames per second – half the rate of the competing systems. Texture and models are of lower quality, with certain effects either trimmed down or removed entirely. The lush, wavy grass from the PS4 version of Green Hill is less lush and wavy on the Switch, and far more jagged, with even shadows being effected. The shadows cast by Eggman’s Eggmobile were distinctly lower resolution, appearing jagged with inconsistent levels of darkness. Most of these issues, outside of the frame rate, are borderline unnoticeable in portable mode. But in console mode, the flaws are very apparent.
It happens…
Original Xbox: Finally a worthy opponent, our battle will be legendary!
SMH Nintendo does us so wrong! I try to support them..I don’t ask for much.. Can we get visuals at least close to What the other consoles get? At least give us last Gen lol
You know the Wii U was pretty close to the 360 if not better and that the NS is more powerful than both those systems…so yeah you actually aren’t going to get last gen.
Wii U was actually a bit more powerful than PS3/360. It had more than double those console’s RAM, and a much more competent GPU. It’s CPU was it’s weakness, but made up for it with some good DRAM. It could mostly run circles around both those consoles, and the Switch mops the floor with Wii U.
The fact that you’re all comparing the Wii U to the grneration before it (the PS4/XB1 were the Wii U’s competition) is still funny.
I get that Nintendo has done their own thing since the Gamecube, but PS4 Pro and Xbox One X out do the Switch and they’re both last gen.
I dunno how much longer their cool gimmicks are gonna save them to be honest.
the Wii U was basically 1.6-1.8 times more powerful than the 360 and Ps3
what killed the Wii U was the dev architecture
For a portable console, that is pretty good. Don’t know what y’all expected on a freaking mobile.
It’s like people have already forgotten what we got with Sonic Unleashed on Wii vs Sonic Unleashed on PS3, and think that because this game runs at 30fps, has a little less flowing grass, and simpler shadows, that the game is going to be night and day different than the PS4 version.
Most people won’t even notice the changes outside the frame rate. Nobody seemed to care that Generations on PS3 was UPSCALED 1080p and 30fps which was the Hedgehog Engine, but suddenly the Switch running the Hedgehog Engine 2 Sonic Forces at basically the same 1080p 30fps (720p handheld) is somehow a deal breaker, and the game is terrible because the Switch is “so weak”, is ludicrous.
Begs the question why make the switch a fucking portable in the first place when it’s supposed to be a home console. 3DS is there for portable use.
Because they wouldn’t be able to make a powerful home console look attractive and competitive when the full-fledged PS4 and Xbone are already out there. Releasing a powerful portable that almost keeps up to the Xbone graphically was the wiser choice.
Thank you!
Personally, I don’t care if the Switch never leaves my room (probably safer that way), so long as I get both quality and quantity amout of games (nothing left out in favor of the PS4/XBOne/PC) with no cut content. And needless to say, Wii owners got the crap version of Sonic Unleashed.
Just give me a system with a retro library I can catch up with (32X, Jaguar, Saturn, PS1, Dreamcast, PS2, XB1, PSP, PS3).
Jay seems to be a confused person. PS3 and Xbox 360 were consoles of its time, they were updated with the generation. The Switch isn’t updated if it can’t run games like its competitors. You could argue: “It’s a handheld console”, true, but I’m not bragging that it can run 1080p games, when it’s competitors run 1440p games (what’s that? PS4 Pro and Xbox One X don’t run true 4K? Neither does the Switch with 1080p, what are the odds, huh).
The point is, for some reason SEGA was forced to dim down these features and if SEGA does it with a simple game like Sonic, imagine the rest of 3rd Party companies.
How do you figure this is nintendos fault? Nintendo is putting it 1080 60fps games. You do know SEGA is developing sonic forces, right?
Breath of the Wild was not 1080p 60FPS
But Mario Odyssey is.
Lmao nobody mentioned BOTW
Resolution isn’t a tell all of a console’s capability. Developers aren’t arbitrarily choosing not to run a game in 1080p or run at 60FPS. That stuff doesn’t exist in a vacuum performance wise.
Furthermore, Nintendo no longer has to keep secrets of their development tricks since being part of the Khronos Group (OpenGL, Vulkan) means they have to share whatever tricks they got running on Switch with said group and its partners. If Sega can’t get stuff running like they should, it either says the tools have their limits or the Tegra X1 the Switch is using does.
What I’m saying is that the console is capable of putting out 1080p 60fps games. I don’t know how demanding sonic forces is exactly, but if Ninty is putting out 108060 (to abbreviate), I don’t see how anyone can blame them for a console that never delivers graphically.
No one was raising doubt Switch couldn’t support 1080p or run games in 60FPS if conditions were right. Those two things are expected with the best visual quality, including crisp textures, solid lighting engines, anti-aliasing and geometric rich environments that flesh out the world as detailed as possible.
What’s often suggested is that sacrificing details and effects are often needed to run 1080p60 on Nintendo’s box because the guts stress out far more than the competition. Maybe a future build could look better, maybe. I do have doubts as this suggests Sega hit an upper limit on the console or at least a port job won’t go as swimmingly as Nintendo’s selling.
I want you to understand the argument you’re defending though, even just for contexts sake.
Saying “Nintendo does us so wrong” in response to how a game someone else is developing is performing doesn’t make sense to me.
If the complaint is “the console is underpowered compared to the competition”, I suppose it’s valid, but personally I don’t see how. Because then you’d be asking for Nintendo to be making a powerful box with the portability aspect scrapped because the tech is probably just not here yet, which defeats the entire purpose of the console and Nintendo’s business mantra.
I’ve never understood this complaint and never will. Great games were possible on the 3DS, which has a max resolution of 240p or something. PS360 games are still being played today and the Switch is more powerful than those two, with the added bonus of being PORTABLE. Sacrifices had to be made to make this brilliant concept.
And it’s not like it doesn’t service well as a home console as well, with Ninty themselves putting out 1080 60fps games. This is my point. Saying “Nintendo does us so wrong” in the context of the original post makes no sense to me.
As far as concern goes, Developers have different engines and may not fully understand the consoles capabilities. Whereas Nintendo made the damn console and uses lighter engines. There is not a single Nintendo game that I can deem “demanding”, the visuals are all empty textures with colourful and lively colours, which carries no weight when it comes to render. Other developers, however, are not this cheap.
Nintendo uses lighter engines? Do you maybe have a source or something to verify?
“There is not a single Nintendo game that I can deem “demanding””
It always looks like that from a distance, but apparently Nintendo’s stuff is just demanding in different ways. Examples include Mario Sunshine’s water physics in while the rest of the game looks pretty light or Wind Waker’s lighting engine. Even a more recent example shows that BoTW is a very CPU intensive game that loads a lot of stuff in the background. Reverse engineering always shows there’s a bit more at hand than meets the eye and I don’t doubt that’ll be the case for ARMS or Odyssey.
““Nintendo does us so wrong”
No one said that but you, cliff. Do not argue with things that were not said explicity. Suggesting it’s implied is grasping at straws.
“If the complaint is “the console is underpowered compared to the competition”,
It’s viable in the sense it can support Unreal Engine 4 and Vulkan, but generally speaking ARM and x86 architecture are still a generation or so apart. NVidia or not, ARM themselves pretty much confirms this is a bottleneck in current gen mobile GPUs (pre-BiFrost) keeping up with PCs, possibly with that in mind. It’s powerful comparatively to 3DS and Wii U but so far with games available on PS4 (Snake Pass, DQH 1+2 and Sonic Forces), the Switch versions lag behind. That is fact, I’m just addressing what is. Not stirring dissent.
“No one said that but you, cliff”
1. My names not cliff.
2.
yaboysix JUNE 25, 2017 AT 12:01 AM
SMH Nintendo does us so wrong! I try to support them..I don’t ask for much.. Can we get visuals at least close to What the other consoles get? At least give us last Gen lol
Liked by 1 person
REPLY
This was the comment I was originally responding to. If you had just done a little bit of reading you would’ve understood the context.
In response to your second paragraph though, I’ll say this; understanding the concept of the Switch means you understand that SOME performance compromises had to be made. So no, it’s not a fact that the Switch version lags behind PS4 unless you’re purely talking performance. In which case, ill respond by saying the PS4 version lags behind the Switch version, because it has less control methods and you’re required to have a TV to play it, unlike on Switch.
How is this nintendos fault? Also,why do you want more of the same?
because its their console that cant support 60fps on a game that every other console can
Ah, so why does Snake Pass run worse on PS4 then?
I feel sorry for you people that think Snake Pass is this powerful, demanding game that puts the Switch on par with the competition. Newsflash: it’s not. I wish it was but it’s just not. (I will concede it’s possible it could be on par with the original PS4 but I doubt it.) The Switch is to PS4 Pro & Xbox One S as Wii U was to PS4 & Xbox One. Luckily for Switch, though, 3rd parties aren’t making games exclusive to the PS4 Pro, Xbox One S, or even the Xbox One X but to the original PS4 & Xbox One so it’s not gonna get left in the dust like Wii U was. (At least I hope not, anyway.)
@Brandon Hardacre It doesn’t run worse on PS4. PS4 has better resolution and visuals on that game than switch.
Holy cow dude, if you glance at the screen of the Switch and PS4 versions running side by side, you won’t even notice a difference.
It’s the exact same game. This is also a demo of the unfinished game, so some of this stuff will likely be smoothed out. Seriously, the compromises of 30fps, shadow quality and grass density is hardly a big deal. It’s not like we are talking about the Wii version of Sonic Unleashed compared to Unleashed on PS3.
The Wii U was more powerful than PS3/360. The Switch is much more powerful than Wii U. I don’t know what the heck you’re talking about with Last Generation, because Sonic Forces uses the new Hedgehog 2 Engine, which blows away the first one, last used in Sonic Generations, or maybe Lost World.
Kreyword: “Glance”. If you look any further you’ll immedeatily notice the jaggy 30 FPS on switch compared to smooth 60 FPS on PS4.
Can you stop bringing PS3 and Xbox 360, when the rightful competitors are PS4 and Xbox One? Wanna compare the Switch with Atari 2600 while you’re at it? Might as well
SnakePass lmao!
I seriously can’t believe we’re talking about resolution as if it’s the be all end all of Nintendo.
These comprimises make no sense, other than Sonic Team just not giving a shit about the switch port… this isn’t nintendos fault, the Switch CAN do better than this, look at Mario Odyssey, games smooth as silk.
Lighter engine, lighter textures, made by the same company who made the Switch.
Shut up you nintendo hating Sony fanboy graphics whore retard gtfoh with that bs!!!
Maybe I wasted my time giving this guy the benefit of a doubt. Sounds like just another toxic Nintendo fan with that comment. Oh well. What’s one more sheep, eh?
Meh, as long as it doesn’t look like a PS1 game I’m cool with it.
Its obvious this is going to occur with every multiplat game on the switch. Of course it’s going to look better on more powerful systems. The key is just that it remains stable. Im not sure how 30fps affects the speed of Sonic tho so that maybe be a problem I agree with that.
I’d rather prefer a game underperforming on graphics and such than not having the game. I’ll buy Forces on Switch because I already preordered Mania for my PS4.
or you could get forces on the ps4 and literally not deal with either lmao why would you get the more demanding game on the less powerful console and vice versa
Because it’s their money and they do what they want with it? And other reasons maybe such as wanting it on the go?
True though, I personally don’t have a problem, I don’t expect a handheld to compete with the likes of PS4 and Xbox, but looking into the future sights, how likely is the Switch survival if every game has to be dimmed? How much effort will developers put on a console that could be easily port’able? For how long will they do this?
Looks like I was right.
I’ll take it for the ability to take it on the go.
+1. I’ll buy it on Switch just because of portability which no other platform can deliver.
:].
Do you know why this is fucking studio? Mario Odyssey runs at 60fps and looks way better than the Switch version of this game
Sega are just lazy, I REALLY hope this gets fixed before launch because this is fucking stupid!
*stupid
you know sonic levels are many times bigger than mario levels and that sega really likes jamming graphical effrcts and blurs into their games, something mario doesnt really do, right? They even cut down on these effects for the switch version, according to the article. I think they tried.
Let me give you an analogy: You have a large box, put a single paper inside and run with the box. Pretty light right? Now, you have a large box, put 8 terabytes of paper inside and run with the box. All of a sudden, you feel a major difference, huh? Same for the Switch, just because it looks big, beautiful and we’ll textured, does not mean it’s demanding.
I agree and in my opinion sega is pretty much a joke now. I’m not buying their mediocre 3d sonic games anymore especially after playing the awful sonic Boom on the wii u.
This just sounds like a piece to stir up arguments.
Also,so what if it has some compromises,is it really gonna stop you from playing the game?
Being the same game with the same content, stages, music and such, I will not bother.
Compromises are expected. I’m in it for the portable aspect. Off-screen play was my favorite feature of the Wii U,a nd the Switch does it so much better. The real question will be whether or not the game is garbage. Generally 50/50 with the state of Sega these days. Looking forward to Mania, though.
Glad the game will exist. Will get on PS4, sonic mania on switch. 😂✌
Even the better graphics and framerate of the ps4 version isn’t going to save sonic forces.The game is straight up garbage weather it be the switch or ps4 version it doesn’t make a difference.Since when has sega made an awesome 3d sonic game they’ve all been mediocre at best.
Guess that’s subjective, as I’ve said in the article I enjoyed Unleashed, Generations and Colors. Have you played forces yet? What do you dislike about it?
Even if the Switch version is stuck like this, whatever. I can just get it on my PS4 if I want better quality & frames per second. So no loss.
The Switch being weak isn’t gonna stop me from enjoying multiplatform games like the Wii & Wii U did.
}{ If you are going to have a Nintendo console, you are going to have to accept the inevitable inferiority of your hardware… If you seek true power, the PC is the only place you’ll find it… }{
Who let the elitist PC fanboy in here?
I mean hes not wrong and i love my switch. Choosing it over pc for any games that dont take a performance hit from it. Sonic Forces just isnt one of them
Something tells me this was SEGA rushing this version out the door in time for a simultaneous release on all formats that was the result of this.
While this is fairly alarming, might I remind everyone that this game still has MONTHS left until release? There’s still plenty of time for polish. Even if they can’t hit that 60fps right away, an update can still fix it later- that’s what happened with Super Bomberman R.
Lets not forget they are talking about a Demo from an unfinished game. We have no idea what the final product will run like, and look like.
With that said, lets say the Switch has slightly lower resolution textures, “less lush” grass and a lower level shadow effect. Who cares? It’s still the Hedgehog Engine 2. It’s still going to look better than Generations, which used Hedgehog Engine. Lets go ahead and also assume it ends up 1080p 30fps docked and 720p 30fps in handheld. Again, who cares? Nobody bitched about Generations being upscaled 1080p 30fps on PS3. So why would native 1080p 30fps be such a bad thing for Switch? Yeah, 60fps would be nice, it always looks great, but since when has everybody become such a graphics whore? Nobody seemed to care about 30 or 60fps until Digital Foundry told them they need to care.
This is the same exact game as the PS4/XB1 version. It’s not watered down. You want to see a watered down port of a Sonic game? Just go back and look at Sonic Unleashed on Wii and PS3. Compare those two side by side on youtube, then go back and compare Sonic Forces on Switch and PS4. I rest my case. Stop complaining, it’s the same game. Of course some very small sacrifices had to be made because the Switch is fully portable. It’s worth the 30fps IMO.
It’s fine. No one can pretend the same features of console three times more powerful. If it’s beautiful it’s enough.
I never liked Sonic games so I will avoid this one too. Though they did good by supporting my Nintendo Switch.
SEGA have stated time and time again that the Nintendo Switch version of the game is only a n Early Beta, meaning the game is more than likely going to see some improvements over the course of a few months.
#FuckSega
Switch is a fucking Tablet. This is no surprise. It’s a tablet with a mobile processor. It can’t be compared with a PC or PC-Like consoles. It’s an option to play console games on the go, portability over graphics. If you want the best looking games and all the DLC, You should get a current gen console.
Inb4 this information is half wrong. Compared to the other builds shown at E3 it was confirmed that the switch version was a way earlier build compared to the others. This can be shown by glitches in the Egg Dragoon boss as Classic Sonic. The game is hugely unfinished for Switch just wait
@Jay Garvens The problem with your argument is, Sonic Generations was built to run at an upscaled 1080p at 30fps. The game wasn’t scrapped down to run like that. Sonic Forces wasn’t built to run like that buddy, so it’s understandable that people get upset when it runs the way it does on the Switch. Everyone else and their grandma is gonna experience the game the way the devs actually wanted them to, while Switch owners are just gonna have to take whatever they can get, whatever their system can handle. It’s been like this since I owned a Wii, and it hasn’t changed. I dunno what’s wrong with some of you. I’m getting the game for PS4 so it’s no skin off my back, but don’t tell a Switch owner his anger is illegitimate. The dudes ain’t asking for much. They’re just asking for what everyone else is getting. Since when did that become too much to ask for? They want equality, and they deserve it, but devs can’t treat them equally when the hardware specs aren’t equal. Ain’t even close. It is what it is.
The game isn’t anywhere close to being finished compared to the other builds, at E3 they said that. that’s also why the switch version was a bit buggy when playing the Classic Sonic boss
Ok so what’s the problem? 30fps is enough. I don’t understand why people still hoping so much demand on the latest Nintendo console. The Switch only appear almost 4 months ago and they think the Switch can do so many thinks like the PS4 and Xbox One.
I really enjoy the Switch so basically play a game in 30 fps is ok for me.
“30fps is enough” Honestly, if the Switch is meant to be this console/tablet hybrid device than 30fps really isn’t enough but of course console retarded console fucks like you will defend 30fps like there’s no fucking tomorrow when in reality it’s fucking ancient by this point.
Excuse me, but Nintendo fans are not fanatics of graphical input or performance, so I don’t know why it would be a problem to them. Plus, the Switch is indeed a tablet, which will have performance issues at times, like every other console. For them to cap it to 30fps, must be because the render of 60fps would fry up the components and distability performance altogether.
True. Some Nintendo fans are just fanatical about everything Nintendo says.
Personally. Games at 30fps are still enjoyable. If the game was at 15 fps then there is a problem, but 30 is ok. This is a personal opinion.
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I pretty much decided that I am purchasing all multiplats on my PS4 Pro. I will buy all of the Switch exclusives though!
How dare you copy my plan with the Switch!? D:< /s lol Just kidding. Least I'm not the only one.
Haha. Great minds think alike!