The Pixel Counters Have Spoken, and Xbox Has a Clear Edge
The reviews are in, and by all accounts, ‘The Outer Worlds 2’ is a fantastic sequel that improves on its predecessor in every way. But for gamers who play across multiple platforms, there’s always another question: where should I play it? The technical analysis experts at Digital Foundry have just released their deep-dive review, and the results are both surprising and definitive. In a notable reversal of a common trend this console generation, the Xbox Series X version of ‘The Outer Worlds 2’ comes out as the clear winner, outperforming not only the base PS5 but even Sony’s more powerful PS5 Pro.
Obsidian’s ambitious RPG fully embraces Unreal Engine 5, and while it’s a strong technical showcase across the board, the experience is not created equal. Let’s break down Digital Foundry’s findings.
An Impressive Showcase on Xbox Series X
For Xbox players, the news is excellent. ‘The Outer Worlds 2’ offers three distinct and very solid visual modes on the Series X, catering to different player preferences:
- Performance Mode: Targets a near-locked 60fps with a resolution that hovers above 1080p. DF found this mode to be exceptionally stable, even during intense combat.
- Quality Mode: Delivers a sharper, more 4K-like image, appearing to run at 1440p or higher. This mode is locked to a steady 30fps.
- Balanced Mode: For those with 120Hz displays, this mode offers a 40fps experience that feels smoother than 30fps, with image quality similar to the Quality mode.
Digital Foundry praised the Xbox version as an “excellent performer,” especially for a demanding Unreal Engine 5 title with large open spaces and towns dense with NPCs. If you’re playing on an Xbox, you’re getting a polished experience no matter which mode you choose.
PlayStation Stumbles: A Story of Bugs and Image Breakup
Unfortunately, the story isn’t as positive on the PlayStation side. The Digital Foundry report details several issues plaguing both the PS5 and the PS5 Pro versions. On the base PS5, the game suffers from noticeable image breakup, a lower overall resolution, screen tearing, and more frequent frame rate drops, even when using the performance mode. Minor lighting downgrades were also noted compared to the Xbox version.
Even more surprising are the findings for the PS5 Pro. The report suggests that Sony’s proprietary PSSR upscaling technology does not interact well with the game’s Lumen global illumination and ray tracing effects. The result, according to Digital Foundry, is an experience that is “noticeably worse than Series X in the finished game,” with more common frame rate dips during intense encounters.
Here’s a summary of the technical comparison:
| Console | Performance Highlights | Issues Noted |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X | Three stable modes (60fps, 30fps, 40fps). Excellent performance for a UE5 title. | Minor drops in some areas, but largely a locked experience. |
| PlayStation 5 | Offers similar modes. | Lower resolution, screen tearing, more frequent frame drops, and minor lighting downgrades. |
| PlayStation 5 Pro | Uses PSSR upscaling. | PSSR conflicts with Lumen/RT lighting, leading to a “noticeably worse” experience than Series X. |
Why the Performance Gap?
The most intriguing part of the analysis is the ‘why.’ Throughout this console generation, the PS5 has often held a slight performance edge in multi-platform titles. Digital Foundry speculates that Obsidian, a first-party Xbox studio, may have leveraged some proprietary hardware features within the Xbox Series X|S architecture that are not present on Sony’s consoles. This could explain why the game is so well-optimized on Xbox, while the PlayStation versions seem to struggle. It’s a rare but significant win for the Xbox platform in a head-to-head comparison.
Conclusion
While ‘The Outer Worlds 2’ is a great RPG on any platform, the technical details matter. For players who have a choice, Digital Foundry’s analysis makes the decision clear. The game is a strong technical experience across the board, but the most stable, flexible, and visually impressive version is found on the Xbox Series X. It’s a fascinating outcome that flips the usual script and gives Xbox owners a definitive reason to be excited about this marquee exclusive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which console does The Outer Worlds 2 run best on?
According to the technical analysis by Digital Foundry, ‘The Outer Worlds 2’ runs best on the Xbox Series X, offering more stable performance and better visual modes compared to the PS5 and PS5 Pro.
What are the performance issues on the PS5 version?
The PS5 version reportedly suffers from lower resolution, image breakup, screen tearing, and more frequent frame rate drops. The PS5 Pro version has specific issues where its PSSR upscaler conflicts with the game’s lighting technology, leading to a worse experience than the Series X.
What visual modes are available on the Xbox Series X?
The Xbox Series X version offers three modes: a 60fps Performance mode, a 30fps Quality mode with higher visual fidelity, and a 40fps Balanced mode for users with 120Hz TVs.
Is the game still good on PlayStation?
Yes, Digital Foundry describes the game as a “strong technical experience” overall, and it’s still a highly-rated RPG. However, the PlayStation versions have noticeable technical shortcomings compared to the Xbox version.
Why does the game run better on Xbox?
Digital Foundry speculates that Obsidian, being an Xbox first-party studio, may have utilized proprietary Xbox hardware features that are not available on PlayStation consoles, leading to better optimization.
What engine does The Outer Worlds 2 use?
The game is built on Unreal Engine 5 and makes use of modern features like Lumen global illumination and ray tracing.