The highly anticipated arrival of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on the Switch 2 has sparked significant interest, and Digital Foundry is here to provide a thorough technical analysis of this new version. They have compared it not only with its predecessor, the PS4, but also with the more advanced PS5, which makes for a particularly intriguing discussion.
The exciting news is that, as highlighted in our own review, FF7 Remake achieves remarkable technical standards on the Switch 2. While we won’t delve too deeply into specifics here—because you’ll want to check out Digital Foundry’s complete breakdown for all the nuanced details—this port effectively combines elements from both the PS4 and PS5 versions, surpassing the former in several key areas.
For instance, the environmental textures in the game are notably enhanced, drawing much closer to what players experienced on the PS5. Take the well-known doors found in the Sector 7 Slums; they exhibit much greater detail compared to their original PS4 counterparts. Additionally, the ground textures have received noticeable improvements, contributing to better readability of signs throughout the game. However, it's important to note that not every texture matches the PS5 standard; some still resemble those from the PS4.
Similarly, aspects like shadow rendering and character pop-in effects appear to align more closely with the PS4 version rather than the PS5. Nevertheless, when it comes to lighting effects, Square Enix has made a commendable effort to replicate the quality seen in the PS5 Intergrade release, resulting in a visually stunning experience on the Switch 2.
Performance-wise, the game runs smoothly in both docked and handheld modes, with only slight frame rate drops occurring in handheld mode during camera movements in areas like Aerith's house. Overall, players can expect a steady frame rate of 30fps, while the resolution stands at 1080p when docked. Moreover, the clarity of the visuals shows a marked improvement over the PS4 version, making the gaming experience even more enjoyable.
Seems impressive, doesn’t it? However, the true test of the Switch 2's capabilities will unfold with the upcoming release of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, especially considering its expansive open-world design. Given that it performs quite well on the Steam Deck, we have high hopes that it will deliver similar results on the Switch 2.
Now, how about Square Enix sharing the release date already?
Are you planning to dive into FF7 Remake on the Switch 2? What are your thoughts on its technical achievements? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!
