Digital Foundry's technical analysis of Sonic X Shadow Generations reveals several interesting aspects of the game's performance across different platforms:
1. Original Release:
- The original Sonic Generations on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 ran at 880 x 720p resolution and 30 frames per second (fps).
2. Current-Gen Consoles (PlayStation and Xbox):
- PS4, PS4 Pro, and PS5 all run at 60fps.
- PS5 achieves a native 4K resolution.
- PS4 performs well with only occasional small frame-time hiccups.
- Xbox One and One X benefit from the new 60fps version.
- Xbox Series consoles can run both the new version and the backwards compatible 360 version at 60fps.
3. PC Version:
- The new Sonic Generations release is a separate application.
- It doesn't support mods at present.
- Optimal performance is achieved at 60Hz refresh rate.
4. Nintendo Switch Version:
- Runs at 1080p resolution.
- Sonic Generations portion runs at an unusual 31.5fps, causing constant stutter.
- Shadow Generations portion avoids the 31.5fps issue but suffers from unstable frame pacing.
- Loading times are significantly longer compared to other current-gen consoles.
5. Shadow Generations:
- This is a new addition to the package, featuring Shadow as the playable character.
- On Switch, it's limited to 30fps but doesn't have the 31.5fps issue of Sonic Generations.
6. Overall Assessment:
- The remaster is considered excellent on PlayStation and Xbox platforms.
- PC version requires some tweaking for optimal performance.
- Switch version struggles with performance issues, which may impact the player experience.
Despite the technical challenges on Switch, some reviewers have noted that the performance feels "solid" and that the visual quality is still a "treat" for players. However, for the best technical experience, the PlayStation or Xbox versions are recommended.
