Resident Evil 7 and Village on Switch 2: A Mixed Bag
Capcom's decision to release both Resident Evil 7 and Village on the Nintendo Switch 2 simultaneously is a bold move, but it's not without its challenges. While the port of Resident Evil 7 is a triumph, showcasing the power of DLSS and delivering a smooth, visually stunning experience, its sequel, Village, falls short in comparison.
Resident Evil 7: A Visual Masterpiece
Resident Evil 7's visual presentation is a marvel, especially on the Switch 2. The game's graphics are a direct mirror to the PS4 version, with a few subtle improvements. The reduction in shadow cascades and volumetric resolution enhances the overall visual fidelity, but a peculiar color shift on the Switch 2 detracts from the experience. The docked mode renders at 720p, upscaled to 1080p using Nvidia DLSS, which outperforms the PS4's TAA method. The result is a smoother, more detailed image with improved specular lighting and reduced foliage flicker. However, the overbearing chromatic aberration remains, which is a shame.
In handheld mode, the game's performance is equally impressive, with a 432p internal resolution and DLSS doing most of the heavy lifting. The frame rate remains locked at 60fps, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience. The VRR screen effectively hides any minor drops, making it a strong contender for the best port on the Switch 2.
Resident Evil Village: A Mixed Bag
Village, on the other hand, presents a different story. The game's grander settings and expansive views demand more from the hardware, and the Switch 2 struggles to keep up. The resolution is the same as RE7, with 720p docked and 432p handheld, and DLSS upscaling. The PS4, in comparison, targets 900p, but its TAA implementation falls short in distant views.
Switch 2's performance is less stable, with exterior environments dipping below the desired frame rate. The reservoir area, in particular, suffers from drops to around 40fps. Handheld mode exacerbates the issue, with frequent judder in challenging scenes, indicating that the VRR screen cannot fully compensate for the performance drops. The upscaling solution also affects snowfall rendering, making it either faintly visible or practically invisible.
Comparison with Xbox Series S
The Xbox Series S offers a different perspective. Resident Evil 7 on the Series S is comparable to the Switch 2, both hitting 60fps consistently. The Xbox console's 1440p checkerboarding and ray tracing support, including RT global illumination and reflections, provide a sharper image. However, the performance hit is significant, and VRR can mitigate it. Village, on the other hand, benefits from RT support on the Series S, but the performance trade-off is not worth it.
Conclusion: A Case of Mixed Results
Capcom's achievement with Resident Evil 7 is commendable, with minimal differences from the PS4 and Series S versions. DLSS's image quality enhancements are a game-changer. However, Village's performance issues and variable frame rates are a concern. The Switch 2's hardware limitations become apparent, and the game's beauty is marred by technical inconsistencies. Perhaps Capcom should consider implementing multiple frame rate targets to cater to a wider range of players.
In the end, Resident Evil 7 is a must-play, but Village may require further optimization. The Switch 2's potential is clear, but it needs games that can truly showcase its capabilities.
