What was tested, and how far to trust it
Madnani replayed the opening hours on PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X, Steam Deck, ROG Ally, AYN Thor (Max model) and Switch 2, both docked and handheld. He calls the piece a mix of comparison and impressions, because the game is still being patched on every platform.
Keep these limits in mind:
- Opening hours only. Later areas could behave differently, and he says so for the AYN Thor.
- Single reviewer, single set of hardware. The load times are three-run ranges, not standardized benchmarks.
- No build numbers or exact resolutions. The report gives no pixel counts, frame-time data or per-platform build versions. Resolution comparisons rest on cropped 4K captures.
- Patches are moving fast. The Steam page shows version 1.01.05 posted November 6. He says he will update the piece when a major patch addresses the remaining issues. Nothing confirms that the console builds match the Steam build.
Features that differ by platform
Madnani reports content parity across platforms, with a few feature differences:
- PS5: haptic feedback and Power Saver mode support.
- Switch 2: HD rumble.
- Xbox: Quick Resume. Play Anywhere is not supported right now, and Madnani says he would favor the Xbox version if it were.
- PC: frame rates above 60fps (he reports up to 1,000) and multiple input methods.
There is also no cross-save, which makes the Play Anywhere gap more noticeable for Xbox players.
Image quality
The game is more demanding than its retro look suggests, especially at high frame rates. For the visual comparison he disabled the retro resolution option and set PC render scale to 100%.
- In 4K capture, the Xbox Series X version came out at a lower resolution than base PS5.
- PS5 Pro looks identical to base PS5. The store page lists no Pro enhancements, and he checked anyway.
- Switch 2 is the lowest of the bunch. Its HUD is 1080p, but gameplay looks closer to the Steam Deck's 720p native output.
- Among portables, the ROG Ally at native 1080p gives the best visuals.
Performance
Consoles target 60fps, and PC is uncapped. Switch 2 has the most variable frame rate in busy areas, including boss fights. Madnani says the bigger early problem is animation culling: distant enemies animate at a visibly lower rate than on other consoles or on PC handhelds. He says the Xbox launch-day issues have been patched.
On a TV, he says PS5, PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X currently deliver a much better experience. Neither Steam Deck nor Switch 2 gets a locked 60fps. Switch 2 feels better handheld than docked.
Switch 2 owners were already complaining. One Steam forum poster reported drops into the 20s and typical play between 30 and 50 frames. Other posters report smooth play, and that thread is anecdotal. Another site says player reports for Switch 2 range from the low 20s to a steady 60fps. Madnani's findings fit that pattern: results vary, and the Switch 2 build is the weakest of the group.
Handheld settings he recommends
| Device | Suggested setup |
|---|---|
| ROG Ally Z1 Extreme | 1080p, uncapped at 60fps or higher, in 25W Turbo Mode |
| Steam Deck OLED | Locked 45fps at 90Hz |
| Steam Deck LCD | Locked 40fps at 60Hz |
| AYN Thor Max (via GameNative) | 1080p at 75% render scale or lower for about 30fps, with a frame limiter |
Extra Steam Deck advice:
- Leave the game uncapped if you like, but expect dips into the mid-to-high 50s, even early on.
- If you can accept a lower resolution, aim for 80% render scale.
- Change the aspect ratio to Auto, because the game doesn't default to 16:10.
The full game is heavier than the demo on Deck. A third-party site reports that Valve rates the game Verified. Treat Verified as a compatibility badge, not a promise of a locked frame rate.
One setting for every platform
Madnani says to turn off look acceleration and set look sensitivity to taste. This applies on every platform, including PC with a controller, and he says it dramatically improves game feel. If responsiveness still feels off, try the deadzone settings.
Load times
These are the reviewer's three-run ranges in seconds, with the game installed on internal storage.
| Platform | Dashboard to title | Load save | Reload after game over |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switch 2 | 13–14 | 22–23 | 19–20 |
| PS5 on PS5 Pro | 9 | 12–13 | 12–14 |
| PS5 | 9–10 | 12–13 | 13–15 |
| Xbox Series X | 13–14 | 16–17 | 13–15 |
| Steam Deck | 14–16 | 14–15 | 13–14 |
| ROG Ally | 10–11 | 12–13 | 10–11 |
| AYN Thor Max | 24–25 | 24–26 | 17–18 |
PS5 is the fastest console. Switch 2 and the AYN Thor are the slowest. Several Switch 2 owners mention long load times after a death. That matters in a game where Madnani expects you to die often. The Thor is an Android handheld running the Steam release through GameNative, so its numbers reflect a compatibility layer.
Known issues at the time of writing
- Cut-scene glitches on PS5 and Xbox.
- Switch 2 performance and animation culling.
- A bug that loads you at a random position instead of near your save point.
- Xbox Series X resolution below PS5.
- Some animation problems.
Madnani says the developers are already working on patches.
Patches that have shipped
The Steam community page lists patch 1.01.04 from November 5. Its fixes include a Steam Cloud restore bug when switching devices after a crash, and a soft lock from resting repeatedly. It also added a screenshake toggle. Patch 1.01.05 on November 6 fixed an invisible late-game enemy attack and a mistimed loud weapon noise. None of these notes mention Switch 2 performance, Xbox resolution or the load-position bug. I couldn't find an official statement on those items.
Which version should you buy?
Madnani's ranking depends on what you value:
- Overall: PC first, then PS5. He says PC gets updates first and scales well with higher frame rates.
- Best console: PS5, with the fastest loads and highest resolution.
- Best handheld: a PC handheld such as the ROG Ally. On Steam Deck, target 45fps.
- Switch 2: the weakest at the moment. Consider waiting for patches.
The case for the PC version is practical. Steam already runs on a desktop and a handheld, so one purchase covers both. The Xbox version gives you Quick Resume and a solid TV experience, but a lower resolution than PS5 and no Play Anywhere.
Madnani says he still recommends the game and enjoyed it a lot, but calls it a few patches away from being incredible. If you can wait a couple of weeks, the Switch 2 and Xbox results may look different by then.