As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of console wars and port battles, but none have been as intriguing as the Ys X: Nordics showdown between the PS5, Switch, and my trusty old PS4 Pro.
If you’re interested in learning more about the game, I recommend taking a look at Adam’s review of Ys X: Nordics here, and also check out my impressions of the Steam Deck and PC port here. In this comparison, I tested the game on several setups: a 1080p display, a 1440p display, the English version on my PS4 Pro and PS5, the English PS5 version on my own PS5, and the Switch version, which I tested both docked (at 1080p and 1440p) and in handheld mode. This is based on approximately 35 hours played on Nintendo Switch since its release, and 25 hours split between the PS5 and PS4 Pro versions.
Ys X: Nordics — PS5 vs Switch vs PS4 content and differences
From what I’ve observed, all editions of the game appear to contain identical content. However, they differ in terms of graphics settings, performance goals, and visual alterations. Notably, the PS5 edition eradicates loading screens entirely when compared to its counterparts on PS4 and Switch. The PS4 version encounters some load times, with the Switch experiencing the most extended delays in this instance.
Does Ys X: Nordics have a save data bonus for Ys VIII and Ys IX?
As a gamer, I was hoping to find some in-game bonuses or content tied to my saved games from previous Ys titles like Ys VIII, Ys IX, and even Ys: Memories of Celceta when playing Ys X: Nordics. However, it seems that there are no such bonuses available at the moment. This is unusual for Falcom games, which usually offer these types of rewards. I’m a bit surprised by this, as I was expecting to see some continuity between games in the series.
Ys X: Nordics — PS5 vs Switch vs PS4 visuals
After wrapping up Ys X: Nordics on Nintendo Switch using its Japanese version last year, I briefly tested the Japanese PS5 demo to assess how well the game ran at that time. Typically, Falcom’s more recent titles seem optimized for the PS4 and then scaled up, but Ys X: Nordics appeared to be designed primarily with the Switch in mind. Consequently, the Switch port surpasses the versions of both Ys VIII and Ys IX in quality, yet it still falls short compared to the full English version I’ve now experienced on PS5.
Note: The comparison image below is from the opening hour of the game when you first take control of Adol. This has a Switch screenshot from when it has been played docked and a PS5 screenshot of the native PS5 version on my 1440p display. Both screenshots have been zoomed in and cropped to showcase the differences for those reading this article on a small screen.
In addition to a lower screen resolution (which is 1080p for the docked Switch and less than 720p for handheld mode), the game Ys X: Nordics on Nintendo Switch has visible reductions in shadow quality, drawing distance, and lighting effects. The alterations in lighting are immediately apparent upon starting, with shadows and draw distance being more noticeable once you reach the initial hub area.
As a devoted gamer, I find that the PS4 Pro edition of Ys X: Nordics seems like a clever balance, striking a middle ground between the lower resolution experienced on Switch, while striving to preserve the visual flair of its PS5 counterpart. Remarkably, even on my 1440p screen, it carries an almost softened appeal.
Ys X: Nordics — PS5 vs Switch vs PS4 performance differences
The good news for Ys X: Nordics on Switch is that performance is a massive improvement over what we saw on the ports for Ys VIII and Ys IX. Ys X: Nordics holds its 30fps target very well with drops in some areas only rather than just being unstable across the board. All things considered, Ys X: Nordics on Switch is a competent portable experience, and I don’t regret buying that version twice. I would not recommend the Switch version to play docked if you have access to another platform though.
The PS5 version runs at a locked 60fps with superb image quality and instant loading. Even the PS4 version on PS5’s SSD doesn’t load as fast as the native PS5 release. I even tested the PC version on my Steam Deck’s SSD and it wasn’t as fast as the native PS5 release. The PS5 version is basically perfect and I have no caveats to recommending it as the best console version.
The PS4 edition of Ys X: Nordics doesn’t always run at a constant 60 frames per second (FPS), unless you play it on PS5 through backward compatibility. When played on a PS4 Pro, the game has a limit of 30fps or an unlimited option. However, the unlimited option doesn’t guarantee a consistent 60fps on PS4 Pro. I was expecting the game to have an uncapped FPS on the base PS4 and a locked 60fps on PS4 Pro. Surprisingly, it’s not like that. While it performs better than Ys IX, it still could be improved.
Regardless of platform, I want to point out that the camera feels sluggish by default. I recommend adjusting the movement speed and inertia based on your preferences. I set speed to maximum and turned inertia all the way down for the most responsive experience.
Ys X: Nordics — PS5 vs Switch vs PS4
Regarding the home consoles, I initially felt that the PlayStation 5 versions of “Ys VIII” and “Ys IX” were somewhat underwhelming. However, the PS5 version of “Ys X: Nordics” is significantly superior to the PS4 version, although I would have appreciated a 120fps option considering its visuals. Without a doubt, the best console version of “Ys X: Nordics” is the PS5 one, but it’s great to see Falcom providing a competent Switch version of a modern “Ys” game for the first time.
Although I understand that most people might not have multiple versions of a game like I do for popular franchises, I’m content with playing the PS5 version at home on my monitor and the Switch version when I’m mobile on my Nintendo Switch OLED model. The PS4 Pro version seemed less satisfactory in this case.
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2024-10-14 16:26