Performance Analysis: Dark Souls 2

Digital Foundry:
The Scholar of the First Sin remaster compared on PS4 and Xbox One.

Set to be the definitive console version of Dark Souls 2, Scholar of the Last Sin gets a worthwhile debut on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. In line with last-gen releases of this Scholar edition, each bundles in all DLC to date, adding brand new characters and tangents to its plot, with a slew of gameplay tweaks. Meanwhile, upgrades like more complex enemy layouts, improved lighting and superior effects adorn the current-gen releases - though the elusive Xbox One version comes with baggage not seen on PS4.

[DarkOcelet]

The Frame drop on the Xone is not so bad. PS4 is a clear winner here though.

I wonder if Dark Souls 3 will use DX12.

[Jack_Of_All_Blades]

I hope so! DX12 seems to be shaping up to be a great successor to DX11.

[DarkOcelet]

Yeah, I believe Gears 4 will look amazing in DX12. I cant wait to see it.

[iiorestesii]

I would say that the dip on the X1 around 1:35 mark is a difference maker.

[greenmiker]

PS4 looks better here.

[Dario_DC]

Gotta love these DF titles:

A game running better on Xbox One:

Xbox One trumps PS4 in Capcom's new sequel.

A game running better on PS4:

The Scholar of the First Sin remaster compared on PS4 and Xbox One.

Side note a the end:

Though the elusive Xbox One version comes with baggage not seen on PS4.

I'm glad that there're quite a few more sources online to see these comparisons.

Probably buying this after I'm done with Bloodborne.

[slappy508]

Gonna pick this up after bloodborne (if I ever finish it!!) This game was never on my radar until I played BB, so perhaps BB would help Dark Souls2s sales a bit

[Genuine-User]

Unless something somewhere goes wrong, PS4 version should always look or perform better.

[Shineon]

U mean like if something goes wrong with that slow cpu

[Genuine-User]

The same "slow" CPU is also part of the Xbox one architecture.

[DarXyde]

Same CPU. Microsoft just overclocked, meaning it's a whole 150MHz faster...or about 10%.

So about those GPUs...

EDIT: Let's not talk specs and pretend these consoles are insanely powerful. They really aren't, but they serve the purposes of this generation well enough.

[iiorestesii]

This is true. Haters going to hate. Reality stays the same.

[Pathogenic]

I will pick this up after I beat Bloodborne. I just haven't had the time to finish the game because I'm lost and I'm just having fun killing enemies and exploring the open world of Bloodborne.

So I will buy it when I'm done.

[MasterCornholio]

I'm glad the game runs great on both systems. After I'm done with Bloodborne I'll treat myself to Darksouls 2 for the PS4.

[StrawberryDiesel420]

"Even while uncontested beneath the giant, arching trees of Things Betwixt, a regular margin of 10fps exists between the two - PS4 operating at a near perfect 60fps, while Xbox stutters along at 50fps."

LOL M$ fanboys. PS4 isn't more powerful?? Furthermore....

"Unfortunately this has the knock-on effect of making combat sluggish on Xbox One. In one example, an encounter with The Last Giant boss gives us our lowest drop, a record tumble to 36fps cued by a batch of floating souls. The PS4 goes entirely unruffled by the effect here, and it's fair to say the smoother controller response makes it easier to tackle a lingering knight after this boss battle's finished. Sony's machine does not produce a perfect 60fps of course, but it is a consistently better performer - and in a game that demands pinpoint timing for rolls and ripostes, the smoother frame-rate can make a difference."

Wow.

[Shineon]

Lol 8th gen consoles

[XanderZane]

Seriously who cares? Get the game for the system you enjoy the most. I've always gotten the Soul games on Playstation ever since Demon Souls was released. I have the collectors edition for both Demo Souls and Dark Souls 2 on the PS3. I won't even bother with this game until the price drops down to under $40. In the meantime I'll enjoy Bloodborne, Ori and FH2: Fast & Furious games.