Support NeoGAF

[JareBear: Remastered]

D dark10x provides the breakdown for us!

A classic Wii title gets ported across to Switch and remastered in the process! John Linneman assesses the quality of the new conversion, stacks it up against the original Wii and New 3DS versions and answers the question... is this *really* the definitive version of the game?

(summary updating as I watch)

- At first glance, the visual upgrade is "significant," but upon digging deeper it perhaps isn't as "large an update as we expected."
- RESOLUTION: Docked mode maxes at 720p and drops as low as 504p in some instances. In portable mode it tops at 540p with dips to 378p in low end
- Sharper than any previous version of Xenoblade but still a soft image
- Screen space reflections from docked mode are eliminated in portable mode

- Distant point lights are drawn further out in docked mode
- Shadows are lower rez in portable mode
-Most textures have been reworked or touched up from the Wii release. Not every texture, but most have. Shown here, cloth texture is unchanged, but other textures are

- Character models show big improvement in polygon counts and details
- Proper shadow maps add a visual depth in Switch version
- Trees seem much more static on Switch version, not as animated as the original
- Draw distance of foliage seems more distracting on Switch
- Huge step up from the 3DS version, which could barely handle 240p
- FRAMERATE: Switch seems to hold 30fps MOST of the time. Frame rate can drop to 27 momentarily while dynamic resolution catches up. Appears to be the same in portable and docked mode

 

[martino]

copy shipped

 

[Evilms]

378p ! what the hell.

 

[Saint Boot]

Happy about this. Fuck the haters.

 

[kunonabi]

Sounds like I'm good with my Wii version.

 

[GamesAreFun]

The UI is beautiful. I actually think the game looks good for the weak Switch hardware - considering the large environments and draw distance, it looks a lot better than Breath of the Wild, especially the texture quality which was terrible in BotW.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

They did the best they could with a Wii / 3DS game. I'm not gonna jump into this game yet again but at least it will be the definitive version from now on, no need to dig out the Wii or buy a 3DS. A Xenoblade X port on the Switch would be lovely but at this point I'd just rather have them make Xenoblade 3 or a new IP entirely.

 

[Flying Toaster]

I hope this is the last time they make the game, I have it for Wii, 3Ds and now Switch. As much as I want X I really want to see another story so I am hoping for the next installment now.

 

[mejin]

Disappointing af

 

[Stefan.North]

Half baked remaster. Not getting my money Nintendo

 

[kingbean]

I'd love to see a comparison to XB2.

 

[diffusionx]

378p ! what the hell.

Doesn't the Wii version support 480p? The Switch is way more powerful than the Wii, and the updates are modest. This doesn't make any sense.

 

[Coolwhhip]

More like Xenospoon.

 

[Fake]

Doesn't the Wii version support 480p? The Switch is way more powerful than the Wii, and the updates are modest. This doesn't make any sense.

Dynamic resolution for the Switch version. 378p is the lower resolution for the worst scenario, thats not mean he stay at 378p most of the time.

Happy about this. Fuck the haters.

So, why even wasting time posting here?

 

[Panajev2001a]

Doesn't the Wii version support 480p? The Switch is way more powerful than the Wii, and the updates are modest. This doesn't make any sense.

It is in rare instances, the game got a lot of upgrades in models and new effects, and it is portable mode. I think it is still a good port and great experience if you have never played it .

 

[Closer]

My ears are SO ready

 

[Starlight Lotice]

I honestly cannot believe it has been almost 10 years since I played this game over months...MONTHS at a time for 2 hours a day (5 on weekends), and almost did absolutely everything in the game that it offered.

Nostalgia is hitting me hard, but I can't buy this simply because I have experienced it originally and wouldn't benefit from playing it again.

 

[Saint Boot]

Dynamic resolution for the Switch version.



So, why even wasting time posting here?

DId I miss something in the terms of use that said I was not allowed to make posts here about things I like and am looking forward to? Time for me to review so I don't rustle your jimmies next time.

 

[stranno]

The tree is not animated on the Switch version because the Wii/3DS leaves are just a simple 2D effect, a few texture layers blending together asynchronous according to the camera position. While the Switch tree is geometry all over the place, each leave texture is probably independent and attached to his branch. Of course you can animate that, but it is much easier using the Wii/3DS trick.

Long story short:

1st cut is this:

2nd cut is this:

Even the light shafts are just a simple texture..

 

[diffusionx]

Dynamic resolution for the Switch version. 378p is the lower resolution for the worst scenario, thats not mean he stay at 378p most of the time.

No reason why the Switch version in portable mode should ever get to that point. I would rather play a straight port that runs better.

The thing too, is that Xenoblade Chronicles 2, it's a good game ,but it looks really bad in portable mode. Now DF says they toned down that hideous filter, which is good, but even if it only happens in rare instances, it will be noticed.

 

[Fake]

DId I miss something in the terms of use that said I was not allowed to make posts here about things I like and am looking forward to? Time for me to review so I don't rustle your jimmies next time.

You're just not satisfied with the technical results. Just remembering that this has always been the purpose of Digital Foundry. Its just like enter into a review thread and tell everyone to fuck off because you'll get the game anw.

 

[MadchesterManc]

Been playing through the Wii version lately via the Wii U using a classic controller, still holds up well enough really

This port to Switch does seem a little more hit & miss than I was expecting to be honest. At least it's not all bad though eh

 

[Fake]

No reason why the Switch version in portable mode should ever get to that point. I would rather play a straight port that runs better.

The thing too, is that Xenoblade Chronicles 2, it's a good game ,but it looks really bad in portable mode. Now DF says they toned down that hideous filter, which is good, but even if it only happens in rare instances, it will be noticed.

Agree. Can't say why because I don't know how hard is to translate the Wii engine of this game to a modern console. Is more about the cost of making the remaster rather than if Switch can or not run proper.

 

[KingdomHeartsFan]

"Does not go above and beyond in the same way that something like Saints row the third remaster does, its a solid but relatively average effort..."

Wow the moment you realize Saints Row the Third got a better remaster than Xenoblade Chronicles...and this is full price LMAO.

 

[michaelius]

That's disappointing - I don't remember any big Vita games dropping that low. Since Switch hardware is so much more powerful it's fully a matter of fucked up priorities on developer side

 

[Saber]

"Does not go above and beyond in the same way that something like Saints row the third remaster does, its a solid but relatively average effort..."

Wow the moment you realize Saints Row the Third got a better remaster than Xenoblade Chronicles...and this is full price LMAO.

I'm actually impressed with SR. I mean...I'm not even a fan of this game, but was talking to my brother this one was actually looks like a good work for a remater. I even got interested.

Can't say much about this Xenoblade though. Doesn't look that impressive, although I do notice it has some work done. Not that bad but nothing amazing either.

 

[Naibel]

It's disappointing to see that the visual upgrades aren't that massive, which makes the "Definitive Edition" moniker a tad presumptuous. I fully expect a "Most Definitivest Edition" for Switch 2 in 2030, with 900p resolution support this time ! Stay tuned !

Jokes aside, it looks totally OK and enough of an improvement over the original to be worth a purchase, to me at least. New UI, new OST, new models, new content : calling it a cash grab or a lazy job is certainly unfair considering the amount of work done here.

I'm so excited to dive into this game once again. The original Wii version is one of the greatest games I've ever played. With Persona 5 Royal, Xenoblade Def. Edition could end up being my 2020 GOTY. Remasters yeah, but remasters of masterpieces so...

 

[PumpkinPie]

378p at 27fps! Xenoblade is one of my favourite games, but FUCKING HELL

Spoiler

whadda bunch of jokers

 

[LOLCats]

that is not enough peas for tuna casserole

 

[-Arcadia-]

The game seems like a bit of a mixed bag visually, which explains a lot about how I can swing around from thinking it’s gorgeous, to thinking it’s less impressive than other Switch games.

To be clear, it seems like a great redo/upgrade to the original visuals, and certainly has become the version, but when I compare it to other modern games, I’m a little unimpressed.

What I don’t get is the resolution. There are parts of this game where I can buy a hit to resolution, and others where it’s like, that’s it? That is causing a reduction in resolution? It seems like this could have used a bit more time in the oven to optimize this specific area.

 

[iconmaster]

A game that originally released two generations ago struggling to maintain even a less-than-native 720p.

The Switch is better than this.

 

[SantaC]

The Switch is better than this.

It really isnt

 

[Fake]

The game seems like a bit of a mixed bag visually, which explains a lot about how I can swing around from thinking it’s gorgeous, to thinking it’s less impressive than other Switch games.

To be clear, it seems like a great redo/upgrade to the original visuals, and certainly has become the version, but when I compare it to other modern games, I’m a little unimpressed.

What I don’t get is the resolution. There are parts of this game where I can buy a hit to resolution, and others where it’s like, that’s it? That is causing a reduction in resolution? It seems like this could have used a bit more time in the oven to optimize this specific area.

Correct. I guess is some lack of optimization to use the Nintendo Switch at his full potential. I guess if dynamic resolution is in place they can do better, so nothing to worry about. With show us about how ambicious this game was when release on Wii. Maybe some patchs could fix that.

Again, price still have a huge role here.

 

[Touch fuzZy. get BizZay]

Great video. Good to hear the moments of dynamic resolution occur less often than XC2.

Can't wait to play it.

 

[Saint Boot]

Half baked remaster. Not getting my money Nintendo

Wow. $50 whole dollars? That will sure show them/s.

 

[Codes 208]

Doesn't the Wii version support 480p? The Switch is way more powerful than the Wii, and the updates are modest. This doesn't make any sense.

This is specifically in handheld and a worst case scenario resolution.

 

[diffusionx]

This is specifically in handheld and a worst case scenario resolution.

Still not acceptable.

 

[Ulysses 31]

Still not acceptable.

Do you have some insight that there's bad coding at play or that Switch has a lot of untapped power the game doesn't make use of to share with us?

 

[godhandiscen]

Please Nintendo make the Switch successor backwards compatible. I want to play these games, just not with bad frame rate.

 

[diffusionx]

Do you have some insight that there's bad coding at play or that Switch has a lot of untapped power the game doesn't make use of to share with us?

I explained above, but I will do it again because for some reason people are shilling for this. The Switch, even in handheld mode, is significantly more powerful than the Wii. The Wii ran the game at 480p. As DF said, the improvements are relatively modest here. There's no reason why performance should be that bad. 504p is unacceptable in docked mode too.

Xenoblade Chronicles X ran at 720p/30fps on the Wii U, and plenty of Wii U games have been ported to the Switch, and the Switch runs the games better. There's just no excuse.

Digital Foundry vs Xenoblade Chronicles X

Released earlier this year in Japan, Xenoblade Chronicles X is now set for release in the West imminently - and it's a …

www.eurogamer.net

 

[Saint Boot]

^That's usually the go to """argument" on the internet. Someone wants something, and likes something and is willing to overlook it's flaws, that person must be a """"shill"""".

 

[Max_Po]

wow, what ? ... and they want full price ?

 

[Ulysses 31]

I explained above, but I will do it again because for some reason people are shilling for this. The Switch, even in handheld mode, is significantly more powerful than the Wii. As DF said, the improvements are relatively modest here. There's no reason why performance should be that bad. 504p is unacceptable in docked mode too.

Xenoblade Chronicles X ran at 720p/30fps on the Wii U, and plenty of Wii U games have been ported to the Switch, and the Switch runs the games better. There's just no excuse.

Digital Foundry vs Xenoblade Chronicles X

Released earlier this year in Japan, Xenoblade Chronicles X is now set for release in the West imminently - and it's a …

www.eurogamer.net

It's not a port for one, the game uses effects not present in the Wii version and a lot of textures and models have been improved. Performance is about inline with XBC2 which uses the same engine so I don't know why people were expecting so much better a of a sudden from Switch.

 

[Hosam6xavi]

I was looking forward to playing it again but with this resolution i think I might pass

especially now that airports will start accepting flights i don't have time for a long ass game

 

[diffusionx]

It's not a port for one, the game uses effects not present in the Wii version and a lot of textures and models have been improved. Performance is about inline with XBC2 which uses the same engine so I don't know why people were expecting so much better a of a sudden from Switch.

Yea, and XBC2 looked like shit in portable mode. I am actually surprised Nintendo is cool with this level of performance out of an internal studio. I mean, if they ported XCX to the Switch, would it run like this? Noticeably worse than the Wii U version? Again not acceptable.

I don't think any game on any platform should run at a sub-Dreamcast resolution in 2020, sorry.

 

[Ulysses 31]

Yea, and XBC2 looked like shit in portable mode. I am actually surprised Nintendo is cool with this level of performance out of an internal studio. I mean, if they ported XCX to the Switch, would it run like this? Noticeably worse than the Wii U version? Again not acceptable.

I don't think any game on any platform should run at a sub-Dreamcast resolution in 2020, sorry.

If Mario Kart 8, Hyrule Warriors and Resident Evil Revelations is anything to go by, a XBCX port would run better on Switch but since this is not a port it's silly to make that comparison.

 

[Portugeezer]

Xenoblade CX on Wii U looked better, I was expecting a crisp 1080p for an enhanced Wii game.

 

[diffusionx]

If Mario Kart 8, Hyrule Warriors and Resident Evil Revelations is anything to go by, a XBCX port would run better on Switch but since this is not a port it's silly to make that comparison.

of course it's a port. They didn't remake the game. The DF video says that the enhancements are pretty modest. In no world does a few enhanced textures and models make a damn Wii game into some behemoth that runs like shit on a platform that can handle games like BOTW with few issues.

 

[Kenpachii]

Best played on a emulator it seems then.

 

[Ulysses 31]

of course it's a port. They didn't remake the game. The DF video says that the enhancements are pretty modest. In no world does a few enhanced textures and models make a damn Wii game into some behemoth that runs like shit on a platform that can handle games like BOTW with few issues.

Porting - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

It's a reworked version of the game with better assets but not a port since the definite edition version of the game was never on the Wii..