Bungie jumps to next generation systems with extra support for Destiny 2 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S and X, offering the key feature that many fans have been waiting for – a change to 60 frames per second in games. But how successful was the transition for the next generation? How do the three new consoles compare and what are the main updates besides the increase in the frame rate? Bungie has a reputation not only for excellent visual design and solid technology, but also for offering very similar experiences across all platforms – and so it is with Destiny 2.
To get the basics out of the way, Destiny 2 offers true 4K resolution on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, with pixel counts settling at 3840×2160 natives in each in the vast majority of test photos. Bungie has developed a dynamic resolution system for this engine (as notably used on the PS4 pro), and it is probably deployed here as well, although its appearance is minimal. There is also an element of uncertainty about how the DRS system works; a lower limit of 2560×2160 is considered a very rare extreme on each next generation machine. However, where there are brief signs of sub-native rendering, it may simply be the case for lower resolution effect buffers producing aliasing. Overall, it is a positive result. Essentially, when moving from PS4 Pro to PS5, you are doubling the frame rate and removing the most striking resolution drops when using DRS. In the meantime, comparing the 4K image on Xbox One X and Series X, there is little to differentiate them on a visual level, except for the huge performance upgrade.
So for testing, I used the early stages of the tutorial for comparisons, which takes us back to the classic Cosmodrome area of the first Destiny – in addition to predefined battles from the latest Destiny 2 expansions. Crucially, there is cross-game compatibility within families specific consoles – then PS4 / Pro owners can play with PS5 players, while the same applies to the Xbox One and Xbox Series families. This may explain why very little has changed other than performance: the main rendering features remain unchanged, and even the disappointing quality of texture filtering is entirely the same when comparing the X Series with the One X. The reflections may have changed slightly , but it’s clear that Bungie’s focus here has been on increasing the frame-rate strongly – something that I couldn’t do on high-end systems due to CPU limitations.
Tom Morgan and Alex Battaglia talk about Destiny 2 on next generation consoles.
Comparisons of image quality between the PS5 and the X Series reveal that Bungie has set a visual barrier for consoles that it does not intend to deviate from. The games are effectively identical – with the PS5 showing only a slightly higher frequency of resolution falling below 4K. In fact, the evidence seems to point to the Microsoft machine that doesn’t use DRS much, if at all. The 60fps performance is generally excellent in the X Series as well, but there are some small drops in the frame rate of the target 60fps, while the PlayStation 5 is slightly more consistent in this area. In short: a little more clarity on the Xbox, but occasionally a smoother ride on the Sony machine. In turn, the S Series has a performance profile similar to that of its big brother and, although we have observed the DRS in force here (with the maximum objective of 1920×1080), it is hardly manifest. It is a solid version of the game.
Another important improvement of the next generation is the ability to adjust the field of view, expanding the visible playing area to the user’s taste. It is a slider available on all state-of-the-art systems and, without a doubt, a welcome addition to the competitive game. For the record, I didn’t notice any performance impact on expanding the field of view. Also intriguing is a somewhat contentious addition: 120fps games in the game’s PvP Crucible area, available only to X Series and PlayStation 5 users (where the S Series reaches 60). On a technical level, both PS5 and Xbox Series X lower the rendering resolution to 1440p at 120 Hz – which, coincidentally, is the limit for 120 Hz games on certain HDMI 2.0 TVs. To keep frame rates high, the horizontal dynamic resolution scale is in effect – I observed a minimum of 1520×1440. In play, the X Series again has more drops below 120fps, although each can drop to the 80-90fps region in Iron Flag mode, specifically when many Super Charge moves pile up.
That said, the addition of a 120 Hz rendering of the Crucible is a wonderful extra, but I worry that high-end console players still stuck at 30 frames per second having to face 120 fps and 60 fps players in their new ones. shiny consoles. It is definitely an uneven competition when next generation users get much more visual feedback along with correspondingly lower input latency, in addition to the FOV slider for an expanded view of each map.
Ultimately, while next-generation improvements beyond the frame-rate are sparse on the ground, Destiny 2 on the Xbox Series and PlayStation 5 uses the improved capabilities of each machine wisely to provide competitive improvement while online. Running the game at 60fps and beyond was previously reserved only for PC and Stadia players, and we finally have it here. With all of that in mind, it’s a great time to get back into the game – the Beyond Light expansion is well worth checking out, while Bungie clearly has ambitious plans for Destiny 2 in 2021: cross-game on all systems is promised and high-frame -rate performance now available for console users, now there is closer parity with the excellent PC version. We can’t wait to see what Bungie has in development with next generation consoles as a base, but in the meantime, the new content and increased performance give Destiny 2 an opportunity for console players.