Nier: Automata is better on Xbox Game Pass PC than on Steam.
The PC version of Nier: Automata that launched on Xbox Game Pass this week is a version of Nier: Automata Become as Gods Edition that launched on Xbox One in 2018 with the included DLC.
This port, managed by the developer QLOC, includes a number of improvements, such as a borderless video setup, FidelityFX options, HDR and user interface textures increased to 4k. Borderless video setup is particularly welcome – it means that Nier: Automata runs at the right resolution when booting. In a Facebook post, QLOC said that these improvements were made “at PlatinumGames’ special request”.
The PC “vanilla” version of Nier: Automata released on Steam in March 2017 was heavily criticized for its performance and technical problems. For example, for some reason, the Steam game boots with an image similar to 4: 3, regardless of the selected resolution. While modders quickly prepared to fix some of the glaring problems, Digital Foundry lamented what it called “amateur problems” that “spoil what could have been one of Platinum’s best PC games”.
The video below from Digital Foundry gives more details.
Some Steam Nier: Automata owners have left negative reviews to complain about the lack of an update for their version of the game. At the time of publication, 281 negative ratings had been left in the last three days – and they are almost all a reaction to the best PC version now available on the Xbox Game Pass.
“After letting the Steam port languish for four years, Square Enix did the impossible: they put a better version of the game on the PC Game Pass with FidelityFX, HDR, borderless mode and improved performance, doing absolutely nothing about the pre version -existing, “read a review of Steam user” yellowcake “.
“I used mods like the distant mod to make the game run better and be more stable,” said Steam Fish and Chips user in another negative review. “I was lucky that it ran smoothly on my system and was able to enjoy a great game with a solid history.
“However, the Microsoft Store version has been fixed and works better, so I recommend playing it through the Game Pass for the least problematic experience that is likely to interrupt your gaming session.
“Now that there is an option where you spend less money to play the game and it really works better, it is difficult to recommend this version of the game. Take advantage of the Game Pass trial and save money, unless this game is finally updated.”
Meanwhile, The Evil Within was found to contain a number of improvements to the Xbox Game Pass PC that the Steam version does not.
The Evil Within speedrunner Jigzaw_Killer described the newly released Xbox Game Pass version of the Tango Gameworks horror adventure as “basically a stealthy remaster” and reported that it has a first-person mode, a field of view option, an infinite ammo mode , low and medium options for the camera bob and even an adjustment for the resistance mechanics.
#The evil within fans, check out the xbox pass version!
– Camera bob options
-First person(!!)
– Infinite ammo mode
– flashlight / sneak icons
– FOV options pic.twitter.com/SFHnkqFtLp– Jigzaw_Killer (@Jigzaw_Killer) March 13, 2021
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The Gamepass version is basically a sneaky remaster lol
The game seems less unstable, the resistance is adjusted (you can run 5 seconds before you get tired, it was 3 seconds before) at the standard resistance.
I will transmit this later.
– Jigzaw_Killer (@Jigzaw_Killer) March 13, 2021
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Review bombing is currently less of an issue with The Evil Within on Steam – the game did not suffer from serious technical issues at launch. But negative criticism has started to emerge recently.
“This is one of my favorite games, I beat Akumu without updates, although I died 200 times at the beginning of chapter 6, I love it,” said Steam Not Guilty user. “But this version is out of date and will never be updated, so never buy a Bethesda game until they fix their methods.”
It is a curious situation that has not yet been explained by Square Enix, Bethesda or Microsoft.