"Horizon Forbidden West" is a game released in both PS4 and PS5 format. This cross-generation announcement initially made fans skeptical of its quality. But contrary to expectations, the PS4 version of the game doesn't disappoint!
For comparison, many fans are probably familiar with the cross-generation launch of "Cyberpunk 2077." According to The Verge, that game ended as a complete disaster. This is why fans felt anxious about "Horizon Forbidden West" and its potential on PlayStation consoles.
'Horizon Forbidden West' Gameplay and Features
"Horizon Forbidden West" promised a lot of immersive gameplay through new maps, missions, and quests. However, players speculated that some of these changes will not be available on both platforms.
It should be emphasized that PS5 features system support like multiple modes, resolution, and fps controls that optimizes any game during launch. Unfortunately, these system tools are not available in the PS4 version of the game.
Nonetheless, the graphics of the PS4 still looks great. This led to some reviewers concluding that having the extra features can serve as a "bonus" for PS5.
Differences of 'Horizon Forbidden West' on PS4 and PS5
The Verge recorded the differences of "Horizon Forbidden West" between PS4 and PS5 through in-game screenshots. The graphic disparity is a little obvious in the lighting, but it still retained the key elements of the environment.
Some segments on the map like fog, clouds, and water can appear blurry on different platforms. However, it is worth emphasizing that the playable character Aloy is still well defined on both platforms.
There are, however, issues about the game's hardware. Some reviewers complained about a hotter console. Be warned that this type of technical problem could also be linked to the status of the gaming console, so it is not a strong indicator for "Horizon Forbidden West" game performance.
Sources from Kotaku commented that "Horizon Forbidden West" cutscenes on PS4 aren't as smooth as the ones in PS5. This issue is probably due to the fact that PS4 can't support the game in 60fps and caps its performance at 30fps. Admittedly, the number is significantly lower compared to Xbox Series X or S performance.
'Horizon Forbidden West' Issues on PS4 and PS5
Note that the frame drop on PS4 is not completely obvious at first. However, when players start to move or enter cutscenes, these discrepancies would often affect gameplay.
This happens because of refresh issues because, unlike the PS5 which supports a video output of up to 8K or 4K at 120Hz, the PS4 can only go up to 1080p or 4K for PS4 Pro.
Be warned that graphic changes are also obvious in the character and gameplay. Sometimes, the movement that is smooth and clean in PS5 can blur on PS4. One example is Aloy's hair, which flows naturally on Ps5 but appears stiffer on PS4.
Overall, the gaming experience for both platforms is surprisingly pleasant for the reviewers.
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