digital Foundry Hails ninja Gaiden 4‘s Performance on Xbox Series S, PC
London, UK - Ninja Gaiden 4, the latest installment in the notoriously challenging action series, is earning praise from Digital Foundry for its technical implementation, especially on Xbox Series S adn PC. The review highlights a surprisingly robust experience on the less powerful series S console, alongside a top-tier performance on PC with appropriate hardware.
The long-awaited return of the Ninja Gaiden franchise has been met with critical discussion, but Digital Foundry’s analysis focuses on how the game runs across different platforms. This is notable for players considering which version to purchase, and offers insight into the optimization choices made by the developers. The findings suggest that Ninja Gaiden 4 successfully delivers a playable and enjoyable experience even on entry-level current-generation hardware, while maximizing visual fidelity on higher-end systems.
Digital Foundry reports that the Xbox Series S offers two distinct modes: Performance and Quality. Performance mode prioritizes a consistent 60 frames per second, albeit with visual concessions like simplified textures and the removal of effects such as Screen Space Reflections (SSR) and Motion Blur, resulting in a visual style reminiscent of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 3. quality mode aims for higher fidelity but struggles to maintain a stable framerate, frequently enough dipping below 30fps. Despite these limitations, the Performance mode is deemed a satisfying way to play.
For PC gamers, the review indicates the platform provides the definitive Ninja Gaiden 4 experience, contingent on possessing capable hardware. Testing revealed a lack of stuttering or frame time inconsistencies, and full native ultra-wide support further enhances the experience.
The Steam Deck version, however, presents challenges. While a dedicated configuration exists, it’s limited to 30fps at low graphics settings. Digital Foundry recommends disabling the default settings and manually adjusting options to achieve performance comparable to consoles – approximately 30fps with medium to high settings and a visual rendering around 720p.