Square Enix’s Video Extravaganza: A Showdown of Power
In a recent display of pixel magic, Square Enix rolled out an official video that compares the latest and greatest—Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X, and a trusty PC—featuring none other than Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade. Because what’s more fun than watching different machines flex their graphical muscles like it’s a bodybuilding competition?
Running a brisk minute, the video showcases the opening sequence of the game. This isn’t just any run-of-the-mill footage; it’s rendered in-engine! Which is fancy talk for “this is how your gaming device shows off on camera.”
Can You Tell the Difference?
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The Switch 2 isn’t exactly the heavyweight champion when it comes to power, yet it seems to hold its own against the big boys. It’s almost like when a middle schooler manages to shoot a three-pointer against NBA stars—it leaves everyone scratching their heads. The video subtly suggests that the Switch 2, despite its less-than-imposing specs, can keep pace in the visual quality department.
| Version | Performance | Visual Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Switch 2 | 30fps | Impressive! |
| PS5 | Up to 60fps | Jaw-dropping! |
| Xbox Series X | Variable | Pretty slick! |
| PC | Variable | Infinity and beyond! |
It turns out that at times, distinguishing between the four versions is akin to picking apart flavors in a gourmet dish—difficult and slightly pretentious. The most noticeable differences? Floor textures during those dramatic close-ups. Nothing says emotional turmoil like a beautifully rendered floor! Just ask Cloud, who makes his triumphant landing at the 48-second mark with the grace of a gazelle.
Frame Rates and Lighting: The Dramatic Duo
One crucial nugget to chew on: the comparison video is locked at 30 frames per second. So good luck comparing frame rates— it’s like trying to determine which superhero is faster while they’re all standing still. The PS5 can crank up to a dizzying 60fps, and PC gamers can push it even further, but Square Enix has humorously confirmed that the Switch 2 will maintain a “stable” 30fps, implying that stability is the new cool.
The lighting in this game could practically have its own Instagram account. According to Naoki Hamaguchi, the game director, lighting remains a pivotal player in maintaining graphics quality. Artistic integrity is clearly important—imagine if they skimped on lighting and characters looked more like cardboard cutouts during emotional scenes. “That would feel cheap,” he admitted to Automaton, clearly not a fan of anything resembling a discount theatrical performance.
Optimizing the Game
Rather than sacrificing quality, the team opted for a different approach. The goal was to streamline processing in areas like fog and those fancy post-processing effects, meaning players can enjoy in-game drama without the visual chaos feeling cheap. The end result? The Switch 2 version of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade releases on January 22 and proves to be quite the solid port—still looking fancy on Nintendo’s handheld, as if it just walked off a runway.
So, there you have it: a competitive visual showdown, limited frame rates, and an obsessive focus on lighting, all blending into a spectacle worthy of applause. As January approaches, the stage is set for a showdown of epic proportions—or at least semi-epic, depending on the lighting.
