Digital Foundry delivers its long-awaited tech review for The Witcher 3's next-gen upgrade, running on Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. How do the consoles compare? What's the score with performance and RT modes. Find out here:
Seven years since its first release, the new The Witcher 3 Complete Edition aims to enhance an already iconic game with a huge suite of extras. On PS5, Xbox Series X, S and PC, it's a free update listed as patch 4.0. Visuals are enhanced, quality of life improvements are added, plus we get extras to tie into the Netflix TV show.
There are key visual differences between PS5 and Series X. Firstly, it's clear Series X often runs at a higher pixel count on average than PS5, within theiir dynamic range. In particular on performance mode, a Novigrad run in puts us at 1440p on PS5, and closer to 1800p on Series X for a spell. Secondly, there are very visible differences in foliage and shadow draw distance.
Xbox Series X can enjoy a higher dynamic resolution and performance advantages over PS5, but has easily noticeable level of detail drawbacks against its rival console. The 30fps ray tracing mode is problematic, however. Adding new features to PS5 and Series X like RTAO and RTXGI makes this far more taxing on both machines. And to be blunt, in my experience playing PS5 to start, this mode's just not a 30fps lock. Even basic horseback routes, battles, and cutscenes slip into the high 20s and a sustained 25fps at points.
Even so, there are further issues. Similar to what we saw with Cyberpunk 2077's RT mode when its next-gen patch emerged, input lag is an issue - it feels noticeably worse to play. Taking a 120fps camera and measuring from a nudge of the right analogue stick, it takes the performance mode 92ms to respond with the first frame of camera movement, while the RT mode clocks in at 157ms.
Finally, loading times are dramatically improved from the last-gen versions. This is a huge positive to end on. For example, loading a save to Velen village takes PS4 Pro 1 minute 35 seconds, but If we switch to the new generation machines, this wait is reduced to just over 13 seconds on PS5, and 16 seconds on Series X. The Witcher 3's faster loading times ranks as a huge step forward for the game's playability, regardless of which you choose.
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