The Outer Worlds 2 Xbox Series X Port Outperforms PS5, Says Digital Foundry

In side-by-side comparisons, PlayStation 5 games have tended to have an edge over their Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S counterparts. The Outer Worlds 2, however, flips that script by having a better performance on Xbox than either PS5 or PS5 Pro, according to Digital Foundry.

0n the surface, The Outer Worlds 2 on PS5 and Xbox Series X look very similar, but a closer examination reveals that the former suffers from image breakup, lower resolution, frame rate drops, and screen tearing even in performance mode. Digital Foundry also noted small lighting downgrades in PS5.

As for the PS5 Pro, the report states that it uses Sony’s proprietary upscaler, PSSR, which doesn’t interact well with The Outer Worlds 2’s lumen lighting or RT lighting effects. The report concludes that PS5 Pro’s “frame rate dips and more intense encounters are common, and the general run of play is noticeably worse than Series X in the finished game.” It goes on to speculate that The Outer Worlds 2 may have utilized some proprietary hardware features in Xbox Series X|S that neither the PS5 nor PS5 Pro have.

Obsidian Entertainment recently introduced players to Outer Worlds 2’s six companion characters who can’t be romanced, before revealing that they can turn on the player if given a compelling reason to do so. The studio also unveiled a Moon Man plushie called a “Couch-Panion,” which is the prize for winning a contest running through November 16. Players don’t have to rely on a contest to get a pair of limited-edition, customizable Outer Worlds 2 Xbox Wireless Controllers, though. However, both controllers are more expensive than the game’s $70 price.

GameSpot’s review gave The Outer Worlds 2 an 8/10 score and said that it “feels like the series [is] coming into its own, carried by flexible combat options and great role-playing progression.”

Per the game’s launch times, early-access players will get to play The Outer Worlds 2 on October 24. Everyone else will have to wait until October 29 to play it on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. This title will also be a day-one Game Pass Ultimate release.