Video: Digital Foundry Compares The Switch Version Of Octopath Traveler To The PC Release

Nothing to see here.. surprise, surprise.. triple the tech and graphics & FPS will improve.

Either way a fantastic game with an awesome graphical style.

If you've not tried this game yet.. please do so, as you are missing out!!

Oh **** here we go again...

I played the game for a throwback to Final Fantasy 6, even with frame rate issues I didn’t notice or care because I enjoyed my SNES RPGs as they were. Nice to see PC gamers have perfect 60fps but it never affected my own enjoyment of the game. I didn’t even know about the issues until now and I probably never would have cared either, even now.

I mean it's the same game, but they are weirdly dismissive of the Switch version in this.

Also talking like that version came later, as it is "Downgraded" rather than PC being "Upgraded".

And how about that upcoming Yoshi game?

Gotta love the fanboys that get upset every time the amazing DF crew post another video.

For me, these comparisons are great. Give me 4k 60fps any day vs. portability. I don't travel or commute via public transportation and so I have no reason to choose the switch version of anything over another option.

If pressed I guarantee you these developers would all admit compromises had to be made to their true vision when putting games onto switch.

@hihelloitsme I love it gives me something to laugh at on the way to work 😂

@hihelloitsme Dude your comments allways follows the same line.
SWITCH BAD
GRAPHICS GOOD
That is another form of fanboyism, you know?

I never got round to it on Switch so looks like PC is the way to go. It’s always nice to have a bit of choice when deciding what platform to get games on.

@hihelloitsme If pressed I guarantee you these developers would all admit compromises had to be made to their true vision when putting games onto PS4 and Xbox one

I just keeping it real..

@hihelloitsme Whatever the technology, whatever the age one lives in, creative freedom will always have to be compromised to bring it in any form of media, I suppose.
A screen (VR as well) and a controller (classic design, mouse and keyboard, or even the best simulated motion- and aiming- controllers) are just some obvious compromises within the available technology. But even within that frame, I have fond memories of some Game Boy (original, color, advance) games, while some of the most technically perfect games failed to hold my attention when I have to stare at a TV. I played Alone in the Dark The New Nightmare on GBC, PS1, and PS2, and I actually only disliked the PS2 version, because the flaws were more noticeable, while on the other platforms it was more of a technical "wonder" to my younger mind.
If tomorrow brings us Extra Terrestrial Defenition VR sets with a gazillion frames per second photo-realistic graphics and the best VR controls ever, or just plugs us into an actual Matrix, that won't make Legend of Zelda Link's Awakening any less of a masterpiece, to me. And budget, time, ideas, other technology, other senses... Many other compromises will have to be made.
So yeah, it's all compromises, but if manages to take me on a great adventure, it's good. Fps en pixel count can of course take away from the immersion if it's supposed to look ultra real and require perfect reflexes, but this isn't one of those games.
edit: Also, please note that I'm not defending or attacking anything or anyone here. I thoroughly enjoyed the game on Switch, and I'm happy for whoever gets to enjoy it now that couldn't before. I don't really care about it no longer being exclusive, as I don't see how that would cloud my enjoyment of it. And I can only applaud them for making this great experience even better for some, even if the enhancements weren't required for me to enjoy it when I did.

Buy a gimped console, get gimped results.

Oh no! I have a feeling this is going to hurt! I've enjoyed Octopath on Switch, but only in docked mode due to it's low frame rate and my TV's dejudder function bringing it up to 60 fps. It still sometimes misses a beat, which I've always assumed was unsteady frame pacing or drops below 30 fps. Anyways, now I'm going to watch this video...

If you have a good PC... it will look and Run better than Switch (or PS4 if it had it). But There is no "PC version" - what you play depends on what hardware you have.

On a laptop or 1050, probably need to lower a few things. Not like everyone playing it Max at 4K

My PC is for maxed out Assassin Creed: Odyssey @2K/60FPS. BUT "Portability" beats "more snowflakes in the background" (really?! 🙃) in a pixelated 2.5D turn based jRPG 🙄

I would still get it on Switch.

DF bends over backwards to praise the Switch most of the time. Even most low-ish spec PCs are vastly more capable platforms, of course, so naturally the game is going to look and perform better. Y'all need to chill.

I wish people cared as much about the A/V quality of other forms of media as they did for games.

@hihelloitsme lol your post is literally an example of fanboyism. Also, game development is a commercial process; developers put their games into platforms where they believe the money is/will be. On top of that, artistic vision does not equate to technological power (Breath of the Wild says Hi). And even if it did, no game would ever be made, as even 4k-60fps is not real enough to create something lifelike.

As for this game itself, the demo for this game on Switch was a great option to have. Tried it and disliked it. The narrative style didn't resonate with me, and the episodic narrative reminds me of a mobile title. Also the lack of proper narrative connections between the characters... UGHHH! 60 dollars saved. What I would like though, is a new Final Fantasy on the same engine, or maybe a remake of Final Fantasy VI on the same engine. One can only wish.

Yeah, it's another great video by DF. I was disappointed a year ago when I found out Octopath didn't run at 60 fps on Switch. I wish there was a low resolution mode that allowed for 60 fps gameplay. Even as it is though I like the game on Switch. 4K is almost a negative for me because it is so likely to lead developers to have frame rate problems, so I don't want to encourage it's use in any way! Having more snowflakes isn't a big deal. Also, just want to mention that I don't want FF VI redone in this style unless they get it running at 60 fps

Not a huge loss in experience, to play this on the Switch, if you like this genre and don't have a decent game PC. A slow-paced game does not in any significant way suffer from a slower frame rate, and due to the 3D pixel-style graphics, a moderate increase in resolution also really won't make any dent in the Switch version.

If this is your kind of game, then it's a good game regardless of which platform it's on.

That is great for people who don't own a switch or people who wanted the best experience for the game.

I am a massive fps snob when it comes to games but I do make some exceptions depending on the games. Games like turn-based, visual novels etc then I am not too picky on fps and get it on what is more convenient for me.

So for Octopath I won't double dip on it on PC unless there is a fantastic sale in the future.

FPS can make a huge difference to how enjoyable an action game is.
Turn-based, fixed-camera RPGs, not so much...

I almost got it for Switch...I might eventually. I love my Switch even it’s not the most powerful system. So not surprised it plays better on PC.

You mean to tell me that the PC version of a game outperforms the $300 tablet version?? No...way........🤨😑

@San_D BOTWs artistic creation was stunted via the amount of assets displayed at once.

Switch portable factor makes the switch-version the definitive version of this game. 60 fps in a slow jrpg is about as useful as 60 fps in an 60's James Bond-movie.

@Trajan
Of course a piece of hardware may limit the smoothness of gameplay and maybe the resources visible on screen, but that stifling the artistic vision is too much of an overstatement. That kind of translates to someone attempting to make BOTW but could only manage OOT. And if that is indeed the case, then maybe the designer is in the wrong era/platform. There is no "standard" in terms of what is sufficient to create something. BOTW would have benefited if it were being made for say PS4 pro but who knows? Even then, it might have been limiting for the designers who might have preferred PS5/PS6 grade hardware.

Is this the type of game that needs a digital foundry comparison.

@electrolite77

(informal) Crippled, injured; damaged as to awkwardly impede function.
2003, Scott Oglesby, Riding

I can use it in a sentence.

Nintendo always gimps their consoles by using underpowered components often leading Nintendo fans to miss most game releases or receiving the worst version when they do.

I never picked it up due to the unbearable sub 60fps

To me in a game like this 4K is not needed. The 2d models i'm seeing aren't getting prettier in 4K. Lately they go to higher resolution and giving 30fps on consoles. It's a new thing. I rather to 60fps with smoother gameplay than locked 30fps with cluncky movement. you can see and feel the difference moving from 60fps to a 30fps version of the same game. Tales of Symphonia on PC is a very good example. That movement in town 30fps is slow. Gamecube 60fps in town and movement is fast and fluent. Battles in gamecube 60fps.. full speed and smoothness. PC port 30fps in battles and slow and cluncky. You can feel and see how bad it is. I had to refund that game. I'm sticking to my gamecube version

Of course I expected the PC version to look and run better but I've been fine and dandy with what the Switch version has offered me. Not once have I come across a technical glitch or anything that broke the immersion. Plus without portability I would have never gotten to 90+ hrs so far.

So in today's news the weather inthe UK is iffy, I hoovered downstairs, the PC version of Octopath Traveller makes use of the extra power to look better but the majority of Switch players were happy enough with what they had since last year.

Playing through this now and loving it , sub PC frame rate and all. Great game . Switch is becoming an RPG juggernaut just like the 3ds. Makes me very happy !

If Digital Foundry had its way, the only gaming devices anyone would own would be 3000 dollar top of the line gaming PCs. But sure, compare that to the Switch, a 300 dollar hybrid portable device.

Please sell well! Pelting Squeenix with money is apparently the only way to get them to understand that RPG's still have an audience.

And I still want my bravely third!

Surprised people are raising such a fuss about the fps, it's a turn based RPG people, not a fighting game.

I actually don't like the look of this game at 60FPS.

Yeah, this article is just bait for a flame war no one should care about.

@hihelloitsme

Very much agreed! I love my Switch but I love 4k 60fps even more.

I'm glad I waited on picking up the game.

@Multi Think I’ll double dip!

@electrolite77 Yeah they’re just fans of tech analysis in gaming in general, and they’re some of the best at it.

I still prefer portability. It is just so convenient to just take out the Switch and game whenever and wherever I want.

Wow, it looks kind of amazing on PC!

However, I'll still be playing it on the Switch and probably enjoying it just fine.

Funny thing is, when now wathing the entire video, it looks just the same on PC and Switch side-by-side. Sure, you can spot difference when they zoom in 200% on the image, but who really plays games with binoculars? Im pretty sure no one would notice any difference if not playing the two versions at the same time.

Played through it on Switch last Summer and had a blast, but boy does that PC version look great! Didn't expect 60FPS to make that much of a difference, but I sure was wrong. If you haven't already played it and don't care much for portability, this seems to be the way to go!

Geez, art direction in this game is such a hot mess.

"Let's count on it becoming pretty when we haphazardly toss in all the GPU heavy effects we can think of!"