Saber Interactive's latest patch for The Witcher 3 dropped recently and brings new visual options and improvements to the table. The game was already a technically impressive feat on Switch, but the new patch adds a host of visual options in addition to cross-save functionality with the Steam and GOG PC version of the game. Our lovely video master Alex took a look at the differences yesterday and it's not an exaggeration to say we here at Nintendo Life mightily impressed with the tweaks and upgrades on offer.
Of course, when it comes to granular analysis involving dropped frame counters, direct slow motion comparisons and those little frame monitors that look like the game's on life support, the chaps over at Digital Foundry are in a league of their own. Following a whole day with the new patch DF's Thomas Morgan has posted the video below going over the nitty gritty, with a specific focus on how the patch affects frame rate:
As you can see, they're as impressed with Saber Interactive's upgrades as we are. It seems that many of the effects can be left turned on with a negligible effect to frame rate, but the fact that these options give Switch owners the ability to tailor the experience to their liking is worthy of high praise. It's lovely stuff.
Tom also rightly points out the significance of cross-save functionality with PC versions of the game. With this feature the Switch version adds a whole new string to its bow and becomes much more attractive to gamers who want the very best 'Ultra' version of the game at home, but also the ability to take the Witcher with them when parted from their mighty master race rig.
We recommend grabbing a coffee this afternoon and enjoying the full 12 minutes of the video above. After all, what else are you going to watch this afternoon, right? Oh. Well, you can squeeze this in before THAT!
Comments 27
I will definitely have to revisit this with the update. Haven't played it in a while. What does everyone else think about the update?
Can't wait to try out the improvements. Loving the game so far, 20 hours in.
I’ve just got it. I find in portable mode sharpness is better on low and aa on. Haven’t tried docked yet. Love the music
I think that overall image is a little bit more 'sharper'. Personally for starters I have turned on AA and sharpening to Low and play it that way for some time.
Saw this update and bought the game. I just couldn’t get past that blurriness. Now, with AA off and sharpening set to High, once you get past the jaggy edges in around 10-15 minutes, you are basically playing the PS4 version with lower resolution and textures, completely portable.
I just can’t stop thinking of the potential if we get a stable 720p on a hypothetic Switch Pro.
While I welcome any patch that improve things even slightly (and kudos to the developpers for supporting their game like this!), I can't help not getting why people thought it wasn't playable before, but this new post-patch version is now worth their time.
I personnaly never had a problem with the bluriness of anything in the game, but I admit that's me. It never prevented me from enjoying what is a great game. In fact, having photography as another hobby of mine, depth of field is a pretty natural phenomenom and this sometimes adds a more cinematic look IMO. Having everything set to infinite focus, to me, looks unnatural. I know many likes it this way though (infinite focus) so I can't speak for anyone but myself.
I also find it funny in the video when they talk about 5fps being something like a major improvement. Sure, it makes things smoother in some places, and that's indeed welcome, but to me, that's no "major" improvement. It's, of course, a welcome one (any performance improvement is welcome - again, kudos to the developpers), but I still don't get why this is now worth it vs. before not being worth the purchase.
I get why the cloud sync for saves might lure in new buyers though. But most everything else, while making the game better indeed, aren't things affecting gameplay in any meaningful way.
Not trying to insult anyone, but I'm legitimately curious about the reasons why it wasn't worth a purchase before, but now it is. Are people attracted to a game because of its gameplay or because of its graphics? I'm not talking about the difference between a cheap-looking game and an AAA release. What we're seeing here is a marginal improvement that, yes, makes things better, but it's still marginal. It's not "night and day".
We usually see this graphic criticism (or graphic elitism?) on the side of those PC Master Race fanboys. It's just weird seeing that on the console side these days....
Anyway... I'll go grab some coffee...
The graphic update is a nice bonus for me but the cross save feature with my GOG version of the game is the real meat for me in this update.
It’s an amazing game and kudos to the developer for continuous improvements
@Realnoize Things like that affect people differently, depending on how sensitive they are to it and what they are accustomed to...
For example, I have been watching all of my movies for years on bluray, at proper 24p/Hz on a calibrated display that is also capable of properly displaying 24Hz content (much more common these days, but was formerly a rare feature for TVs). I can no longer stand to watch movies at someone else's place due to the inevitable 3:2 pulldown and/or "motion processing" that will exist... not to mention the likely horrible audio.
I'm not trying to be a snob or anything, I would just prefer not to experience films in that way.
Being a Nintendo gamer, I am less "snobby" about resolution or blurriness in games... as long as the frame-rate is correct and lag is minimal. But someone who is accustomed to playing games at 2160p/144Hz might be more sensitive to a large drop in performance... especially for the same game with major graphic differences.
Turning AA off and sharpening up provides a STARK contrast to the way the game looked before. Great update!
I was fine with it before. Now I keep playing with the settings because I'm not sure I'm getting the optimal performance.
What an accomplishment in game design. I will fully admit that I did not think that The Witcher 3 on Switch was possible in any way, shape or form. The cross save between PC and Switch for this game, and Divinity 2 are also very appealing.
@holygeez03
I get that. I'm the same towards different things in life too. Most notably all those "TruMotion" or whatever they call it in TVs. It only makes anything look like it was "shot for TV" and it looks too weird to me. And I too, love true 24fps for movies, and yes, I've been caring about that for decades too.
But I think there is some "buffer" between what someone can stand and what they can't. Like, there is a point where the difference a thing make is not that much impacful, even if it does indeed make things better. Like, I would totally understand someone saying going from 30fps to 60fps has a major impact. Now going from 26 to 30? Not really. I can get why someone would say gaming at 4K on a PC monitor has an impact. Gaming at 4K on a 43" TV you're sitting 10 ft away from? Not really. Maybe unless you have a 25/20 vision....
It's always relative.
Even I, while not labelling myself an audiophile, am able to notice things in music like audio clipping and fine details that many others would not. BUT, I know this isn't something as important as the music in itself, so while I appreciate a good music recording (there are pretty rare nowadays), I don't let the crappy mastering get in the way of my enjoyment of songs themselves.
Thing is, to me, having acess to a version of an album that is better mastered does make the experience better, but it's still all about the songs in themselves. Songs were good before. They're not "better" now, they are the same songs. They're just reproduced in a better manner. The technical aspect is a different thing to me, than the artistry and talent conveyed through it.
So... I get that everyone's different. But I still don't get why subtle differences can tip the point from "not worth to buy" to "I need this now". Unless people are relatively more obsessed with the technicalities than the content itself. And that's ok I guess. To each their own.
I love what the new patch for the Witcher is doing, but to me, the game was already spectacular before it, so... I just don't understand this "now it's worth it" mindset.... But that's me.
@blockfight 20hrs wow you still have a long way to go..
Wished there was cross save with ps4.
If I hadn't already played through this game thrice on PC, this would definitely tip me over towards buying it again on switch. Man, such a lovely, lovely game.
I stopped playing it after a few hours on switch because of how horrible the blur was, seriously, I could barely see what was happening on screen. This update has got me back into it.
@Realnoize
As you say, it’s all perception. But I think a leap from 26 to 30 is a big deal if it’s stable. 30 is much easier on the eye than anything less than that. I’m finding myself more and more leaning towards a higher frame rate. But I can’t stand games that aim for 60 but can’t consistently achieve it. I’d rather have a locked 30.
Because of that I can sort of see how an increase in FPS and less blur (and across save if any use) would help persuade someone who was previously 70% of the way to a purchase. But all IMHO.
@Rpg-lover oh I know this. I know it's a minimum 100 hour investment. I feel like il be chipping away at this game for the next year or so.
Im playing other games too so my time isn't totally dedicated to it.
Interesting watch. I have to admit, I find it seriously difficult to pick up on frame rate differences when watching the comparisons, which leaves it as something that doesn’t really influence my choices in terms of the graphics. I have toggled the settings to give me the picture I find most pleasing and couldn’t be happier or more impressed with this patch.
The Witcher 3 has proved that any game can be ported to Switch with a talented team that is willing to put the effort into the project. I wont hear any more excuses from other companies. Any company saying it can't be done for X game is just saying "we don't want to put the time and effort into it".
I know if I turn down the bloom I get a more stable frame rate, but damn thone sun sets are gorgeous.... Keeping AA on too. Jaggies were making me twitch!
@Denoloco I'm happy that Switch Pro never happen, maybe soon or not, nintendo maybe will finally show you the right Nintendo Switch 2 .
I’ve just uploaded a sharper avatar picture to celebrate . I need to get stuck into this game proper,y. Currently getting beaten to a pulp on a ship early on....
@Realnoize
Even if the core is the same I think the presentation can make everything from a minimal difference to a big one. I mean you have the egg but depending on how you cook it...
Same with music. Even though the song itself is what really mathers, a bad production or mastering can make it shrill for example. But I agree, if the song/game/movie is fine to begin with I don't need superficial improvements.
@blockfight the feeling is mutual 😀.. luckily it's a game you can easily pick up & play anytime.
Can we now have The Witcher 1 & 2 for the Nintendo Switch please.
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