Capcom's recent release of Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village on the Nintendo Switch 2 has sparked excitement among gamers, but the results are a mixed bag. While Resident Evil 7 shines on the Switch 2, its sequel, Resident Evil Village, falls short in certain areas.
Resident Evil 7's visual presentation is a mirror to its PlayStation 4 version, with a few visual tweaks. The Switch 2 features less aggressive shadow cascades and a reduced volumetric resolution, but a strange color shift is noticeable. When docked, the Switch 2 renders at circa-720p, upscaled to 1080p using Nvidia DLSS, which outperforms the PS4's TAA at native 1080p. However, the overbearing chromatic aberration remains a concern. Frame rates are locked at 60fps, ensuring a smooth experience in both docked and handheld modes, with DLSS enhancing image quality despite a 432p internal resolution.
Resident Evil Village, on the other hand, presents a more challenging scenario for the hardware. The resolution is the same as RE7, with 720p docked and 432p handheld, again utilizing DLSS for upscaling. PS4 targets a flat 900p, but its lackluster TAA affects distant views. Switch 2 excels in image quality, but snowfall rendering and fog density raise questions. Performance in Village is less stable, with frame rates dipping below 60fps, especially in exterior environments and the notorious reservoir area.
Comparing the Switch 2 to the Xbox Series S reveals a performance gap. Resident Evil 7 maintains a consistent 60fps on both consoles, but the Xbox Series S with ray tracing disabled offers the same frame rate as the Switch 2. The Xbox console's 1440p checkerboarding and ray tracing support provide a sharper image, albeit with a performance hit. Resident Evil Village on the Xbox Series S with RT disabled also locks at 60fps, while RT support on the Xbox has a tolerable performance impact.
In conclusion, Capcom's decision to release both games on the Switch 2 yields contrasting results. Resident Evil 7 is highly recommended, with minimal differences from its PS4 and Series S counterparts, and DLSS enhancing image quality. However, Resident Evil Village's variable performance and frame drops may deter gamers sensitive to such issues. Capcom's consideration of multiple frame rate targets could have improved the overall experience, especially for those seeking a consistent and smooth gameplay journey.
