Alan Wake 2 proves that the Xbox Series X is better than PlayStation 5

Digital Foundry's technical analysis highlights Xbox Series X's performance advantage over PS5. In performance mode, the Series X almost locks to 60 fps, with rare deviations. This consistency in its frame rate delivers a smooth and stable experience, enhancing the gameplay fluidity. Conversely, the PS5, aiming for similar targets, encounters challenges in maintaining a steady frame rate. There are instances where the PS5 dips below its frame-time targets, leading to an unstable gameplay experience, particularly in demanding scenarios.

The Xbox Series S, the less powerful sibling of the Series X, also delivers a respectable performance. It runs Alan Wake 2 at 30 fps, with a similar visual setup to the Series X's performance mode. Although there are observable compromises, especially in texture resolution and screen-space reflections, the Series S offers a gameplay experience that punches above its weight class.

From a technical standpoint, Alan Wake 2 showcases Xbox Series X's improved hardware. The raw computing power of the Series X enables it to iron out most performance dips that are noticeable on the PS5. This is particularly noteworthy given that the game is a graphical showcase, requiring substantial hardware capabilities.

Interestingly, Alan Wake 2 has become a testament to the Xbox Series X's advertised hardware superiority. The console was touted as the most powerful at its launch, and this game has finally showcased the meaningful difference that the supposedly trivial power gap can make. While the PS5 is by no means a slouch, it's in these challenging scenarios that the additional compute resources of the Series X become significant.

With at least 30% more raw power than PS5 and the ability to use mesh shaders, which improves rendering efficiency, the Xbox versions of games should start running better than PS5 counterparts as more developers become comfortable using advanced DX12 functions. However, the elephant in the room, being the Xbox Series S, remains. Xbox's insistence on performance parity between the Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X forces developers to spend more time working on a console that's been laughably outsold all over the world.

Remedy Entertainment previously voiced out its concerns (twice, in fact) about the added work required to optimize Alan Wake 2 on Xbox Series S. Finally, Xbox nearly missed out on this year's GOTY frontrunner, Baldur's Gate 3, because of this rule.

While Alan Wake 2 is a performance win for the Xbox Series X, Microsoft needs to find a way to incentivize developers to spend more time highlighting the performance gains. Otherwise, this will be all for naught.

Microsoft currently isn't planning to release a mid-generation upgrade for the Xbox Series X while rumors suggest that the PlayStation 5 Pro is coming in late 2024. However, new versions of the Xbox Series S/X are coming in mid-2024, although Phil Spencer insists that the company's exact plans weren't fully revealed as part of the earlier FTC leaks.