Atomic Heart is now available for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S consoles, and if you’re wondering whether the current-gen versions are a worthwhile upgrade over the previous-gen versions, read ahead.
Atomic Heart features only one graphics mode across all PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. In terms of graphical settings, the previous-gen versions exhibit better shadow filtering compared to the current-gen versions. The PS4/PS4 Pro/Xbox One/Xbox One X versions feature less NPCs and vegetation compared to PS5 and Xbox Series X, however.
Animation on vegetation due to wind is also pared back, or completely omitted in some cases, on the previous-gen consoles. Texture quality and draw distance are also superior on the modern platforms. Additionally, some materials have added tessellation, and the geometry of most assets is greater on the current-gen consoles. Similarly, interior lighting, ambient occlusion, post-processing effects and particles are all better on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
In terms of resolution, the PS4 version runs at a native 1080p, while the game runs at a dynamic 4K (2160p) on the PS4 Pro, with the common resolution being 1728p. Meanwhile, the Xbox One version runs at a native 900p, while the game runs at a dynamic 4K (2160p) on the Xbox One X, with the common resolution being 1728p.
On the other hand, both the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions run at a dynamic 4K (2160p), with the common resolution during interior sections being 2160p and 1620p to 1800p in the outdoor areas. Meanwhile, the Xbox Series S runs the game at a dynamic 1080p, with the common resolution during interior sections being 1080p and 900p in the outdoors areas.
In terms of performance, all previous-gen versions target a frame rate of 30fps. On the other hand, the PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S target a frame rate of 60fps. While both the PS5 and Xbox Series X do a good job of maintaining the target frame rate, the Xbox Series S, despite running at a much lower resolution, fails to maintain a stable 60fps in the outdoor areas of the game. On certain occasions, the frame rate drops all the way down to 30fps during cutscenes on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
All versions of Atomic Heart, suffer from issues associated with enemy animation frame rate. Load times in Atomic Heart are quickest on PS5, followed by the Xbox Series X|S versions, and then the previous-gen consoles.
On the whole, the current-gen versions of Atomic Heart delivers some worthwhile upgrades over the previous-gen versions, both in terms of graphical settings and performance.
