A recent comparison video highlights the stark differences between the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 versions of Cronos: The New Dawn, with the upcoming horror title losing one of its key graphical features on Nintendo’s console. Global illumination, a major component of the game’s atmospheric lighting, is absent on Switch 2, creating a noticeable shift in tone and immersion.
On PlayStation 5, players are offered two modes. Quality mode runs at 30 frames per second while enhancing shadows, reflection resolution, depth of field, and several post-processing effects. Performance mode aims for 60 frames per second but occasionally falters in loading areas or during intense combat. The differences between the two modes are subtle, allowing players some flexibility in how they approach the experience.
The Switch 2 version, however, takes a different approach. Visual compromises have been made across the board, with reductions in lighting quality and level of detail being the most pronounced. These limitations are particularly evident in enclosed environments, where the absence of global illumination makes scenes feel flatter and less atmospheric. The console also sacrifices particles, fire effects, and other post-processing techniques, while some noticeable issues with flashlight shadows and lighting inconsistencies persist.
Performance remains more stable on PlayStation 5, though not without occasional drops. On Switch 2, while the game is playable, it demands acceptance of significant visual downgrades. Geometry, textures, and environmental detail have all been pared back, and the end result feels like a distinctly diminished version of the developer’s original vision.
Cronos: The New Dawn is the latest project from Bloober Team, known for their work in psychological horror. The game is set to launch on September 5, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows, macOS, and Nintendo Switch 2. Players who choose Nintendo’s platform will still experience the full story, but at the cost of the technical artistry that defines the game elsewhere.
