Digital Foundry has released a detailed breakdown of Helldivers 2 across platforms, and while the Xbox Series X version delivers performance on par with the PS5, there are clear differences in image quality.
The most striking variation lies in color presentation. On the Series X, visuals appear washed out in both graphical modes, with skies and highlights looking subdued compared to the vibrant glow seen on PS5. Digital Foundry’s analysis notes that the PS5 pushes its highlights closer to pure white, giving scenes stronger contrast and overall visual pop. By comparison, the Xbox version seems capped at roughly two thirds brightness, producing a flatter look. This issue was consistent across multiple consoles, and adjusting the brightness slider only elevates dark and light hues together, failing to fix the muted tone. On PC, this limitation does not appear to be present, and even within consoles, HDR remains overly restrained, making the SDR option preferable.
Beyond the color discrepancy, the two platforms are technically quite similar. Both run at 1080p in performance mode and 1728p in quality mode, with signs of FSR1 upscaling being used to reach 4K. Shadow resolution, texture detail, and level of detail for foliage are effectively matched. Performance is also closely aligned, with both consoles hitting 60 frames per second in lighter scenarios but dropping into the 40s during the heaviest battles. The Series X gains an advantage through its wider VRR window and 120 Hz support, offering smoother playback with low frame rate compensation. On PS5, output remains limited to 60 Hz, which restricts VRR effectiveness.
Quality mode performance shows another subtle divide. The Series X delivers a steady 30 FPS with clean frame pacing, while the PS5, though consistent in holding 30 frames, suffers from uneven pacing that produces occasional judder. This is a long-standing issue for Sony’s platform that remains unaddressed here. Both consoles include a hidden performance monitor, offering real time statistics like frame rates, GPU timings, and CPU thread usage. Digital Foundry observed that Helldivers 2 is CPU bound at higher settings, with limitations in the main and render threads, likely a byproduct of its aging Stingray engine.
The Xbox Series S predictably takes the largest cuts. Shadows, foliage density, and reflections are notably reduced, with vegetation rendered static and less detailed. Performance mode runs at 1080p but often relies on dynamic resolution scaling that dips as low as 720p, producing a blurry, jittery image. Quality mode pushes resolution to 1440p but can still struggle in heavy battles, occasionally dropping into the mid 20s. Despite these compromises, the Series S remains serviceable, though far less polished than its counterparts.
Overall, the PS5 and Series X versions of Helldivers 2 are nearly identical in raw technical delivery, but the Xbox release is hampered by its contrast and luminance issues. The Series S, while understandably reduced, shows more noticeable compromises in both fidelity and performance. Digital Foundry suggests that future improvements like updated upscaling techniques, expanded dynamic resolution use, or even a 40 FPS mode could enhance the experience across platforms.
Released in February 2024 on PS5 and PC, Helldivers 2 quickly became a major success for Arrowhead Game Studios, selling over 15 million copies. Its arrival on Xbox Series X and S in August 2025 marked the first time a Sony Interactive Entertainment published title appeared on Microsoft’s console. Despite its quirks, the game remains one of the most popular cooperative shooters of this generation.
