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[Digital Foundry] Final Fantasy 14 Arrives on Xbox Series X/S + PS5 Update

Draugoth

Gold Member


Final Fantasy 14 arrives on Xbox Series X/S consoles, mere months before the arrival of a major graphics overhaul. Guest present Marc 'Try4ce' Duddleson - an expert on the game - brings us up to date on the game after his prior 2021 video, checks out the Xbox Series X and Series S versions in depth and analyses every single graphics mode variation... and there are certainly plenty of them! How does the new Xbox version stack up? Are our issues with the PS5 version resolved? It's all here in a mammoth 40 minute review.

00:00 - Intro
01:54 - Version 7.0 preview
05:05 - Optimizations from version 6.2
10:07 - Xbox version overview
13:13 - Basic performance testing
15:58 - 2160p performance and VRR
20:43 - Edge-case stress tests
22:51 - 24-player performance testing
26:15 - Beta dynamic resolution scaling
28:36 - Loading comparisons
30:41 - Hangups in instances on Xbox?
34:35 - Enforced profanity filter on Xbox?
37:07 - Conclusion

40 minute video holy shit.


- General Update(s)
- The game very much retains the look of a 2013 cross-gen game until the graphical overhaul
- DF wants to cover the game now before most of it gets lost to time when the update changes the game
- PS5 versions drops to mid / low 50's were removed in Version 6.58.
- The game generally runs at 1440p / 60 FPS
- The 2160p mode now runs around 50~ fps but practically it falls below the 48hz VRR range too often to fully recommend
- PS4 version also benefits but it remains difficult to hit solid 60 FPS
- PS4 Pro can have isolated 60 FPS moment but towns still can't reach 60. 1080p still recommended here.

- Xbox Version Overview
- Series X parameters matches PS5 with the same setting options present, including FXAA
- Series S offers 1080p/1440p (no 2160p)
- At 1440p, all 3 (PS5, Series S|X) look identical.
- Series S does not have the 4K icons for things that PS5/SX have
- Xbox versions system level low-level frame rate compensation w/ VRR makes higher resolution playing more viable

- General / 1440p:
- Series X when set to 1440p is generally locked at 60 fps at all times like PS5
- Series S at 1440p generally hovers in the 40s. 1080p is mostly locked at 60 with some drops
- While not as locked as PS5/SX, Series S is still an improvement over PS4/Pro even if it isn't as performant as it can.

- 2160p Specific:
- Series X version hits 60 FPS in the 2160p more often than PS5 in combat
- During world traversal both generally hover around 48~50 fps
- Xbox's VRR and system-level low framerate compensation results in the 4K mode being a 'very darn consistent' experience
- This is the 'only way to have a mostly smooth experience while hitting high resolutions'
- DF suggests if possible, VRR + LFC is recommended on Series S as well for the higher clarity in 1440p over 1080p.

- Stress Test:
- Specific test areas where the game can populate unusually high amount of players has PS5/SX run mostly similarly with Series S dropping a little behind them both
- Stress boss rush areas with high effects is hard to replicate exactly on both but in DF's testing PS5 seemed to have more drops to 40s with them generally being a few frames apart
- However in the saem stress boss rush area, Series S can drop more than either when visual effects are set to normal
- Native 4K and normal effect quality can hit PS5/SX more than 1440p.

- Beta DRS Feature:
- The games beta DRS feature is kind of useless in DF's testing wtih it taking too long to adjust the game.
- Series S and PS4 seem to benefit more from this than PS5 / Series X
- DF recommends avoiding DRS feature for the two big boy consoles.

- Loading:
- PS5 / Series are generally identical on loading instanced rooms
- When teleporting between zones, PS5 is generally 2~3 seconds faster than Xbox, but they're both 30~ seconds faster than PS4.
- Non teleporting zone traversal takes only 1~2 seconds on the current consoles
- Series S can have an issue where it can hang on a black screen for 20~ seconds when entering a new zone, this doesn't seem to stop actions from happening in the background
- In some areas Series S hangs on a black screen even longer than a PS4
- Series X can also have this issue but DF were not able to replicate it reliably, seemingly random

- Conclusion:
- Xbox version's profanity filter is much stronger than other platforms and DF thinks it needs to be changed asap. It causes a lot of NPC words etc to be 'hidden' by the filter and they think it is a legitimate concern.

 
Last edited:

adamsapple

Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
40 minute video holy shit.


- General Update(s)
- The game very much retains the look of a 2013 cross-gen game until the graphical overhaul
- DF wants to cover the game now before most of it gets lost to time when the update changes the game
- PS5 versions drops to mid / low 50's were removed in Version 6.58.
- The game generally runs the best at 1440p / 60 FPS
- The 2160p mode now runs around 50~ fps but practically it falls below the 48hz VRR range too often to fully recommend
- PS4 version also benefits but it remains difficult to hit solid 60 FPS
- PS4 Pro can have isolated 60 FPS moment but towns still can't reach consistent 60. 1080p still recommended here.

- Xbox Version Overview
- Series X parameters matches PS5 with the same setting options present, including FXAA
- Series S offers 1080p/1440p (no 2160p)
- At 1440p, all 3 (PS5, Series S|X) look identical.
- Series S does not have the 4K icons for things that PS5/SX have
- Xbox versions system level low-level frame rate compensation w/ VRR makes higher resolution playing more viable

- General / 1440p:
- Series X when set to 1440p is generally locked at 60 fps at all times like PS5
- Series S at 1440p generally hovers in the 40s. 1080p is mostly locked at 60 with some drops
- While not as locked as PS5/SX, Series S is still an improvement over PS4/Pro even if it isn't as performant as it can be.

- 2160p Specific:
- Series X version hits 60 FPS in the 2160p more often than PS5 in combat
- During world traversal both generally hover around 48~50 fps
- Xbox's VRR and system-level low framerate compensation results in the 4K mode being a 'very darn consistent' experience
- This is the 'only way to have a mostly smooth experience while hitting high resolutions'
- DF suggests if possible, VRR + LFC is recommended on Series S as well for the higher clarity in 1440p over 1080p.

- Stress Test:
- Specific test areas where the game can populate unusually high amount of players has PS5/SX run mostly similarly with Series S dropping a little behind them both
- Stress boss rush areas with high effects is hard to replicate exactly on both but in DF's testing PS5 seemed to have more drops to 40s with them generally being very close to each other
- However in the saem stress boss rush area, Series S can drop more than either when visual effects are set to normal
- Native 4K and normal effect quality hits PS5/SX much more than 1440p

- Beta DRS Feature:
- The games beta DRS feature is kind of useless in DF's testing wtih it taking too long to adjust the game.
- Series S and PS4 seem to benefit more from this than PS5 / Series X
- DF recommends avoiding DRS feature for the two big boy consoles.

- Loading:
- PS5 / Series are generally identical on loading instanced rooms
- When teleporting between zones, PS5 is generally 2~3 seconds faster than Xbox, but they're both 30~ seconds faster than PS4.
- Non teleporting zone traversal takes only 1~2 seconds on the current consoles
- Series S can have an issue where it can hang on a black screen for 20~ seconds when entering a new zone, this doesn't seem to stop actions from happening in the background
- In some areas Series S hangs on a black screen even longer than a PS4
- Series X can also sometimes have this issue (a lot less frequent than Series S) but DF were not able to replicate it reliably, seemingly random but something other players have also reported

- Conclusion:
- Xbox version's profanity filter is much stronger than other platforms and DF thinks it needs to be changed asap. It causes a lot of NPC words etc to be 'hidden' by the filter and they think it is a legitimate concern and can make this version harder to recommend.
 
Last edited:

intbal

Member
Fantastic analysis video from Marc.
Extremely thorough.
Can we toss Tom out the nearest window and replace him with Marc permanently?
 

Darsxx82

Member
Xbox versions have been well made except for that XSS loading problem.

On the other hand, very good analysis by the new boy from DF. It has been made very pleasant and understandable.
 

intbal

Member
Xbox versions have been well made except for that XSS loading problem.
A bit later in the video, when he showed the "fade to white" sequence, it definitely makes it seem like those loading delays are a bug. Because Series S loads faster than the other machines, but then stalls out waiting for a visual effect. I suspect this will get fixed.
 
40 minute video holy shit.


- General Update(s)
- The game very much retains the look of a 2013 cross-gen game until the graphical overhaul
- DF wants to cover the game now before most of it gets lost to time when the update changes the game
- PS5 versions drops to mid / low 50's were removed in Version 6.58.
- The game generally runs the best at 1440p / 60 FPS
- The 2160p mode now runs around 50~ fps but practically it falls below the 48hz VRR range too often to fully recommend
- PS4 version also benefits but it remains difficult to hit solid 60 FPS
- PS4 Pro can have isolated 60 FPS moment but towns still can't reach consistent 60. 1080p still recommended here.

- Xbox Version Overview
- Series X parameters matches PS5 with the same setting options present, including FXAA
- Series S offers 1080p/1440p (no 2160p)
- At 1440p, all 3 (PS5, Series S|X) look identical.
- Series S does not have the 4K icons for things that PS5/SX have
- Xbox versions system level low-level frame rate compensation w/ VRR makes higher resolution playing more viable

- General / 1440p:
- Series X when set to 1440p is generally locked at 60 fps at all times like PS5
- Series S at 1440p generally hovers in the 40s. 1080p is mostly locked at 60 with some drops
- While not as locked as PS5/SX, Series S is still an improvement over PS4/Pro even if it isn't as performant as it can be.

- 2160p Specific:
- Series X version hits 60 FPS in the 2160p more often than PS5 in combat
- During world traversal both generally hover around 48~50 fps
- Xbox's VRR and system-level low framerate compensation results in the 4K mode being a 'very darn consistent' experience
- This is the 'only way to have a mostly smooth experience while hitting high resolutions'
- DF suggests if possible, VRR + LFC is recommended on Series S as well for the higher clarity in 1440p over 1080p.

- Stress Test:
- Specific test areas where the game can populate unusually high amount of players has PS5/SX run mostly similarly with Series S dropping a little behind them both
- Stress boss rush areas with high effects is hard to replicate exactly on both but in DF's testing PS5 seemed to have more drops to 40s with them generally being very close to each other
- However in the saem stress boss rush area, Series S can drop more than either when visual effects are set to normal
- Native 4K and normal effect quality hits PS5/SX much more than 1440p

- Beta DRS Feature:
- The games beta DRS feature is kind of useless in DF's testing wtih it taking too long to adjust the game.
- Series S and PS4 seem to benefit more from this than PS5 / Series X
- DF recommends avoiding DRS feature for the two big boy consoles.

- Loading:
- PS5 / Series are generally identical on loading instanced rooms
- When teleporting between zones, PS5 is generally 2~3 seconds faster than Xbox, but they're both 30~ seconds faster than PS4.
- Non teleporting zone traversal takes only 1~2 seconds on the current consoles
- Series S can have an issue where it can hang on a black screen for 20~ seconds when entering a new zone, this doesn't seem to stop actions from happening in the background
- In some areas Series S hangs on a black screen even longer than a PS4
- Series X can also sometimes have this issue (a lot less frequent than Series S) but DF were not able to replicate it reliably, seemingly random but something other players have also reported

- Conclusion:
- Xbox version's profanity filter is much stronger than other platforms and DF thinks it needs to be changed asap. It causes a lot of NPC words etc to be 'hidden' by the filter and they think it is a legitimate concern and can make this version harder to recommend.

WTH I had no idea Xbox could hide words that NPCs are saying. That's insane.
 

adamsapple

Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
WTH I had no idea Xbox could hide words that NPCs are saying. That's insane.

Yes, not just words, if some letters combined make a 'banned' word even when separated by spaces, the system catches and ????'s it.

It's ridiculously strict lol.

In this example, it takes the word "raids" and ????'s the "aids" part out of it.

It also ???'s the letters 'nig' out of tonight.


9UOHXqB.png
 
Last edited:

intbal

Member
I guess they've finally added Bing AI to the Xbox game servers. Filtering all character strings through its insanely strict rule set.
 

adamsapple

Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
If only it looked like that thumbnail

FF16 comes close, but getting a game with that kind of fidelity with the insane effects / density of a sheer MMO is probably gonna be another 2~ generations ahead of us. The chibby 2013 PS3 models are bringing PS5/SX to the 20's when viewed in the max resolution with normal visual effects here.
 
Last edited:

Jinzo Prime

Member
Yes, not just words, if some letters combined make a 'banned' word even when separated by spaces, the system catches and ????'s it.

It's ridiculously strict lol.

In this example, it takes the word "raids" and ????'s the "aids" part out of it.

It also ???'s the letters 'nig' out of tonight.


9UOHXqB.png
So the word "Knight" is filtered because it has the letters N-I-G next to each other? Let's just go full newspeak at this point.
 

Go_Ly_Dow

Member
When is the enhanced graphics upgrade coming for this game?

FF16 comes close, but getting a game with that kind of fidelity with the insane effects / density of a sheer MMO is probably gonna be another 2~ generations ahead of us. The chibby 2013 PS3 models are bringing PS5/SX to the 20's when viewed in the max resolution with normal visual effects here.
Yup, FF16 used a very updated and modified version of 14's engine. I hope it's good to use for the future as it's a great in-house alternative to UE.

Perhaps a better option than Luminous.
 

Celcius

°Temp. member
When is the enhanced graphics upgrade coming for this game?


Yup, FF16 used a very updated and modified version of 14's engine. I hope it's good to use for the future as it's a great in-house alternative to UE.

Perhaps a better option than Luminous.
With the 7.0 patch, aka the Dawntrail expansion. July 2.
 
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