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[Lunatic_Gamer]

Kena bridge of spirits Finally releases across PS5, PS4, PC today. This exceptional new game from Ember Lab is already making a big impression on the gaming market. The teams first game is a stunner, utilising Unreal Engine 4 confidently across all formats. Here I stack up all 3 PlayStation versions and test out the dual modes of the PS5, let's get spirited away.

 

[Dust-by-Monday]

Playing in 30fps mode on PS5 and I like it. I noticed a little stutter here and there when entering new areas or something on the PS5 that the PS4 version doesn’t do. I also noticed late textures streaming in and the PS4 version doesn’t seem to do that either.

Cutscenes are 30fps too so for consistency I like the 30fps 4K mode. Controls feel really sluggish no matter which mode you play in.

 

[BootsLoader]

Playing in 30fps mode on PS5 and I like it. I noticed a little stutter here and there when entering new areas or something on the PS5 that the PS4 version doesn’t do. I also noticed late textures streaming in and the PS4 version doesn’t seem to do that either.

Cutscenes are 30fps too so for consistency I like the 30fps 4K mode. Controls feel really sluggish no matter which mode you play in.

I didn’t play this game yet but this sounds really strange. Maybe they first made the game for PS4 and then ported on PS5 but didn’t optimize that much?

 

[Bernd Lauert]

Playing in 30fps mode on PS5 and I like it. I noticed a little stutter here and there when entering new areas or something on the PS5 that the PS4 version doesn’t do. I also noticed late textures streaming in and the PS4 version doesn’t seem to do that either.

Cutscenes are 30fps too so for consistency I like the 30fps 4K mode. Controls feel really sluggish no matter which mode you play in.

You're ruining gaming by liking 30 fps modes. That is all.

 

[Physiognomonics]

Playing in 30fps mode on PS5 and I like it. I noticed a little stutter here and there when entering new areas or something on the PS5 that the PS4 version doesn’t do. I also noticed late textures streaming in and the PS4 version doesn’t seem to do that either.

Cutscenes are 30fps too so for consistency I like the 30fps 4K mode. Controls feel really sluggish no matter which mode you play in.

There is barely any difference of resolution between 30fps and 60fps. And the game is basically locked 60fps in that mode. There is no point of playing at 30fps.

 

[ArcaneNLSC]

NXGamer great work on these videos as always and glad you enjoyed this game too

 

[BigTnaples]

There is barely any difference of resolution between 30fps and 60fps. And the game is basically locked 60fps in that mode. There is no point of playing at 30fps.

Yeah went back and forth for a bit but 60 FPS still looks great in Kena.

 

[GHG]

Ember Lab are putting a lot of larger and more seasoned developers to shame with this game.

It's astonishingly well optimised on PC as well.

 

[Elios83]

There is barely any difference of resolution between 30fps and 60fps. And the game is basically locked 60fps in that mode. There is no point of playing at 30fps.

Is there just a resolution/fps difference between the two modes?
I've tried it very briefly and indeed 60fps feels much better to play while the resolution boost isn't much perceivable.

 

[Kenpachii]

Nice video, great game. super stable performance on PC as well indeed.

 

[Thief1987]

Is there just a resolution/fps difference between the two modes?
I've tried it very briefly and indeed 60fps feels much better to play while the resolution boost isn't much perceivable.

Yes, it's just dynamic scaling vs locked 4k.

 

[Bulletbrain]

So this is using UE4? That's amazing. I really think the industry has not used UE4 to it's full potential so far if it's capable of outputting Kena like graphics. Are there better looking UE4 games out there?

On the other hand, pre-rendered cutscenes are a downer.

 

[Elios83]

Yes, it's just dynamic scaling vs locked 4k.

Ok thanks, based on my early impressions image quality is almost the same while 60fps do a lot of difference for fluidity.
I guess I'm playing it in performance mode once I'm done with Tales of Arise.

 

[Md Ray]

Playing in 30fps mode on PS5 and I like it. I noticed a little stutter here and there when entering new areas or something on the PS5 that the PS4 version doesn’t do. I also noticed late textures streaming in and the PS4 version doesn’t seem to do that either.

Cutscenes are 30fps too so for consistency I like the 30fps 4K mode. Controls feel really sluggish no matter which mode you play in.

Been playing at 30fps 5K (2880p) and I like it too, it looks absolutely stunning! 30fps is fine as long as it's stable w/ no frame pacing issue. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

On the other side of the spectrum, being able to play at 120fps is also amazing! Though achieving a good balance between nice visuals and 120fps was quite a challenge, not gonna lie! The game is surprisingly quite taxing on the HW.

 

[Miles708]

So the PS4 version looks mighty fine, right?

 

[Md Ray]

Is there just a resolution/fps difference between the two modes?
I've tried it very briefly and indeed 60fps feels much better to play while the resolution boost isn't much perceivable.

Foliage is reduced a tad in the perf mode along with pared-back resolution.

 

[Black_Stride]

So this is using UE4? That's amazing. I really think the industry has not used UE4 to it's full potential so far if it's capable of outputting Kena like graphics. Are there better looking UE4 games out there?

On the other hand, pre-rendered cutscenes are a downer.

Hivebusters, FF7R and -Strive- would be my picks for best use of Unreal Engine 4.
Granted I havent actually had a chance to mess with Kena on PC my download should be done by the time I get home.
Gonna see if I can push the visuals even higher just to see how good the game can actually get.

 

[Clear]

Good job, Ember Labs.

I do suspect that their background in film has helped a load in the sense that its given them a tradition of being very screen-spaced focussed. By which I mean in film you're always rendering in the context of a fixed-frame, so content and composition is all about maximizing within those confines. If you carry that mentality forward into game-dev it means you're going to steer clear of building situations where the scope gets out of hand, like draw-loads getting stretched because line-of-sight in certain scenes gets way bigger than others.

 

[Werewolfgrandma]

Been playing at 30fps 5K (2880p) and I like it too, it looks absolutely stunning! 30fps is fine as long as it's stable w/ no frame pacing issue. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

On the other side of the spectrum, being able to play at 120fps is also amazing! Though achieving a good balance between nice visuals and 120fps was quite a challenge, not gonna lie! The game is surprisingly quite taxing on the HW.

It looks fantastic, shouldn't be that surprising haha.
Nice ss btw.

 

[Cherrypepsi]

This game is absolutely beautiful even on old hardware

 

[Jack Uzi]

Good job, Ember Labs.

I do suspect that their background in film has helped a load in the sense that its given them a tradition of being very screen-spaced focussed. By which I mean in film you're always rendering in the context of a fixed-frame, so content and composition is all about maximizing within those confines. If you carry that mentality forward into game-dev it means you're going to steer clear of building situations where the scope gets out of hand, like draw-loads getting stretched because line-of-sight in certain scenes gets way bigger than others.

Wasn’t there like one dude saying they didn’t pay him and he did like 95% of the animations?

Idk it’s been a bit since i read about that.

 

[Kuranghi]

Been playing at 30fps 5K (2880p) and I like it too, it looks absolutely stunning! 30fps is fine as long as it's stable w/ no frame pacing issue. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Whats your GPU usage like on the 3070 when you are running at 2880p@30hz?

I have a GTX 1080 and wondering if I can do 2160p@30hz without turning down the settings too much, I suspect Ultra shadows and AO are the killers in terms of performance differencial. 5K is quite a massive jump over 4K in terms of pixels so I'm hoping I can do it even given the 1080 vs 3070 gap.

 

[Clear]

Wasn’t there like one dude saying they didn’t pay him and he did like 95% of the animations?

Idk it’s been a bit since i read about that.

Story is here, sounds pretty flimsy to me. Verbal agreements generally aren't worth shit because so much can be argued based on interpretation, and in Ember Lab's defence both parties seem to agree that a full-time offer was made. That he turned it down is on him.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

Story is here, sounds pretty flimsy to me. Verbal agreements generally aren't worth shit because so much can be argued based on interpretation, and in Ember Lab's defence both parties seem to agree that a full-time offer was made. That he turned it down is on him.

yup sounds like he said she said bullshit that everyone on REEE immediately rushes out to defend the “victim” when truth is we have no fucking clue about all the specifics

 

[Md Ray]

It looks fantastic, shouldn't be that surprising haha.
Nice ss btw.

Thanks!

More SS in 5K:

Spoiler: More here

Damn! This needs its own photo mode thread!

Whats your GPU usage like on the 3070 when you are running at 2880p@30hz?

I have a GTX 1080 and wondering if I can do 2160p@30hz without turning down the settings too much, I suspect Ultra shadows and AO are the killers in terms of performance differencial. 5K is quite a massive jump over 4K in terms of pixels so I'm hoping I can do it even given the 1080 vs 3070 gap.

Almost 100%, lol. Typically in the 80-90% range. Shadow and volumetric fog are the heaviest hitters.

 

[Lysandros]

I consider the PS4 version to be the much more impressive technical feat, what a remarkable, well balanced console despite lacking in CPU power.

 

[Kuranghi]

Thanks!

More SS in 5K:

Spoiler

Damn! This needs its own photo mode thread!

Almost 100%, lol. Typically in the 80-90% range. Shadow and volumetric fog are the heaviest hitters.

Haha nice, even so I think I can do it still since 4K is 8.3m pixels and 5K is 14.7m (!). Its pretty crazy how it rapidly it increases past 4K.

What level of settings is that using?

 

[Md Ray]

Haha nice, even so I think I can do it still since 4K is 8.3m pixels and 5K is 14.7m (!). Its pretty crazy how it rapidly it increases past 4K.

What level of settings is that using?

Lol, yep, and 8K is like 33+m pixels.

Everything maxed out in the above shots except fog and shadow which was set one notch below Ultra.

 

[Hunnybun]

So impressed they got a game this beautiful running on a PS4, even if it's below 1080p.

I guess a lot of the appeal must just be the lovely art style, but still, just a great looking game, and IMO better than anything equivalent I've seen on that platform.

Can't wait to try it at 60fps on the PS5.

 

[Markio128]

I’m normally happy with fidelity mode (Spider-Man and R&C were great), but I’m playing Kena in performance mode. The difference in visuals is negligible, but the smoothness of the 60fps is really noticeable In this game.

 

[Kuranghi]

Hmmm, how is refunding on EGS? I've never done it and if I can't get it running nicely on PC I'd want to refund and play on PS5 instead.

 

[mckmas8808]

I’m normally happy with fidelity mode (Spider-Man and R&C were great), but I’m playing Kena in performance mode. The difference in visuals is negligible, but the smoothness of the 60fps is really noticeable In this game.

Thank you for this. This is what I'll do too (as a fidelity mode guy).

 

[mindfreak191]

Hmmm, how is refunding on EGS? I've never done it and if I can't get it running nicely on PC I'd want to refund and play on PS5 instead.

You can go to your purchase history on the epic games site and there you would be able to select the option to refund.

 

[Kuranghi]

I just spent 60 quid on booze and I should've spent some of that on this instead, fuck sake.

Maybe if I drink enough of the booze and then play Pikmin I can pretend its Kena.

 

[chinoXL]

picked this up on the 5...crazy how good this game looks. ive been playing on the performance mode..tried 30 but im spoiled by the smoothness of 60. definitely recommend picking this game up if you're on the fence

 

[Alebrije]

Will wait for physical release...the game looks great..Beyond good ane evil.vibes

 

[Werewolfgrandma]

Thanks!

More SS in 5K:

Spoiler: More here

Damn! This needs its own photo mode thread!

Almost 100%, lol. Typically in the 80-90% range. Shadow and volumetric fog are the heaviest hitters.

Great looking game. Ratchet quality for sure.

 

[Md Ray]

Great looking game. Ratchet quality for sure.

Impressive for an indie dev for sure. The game is super engaging and fun to play. Have you played it?

 

[Md Ray]

Jeez... You ok there, bud? DonJuanSchlong

 

[Werewolfgrandma]

Impressive for an indie dev for sure. The game is super engaging and fun to play. Have you played it?

No I'm quite cheap. It's been years since I've bought a game full price. It's been on my wishlist since I could wishlist it though.

 

[mansoor1980]

turned shadows down to high and render scale to 85 percent , rest is on ultra and getting locked 60 fps at 1080p on my weak 1660S
pixar quality on my weak PC , not bad

 

[Captain Toad]

Playing in 30fps mode on PS5 and I like it. I noticed a little stutter here and there when entering new areas or something on the PS5 that the PS4 version doesn’t do. I also noticed late textures streaming in and the PS4 version doesn’t seem to do that either.

Cutscenes are 30fps too so for consistency I like the 30fps 4K mode. Controls feel really sluggish no matter which mode you play in.

Why in the world are you playing 30 FPS mode? It's difficult to tell any graphical difference, but the difference in framerate is huge.

 

[Dzab]

Game looks amazing on PC. The only thing is, it looks a little blurry, or 'soft'. Kind of like how MGSV and RDR2 look on PC.
But the screenshots posted in this thread don't look like that at all, looks really sharp.

 

[Dust-by-Monday]

Why in the world are you playing 30 FPS mode? It's difficult to tell any graphical difference, but the difference in framerate is huge.

Maybe to you, but the game looks much sharper in 30fps mode and you also get the extra grass detail and cutscenes are 30fps videos anyway.

Also, the controls are laggy even in 60fps mode, so it’s not like there’s even a benefit there either.

 

[N1tr0sOx1d3]

Its the Joker, his mother always tells him to smile and put on a happy face. She told him he had a purpose to bring laughter and joy to the world.

 

[Mr Moose]

Fresh indie dev putting some AAAs to shame.
Looks and runs great, I am tempted to bite now but I want the disc.

Game looks amazing on PC. The only thing is, it looks a little blurry, or 'soft'. Kind of like how MGSV and RDR2 look on PC.
But the screenshots posted in this thread don't look like that at all, looks really sharp.

Does it have a chromatic aberration toggle?

 

[Md Ray]

Fresh indie dev putting some AAAs to shame.
Looks and runs great, I am tempted to bite now but I want the disc.

Does it have a chromatic aberration toggle?

Nope, not in the in-game settings menu. It might be available in the config file though.

 

[Shakka43]

Is the game really that smooth for you guys in performance mode? Cause I get micro-stutters pretty often, also when using the Rot snake thingy the movement feels and look pretty laggy.

 

[Md Ray]

Is the game really that smooth for you guys in performance mode? Cause I get micro-stutters pretty often, also when using the Rot snake thingy the movement feels and look pretty laggy.

It also happens on PC. Moving that rot snake thingy feels like a tank with perceptible judder.

What do you mean by micro-stutters? Is it like the inconsistent frame pacing issue or does it feel like a asset streaming stutter?

 

[Shakka43]

It also happens on PC. Moving that rot snake thingy feels like a tank with perceptible judder.

What do you mean by micro-stutters? Is it like the inconsistent frame pacing issue or does it feel like a asset streaming stutter?

Frame pacing. Like when running around Kena kinda skips a little.