Remedy’s Control Ultimate Edition is now available for the next (current?) Console systems, delivering a significant overhaul of its 2019 classics. The original version with its DLC, plus 60 frames per second performance and beam detection modes of 30 fps, is a game made for the new machines. The technological limitations of the latest generation of machines are easily overcome and the new console versions offer more than a foretaste of the full version of a computer, but are we looking at platform parity between the new Sony and Microsoft systems?
Remedy itself has revealed all the full specifications of the new versions, which essentially means: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X run at an original 1440p resolution (without dynamic resolution scale) with a temporary upscale to 2160p output . Graphics and performance modes are essentially a link for supporting beam detection, adding RT reflections on opaque and glass surfaces. RT locks users to 30 fps games, while disabling it, the frame rate cap is removed, with performance limited only by 60Hz v-sync. However, there is an interesting side to this: to involve the photo mode in the game, remove the 30 fps cap in RT mode, and open the door to a possible measure, which we will take a closer look at in due course.
A look at how PS5, Series X and Series S consoles compare.
Without giving too much away, it’s clear that the control in RT graphics mode has a considerable amount of space over 30 fps (but it’s worth emphasizing almost 60), with the result that in the standard game , both Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 add up to their target frame rate of 30. The only downside here is the introduction of improper frame passing in very rare scenarios, but otherwise it is almost flawless. In terms of quality settings and visual features, Series X and PlayStation 5 look like a complete match – with only a slight difference in gamma levels. Control on PS5 (and it seems like other titles) looks black and has a generally darker presentation. System-level screenshots show the same, and exclude a problem with the recording.
In addition, Series X displays some stuttering that is not seen on PS5 – whether set to graphics or performance modes. It comes up with the arrival of UI elements on the screen and in standard transitions, and can be distracting. Our understanding is that Remedy wants to tackle this in a future patch, but that’s the only stain in what is otherwise a very polished 30 fps experience with a beautiful RT work.
The Digital Foundry Technology Review for Control Ultimate Edition.
The performance mode aims to run Control flat-out at 60 frames per second. Overall, it’s an excellent experience, no matter what system you’re playing on, and in terms of playability, it’s the best way to enjoy the game. It is also at this point that we can calculate the Xbox series S.. It does not have the 30fps RT mode and is performance only, delivering a 60fps experience at native 900p, with a temporary upscale up to 1080p. You lose precision from the reduced resolution, but the game is still gold-colored and compares favorably with Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5.
All three systems follow a very similar performance profile: the action is fast and smooth, only damaged by the work of screen-filling effects that can drop to the mid-50fps range while the chaos unfolds on the screen. Due to the dynamic nature of the game, it’s not easy to rank the consoles here – it seems that Series X may perform better than PlayStation 5 in some scenarios, while in others it does the opposite. Xbox Series S generally seems the least consistent, but only by a very small margin. The most notable issue here is the Xbox stutter, which causes on top of the existing frame rate drops, just like in Series X’s 30fps mode. This is perhaps more of an issue here because deviations from a 16 ms frame time are more noticeable compared to a 33 ms frame time. It seems to be a legacy of the latest generation of systems, but it’s strange that PlayStation 5 does not seem to have the problem, and we hope to see it on Xbox consoles via a future title update .
Ultimately, control on PS5 and Xbox series consoles is an excellent version – if not the definitive experience. For that, it is still a computer with a powerful RTX card, where DLSS AI scaling can exceed the version of the original resolution and delivers the full range of beam detection effects. With that said, however, the game is just as engaging as ever before, and upgrading to the latest generation of console versions is, to say the least, deep. The console you have is highly recommended.