After completing multiple Resident Evil Requiem playthroughs on a range of platforms, I’m left in two minds about the Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game.
On one hand it’s commendable that Capcom has launched a portable version of its latest title on day one, particular when other major releases take weeks or even months to hit Switch 2. Just look at Borderlands 4, which still isn’t on the eShop more than four months after it was supposed to come out (a release date that was already weeks after the PlayStation 5 launch).
Handheld mode is king
The biggest reason to pick up Requiem on Switch 2 is comfortably the ability to play on the go in handheld mode, which is how I experienced the bulk of the game on my first playthrough.
There’s just one graphics mode and the picture appears to be targeting a 1080p resolution both in and out of the dock, though it inevitably looks much crisper on the console’s 7.9-inch screen compared to a big 4K TV. The small screen size also does a lot to conceal many of the compromises in asset quality.
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Just look at this car that Grace walks past early on. In both Handheld and Docked mode the curves of the roof appear much more jagged than on PC, and the wing mirror is also a much less clearly defined shape. Also note the slightly distorted look of the chrome trim around the doors, presumably the result of model compression (the Switch 2 file size is just 29.33GB compared to PC’s 70.12GB after all).
This kind of thing is quite hard to spot in handheld mode unless you’re actively looking for it, but is immediately noticeable in docked.
Of course, it’s also hard to ignore the difference in reflection quality. While there are still some stunning reflections in the Switch 2 version in key indoor areas, the ray tracing just isn’t there on more easily overlooked objects like this.
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You’ll also notice similar compromises have been made with wet surfaces, like the paved floor of the little tunnel used to territorialize the crouch controls. On Switch 2, it simply doesn’t have those lovely crisp path traced reflections.
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It should come as no surprise that the fidelity of character models in the in-engine cutscenes take a big hit on Switch 2 as well.
Grace’s hair in particular reacts strangely to the light, taking on a very gray color in comparison to the much more blonde look in the PC version. There’s also plenty of visible aliasing on it, presumably a by-product of AI upscaling which generally struggles with fine details like hair.
Her jacket and hoodie lack definition too, though it’s only really obvious if you focus on the zippers. On Switch 2 in both docked and handheld mode the individual teeth merge together, while you can practically count each one on PC.
Overall, I’m actually quite impressed that many of the lighting effects on her skin have been preserved well. In rainy scenes like this she appears realistically damp, with some equally good looking blood effects later on.
Interior environments hold up best
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Small indoor environments such as the early rooms of the Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center are definitely this port at its strongest, with the most consistently good visuals. Looking at the bathroom above, it’s hard to see many clear differences between the two versions.
Sure, PC has some nicer reflections on the smashed mirror at the end of the room but otherwise the core composition of the image has been beautifully captured in the overall lighting and mood.
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The facility’s upstairs Foyer is another great looking area. There’s definitely some heavy upscaling going on, but it’s hard to spot in handheld mode and there are still lovely reflections on the shiny marble floor.
Frame rate can be problematic
You’ve seen how everything looks in still images, but what’s the frame rate like in motion? It’s largely good for the bulk of the game, but the more action-heavy scenes struggle.
Basically any time where you’re playing as Leon is going to range from “a bit rough” to (in very few instances) “almost unplayable” thanks to a very jagged frame rate. 30 frames per second (fps) is the target, but by my eyes Leon’s segments hover around the 20fps mark at best.
In an early sniping segment that has you taking out enemies from afar rendering such a large area seems to push the Switch 2 to the max, and I actually missed a handful of shots thanks to the dire frame rate leading to a few frustrating game over screens.
This segment in particular is easily the roughest part of the game though, and some equally large environments later on run a lot better – leaving me hopeful that this might be fixable in a future patch.
In the immediate absence of this, I would still advise choosing Resident Evil Requiem on another platform if you have the option – even if those whose only choice is Switch 2 at least don’t have to worry that they’re getting too compromised of an experience on day one.
For more on the game, check out my full scored Resident Evil Requiem review.
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