Xbox Series X Dominates PS5 in The Outer Worlds 2 Performance, Digital Foundry Reports

Daily Games

·

24/10/2025

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Digital Foundry's newest test shows that The Outer Worlds 2 plays markedly smoother on Xbox Series X than on PlayStation 5 or PS5 Pro, a result that reverses the usual pattern in which PlayStation machines tend to come out slightly ahead.

Key Points

The Xbox Series X edition delivers higher frame rates and steadier visuals than the PS5 or PS5 Pro editions.
On PS5 the picture falls apart, the resolution drops, the frame rate stutters and tears appear on screen.
The PS5 Pro's own upscaler fails to handle the game's lighting - the end result looks and runs worse than on Series X.
Observers think the code taps secret Xbox hardware tricks that Sony boxes lack.

Where the Trouble Shows

A quick look suggests both consoles draw the same scene - yet Digital Foundry's pixel level check exposes clear trouble on Sony hardware. The PS5 build breaks the image into chunks, pushes fewer pixels, loses frames and tears the picture even in its high frame mode. Lights also render a step dimmer.

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The PS5 Pro fares worse. Its built in PSSR upscaler clashes with the game's lumen and ray-traced lights - dips hit harder and the whole session feels shakier - the testers call it “plainly rougher than Series X in the final build.” The team suspects Obsidian leaned on Xbox-only silicon that the PS5 line does not carry and that gap shows.

Companions and Swag

Outside of raw speed, Obsidian has lifted the curtain on crew life - six allies join the trip, none offer romance - yet each will rebel and shoot the hero if given strong cause.

Merch hunters enter a draw for a plush “Couch-Panion” called Moon Man until 16 November. Microsoft also sells a run of Outer Worlds 2 Xbox pads - each pad costs more than the game.

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Scores and Street Date

GameSpot grades the adventure 8/10 lauding “open combat choices and sharp RPG growth,” and declares the franchise “now finds its stride.” The title reaches Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PC on 29 October - early buyers start on 24 October. From launch day the game sits inside Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

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