Nintendo Swap 2 vs Steam Deck: Layers of Concern

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Layers of Concern for the Swap 2 was offered by Bloober Workforce. Thanks!

In terms of horror video games, Bloober Workforce is likely one of the prime studios making them, and it began with Layers of Concern. When the unique sport got here out in 2016, I used to be blown away by the atmospheric, creepy feeling that would not let up. So, once they remastered the sport and put it right into a package deal with Layers of Concern 2, all of the DLC, and a brand new chapter, I used to be stoked. It was a lot enjoyable to return and play via all of it, and it is surprisingly a blast on the Steam Deck and might run at excessive settings.

When it was introduced to return to the Swap 2 as nicely, I used to be . It made me curious to see which model of the sport can be higher. The Swap 2 is extra highly effective when docked, however handheld can have some bottlenecks that the Deck does not. So, I made a decision to see for myself which model is best, and which is extra price your time if it’s a must to select a handheld expertise. Finally, I discovered a transparent winner, and lots of the the reason why stunned me.

Worth Comparability

Earlier than going into efficiency, I wish to make a remark of the worth of the sport on each the Steam Deck and Swap 2. Over on Steam, we will get the sport for $29.99, and if we wish to avoid wasting cash, we will purchase a Steam copy of the sport from Fanatical for $22.98. On the Swap 2 eShop, we will get Layers of Concern for $39.99.

So far as I can inform, the sport solely has one version, so with that in thoughts, Steam comes out on prime as it’s as much as $17 much less (relying on the place you get it from).

Swap 2 Handheld Vs. Steam Deck

Layers of Concern is a little bit of a combined bag on the subject of evaluating the Swap 2 and Steam Deck, however I must in the end give the sting to the Deck. This is because of a few elements, and whereas the Swap 2 has one huge edge over the Deck, the standard distinction is noticeable extra usually within the Deck’s favor.

For this comparability, I’m utilizing the default settings for Layers of Concern on the Steam Deck (as they stick with above 30 FPS). These settings largely stick with “Excessive” with TSR upscaling on Balanced.

The Swap 2 will at all times have the decision edge over the Deck, and due to that, the image appears sharper with extra particulars being proven (often). In virtually each comparability, the world appears sharper and clearer, and there is actually nothing that may be performed for the Deck to catch up right here. The 1920×1080 decision of the Swap 2 shines and is blatantly apparent in virtually each situation.

Nonetheless, there are some points I additionally observed. A few of the particulars are worse on the Swap 2. Like in The Painter situation, the place the bulbs are lacking and a post-it be aware on the desk is gone, or The Actor situation, the place the shadows are lacking on the chandelier above and the books beneath the projector. They’re small, however when taking a look at each footage aspect by aspect with out zooming in, the variations are clear and begin to make the Steam Deck look significantly better as compared. Even some faint glowing round lightbulbs and candles is lacking on the Swap 2, making the image look extra reasonable on Deck.

The one element that the Swap 2 appears higher with over the Deck is the hand, but it surely in the end lacks extra particulars general.

I additionally observed that the upscaling is worse on Swap 2. Numerous objects and shadows have fuzz round them that simply is not there on the Deck. The obvious change got here from wanting on the horse statue and ebook behind it on the desk when the painter is holding up the telephone, however we will see cases of this all throughout the desk and in different picture comparisons. This problem is quite common, the place the fuzz is in plain sight, and it makes the image look even higher on the Deck, regardless of the decision being decrease. I additionally observed far-away textual content being extra readable on the Deck due to the dearth of fuzz.

And with each variations of the sport operating at 30 FPS, I’d think about the Steam Deck the winner right here. Layers of Concern does look sharper on the Swap 2, however the lacking particulars, worse shadows, and extra noticeable upscaling convey down the standard. The Deck may even push previous 30 FPS at these settings, although it does not go above 40, so I’d nonetheless play it at 30. Nonetheless, the additional particulars assist every scene come alive, which is why I most popular taking a look at them via the Deck over the Swap 2.

Swap 2 Docked Enhancements

When docked, the Swap 2 brings up the decision, but it surely nonetheless has very related points to handheld mode. Particulars are nonetheless lacking, shadows aren’t there or nonetheless have fuzz, and with the framerate locked to 30 FPS, it looks like the one precise enchancment is decision.

Now, this does make the world look even clearer, and this really helps remove a few of the fuzz we see round shadows. I’d say it appears worse than the Deck nonetheless, but it surely’s a lot tougher to note when docked at 2560×1440 decision. This does make it extra pleasant, however the lacking particulars, like lightbulbs or shadows, really feel slightly bizarre. It could have been good to see the standard pushed greater, however that is simply not what we now have right here.

Additional Steam Deck Enhancements

After I examined the hand-held comparability, I used the default settings for the sport, which set it to Excessive. It is fairly playable like this, which is nice for individuals who need 30 FPS, however we do have lots of choices to additional improve the expertise.

For starters, we will convey down the settings and get the sport operating at 60 FPS. Granted, we might want to drop most settings to low and use FSR 2 upscaling at efficiency mode, but it surely nonetheless has extra particulars than the Swap 2 model at each docked and handheld. The upscaling being decrease does make particulars, like fingers, look worse, but it surely general nonetheless appears nice and now runs considerably smoother, which the Swap 2 cannot do. We are able to additionally discover a stability and set it to 45 FPS with medium high quality settings and balanced upscaling, so there are alternatives.

The purpose is that we will push the Deck in ways in which the Swap 2 cannot, giving us a greater expertise differently. The truth that we now have choices additional makes getting Layers of Concern on the Steam Deck a extra worthwhile buy, over the Swap 2, which may solely play at 30 FPS. We are able to convey down battery drain a bit, taking place to 9W – 10W, which may make the battery life a bit higher than the Swap 2 in-game.

So Which Handheld Ought to You Play On

When it comes right down to it, I’d think about taking part in on the Steam Deck to be the higher expertise general. On the default settings, it has higher visuals than the Nintendo Swap 2 in each handheld and docked, and we now have choices to convey down the standard settings to push the framerate to 60 FPS. The Swap 2 model of the sport has a clearer picture as a result of greater decision it might probably push, but it surely makes the upscaling extra apparent, and it’s nonetheless lacking particulars like shadows and lightbulbs that the Deck has.

Will this be a nasty expertise on the Swap 2? I do not assume so. For what it’s, it is nonetheless creepy and atmospheric, but when it’s a must to determine whether or not to get it on the Steam Deck or the Swap 2, and which can present the higher handheld expertise, the Deck will come out on prime.

Layers of Concern may be bought for the Steam Deck for $29.99, or you will get it on Fanatical for $22.98, whereas over on the Swap 2 eShop, you will get it for $39.99.

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