If you're a fan of Souls-like games and own a Nintendo
Switch, you may have been wondering how the recently released Mortal Shell:
Complete Edition stacks up on the hybrid console. Well, fear not – Digital
Foundry has done a technical analysis of the Switch version, and we've got the
scoop on how it performs.
First things first: the Switch version uses a newer build of
the game, but there are some "obvious" downgrades. The 4GB of RAM on
the Switch is apparently the "limiting factor," leading to reduced
grass foliage density, less impressive water physics, and shorter draw distances
on trees. However, character texture work is said to be "identical"
to the PS4 build.
Despite these downgrades, the Switch version of Mortal Shell
still manages to retain "a lot of detail," including motion blur,
mist, fog, and even ambient occlusion. And in some segments, the lighting is
actually improved on the Switch. Plus, loading times are faster on the Switch.
In terms of resolution, the docked mode runs between 540p
and 600p and the portable mode runs between 360p and 400p (both are
reconstructed to 720p via TTA). As for frame rate, the Switch version typically
runs between 15 - 40 fps across both modes.
Overall, Digital Foundry considers the Switch version of Mortal Shell to be an ambitious port and a "fascinating" experiment for the hybrid system. While there are definitely some downgrades in terms of performance and playability, the Switch version still manages to retain a lot of detail and has some notable advantages. If you're a fan of Souls-like games and own a Switch, it's definitely worth checking out.