Darksiders 2: performance analysis
Given that Vigil Games has made specific tweaks to the Wii U version of Darksiders 2, we were hoping for improved performance. The 360 and PS3 builds have their moments of solidity but both suffer from heavy bouts of tearing and regular frame-rate drops, which severely impact upon the experience as a whole. The PS3 comes across as the slightly better performer overall though, with a noticeable advantage in select scenes.
Kicking off with a batch of like-for-like clips from the in-engine cut-scenes, performance looks OK, falling short of the PS3 version in some areas but with slight improvements over the Xbox 360 game. However, frame-rate levels drop when the engine is faced with scenes that feature larger, more expansive scope and detail - particularly those featuring alpha, such as trees and smoke effects, where we find heavier bouts of tearing and sustained drops in smoothness. By and large, the results of the Wii U version lies somewhere in between the PS3 and 360, with some scenes favouring the older formats and others which seem to be better optimised for Wii U.
The first few opening gameplay scenes in the Wii U version are also promising, with the game comfortably holding up against the 360 and PS3 releases, bar a little extra tearing in places, but this isn't an overly intrusive issue. Things remain running smoothly during the first boss encounter too, but, when the game properly opens up and presents us with more demanding scenes, this initially impressive match with the other consoles is disrupted by intrusive amounts of screen-tearing and constant frame-rate drops. In common with the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, traversal on horseback around the game's expansive hub world causes real problems for the engine: tearing is rife on all platforms, and frame-rate drops can be very distracting, but we find this to be an even bigger problem on the Wii U.
Likewise, intensive combat scenes also cause problems for Nintendo's console, with performance dips up to 10FPS lower than the 360 and PS3 when the engine is taxed. At one point we see the Wii U version adopting a sustained 18-20FPS in parts of the last combat scene in our performance video. Wide open environments filled with trees, foliage and shadows (alpha-based effects and scenery) are also common causes of severe frame-rate drops. Sometimes we see the Wii U version matching the 360 game in a few scenarios, but more often than not it fails to keep up with both of its counterparts.
On the other hand, the Wii U game performs similarly to the other versions during the boss encounters, with the level of smoothness only faltering more heavily on occasion, usually when the renderer is faced with handling multiple adversaries in addition to a larger main foe. Overall though it's fairly obvious that Darksiders 2 on the Nintendo console isn't able to keep up with the others when heavily pushed and playability is compromised as a result.
The Wii U difference
Given that the tablet forms part of the main experience when engaging with the Wii U it's no surprise to find that Vigil games has made use of the touch-screen and gyroscopic controls for both gameplay and secondary functions - such as manipulating the map screen and managing your inventory. By default, mirroring to the tablet screen is only present during the cut-scenes, with the touch-screen display showing the inventory, map screen and other options via an otherwise permanently displayed menu. Here you can use the tablet to equip new items, set waypoints on the map and change various game options.
The process is fairly intuitive with quick taps of the touch-screen allowing for swifter navigation than the traditional joypad set-up. The touch menus are accessed without pausing the main game too, for on-the-fly sorting of equipment and weapons although we found it better (and safer) to pause the game first. Perhaps the only annoyance is that looking between the TV and GamePad touch-screen is somewhat distracting - we found that sometimes it would be better to have all the essential information available in the main TV screen, rather than having to pause and look away to access it.
The touch-screen finds its way into the core gameplay mechanics too, utilised to control depth when swimming under water. Unfortunately, while the controls are indeed responsive and work as they should, positioning the tablet when diving and rising up from the depths makes this feature rather annoying to use. By default most people hold the tablet at a partial upright angle when playing the game, much like a normal controller. However, this position actually makes Death dive straight down, rather than keeping him at a level position in the water. To swim upwards we had to tilt the GamePad so that the screen was facing us directly, with the top of the tablet in an upright position.
Other functions, such as the ability to waggle the tablet to mount your horse, come across as throwaway additions which don't enhance the overall experience in any way. It's quicker and easier to simply push a button instead.
Aside from GamePad controls, the main draw with the Wii U edition comes from the inclusion of the Argus' Tomb and Death Rides Again expansion packs (offering around five hours of extra content) along with the legendary armour packs and a speed boost enhancement for the horse. Previously the only way to get these goodies was to purchase either the Special or Death Rides editions of the game - and then download the other via PSN or XBLA - along with buying the additional content packs online.
Darksiders 2 on Wii U: the Digital Foundry verdict
And so another Wii U launch title arrives that doesn't quite hold its own against the existing PS3 and 360 versions. After the fairly impressive work done on the Wii U port of Assassin's Creed 3, we can't help but feel a little disappointed with Vigil Games' efforts here. The removal of light shafts and environmental detail doesn't overly harm the game considering that the core artwork is a close match in other areas, but the sharp drops in performance are hard to ignore when the low frame-rate has a noticeable impact on the feel of the controls, making them heavier and less responsive.
In terms of the Wii U-specific features, the added touch-screen controls do prove useful, making navigation of the cumbersome menus a breeze compared to using the standard controller on the other platforms, although we could do without having certain moves being mapped to the GamePad's motion sensing functions. In addition, with the poorer performance and reduced visual quality, it also means that there's little reason to pick up the Wii U version at full price when the PS3 and 360 versions can be purchased new for as little as £20 online (though obviously the DLC packs are not included).
In the final analysis, the PS3 version remains the most impressive version of the game with higher-quality textures in places and superior performance, followed by the 360 release, while the Wii U sits in last place. While short on platform-specific enhancements, the PC version is the one to play if you have the necessary horsepower to sustain higher resolutions and frame-rates. Regardless of its issues, Darksiders 2 is still worth picking up on Wii U if you don't have access to any of the other platforms: the game itself is large and rewarding to play, and the narrative nicely complements the original Darksiders with a concurrently running story that expands on the events of the first game. As a final recommendation though, we'd perhaps hold fire on a Wii U purchase until it comes down in price.
Given that Vigil Games has made specific tweaks to the Wii U version of Darksiders 2, we were hoping for improved performance. The 360 and PS3 builds have their moments of solidity but both suffer from heavy bouts of tearing and regular frame-rate drops, which severely impact upon the experience as a whole. The PS3 comes across as the slightly better performer overall though, with a noticeable advantage in select scenes.
Kicking off with a batch of like-for-like clips from the in-engine cut-scenes, performance looks OK, falling short of the PS3 version in some areas but with slight improvements over the Xbox 360 game. However, frame-rate levels drop when the engine is faced with scenes that feature larger, more expansive scope and detail - particularly those featuring alpha, such as trees and smoke effects, where we find heavier bouts of tearing and sustained drops in smoothness. By and large, the results of the Wii U version lies somewhere in between the PS3 and 360, with some scenes favouring the older formats and others which seem to be better optimised for Wii U.
The first few opening gameplay scenes in the Wii U version are also promising, with the game comfortably holding up against the 360 and PS3 releases, bar a little extra tearing in places, but this isn't an overly intrusive issue. Things remain running smoothly during the first boss encounter too, but, when the game properly opens up and presents us with more demanding scenes, this initially impressive match with the other consoles is disrupted by intrusive amounts of screen-tearing and constant frame-rate drops. In common with the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, traversal on horseback around the game's expansive hub world causes real problems for the engine: tearing is rife on all platforms, and frame-rate drops can be very distracting, but we find this to be an even bigger problem on the Wii U.
Likewise, intensive combat scenes also cause problems for Nintendo's console, with performance dips up to 10FPS lower than the 360 and PS3 when the engine is taxed. At one point we see the Wii U version adopting a sustained 18-20FPS in parts of the last combat scene in our performance video. Wide open environments filled with trees, foliage and shadows (alpha-based effects and scenery) are also common causes of severe frame-rate drops. Sometimes we see the Wii U version matching the 360 game in a few scenarios, but more often than not it fails to keep up with both of its counterparts.
On the other hand, the Wii U game performs similarly to the other versions during the boss encounters, with the level of smoothness only faltering more heavily on occasion, usually when the renderer is faced with handling multiple adversaries in addition to a larger main foe. Overall though it's fairly obvious that Darksiders 2 on the Nintendo console isn't able to keep up with the others when heavily pushed and playability is compromised as a result.
The Wii U difference
Given that the tablet forms part of the main experience when engaging with the Wii U it's no surprise to find that Vigil games has made use of the touch-screen and gyroscopic controls for both gameplay and secondary functions - such as manipulating the map screen and managing your inventory. By default, mirroring to the tablet screen is only present during the cut-scenes, with the touch-screen display showing the inventory, map screen and other options via an otherwise permanently displayed menu. Here you can use the tablet to equip new items, set waypoints on the map and change various game options.
The process is fairly intuitive with quick taps of the touch-screen allowing for swifter navigation than the traditional joypad set-up. The touch menus are accessed without pausing the main game too, for on-the-fly sorting of equipment and weapons although we found it better (and safer) to pause the game first. Perhaps the only annoyance is that looking between the TV and GamePad touch-screen is somewhat distracting - we found that sometimes it would be better to have all the essential information available in the main TV screen, rather than having to pause and look away to access it.
The touch-screen finds its way into the core gameplay mechanics too, utilised to control depth when swimming under water. Unfortunately, while the controls are indeed responsive and work as they should, positioning the tablet when diving and rising up from the depths makes this feature rather annoying to use. By default most people hold the tablet at a partial upright angle when playing the game, much like a normal controller. However, this position actually makes Death dive straight down, rather than keeping him at a level position in the water. To swim upwards we had to tilt the GamePad so that the screen was facing us directly, with the top of the tablet in an upright position.
Other functions, such as the ability to waggle the tablet to mount your horse, come across as throwaway additions which don't enhance the overall experience in any way. It's quicker and easier to simply push a button instead.
Aside from GamePad controls, the main draw with the Wii U edition comes from the inclusion of the Argus' Tomb and Death Rides Again expansion packs (offering around five hours of extra content) along with the legendary armour packs and a speed boost enhancement for the horse. Previously the only way to get these goodies was to purchase either the Special or Death Rides editions of the game - and then download the other via PSN or XBLA - along with buying the additional content packs online.
Darksiders 2 on Wii U: the Digital Foundry verdict
And so another Wii U launch title arrives that doesn't quite hold its own against the existing PS3 and 360 versions. After the fairly impressive work done on the Wii U port of Assassin's Creed 3, we can't help but feel a little disappointed with Vigil Games' efforts here. The removal of light shafts and environmental detail doesn't overly harm the game considering that the core artwork is a close match in other areas, but the sharp drops in performance are hard to ignore when the low frame-rate has a noticeable impact on the feel of the controls, making them heavier and less responsive.
In terms of the Wii U-specific features, the added touch-screen controls do prove useful, making navigation of the cumbersome menus a breeze compared to using the standard controller on the other platforms, although we could do without having certain moves being mapped to the GamePad's motion sensing functions. In addition, with the poorer performance and reduced visual quality, it also means that there's little reason to pick up the Wii U version at full price when the PS3 and 360 versions can be purchased new for as little as £20 online (though obviously the DLC packs are not included).
In the final analysis, the PS3 version remains the most impressive version of the game with higher-quality textures in places and superior performance, followed by the 360 release, while the Wii U sits in last place. While short on platform-specific enhancements, the PC version is the one to play if you have the necessary horsepower to sustain higher resolutions and frame-rates. Regardless of its issues, Darksiders 2 is still worth picking up on Wii U if you don't have access to any of the other platforms: the game itself is large and rewarding to play, and the narrative nicely complements the original Darksiders with a concurrently running story that expands on the events of the first game. As a final recommendation though, we'd perhaps hold fire on a Wii U purchase until it comes down in price.
