Star Wars Outlaws is best enjoyed at 40 FPS

The newest Star Wars game, Star Wars Outlaws, will be officially released next Friday, August 30th. However, as has been the case with many titles, those who choose to purchase a version above the standard, such as Gold and Ultimate, have already been able to play the game since the beginning of the week.

The game, which was highly anticipated especially for fans of the Star Wars franchise, is available for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PlayStation 5 and PC, and has generated heated discussions about its graphical performance and frame stability on consoles, according to a recent analysis by Digital Foundry.

Read also:

Check out the minimum and recommended requirements for Star Wars Outlaws
Several brands are betting on customized versions of video cards with the aesthetics of Black Myth: Wukong

Star Wars Outlaws console performance and resolution

The analysis reveals that even on the most powerful consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, playing Star Wars Outlaws at 60 FPS in performance mode results in a significant resolution swing, varying between 720p and 1080p.

This low resolution, which also affects the Xbox Series S, demonstrates the limitations of the hardware when trying to balance high frame rates with graphical quality in such a demanding title.

On the Xbox Series S, being Microsoft’s least powerful console, the options are even more limited. It runs Star Wars Outlaws at 30 FPS, without the ability to switch between performance and quality modes, which is common in other big games. This means that players will have to settle for this fixed setting, although the experience is relatively stable.

Quality modes and frame rates

For players who prioritize graphical quality, the modes available on Xbox Series X and PS5 offer some advantages, but at a cost. The quality mode, which focuses on 40 FPS and is exclusive to displays with support for 120 Hz, offers resolutions ranging from 1664×936 to 2226×1252. The best possible graphical quality, associated with 30 FPS, raises resolutions to an average between 2016×1134 and 2880×1620, with the highest resolution achieved being slightly higher than 1440p.

Despite these options, frame rate stability is not guaranteed in all situations. In particular, the performance mode, which targets 60 FPS, introduces noticeable variations, and in certain scenarios the frame rate can drop even further.

An interesting feature of the game is the mode that adjusts the screen aspect ratio to 21:9, adding black bars on the edges, which, despite offering a cinematic experience, results in additional FPS drops.

Ensuring the best gaming experience

For those looking for the best combination of stability and visual quality, Digital Foundry recommends quality mode at 40 FPS, although it is only available for displays that support 120 Hz.

This mode ensures a superior graphical experience with a more stable frame rate. The Xbox Series S, despite being the most limited console in terms of options, manages to maintain its 30 FPS almost constantly, offering an acceptable gaming experience.

Regardless of the console, Star Wars Outlaws uses AMD FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) technology to improve performance, but with some visual artifacts that become more evident depending on the scenario. This demonstrates the developers’ effort to balance performance and graphical quality across different platforms.

Check out the full video: