Update: SEGA has now fixed this issue and Performance mode is finally an option on Xbox Series S!
Original story: Sonic Frontiers is finally out now on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S (along with a bunch of other platforms), and it's been getting some fairly good reviews so far - although the Series S version has suffered quite a few complaints.
Basically, a lot of Series S owners have been discovering that Sonic Frontiers appears locked to 30FPS on the console, which seems strange considering Sonic Frontiers is designed to be focused around fast and smooth gameplay.
Here's what one owner had to say about the problem on Reddit earlier this week:
Following multiple reports of this, TheGamer reached out to SEGA for a response, and was provided with a workaround which involves going into the main settings of your Xbox and changing the display to 1080p rather than 4K.
Apparently, doing this should allow Sonic Frontiers to run at 60FPS, although obviously it's not an ideal solution in the long-term, and hopefully SEGA will patch the game to run at 60 frames regardless of your console's display settings. (Update: according to various reports, this workaround doesn't appear to fix the issue unfortunately).
In another separate message this week, Sonic Social Media Manager Katie Chrzanowski confirmed that the development team was still looking into the problem:
"We are looking into [the Xbox Series S performance mode], the team is trying to look into that, we have seen a few people asking about that. So, once I know more, I will let you all know."
Have you run into this issue with Sonic Frontiers on Xbox Series S? Tell us down in the comments below.
[source thegamer.com, via twitter.com]
Comments 44
Wait until you see what the switch players are dealing with, I think this game could of done with a few more months of optimisation.
As games improve there is a concern the series s will struggle or hold games back. It was felt that the plan for the series s was a game pass streaming device
I do wonder whether part of the reason FF7 Remake hasn't come to Xbox is because of the Series S? I wonder if it's because the Series S would be holding it back and we do know that the Series S is a requirement when games come to Xbox.
I for one as shocked at a badly optimised Sonic port.
People talk about the Series S holding back games yet a lot of those games including this one were launched on Switch.
Why would the display be set at 4k if the series S doesn't do 4k 🙈
@Would_you_kindly because it's an option in the menu, and implies XBOX side upscaling to 4K output instead of TV side. Seems like a pretty standard thing to support.
It is but a bug... Happens.
So you're saying it's just another game released uncompleted and will eventually get patched to be the product it was actually intended to be? I don't buy games, i just play gamepass, and i still wait for a few patches before playing anything that's just been released because it's never a finished product. Want the devs to listen to you about not liking this....don't buy n play their games until 6 months post launch.... money is the only voice they listen to.
@Snake_V5 its on PC and can run on a set-up weaker than the S no? It's not on Xbox because Square n Sony made a deal.
@Gloki_junior Not only wrong (most of the games that have issues on Series S came out on weaker PS4 and also the switch in some cases but they also face issues elsewhere, Gotham Knights came to mind as a recent example where the game runs awful on Series X and PC aswell) but Sonic also shouldnt have released, its clearly not finished/polished game: https://twitter.com/sonic_hedgehog/status/1589751188798738433
There just seems to be a new trend of unfinished games releasing and people blame the Series S for it for some reason
@Gloki_junior the problem in this case seems to be a programming error by Sega. The game runs at 1080p at 60fps, but you have to manually switch your system to 1080p, which shouldn't be necessary. It will be patched fairly soon I'd guess.
OPTIMIZATION SETTINGS
Why do devs forget this? So many already use it.
@Darylb88 some of those run at low frame rate and also are internet only games. Not up to series x ps5 standard. It's a bit like how PC games run compared to ps and xbox
@UltimateOtaku91 I'm scared for Switch users, I bought it on Xbox One and it felt like 20-25fps rather than 30fps (similar to Fall Guys, but that game's Switch version didn't have this issue)
Please keep in mind this workaround was posted already to the r/XboxSeriesS community, and users have been reporting 60fps to not work either. Has someone confirmed this "fix" works for them?
https://www.reddit.com/r/XboxSeriesS/comments/yq6k29/thegamer_has_reached_out_to_sega_directly/
https://www.reddit.com/r/XboxSeriesS/comments/ypcpy8/sonic_frontiers_runs_at_30fps_on_the_series_s
This game was clearly held back by the Switch, not the Series S. That being said, little reason to not have 60FPS on the Series S
Seems like the issues with the series s is becoming a frequent issue for devs. Maybe its not just them being lazy like people like to say
The pop in on Series X is insane. Loving the game so far, but there are lessons to be learned on optimization and polish if we move forward with this ‘open zone’ style.
It's runs poorly on PS5 and Series X so there is no hope. 30 fps is unplayable.
@Rmg0731 Only seems to be a problem with multiplatform games.
@Rmg0731 It is the devs being lazy. Gotham Knights was the last game that blamed Series S while running awful even on Series X and PC, the game was just terribly optimised all across the board. Sonic is also an unpolished product (see the twitter link in my comment above)
@Savage_Joe the series S resolution is actually capped at 1440p
@Savage_Joe You are correct. I was just about to post that. I believe Hades also runs in native 4k on the Series S.
@Snake_V5 Ah, no. The Series S is a current gen machine. Developers are still making games for PC's that are far lower spec than the Series S. And FF7R is on PS4 which is way behind the Series S.
@Would_you_kindly your comment is false. Series S also supports native 4K, and has native 4K games on it.
@Gloki_junior Nah you've been reading those ridiculous articles im guessing. PC has been on a open ecosystem forever. They have to work with WAY more different configurations then consoles will ever have to deal with. So it can be done these developers will just have to get on board or prepare to take a hit in sales.
@KvallyX exactly
A 3D Sonic game with tons of issues? lol nothing new here folks, move along
Not surprised. I am sure Sega will eventually patch it.
It just sucks they have to wait a bit.
@Gloki_junior sonic frontiers on the Xbox one lol. They just don't optimize for the series s. It has the same CPU and SSD and the series x. So it doesnt hold back gaming. They just have to optimize for that low ram. Games still coming to the switch with a mobile cpu but no one complains. Think it's cap
Just lazy from the devs.
How many games have we seen now launch with no 60FPS mode on Series S, only to get one patched in at a later date?
Hopefully once we leave last gen ports behind, devs have more time and resources to treat Series S more seriously.
@AstraeaV yet here I am 6 hours or so in on PS5 and haven't noticed it running poorly
@Would_you_kindly no its not capped and games like Ori are 4K on it
@Agnostic
Well said. Devs are under constant time pressure to meet deadlines. Sometimes stuff gets missed/has to be sacrificed to meet constraints.
The S is just holding back Xbox games. I understand their logic in having the system there, but it's playing a detrimental effect on games in general. The best thing they can do, is just mark it down as last gen. Release games on there as games for the Xbox one, and move on.
@EquiinoxGII Say that after last gen gets dropped. You'll actually have solid ground to stand on for an arguement then.
Weird oversight considering the XSS specs is well over the threshold for 1080p/60 in PC land.
@Nalverus very true, but a game isn't built for next gen based on 1080p/60. The problem is with all systems not just the series S, but they should be ready to push the boundaries, which is possible. The series x and ps5 already struggle with hitting the specs they need, wether we like it or not, the series S is more akin to a "meet in the middle" spec. Its very close to the one x.
@Would_you_kindly
Upscale to 4k
Both Sonic movies are 24fps so you're getting a whole extra 6 frames more than a blockbuster movie.
@EquiinoxGII the game isn't actually all that demanding is the crazy part. they built for last gen an just basic ported to current gen. Why the pop in is so bad on XSeries an PS5s. all they really did was add a 4k/30 or 60fps toggle.
@Nalverus yeah seems to be the issue with some releases. Shame really.
I didn't know that a game running at a locked, fluid 30 FPS as intended on weaker hardware of the generation was an "issue." Although to be fair, I don't see why the Series S shouldn't be able to run the game at 60 FPS, it's not exactly the most graphically-intensive game out there. I would like to see them patch a 60 FPS mode in if possible, but if not it's no big deal--play on Series X if you really want the best out of gaming.
It certainly needs to be an option like it is on the more powerful consoles though. If the system can't run the game at a nearly flawless 60 FPS, and worse, struggles to hit it or even stay close, then making 60 FPS the default and only mode would be a very bad thing. As it is, it runs and feels great on Series S. I think Sega likely did the right thing here, as long as it's not just an oversight.
You can't just slap a framerate target of 60 FPS on there and call it a day. It has to actually run good.
@FraserG Digital Foundry has posted their analysis of Sonic Frontiers. Been made by John Linneman, it's really interesting:
https://youtu.be/MmD1PUgqzEk
@Banjo- Thank you! I see they're confused about the lack of 60FPS on Series S as well, so I'm assuming something went wrong here... wouldn't be surprised to see it patched in soon.
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