Xbox Series X|S Versions Of Hellblade 2 Confirmed To Run At 30FPS

on their next hardware it's better to run at 60fps.

No issue with 30fps as that's how the game was designed. Roll on the 21st of May

This completely killed my excitement for the game. 30 fps feels and looks terrible.

Normally I’m an advocate that the game should give people options.

However for such a slow paced, walking, puzzle sim I don’t think it being 30fps is such a big issue

Playing Dragon’s Dogma 2 and it’s a much faster game and very much enjoying it. It’s one of my favorite games of this gen so far.

The previews for this are are all glowingly positive and calling it a next gen showcase. I cannot wait!

Ridiculous this 😭

I have a fairly decent spec PC with a 4070ti super, really hoping I can run this at 1440p60. Although nothing is guaranteed anymore on PC, most of the recent ports seem to run terribly irrespective of hardware.

Oh sh#t, here we go again.

This was painfully obvious the focal frame rate in all the reveals. Just based on the graphics, console platform, games like Starfield, and reality...I don't know how anyone could be shocked.

30fps is fine for me as long as it's a steady 30fps.

Honestly, unless you switch to 60fps and then switch back, the difference isn't as staggering as some people make it out to be.

Developers should have every right to push visual fidelity at 30fps if that's the experience they want without "gamers" moaning and groaning that it's not 4K60.

Heck, I am sure that if video game consoles were able to engage a TV's 24fps mode like movies do, developers would use that for "cinematic experiences" (that would be pretty awesome actually).

I personally can't wait to see this in action.

If it can run at a higher frame rate on the PC, then it must be the Series hardware that is preventing it doing so on the Xbox console. Unless, of course, Microsoft have going to the lowest common denominator, being the capabilities of the Series S, and wanting it to run the same on both consoles.

So, if this releases on the PlayStation next year, which I think it will, once it has been out for a year, I wonder whether it will have a higher frame rate on the PS5 Pro, or even just the standard PS5 for that matter?

I should have assumed that nobody can take a joke, it is 2024 after all. My bad!

Lame. I'm sorry, but Xbox has been disappointing on a lot of levels this gen.

@RBRTMNZ
So you never watch movies then?

@awp69
Dragon's Dogma 2 is a fixed 30 fps

I'm done with xbox

2024 and we still cannot get to 60fps.

Xbox seems to be scared of 60fps on exclusive titles!?

I played FFXVI and Starfield at 30FPS and haven’t thrown up once so I think I will be fine.

I don't mind the 30, just try not to sell it to me as a positive.
Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining, as the saying goes.
Games are not movies because they are inherently different due to one giving you control.

@ZuneTattooGuy Do you control the characters in movies?

@ZuneTattooGuy It’s actually not fixed. It can drop below and can go above. Even if you select a 30 FPS cap, it drops below in cities, etc. It’s definitely not fixed. Read the Digital Foundry analysis of it.

https://www.ign.com/articles/the-ability-to-see-the-world-at-a-higher-frame-rate-could-give-some-gamers-an-edge

This study released yesterday showed that human ability to perceive visual reality ranges from around 35 fps to above 60 fps. If you're critical of other people for needing 60 fps you're probably just critical of them for having better vision than you. Different people have different needs. I don't understand why this particular need continues to be controversial.

This is the trade off this console generation. This game has always been about pushing fidelity so I'm not surprised and I'm sure it'll be a dazzling experience. Indiana Jones on the other hand ought to have a 60 fps option. The type of game should be considered.

@ZuneTattooGuy Not really. I watch 1-2 per year but that has nothing to do with frame rate because it is not an interactive medium where lower frames impacts game play. I just think movies are boring. The only movie I watched in the past year was extremely low frame rate Miles Morales.

On cue the people out who make out they can't play games at 30fps haha

I don’t understand why modern games like this aren’t built to be scalable with a performance option built in as standard. I accept there was an argument that it couldn’t be done for Starfield as it is CPU limited, but for a game like this…..come on, really?

I know some will say there’s no difference but it is chalk and cheese for me and my eyes, especially playing on a large OLED display.

30 is fine if it's a steady 30. I have a large OLED and I have zero issue. I would have liked a 40fps option for the X but it's no biggy for me. Looking forward to it.

Different strokes for different folks and all that.

Wait, people didn't see this coming? All they've talked about is visuals, i thought everyone already knew it was gonna be 30fps.

@StylesT On cue people annoyed that other people have better vision than them.

So it's The Order 1886 of Xbox.

Ah yes the “cinematic feeling” excuse. 30fps is not a choice, it’s a limitation. If it was really a choice they would cap the pc version at 30. This is preemptive damage control. Loved the first one so I’ll play it for sure but it’s a good thing it’s on gamepass

If at least we could have a 40fps option for 120Hz screens, please...

I have heard from many (here mostly) that the weaker PS5 was holding back the Series consoles, well Ninja Theory (and all first party studios) has access to all of the X's power and 30 fps is the best they can manage apparently 😐

"Xbox experience should feel more "cinematic" at 30FPS, in a similar fashion to movies that are shot at 24 frames per-second."

Cheap lame excuse, if their intended vision is 30fps then they would limit the PC version to also 30 but they are not doing that. PC guys get the full 60fps or 30 if they choose to, perhaps Microsoft should push up the date of the new Xbox if the Series consoles are already maxed out.

It doesn't matter how powerful a console is. Some developers will always choose sacrificing framerate for that tiny bit more fidelity.
What is inexcusable is not having a performance option. The only one I could maybe understand the reasoning for was Starfield, but it still had a whiff of bs excuse to it.
Drop the fidelity for 60 fps as an option. Personally I will choose 30 FPS and better graphics (as I did with Control). But then I'm old enough to recall gaming on a ZX81 when I had to type games in from C&VG, so my standard for being impressed is likely lower than others.
My point is, I don't understand why they don't put the investment in to give the option to play your preference.

It’ll be 30fps on PS5 in a year or so then. Cool.

Rather play at 60fps, but 30 isn’t the end of the world. I will say this generation is so disappointing on so many levels.

@RBRTMNZ Yeah that must be it....... Rollseyes

@StylesT There was a study released yesterday showing that some people cannot see more than 35 fps. I linked to a report on it in a previous comment on this article.

Lost interest in this now, after playing everything at 60fps now 30fps really gives me a headache.
Starfield strained my eyes horribly and so did having a go on Soma last night.

Just really disappointed that "the most powerful console ever" is only releasing platform exclusive "next gen" games at 30fps.....
Ready to sell my series X for a decent PC.

I’m not really much of a framerate snob but this seems a bit weird. It’s not a massive open world game with vast amounts of moving parts; items that need to stay where they should after being moved, branching quests and NPCs that need to be kept track of etc. I’m absolutely not an expert on any of this stuff but I would have thought if there’s one game where you would be able to squeeze out 60fps it’s an 8 hour linear narrative adventure. Not sure how it can be lauded as a true next gen technical marvel and be running at 30fps tbh.

People kept saying that nothing pushed the limits of the PS5 or Series X, and that they wanted a "truly next-gen" experience. This is it: slightly better graphics, at a sluggish framerate that crawled out of the PS1 era.

I'll take slightly enhanced PS4 graphics at 60fps, any day! This generation isn't able to handle much more than that.

480p on Series S. 🤣

Please uncap framerate when vrr is enabled.

Cope and defend this ***** harder, you deserve this quality from 1st party games, sony is pumping ps5 exclusives with 60,120,40 while we get redfall, starfield and hellblade launching with 30

@Scirius That's the thing every single PlayStation exclusive releasing for PS5 (without exceptions!) gives players the option for not only 60 but sometimes there's 4 or 5 options.

You're telling me Xbox developers with the little extra power under the hood of the Series X (over PS5) can't give us at least two options for those that prefer 60?

Is it laziness or did they do some internal polling and found out that 60fps is Xbox players biggest opponent so to avoid us being defeated they limit our games to 30fps?

30 fps can look differently depending on game design and engine. An example of a similar game where I would expect 30 to work would be A Plague Tale 2, which ended up being terrible at the target for me.
However, I've played through first Hellblade at 30 fps and it was absolutely fine. I expect the sequel to be ok too.

I'll grab my popcorn as I watch social media have a meltdown over a non issue.

In my experience I would agree with @47Cikajovazmaj that factors such as frame pacing, and shutter length on motion blur can really affect how smooth 30fps is. I'm sorry for those whose eyes struggle with frames below 60fps.

Im fine with 30 for this title.

@Kris2fur Bye... Don't let the door hit you where the good Lord split you!

Whatever the frame rate, there IS some really good use of UE5 tech here, and I am excited to see what they can push out of the Series X. I have reservations on the game itself, but the tech should be extraordinary...

@RBRTMNZ I've actually taken a legitimate vision test in a doctor's office that says I can see between 480 and 600 fps. I completely agree with that based on what I have experienced. That being said, I can enjoy and have been enjoying 30fps games for my whole life. I do prefer at least 60fps though.

@nickevans2210 Starfield, Hellblade, and... that's it? Hardly enough games to moan about.

@ZYDIO I’m playing an older game at 30fps right now. It’s not impossible to enjoy but it absolutely impacts gameplay and makes it appear choppy. It’s mostly just a disappointing decision to go for cutting edge 4k visuals, which no human can appreciate at normal viewing distances, rather than prioritizing performance which doesn’t just make games feel better. It makes them look better too.

[Insert stock hyperbolic complaint]

Xbox developers just aren’t listening to the gamers/customers. Fair enough, but don’t complain when sales and subscriptions are down, and you lose your jobs.

If the game is maxing out the Xbox series x all bells and whistles on at 30fps, though it does have a dynamic resolution so it can’t maintain the native 4K.
It’s tells me let’s have a mid generation refresh, full native 4K at a locked 60fps all bells and whistles on.

Then also we can have Starfield etc at native 4K 60fps.

These consoles are really showing their age now, it’s time for a mid generation refresh with the power for native 4K at a locked 60 fps.

@Fiendish-Beaver

If the game is maxing out the Xbox series x all bells and whistles on at 30fps, though it does have a dynamic resolution so it can’t maintain the native 4K.
It’s tells me let’s have a mid generation refresh, full native 4K at a locked 60fps all bells and whistles on.
Then also we can have Starfield etc at native 4K 60fps.
These consoles are really showing their age now, it’s time for a mid generation refresh with the power for native 4K at a locked 60 fps.

Funny enough, @OldGamer999, the exact same thought struck me when I wrote my earlier thoughts. However, I don't think Microsoft are going to do a mid-generation refresh. I think they are effectively conceding defeat this generation, and are looking to move on to the next one in 2026. I think what we get then probably would have started out as a refresh, but is now going to be something much more powerful that will warrant being called 'next generation'.

At least, I think that was the plan, but then I start to question whether there will be a proper next generation console, other than the hand held that Microsoft are developing. I keep flip-flopping on that one. Cannot make up my mind what Microsoft will do next.

In all honesty, when it comes to Hellblade 2, knowing as we do that Microsoft want parity with games on the S and the X, it is quite possible that the settings have been 'toned down' to suit the capabilities of the S, and that for reasons of parity, the X gets the same version. That is why I think a whole can of worms could be opened up when the game goes to the PlayStation, because you can just imagine the outcry in these parts if the PlayStation gets the better version of the game...

@Fiendish-Beaver
Yes if games like Starfield and Hellblade 2 end up on PS5 and PS5 Pro and run better frame rates etc then Microsoft are really not interested in Xbox console sales, then again I don’t think they care that much anyway.

If the games release say a year later on PS5 then there will be improvements, small or large.
It’s a strange generation this one and being honest has been a disappointment to me overall from Microsoft and Sony.

So if it's at 1080p or 2k, is it still locked at 30fps? Would prefer if a game gave you the option to choose quality or performance. I would want both tho.

And when the next generation of consoles arrives and every game runs at 60 FPS everyone will complaint that 60 is unplayable and 120 FPS is the only acceptable framerate , I am so sick of modern gaming…

@AlienigenX There will always be someone who wants more, but I'm confident that it's only a small minority who think 60fps is inadequate, and that this will remain true during the next gen!

There's a big difference between 30 and 60, but even diehard framerate snobs will admit that going into the hundreds yields diminishing returns.

Most of us just want modern games to run at the same smooth rate as Devil May Cry (2001), Golden Axe (1989), etc.! It's not an especially high standard, nor is it remotely new, so it's all the more frustrating to see today's games still fail to hit that bar.

@Kalele and by then it be impressive since it is made for current hardware. An ambitious title on the new hardware if developers stay with their vision will also likely be 30 fps. Which is typical for big console titles which push the boundaries. Nothing impressive about current hardware or new hardware running old software.

And so what?! Ambitious games for current hardware always push the boundaries. Especially if developers want to stick to their ambitious plan for any title. Now of course they could scale back many things if they wanted. However they obviously didn’t want to. It’s really not that big of a deal. Console games throughout the generations were able playable games that were fun/cool. People didn’t place value on things like FPS which critique outlets like DF only like to talk about. I hope the game does well for Xbox and leads to more sells of the console.

@smoreon people underestimate and don’t understand how much power is required to run high resolution games at 60 fps. Especially games with a high a polygon count which many expect. Console gamers complain about the cost of their boxes which to be honest haven’t kept up with inflation. So the manufacturers try to do the best they can which is why in recent years the consoles have been mid tier at best. Whereas PS3/X360 and before had more bespoke SOCs that were impressive for their times. So there is many trade offs that console manufacturers and developers must consider.

@AlienigenX when the next generation of consoles arrives. All of the remasters will run at 60 fps and above! Then people will complain when a new ambitious Xbox Series XXX or PS6 title runs at performance mode 40 fps at 4K or 30 fps at 4K+. Modern gamers have such an entitlement. Contrast this to previous console generations when it was about the games and how fun their were. No one cared about outlets like DF which do their “analysis.” Then there is the cost and console gamers don’t want to pay too much for this hobby which hasn’t kept up with inflation.

@Vaako007

Yet you conveniently ignore the fact that we have more modern TV’s, this is the reason some people are more sensitive to the 30/60 options.

Just because it doesn’t affect you doesn’t mean others don’t see it.

@OldGamer999 dude just chill. No big Xbox games will come to ps5. Only small ones just to grab that extra money and show a good face to the regulators. And all these crap about those 4 games being a test?get real,if they wanted to test the waters they wouldn’t do it with games they already knew wouldn’t sell well on ps. They would put one big game there like starfield (saying oh it only one game) and if it sold 5-10 millions they would put more. If we want to be realistic Sony is the one with the financial problems so I guess we ll probably see Spider-Man on Xbox first rather than starfield on ps5

@Chrisajax You in for a rude awakening

@OldGamer999 Sony have about two original ip current gen PS5 First Party AAA titles, they are not going to even release another until at least April 2025 so its going to be over Two years before they even release a AAA First Party title the last was Spiderman 2 in 2023.
They are in a very awkward situation where single player AAA First Party games are now costing them too much and over time they are making hardly any profit on them, this is well documented.
Sony are in no position to be fussy they will gladly take anything Microsoft would offer its Microsoft who now own all the cards in terms of software, Microsoft will happily drip feed them plenty of old games especially the AA titles and Sony will accept them with open arms whilst also knowing there is no chance MS will put very recent AAA titles on there. Redfall could be the exception.

Seeing so many people moaning about 30FPS and they haven’t even played the game! For a game like this, even at 30FPS I would expect it to still run beautifully. But then I’ve not played it either!
People need to chill on the FPS and it only needs to be an issue if it actually affects the game and from early previews, it sounds like it doesn’t.

Will be interesting to see if we get a GOTY contender or if the Xbox Tax will hit hard again?

Hopefully it’s the former. Xbox is due some good fortune surely.

@Chrisajax
Now that would interesting, Spider-Man on Xbox 😊

@Blaa
'No issue with 30fps as that's how the game was designed'

If this were true instead of an excuse, then the PC game would run at 30fps and not 60fps? They are the same game..

I'm OK with 30fps, but lets not be deluded here...

@Titntin you have a good day and enjoy gaming. Its Friday so the weekend is here for some gaming sessions.
If its runs better on pc, thats great. On the 21st of May, I'll have my dolby atmos headphones ready and set for a journey on the oled. Pumped for this game and have for a long time.

@Blaa I hope you love it mate. Whatever else it will be, it will be an amazing tech demo too, and I'm excited to see that. I certainly don't want to spoil anyone's enthusiasm!

@Doublecell I can understand why you Sony fanboys want that,given there are no games on remakestation 5,but it is just a dream dude,wake up

@RBRTMNZ Exactly, I try to explain to people that higher resolution does no good unless you have a framerate that allows you to see the detail in motion. What's the point of having graphics that you can only appreciate while taking a screenshot? I think they should have gone with 1440p/60. I really think that at least 60fps should be required for 1080p and up and preferably 120fps for 1440p and up. I have tried 4k/30 and it looks about the same as 1440p/30 so why even bother. Like you said, you can't really see 4K at normal distances and I agree. I have 20/10 vision and while I can technically see the difference if I try, Its not noticeable otherwise. I use a 55" 4K TV sitting in a recliner with my eyes being 5ft. from the screen.

@Vaako007 We've already seen that today's hardware is capable of running gorgeous games at 4K60, so it's not a matter of it being impossible- just that things have to stay within certain limitations (and be decently optimized, of course).

Personally, I don't even care about resolution. Give me 1080p60, and I'm happy. Even 480i60 was perfectly fine on the TVs of yesteryear.

60fps has been possible for as long as video games have existed. There always has been- and always will be- the possibility of pushing the graphics/features harder, and settling for a low framerate, but many of us don't want that. Just do what it takes to keep it running at 60, and if it looks like a high-end PS4 game, so be it!

@Neither_scene Well that's the thing that is misleading about PC gaming. A lot of people just assume that "PC" automatically equals higher spec/framerates than consoles. That is not true at all. There are MANY "PC Gamers" out there who run rigs or laptops with LESS power than a Series X or PS5. What articles or people should say is "Suitably-spec'd PC" when talking about potential better performance for a PC port.

@ZYDIO That setup sounds amazing. I’m 11 ft from a 55 inch so 4k is especially meaningless for me. Sometimes when my wife is out I do set up a chair right in front of the tv and it’s great.

what an absolute joke , literally what’s the point of console gens anymore ?

@RBRTMNZ I'd show you a picture but I dont know how on here.

@nomither6 They should always at least just give us the option...... Like they used to when the One X came out.

@RBRTMNZ see if this works.

https://1drv.ms/i/s!Ary_UaxKSG2XvbJj3Pq4bvRAarBUKA

I measured. it's about 66" from TV to my eyes, depending how I'm sitting.

@ZYDIO nice! That recliner looks luxurious.

@RBRTMNZ It is the most comfortable piece of furniture that I've ever sat in. I fall asleep in it for hours sometimes. There was a time I was unintentionally sleeping in it more than my bed. I like the armrests that lift up and have storage.

@AlienigenX Here here. Been playing some truly fantastic games that have received translation patches on SNES and PC Engine. True next gen experiences lol

One to play on PC then.

Games like Starfield and Dragon's Dogma 2 can at least try to use complex open worlds with physics and NPCs doing things as their excuse for a low-framerate.

The hands-on preview for this game says gameplay involves fighting one enemy at a time, some walking, and some environmental puzzles - how on earth is a game like that being released at 30FPS and yet being descbribed by this website as a "next-gen showcase"?

@PsBoxSwitchOwner oh I can definitely see the difference on my high end Sony OLED. My point is that it isn’t that big of a deal for the masses. As long as a game is playable, fun, and the controls are responsive.

Decades ago, entry level cars did not come with the following:

• power steering
• air conditioning
• cd player
• air bags
• ABS
• power windows

Would you be ok without those features on an economy/ entry level car in 2024?

Accepting 30fps on current gen is akin to being ok with buying a car that does not come with air bags or air conditioning.

@cardcrusher29 I'm cool with that as long as it is fast and will get me laid.

@ZYDIO
IDK about getting laid with an entry level car.

Entry level cars come with inconveniences and unwanted compromises not unlike the lowest end gaming PCs or consoles like the PS5 and Series X. 20 plus years later, the horrible cornering of a mid 1990s Toyota Corolla I used to own still lives rent free in my head when driving. I actually miss the hand crank windows!

@cardcrusher29 You would be suprised how much action the back seat of my prius saw. Yet, simultaneously had about an equal about of ***** talked about it.

@Chrisajax And you were saying? 🤣