Digital Foundry recently released a review of *High on Life 2* on YouTube, and surprisingly, much of the discussion is centered on Unreal Engine 5’s limitations rather than the game itself. While we found the game to be a significant leap from its predecessor, filled with creativity, the technical issues are hard to ignore.
This game has only one graphics mode, aiming for 60 frames per second using Unreal Engine 5’s advanced features like Nanite and Lumen. But to keep that frame rate, developers often have to make sacrifices in visual quality. For instance, the PlayStation 5 runs at around 720p, while the Xbox Series X manages slightly better at about 792p. Even the PS5 Pro, which offers some enhanced features, doesn’t provide a huge upgrade over the regular consoles.
Despite these optimizations, none of the consoles manage to consistently hit that 60fps mark. Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) displays can help, but CPU limitations often cause stuttering, which diminishes the user experience. Epic Games’ demonstrations of Unreal Engine 5 showed impressive specs with 1080p upscaling to 4K at 30fps, but the final product doesn’t seem to deliver similar results.
Yet, with all the technical challenges, we had fun playing this game. It feels fresh and is influenced by titles like *Sunset Overdrive*, *Halo*, and even *BioShock Infinite*. The combat is fluid, and the new skateboard mechanic adds an exciting layer, tying into the gameplay smoothly.
Visually, the game is striking. Characters and environments are well designed, with a cohesive look enhanced by Lumen’s global illumination. However, some graphical issues arise, especially with reflections and screen-space contact shadows. These elements can look messy and detract from the overall presentation.
The focus on a single graphics mode raises questions. While it simplifies the user experience, it might have been better to offer alternatives, like a 30fps mode for more stable performance. Interestingly, recent data from Sony shows that around 75% of users prefer 60fps performance modes, suggesting players prioritize smooth gameplay over stunning visuals.
On the PC side, performance varies widely. High-end setups can run the game beautifully, but those with more standard hardware may struggle. A Ryzen 5 3600 with an RTX 4060 faced issues, even at medium settings. Upgrading to a 4060 Ti with 16GB improved performance, but the game still pushes hardware limits, leading to occasional frame-rate drops.
In short, *High on Life 2* is an ambitious game that showcases some impressive visuals along with its share of issues. As technology evolves, we hope future updates or installments will solve these challenges, allowing players to enjoy the full potential of Unreal Engine 5 without compromise.
For more insights on gaming performance, check out recent studies on graphics technology from reliable sources like Gamasutra.
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Unreal Engine, Reviews
