Home Gaming Titanfall on the Xbox 360 is…really good

Titanfall on the Xbox 360 is…really good

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Well done, Bluepoint.

For a while, we;’ve suspected that the ported Xbox 360 version of Respawn’s Titanfall was going to be pretty bad. Hit with delay after delay, and ported by a primarily PlayStation-focused developer, all signs pointed to the port being underwhelming. I’m happy to report that we were completely wrong.

Yes, the Xbox 360 can;t hit the same sort of framerates as the Xbox One or Pc versions, nor does it look as good – but for the most part, it plays exactly the same, giving those console who’ve been hesitant to jump in on the new generation of consoles the same core experience.

In its tech analysis of the port, Eurogamer’s Digital Foundry came away impressed, saying the chaps at port-factory Bluepoint Games have exceeded expectations. Of course, there are some pretty big differences when it comes to resolution – but Bluepoint’s been pretty clever about the whole thing.

“The Xbox One version ships at 1408×792 with 2x multi-sampling anti-aliasing – a sub-native presentation for a console aimed at the era of the 1080p display. There are few surprises with the Xbox 360 version, which adopts a strategy similar to the Call of Duty titles on older Microsoft hardware. There’s a 1040×600 native resolution here, backed up by 2x MSAA. It’s a set-up that allows Bluepoint to cram the framebuffer into the 360’s 10MB of eDRAM, effectively allowing it to use the hardware anti-aliasing for free with no performance penalty.”

As for frame rate? It’s uncapped, mostly hitting above 30, sometimes even hitting 60 – but the inconsistent framerate leads to pretty nasty screen-tearing. Thankfully, Bluepoint were pretty smart about it, offering gamers the option to lock the game at 30fps, reducing screen tearing, at the sacrifice of faster input response.

“By default, the game ships with an unlocked frame-rate – but capped at 60fps. In effect, the game is constantly tearing unless not much is going on, whereupon it locks at 60fps – this occurs for pretty much the entirety of the extended initial training, but sees considerable variation in-game. This is clearly the preferred default from the development team, and offers the fastest-possible controller response at the expense of consistency – both in terms of input lag and frame-rate.

If the screen-tear, inconsistent frame-rate and varying controller response is too much for you, Bluepoint has offered up an alternative – the ability to lock frame-rate at 30fps. This all but eliminates screen-tear and introduces more consistency to the controller feedback but does so to the detriment of overall frame-rate. Each mode has its advantages and disadvantages and it’s good that gamers can choose what suits them.”

Digital Foundry even says that “There are times when the game feels uncannily close to the Xbox One version.” what they’ve managed to do on ten year old hardware is pretty commendable stuff.

In summary, after a day with the Xbox 360 game, the big takeaway here is that this is Titanfall, and it does appear to be feature-complete on the older console. With just one tenth of the available RAM and far less capable silicon, it’s safe to say that Bluepoint Games has more than exceeded expectation.

The big take away here, if you’re so inclined, is to conclude that there’s really no need to go “next-gen” just yet. Yes, you’ll have a smoother, shinier experience on the Xbox One, but the 360 version will keep you just as entertained. Pity it’s not being released in South Africa then.

Here’s a comparison from the fantastic chaps over at Videogamer.com

Last Updated: April 9, 2014

60 Comments

  1. Admiral Chief in Space

    April 9, 2014 at 08:38

    So does this mean the 360 version is damn good or the boner version is sub-par?

    Reply

    • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

      April 9, 2014 at 09:01

      huehuehue

      Reply

    • MakeItLegal

      April 9, 2014 at 10:21

      This gets vote for comment of the week or month or year

      Nail on the head

      Reply

  2. Alien Emperor Trevor

    April 9, 2014 at 08:41

    Yay that’s good news, and so early in the morning too. I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of potential 360 buyers had adopted a wait & see approach.

    Reply

    • Rince

      April 9, 2014 at 08:55

      I wonder if today will bring a bit more happiness as far as gamer news. Sure many are still smarting with the uPlay news…

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        April 9, 2014 at 08:56

        Really? People were upset about that? *cough*

        Reply

        • Rince

          April 9, 2014 at 08:57

          That cough is getting pretty bad 😉

          Reply

          • HvR

            April 9, 2014 at 08:59

            Some honey and Rooibos will clear it up

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            April 9, 2014 at 09:00

            Yes. Give me some sugar, Rince. Make me whole again!

          • Rince

            April 9, 2014 at 09:01

            I.. I… NEED COFFEE!

          • Rince

            April 9, 2014 at 09:02

            Oi! I don’t give my honey to just any one!

          • Admiral Chief in Space

            April 9, 2014 at 09:10

            Oh snap!

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            April 9, 2014 at 08:59

            I don’t know what you’re talking about.

    • FoxOneZA

      April 9, 2014 at 09:07

      They’ve moved onto PS4 and mostly PC really.

      Reply

      • Gr8_Balls_o_KFM_Fire

        April 9, 2014 at 09:36

        I’m one of them

        Reply

  3. Dean

    April 9, 2014 at 08:42

    Seems like it’s more a difference in the shaders, expected due to the older graphics components.

    Reply

  4. Black Mage [Umar]

    April 9, 2014 at 08:46

    No need for next gen just yet indeed. Once Final Fantasy 15 and Phantom Pain hits though, ooohhh papa. All bets are off and I’m selling my kidney for a PS4

    Reply

    • Rince

      April 9, 2014 at 08:48

      Bugger that, once Witcher 3 is out PS4!

      Reply

      • Black Mage [Umar]

        April 9, 2014 at 08:50

        Bugger that! Kingdom Hearts 3 BRO!

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          April 9, 2014 at 08:51

          Good lord I want that so bad

          Reply

          • Black Mage [Umar]

            April 9, 2014 at 08:52

            Dude, I NEED that game to have a Frozen level. Snowman summon!

        • Rince

          April 9, 2014 at 08:54

          WITCHER 3!

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            April 9, 2014 at 08:55

            I agree. But on PC!

          • Hammersteyn

            April 9, 2014 at 09:00

            Console vs. PC and what DRM does to the equation
            http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/amXdwjj_460sa.gif

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            April 9, 2014 at 09:04

            lol

          • Admiral Chief in Space

            April 9, 2014 at 09:12

            yoinks!

          • Gr8_Balls_o_KFM_Fire

            April 9, 2014 at 09:36

            HAHAHAHA holy hat that was funny

          • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

            April 9, 2014 at 09:59

            Hahahahahahaha. Check that bird in the background. He’s like… Dude! That was gonna be my catch!!

          • hairyknees

            April 9, 2014 at 10:07

            Hahahahah xD

          • Black Mage [Umar]

            April 9, 2014 at 08:57

            KING MOTHER F**KN DOM HEARTS THREE!

    • Gr8_Balls_o_KFM_Fire

      April 9, 2014 at 09:35

      Batman says he’ll be swooping in in October accompanied by the Arkham Knight. Or he might just bulldoze in with his BATMOBILE!

      Reply

  5. Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

    April 9, 2014 at 08:54

    That awkward moment where your big hitter game performs pretty much the same as your old hardware thus proving the new hardware is pretty crappy

    Reply

    • Rince

      April 9, 2014 at 08:55

      Tehehehe

      Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      April 9, 2014 at 08:59

      Wasn’t the cloud supposed to be a big part of Titanfall?

      Reply

      • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

        April 9, 2014 at 09:01

        The cloud is a lie

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          April 9, 2014 at 09:02

          At least DX 12 is on the way. That will shoe the PS4 who’s boss. Seriously though. did they actually finish developing the XBOX One before shipping it? Seems like it’s still in development

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            April 9, 2014 at 09:04

            Will the shoe be on the other foot? 😉

          • Rince

            April 9, 2014 at 09:06

          • HvR

            April 9, 2014 at 09:07

            Damn you, 5 second to late

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            April 9, 2014 at 09:08

            I guarantee you that’s the first time he’s ever heard that.

          • Rince

            April 9, 2014 at 09:12

            You shuddup dik

          • Admiral Chief in Space

            April 9, 2014 at 09:22

            O_O

          • Admiral Chief in Space

            April 9, 2014 at 09:49

            5 seconds too late means surprise in 9months

          • Admiral Chief in Space

            April 9, 2014 at 09:11

            That is my favourite gif that one. Much lolz

          • Hammersteyn

            April 9, 2014 at 09:32

            Too bad he missed, twice. No wonder they don’t have a cricket team

          • Rince

            April 9, 2014 at 09:43

            I swear the second shoe he uses the force to block 0-O

          • Unavengedavo

            April 9, 2014 at 09:45

            You mean the other guy and not Bush right? He just calmly lifts his hand and flicked it away with the force O_o

          • Rince

            April 9, 2014 at 09:47

            Yeah, he just goes ‘ping’ and the things just stops…

          • Admiral Chief in Space

            April 9, 2014 at 09:49

            USE THE FORCE BUSH USE THE FORCE!

          • Gr8_Balls_o_KFM_Fire

            April 9, 2014 at 09:33

            Say what you want, Mr Bush has quick reflexes lol

          • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

            April 9, 2014 at 09:58

            The shoe has spoken!

          • Hammersteyn

            April 9, 2014 at 09:32

            blaaaaaaaaaaargggggghhhhhhhfjalkfaflafkljfla

      • Admiral Chief in Space

        April 9, 2014 at 09:11

        I normally have some cloud before I drop a titan

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          April 9, 2014 at 09:31

          Hahahaha

          Reply

      • Norm the Horrible

        April 9, 2014 at 09:48

        Titan *poof* Cloud

        Reply

  6. FoxOneZA

    April 9, 2014 at 09:06

    Screen tearing #PlayStationProblems

    Reply

  7. Unavengedavo

    April 9, 2014 at 09:22

    So if you already have an Xbox One you should wait till MS adds the Xbox 360 emulation? That way Titanfall should run fine on the Xbox One O_o

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      April 9, 2014 at 09:55

      Hahahaha

      Reply

  8. Lardus-Resident Perve

    April 9, 2014 at 13:04

    Pfff, online games

    Reply

  9. Michelle

    April 16, 2014 at 11:26

    Kalahari has it for R579

    Reply

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