Mortal Shell: Complete Edition Switch tech analysis, including frame rate and resolution

Posted on January 7, 2023 by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch eShop

Thanks to Digital Foundry, we have a closer look at Mortal Shell: Complete Edition from a technical perspective, including frame rate and resolution. While the port is impressive in some ways, it’s clear that the hardware struggles when it comes to performance.

Here’s a roundup of notable tidbits:

– Texture assets are dropped in resolution on Switch
– Character texture work identical to PS4
– Armor sets are crisply defined in close up
– Cloth physics are enabled on Switch
– Environmental detail takes a big cut back in select spots
– 5GB on Switch compared to 7GB on PS4
– Water ripple effects gone on Switch
– Screen space reflections are dropped in accuracy as well
– Switch does still retain many of the detail, effects, and features of the PS4 version including motion blur, mist, fog, ambient occlusion
– Pop in is minimal on Switch, which is good
– No depth-of-field effect
– Volumetric lighting reduced
– Switch has one advantage over PS4 in lighting with a boss fight featuring a flame effect
– For resolution, when docked, Mortal Shell reconstructs to 720p, but typical native resolution is between 540p and 600p
– Portable mode has a range of 360p and 400p, but reconstructs to 720p
– Mortal Shell frame rate is unlocked on Switch
– No 30 FPS, so it can run between 10 FPS at its worst point and as high as 60 FPS when looking to the sky
– Most areas between 15 and 40 FPS
– Putting too many enemies on to the screen seems to cause dips
– Frame time hitches as well
– No screen tearing on Switch, which is a plus
– Frame rate largely similar whether docked or in portable mode
– Visual settings are same regardless of mode as well
– Switch loading times competitive and sometimes faster than PS4 version

You can check out the full analysis from Digital Foundry below for further details about the frame rate, resolution, and more in Mortal Shell: Complete Edition on Switch.

Mortal Shell: Complete Edition is now available on the Switch eShop. A physical version will follow later.