When One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4’s next-generation upgrades had been introduced for PS5 and Xbox Sequence, I used to be curious to see if Bandai Namco would do one thing for the Nintendo Change model on Nintendo Change 2. At this level, I had solely performed it on Change and Xbox One. We lastly had it revealed for Change 2, and it has now launched as a free improve for present house owners along with having a brand new Legendary Version that’s at present discounted. As a substitute of simply doing a evaluate of the One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Change 2 Version in comparison with the Change model, I’ve been revisiting the sport on a number of platforms with the DLC. I’m going to incorporate visible comparisons, efficiency impressions, load time variations, and extra with a concentrate on One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Change 2 Version right here.
Earlier than we had the official One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Change 2 Version announcement, I truly purchased One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4’s Final Version on Change when it was discounted, regardless of proudly owning it in one other area’s Nintendo eShop. If you happen to’ve been listening to how the DLC is dealt with in these video games, it normally is cheaper to purchase a recreation with DLC by a reduced bundle relatively than the DLC by itself. I made a decision to forfeit my previous save and began recent on Change 2 through backwards compatibility. Experiencing One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 on this method is sensible, with a large efficiency increase over the abysmal Change model performed on the unique hybrid console. I puzzled what we’d see within the native Change 2 model, and having now spent a weekend with the improve on my authentic save and testing it on PS5 and Steam, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Change 2 Version is three steps ahead and two steps again.
I say that as a result of One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Change 2 Version is a notable improve over the unique Change model when enemy rely, draw distance, texture high quality, and cargo instances, however it’s a step again in efficiency and likewise in the way it renders menus and textual content. Areas that ran at a locked 60 frames per second through backward compatibility when enjoying the Change model on Change 2 can now drop into the 50s. In-game menus and textual content even have a visible bug when enjoying docked, the place it seems to be bizarre in comparison with the way it scales handheld.
Regardless of the enhancements (that additionally apply to the PS5 model), One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4’s next-gen model leaves lots to be desired. Foliage and shadows nonetheless have flickering and shimmering points. I even tried enjoying the PC model at most settings and noticed related points, so that is possible only a recreation drawback, however I hoped this next-gen improve would handle it to some extent. Whereas there may be extra foliage, it took me a number of phases to get used to the shimmering.
When enjoying handheld on Change 2, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Change 2 Version supplies the largest enchancment so far as I’m involved. The unique Change model handheld on Change 2 ran properly by backward compatibility, nevertheless it was a blurry and ugly mess. The Change 2 Version delivers a worthwhile improve regardless of some efficiency points now current. I hope these may be addressed in patches because the recreation continues to be getting DLC, however I might nonetheless improve for some efficiency penalties relatively than enjoying the Change model on Change 2.
As for One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 itself, 5 years later, I nonetheless assume it’s unbelievable, however I actually solely suggest shopping for it when you may get the Final or Legendary Version bundle. I assume each might be discounted frequently, just like the Legendary Version is true now, and One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 shines with all of the characters. It would price you extra if you happen to purchase simply the bottom recreation now and wish the DLC later, so preserve that in thoughts.
In relation to load instances, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Change 2 Version hundreds fairly a bit sooner than the unique Change model, even if you play it on Change 2 through backward compatibility. The PS5 model is the quickest to load the sport, however battles load quickest on PC. The Change and PS4 variations performed on the previous consoles take too lengthy to even be thought-about worthwhile in 2025. I’m pleased with the load time enhancements on Change 2, with it taking 12 seconds to load the battle I examined with, in comparison with 50 on Change, 17 for Change on Change 2, and 15 on PS5. The Steam model took about 3 seconds right here as a comparability.
If you happen to already personal One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4, the One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Change 2 Version Improve Pack is value it for handheld play, however docked, I’m a bit conflicted proper now because you do get visible enhancements and an elevated enemy rely, however the efficiency is not so good as it was through backward compatibility. For newcomers, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Change 2 Version with DLC is value getting, even if you happen to aren’t a fan of One Piece. Simply don’t trouble with the standalone base recreation proper now.
Model Examined: Nintendo Change 2Review copy supplied by Bandai Namco Leisure
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