Just purchased Cathcart and HMA and although I have only played the introductions and a couple of the training , I have noticed some lagging (I’m old and I think that’s what you call it , when the screen freezes for a second ) This has not happened to me since I’ve got a PS5 and wondered if this as specific to these two DLCs ?
This generally happens when you’re close to large scenery assets & areas. You’ll get the dip from 60fps down to 30/40fps & that mini stutter will occur as a scenery asset pops into existence/view. Route tutorials will highlight this issue more as they usually take place in busy areas with a lot of traffic. HMA is notorious for this around Munich,but overall it’s found on all routes & is present on Xbox/PS & PC.
I'm amazed that stuttering is still present on PS5 - the game is not as graphically intense as many PS4 games! This again suggest poor coding and optimisation. The main reason I was going to upgrade to PS5 was for TSW2 improvements. Looks like I've just saved £500...
It's a common thing that large areas (like HMA) or a lot of train traffic can cause frame rate issues, which based mostly on RAM reloading processes. Even next gen hardware has its limits and this is also the main reason why optimizations and balancing rework are so important in the gaming industry. Especially simulator games that want to depict reality 1:1 have a particularly difficult time. TSW always uses the original route length and all the laid tracks, based on real "Google Maps" data, which is crucial for realistic gameplay and timetables. Let's not forget the landscaping and the signaling system. The challenge is to pack all of this smoothly into a simulation. In addition, it must be adapted for 6 systems (PC, Xbox One/ Series S/X, PS4 and PS5) at the same time and a lot of QA testing is needed. Luckily there's also the preservation crew!
Its also well known about stutter in general with the unreal engine that digital foundry have talked about many times over quite a few games
TSW looks great on PS5. Between that and PS4 is really like night and day. I also have access to a fast PC and I find the stuttering is worse than on gen 9 consoles. Pop in is also no better. So despite a generally lower frame rate, I find the PS5 and Series X experience smoother (although the latter still has audio popping issues).
Some stuttering is also caused by the in game prompts. Do This, do that etc. Seems no reason for it. Example. If you have a "Go Via Location", as your train travels through the spot, big framerate drop as the game gives the next instruction. I Have TSW2 on PC and PS5 and see lag or stutter on both.
I still wonder though why TSW2 is more problematic than some of the motor racing / driving games that have huge worlds, incredibly detailed scenery, dozens of drivers/cars, more complex physics... yet can produce a steady 60fps on fairly mainstream PCs...
Just been watching the latest Digital Foundry weekly video, and they mention that Unreal Engine is known for running like a pig on PC. Stuttering and juddering on that platform is apparently pretty bad in many games, and it is widely known in the industry that games using that engine run generally better and more smoothly on next gen consoles (go to 59:28).
Well going back to play routes on the PS4 version of TSW 2 you can definitely see where the improvements are on the PS5 so I would definitely invest in the PS5 to be honest. They wont keep supporting the PS4 also Cathcart has serious stuttering on the PS4 as well as the PS5. TrainSim-Matt did explain why this is caused. I think HMA is because of the sheer amount of signals in the Munich area. That's one reason why there are no layers on the Gen 8 console for HMA. Hentis
I am on PS4 - regular one - , and I do not have any big issue with it! (*) Even with the last "shape and details improvements" of mostly objects around. I have also more than 10 routes and some extra locomotives. Traveling at high speeds also everything runs smoothly. But according to DTG there were problems on PS5 related to memory issues, which they informed where fixed now. (*) Only a minor issue is arriving to Dresden Hbf - (Dresden Riesa route only) , and Munich Hbf. But just saving the game before arriving, and reload it, and no problem at all. Even no problem at all, if departing from those big stations. I first purchased TSW 2020, and then it came the update to TSW2, and nothing happens with the graphics or performance. New graphics engine also are improving, and DTG has been working on memory use optimization. The above mentioned improvement on graphics, and no problems at all on performance is prove of that. So I believe - and hopes - when TSW3 comes, will be compatible with PS4 too. Mostly considering the semiconductor issues are still around, and prices of PS5 are still very high.
Ironically, playing the PS4 version on PS5 I believe fixes it somewhat, as it is playing the game with PS4 settings giving the game a lot more breathing room.
Getting the best performance by playing the PS4 version on PS5 seems to be true of other games, too, like Elden Ring.
