by The clever clogs at Digital Foundry have released arguably one of the most awkward console comparisons in recent memory, putting Halo: Campaign Evolved under some heat.
When you hear about Halo, you think Xbox - they've been synonymous for decades. Master Chief has long served as the poster boy of Microsoft gaming exclusivity, with Halo Studios' latest remake the first Halo to launch on PlayStation hardware.
On Xbox Series X, Campaign Evolved offers a choice between 30fps Quality mode and a 60fps Performance mode. The base PS5 delivers a very similar experience overall, although it does have the edge with smoother cutscenes. It isn't a major difference, but not the strongest start for Xbox either.
Visually, Performance mode is the go-to mode on both systems, with minimal compromise in image quality.
Where things become a little awkward for Microsoft is, well unsurprisingly, on PS5 Pro. That's to be expected, of course. It's a mid-generation hardware refresh with extra graphical juice that's always likely to deliver something snazzier.
The real kicker is what PSSR2 offers. PS5 Pro's Performance mode benefits from that extra oomph, essentially acting as a 60fps Quality mode.
It's fine, honestly, the game runs well on both Xbox Series X and PS5 systems with little to no difference, so you should be happy wherever you choose to play. However, if you're wanting the best console experience? PS5 Pro takes the cake.
It does beg the question of what Halo Studios has planned for future entries in the series. A lot has changed at Microsoft since the decision to take Halo multiplatform was first announced. And with Xbox console exclusives back in the plan, we'll just have to wait and see how the studio's long-term plans unfold.