Biomutant WEN? Biomutant NOW! The DF Tech Review You've Been Waiting For!

It's been a long time coming but finally - FINALLY! - Digital Foundry can share its in-depth analysis on Biomutant. Yes, there was a massive Twitter storm last year on PS5 vs Series X, rendering resolutions and what-not, but only today, on April 1st 2022, can our findings finally be revealed.
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[@omgawesomeomg]

This Dynamic Frame Rate technology is amazing. The frame rate constantly adapts to the cost of rendering. Difficult scene with heavy combat and effects? No problem, DFR will dynamically adjust the frame rate to match the content. Looking at the sky box doing nothing? DFR will give you a huge frame rate boost.

[@timsullivan9252]

Lmao

[@patrickduclos-knott1864]

“DFR” hahahaha, love it. I’m waiting for DFR 2.0 to hit consoles. That’ll be a game changer (literally)

[@xBINARYGODx]

Maybe the best post ever in the DF comments section.

[@rohanlowe]

it’s pretty futuristic, will we have to wait another generation before it becomes commonplace?

[@BlindBison]

Lol

[@ghost085]

Something I noticed is that on this game, performance is tied to its frame rate: the faster your performance the higher the framerate. It's kinda weird at times.

[@Joeystick]

Hmm... you maybe on to something there.

[@DavidCowie2022]

In my case, the frame rate would probably go *down* to match my performance. I'm glad I gave this game a miss first time round.

[@MicaelWander]

Proof?

[@GoodGamerMarshmello]

in my many years of gaming that's the first time I realized it!

[@giobrando6574]

There's a bug you can exploit where if you add rgb to your setup (any kind of rgb like mouse, strips, etc.) You can increase your framerate despite not having enough of performance

[@W0lfenstrike]

The stutters are not a bug, they're a feature! They let the action pause for a microsecond to see how you react to something you can't control for a fraction of a second. THIS IS THE FUTURE I TELLS YA! It truly makes you feel like Biomutant.

[@gordonjeffrey231076]

Alex: "Well, it's rather simple John" John: "Ok, thank you Alex, that's enough" 🤣🤣🤣

[@Gehab]

This game would have been saved if it had per-object-motionblur.

[@snozbaries7652]

lmao

[@brandonspikes]

I would have preferred pre object motion blur, the blur happens before the assets load in

[@j.d.6915]

That was the least of Bio mutant's problems.

[@Jigsaw2383]

LOL

[@Tobbyfeet]

OMG U ALIVE?!!!

[@markcentral]

Best Review this year so far Loved Alex's perspective at 4:17

[@FutureAlien]

Alex is a must!

[@RyleyStorm]

The "wen NOW" series needs to be a thing

[@casvanommeslaeghe]

yes please!

[@volatilelyle5170]

Please do this every year. It's something I never knew I wanted. This is gold

[@TexelGuy]

Perfect 30 fps? Bleh. Perfect 60 fps? Bleh. Variable 22 to 83 fps? Now that's what I call dynamic gaming. So many types of frames that you'll almost never get bored.

[@theFrizzleFry]

You don't deserve me at my 83fps, if you can't handle me at my 22fps

[@DBTHEPLUG]

you expect to drop to 22 fps alot huh?

[@rey_azteca_009]

🤣🤣🤣

[@Mustafa_9628]

@@theFrizzleFry Well played my friend Well played🤣

[@markjacobs1086]

Sorry, I need to use the full range of my monitor, 1-165 fps or bust!

[@FerreiraFredes]

This is definitely one of the tech reviews ever made, kudos.

[@colson2919]

Definitely one of them

[@gurkiratsingh8747]

Yeah ONE of them

[@childofvenus3781]

I would actually argue that this tech review.

[@RealGengarTV]

Yes.. this can not be argued against

[@Armataan]

@@boolskii it was intentional.

[@lonhawk5782]

This is by far one of the best reviews I've ever witnessed. Truly a classic

[@lordfunkatron9732]

The pause showing the 'classic' subway texuture and the "way more grass" label had me rolling. Hoefully next year we can see more technical marvels like this one

[@razk8756]

I am positively enthralled by the sheer amount of bespoke discreet'ness in this review. Fascinating

[@LucDutra92]

Fundamentally, in the here and now, I agree.

[@Christopher_K_Dot]

„Most people have all 3 systems“, sometimes I actually start thinking maybe this is true for their patreons, love the video guys!

[@sunyavadin]

Sure. Series X, Series S, and of course, PC.

[@mattypisme]

I have a ps5 and a one x didn't see the need for the series x yet

[@HaroldTheWizardCat]

It was meant as satire lmao

[@mackinblack]

I cant speak for everyone but i do have switch, ps4 pro, series x, one x, ps1, wii, game cube, and n64

[@TranscendentPhoenix]

@@mackinblack where’s the ps5 (or ps2 for that matter)

[@rorz4998]

It was nice to see you guys have some fun with this. I think you built a brand around professional, in-depth technical reviews but it can't hurt to splice in some fun.

[@lafonderiaasd1911]

Probably one of the best, on point and useful tech reviews ever

[@MattBee84]

Loving those dynamic frame rates, what a selling point! :D

[@Usrthsbcufeh]

lmaooooo

[@medovk]

we could also call them cinematic pauses 😂

[@Vulpas]

Lol hate to turn things political but that just reminds me how liberals do wordplay to make bad things sound good 🤣🤣

[@DarkMubar]

I remember when Rich was complaining about the lack of Bubsy in this game on his streaming channel. "Lots of glorious dynamic frames but no Bobcats," he said

[@ParadiceLost]

Honest to God this is really entertaining! Great April 1st video but now I realized I want more of this kind of content haha!

[@MrJagermeister]

This was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever seen. I bought this game a year ago on PS5 and obviously didn’t play it because I couldn’t see it, but now seeing it at 6000% zoom? Glad I didn’t waste my time on this blurry mess.

[@paly966]

I for one appretiate when developers try to convey the struggle of the character you control with the framerate and resolution. You see it slow down or stutter, or getring a little blurry, i can relate little buddy, do your best!

[@JeremiahSpoon]

This is the greatest review in the history of reviews. Please send a Hi-Rez version of this to the Smithsonian Institute so they may archive it for future generations.

[@Vablonx]

Happy April 1st. My kind of humor. Funny and still informative. Great as always DF.

[@tjbrawley9266]

I hope you guys had as much fun making this as I had watching it, great stuff

[@grueani]

Brilliant video! :-) One criticism though: Next time would suggest to bring in a 20,000% zoom just to be really sure that we can see all the glorious 4k detail

[@mo-zh2mf]

Yup its always hard to see difference on a crt

[@bauernkind8595]

I think they just called the NASA to point the James Webb telescope at their test screen. 😋

[@ParadiceLost]

Yeah man, a little disappointed they couldn't hit that 20k zoom... We need to see all those glorious Ps and Ks!

[@peace4myheart]

will 20K % allow you to see the individual pixel in all its glory? if so, then yes, I agree with you wholeheartedly

[@VariantAEC]

64,000% zoom

[@parentalcon]

This was incredible! Easy to see how much fun you've had making this.

[@ParadiceLost]

@Brandon Smythe That's how jokes are. Please don't slap them for it.

[@bearpuns5910]

@Brandon Smythe Mostly themselves

[@ParadiceLost]

@Brandon Smythe Oh, my fault for coming at you like that then lol

[@bannanateam]

Loved the humor on this one. Keep making them like this from time to time :D

[@mandrews6282]

This is the new standard for tech reviews. DF has done it again.

[@dinslax5270]

I didn't know DF tech review can be sarcastic and funny at the same time. You had me at the "very distant ray traced reflection" lmao. I had a good laugh in the entire video haha

[@Emma-R]

What the hell are you talking about?

[@dinslax5270]

@@Emma-R your lack understanding of sarcasms bespoke itself

[@ThePolyesterPimp]

I’ve seen speculation online that the PS5 version is 1080p because the other P is in the name of the console

[@icarus9980]

ohhh so that’s were they went

[@VariantAEC]

@@icarus9980 PlayStation has all the Ps you'll ever need right in the title of the system!

[@darthwiizius]

Great insight from the Swedish dude, he was saying exactly what everyone was thinking and he even somehow knew what we were playing on our stereos.

[@Paulypies]

I feel so taken care of. Thank you DF. It’s also nice to see DF touching on how games the run at a capped frame rate is just leaving money on the table. It’s like driving a car at some arbitrary limit rather than as fast as you can go at all times. This should be talked about more I hope that more games can take advantage of DFR in this generation.

[@themancalledben2731]

Finally, you guys are seeming like you're having fun as well as delivering information. Not only was the video enlightening, it was entertaining too. I hope this continues going forward.

[@maegnificant]

01.04.

[@ChatmakGames]

unironically the best review you’ve done

[@zachdavis8488]

I definitely needed this today. Y'all are on point with this one.

[@Nedemis]

I LOVE the beginning Zoom levels! 😂 I'm not sure if the 6000x zoom was enough though. 🤔 Please do more videos this way. I loved the humor.

[@CaveyMoth]

And the vwuuuuuuum sounds.

[@melxb]

i was expecting them to zoom into another dimension

[@Tyler-hs9eu]

Yea i think they needed a 10,000x zoom for best comparison

[@MichaelReznoR]

It was 6000%, not 6000x. 1x = 100%.

[@Akashmash]

Enjoying the flair in this one, kudos to the team!

[@spvrda]

I'm not surprised that Biomutant has a subway reflecting in his eye, it looks like it was concieved in a New York metro

[@Admiral_Cant_Hackett]

This may be my favorite video you guys have ever done. Well worth the year long wait.

[@Emotionalplague]

Spectacular work! Loved every second of the review. Hope to see more in this lighthearted and sly style.

[@OhSoNonchalant]

This is the best tech review you guys have done so far!

[@Latchfpv]

I came here expecting to learn how many biomutants it would take to ray trace a lightbulb and now I have even more questions and no answers. 11/10 review. I demand satisfaction.

[@HammerHawkPRO]

We honestly should have a video like this every week from now on.

[@191desperado]

Richard streaming his fav game ever and constantly looking away from the screen is one of the best things I’ve seen today lol

[@invalidude]

I wholeheartedly appreciate this bit of content. You genuinely made me laugh. This was so smart. It goes to show DF is an outlet that managed with sheer consistency throughout the years to form a proper culture that would allow them on an April Fools day to pull something like this off. They looked at what they do, the status quo, and played with it, instead of doing some old tired prank thing about something people truly look forward to only to be disappointed. Thank you for avoiding the ''Gotcha!" shenanigans!

[@mikemiles2241]

wait so you're telling me it doesn't run 720p on series s?

[@alexsilva28]

@@mikemiles2241 Uh no that was probably the only true part of the video lmao

[@alexsilva28]

Indeed. Too tier April Fool's content here

[@mikemiles2241]

@@alexsilva28 it does 1440p on series s bro

[@transtechgirl8786]

They did it, the crazy fools actually did it. Love it

[@buniteer]

This video had me laughing so much. I was not expecting this. Awesome work.... I vote for keeping the 5000% and 6000% zoom analysis

[@AceTrainerX3]

Nice touch with the Parodius music in the background of the vid. Absolutely epic comparison, amd definitely the most entertaining of the DF lineup!

[@SgtHamster]

This has made my day ! Funniest video ever from you guys ! Superb job.

[@DeadTempoPromotions]

This game has some really great ideas. I feel like it’s a perfect building block for a truly great sequel that irons out all the lacklustre parts and can be something special

[@shizuwolf]

Same

[@CondorCalabasas]

The potential is undeniable.

[@mattanderson3927]

Not completely sure what's going on here, but this is possibly my favorite piece of DF content ever 😂

[@XxOGSnIPesxX]

Thank you 🙏🏼 guys really appreciated the zoom in you made me realize how sharp the X is definitely need more on these zooms please

[@darrylk6467]

Even just joking around your videos still manage to be informative 🤣

[@KevJackson]

This is great - you should do more of these

[@Alfenium]

Honestly this is consistent in quality to the rest of the videos you have made these past few years. Great job.

[@sanchitmisra6509]

This the greatest DF Review ever. You can clearly see the year of effort they put into this.

[@SupertoastGT]

1080p IS enough, and it's especially worth it for a reliable 60fps. Most devs don't understand that we want a reliable 60...

[@asaviklund9414]

“Dynamic frame rate”! I love it!😂

[@JamesGibsonVideo]

What an absolutely beautifully written video! haha. I've been enthralled with rendering and graphics tech since I was a kid, but boy is stuff like this a fun reminder of just how silly with our particulars we can be when it comes to how our games look! But what can I say, I'm a real-time graphics tech junkie 🤪

[@SuperCrafter1234]

I love the sound effects in this video! Please add more of them to your videos, not only on april 1st. Cheers!

[@Robspassion]

OMG the whole video is pure Comedy Gold. You made my day 😂😂😂. Thank you.

[@ShaktiChaturvedi]

Now that the next gen versions have been announced. I wonder if a more "less serious" review will be done by DF

[@annabeldomenech4806]

I think so

[@kymosabetsl3684]

What a great review. I wouldn't expect anything less on April 1st. Love the sarcasm.

[@fabrigarciacartoons]

13:11 that transition to Awesome Possum was so unpredictable hahahaha

[@mononoke721]

Dynamic frame rates simply put the power back into players hands, allowing them to determine the game experience for themselves, and is just all round one of the best features of Biomutant and any game like it daring to be brave in today's frightened world of 'steady framerates'. Steady=boring after all.

[@felipearellano2811]

This laid back review was a shock: Interesting information as well as humorous along the way! I've watched some moments in recent videos where there's an attempt at humour (which version Rich recommends of GTA Trilogy and he just says "no"), but this is next level, very good!

[@allwillknowmii1314]

Its April 1st

[@krazyfrog]

mf really wrote a novel over a joke video

[@allwillknowmii1314]

@@mikeuk666 Thats part of the point of an April Fools joke kid

[@felipearellano2811]

It was still funny as hell, I hope they try it again regardless of an April Fool's joke or not.

[@uncleurda8101]

@@allwillknowmii1314 i don't think that guy was arguing against you at all fam

[@ashjimmymilo]

This is easily one of my fav DF videos of all time. ALL TIME! 🤣

[@Vinicius-mp8vu]

"I would say this is a dinamic framerate" that's just pure genius

[@Microwave414]

I love the dynamic frame rate technology a lot, it can extend your playtime significantly when it kicks in. Feels like you're getting even more game for your money.

[@valletas]

It kinda sucks how it affects frame rate though but i guess modern day consoles arent strong enough to handle it

[@Jean-jk4zv]

The DFRS (Dynamic FrameRate Scaling) is great on Series X, not as good as Elden Ring but Biomutant is an older game.

[@jourdinsymonds5017]

Okay so I'm not crazy when I see the framerate rapidly adjust when I play Elden Ring? I thought my eyes were just giving out lol. Some moments it feels like it's at 50 and then I get into a crazy fight with a fast paced large enemy and suddenly it feels as if I'm running over 70 easily. Almost as if to change the pacing? I've never heard of DFR before now

[@Jean-jk4zv]

@@jourdinsymonds5017 oh really it was first implemented with Demon Souls and then Bloodborne with proper DFRS @30 fps down to 20 ! Amazing feature it helped a lot for that cinematic experience every gamers asked for back in the day. Form Soft are mastering it ! Take that Lichdom Battlemage !

[@syidm7840]

Love that you guys have a sense of humor. Please don't loose that.

[@kleinistube]

Best DF-video yet 🥰 I would love april fools day everyday...

[@Cosmic_Ambience]

Cant believe they managed to get Ray traced reflections into the already best looking game of this decade, and at a dynamic framerate with so many Ps at that! Truly an engineering marble!

[@randy437665]

Love the humor for April Fool's Day. This was fun/funny to watch.

[@joker2k999]

One thing i have learned from this comparison breakdown is that Adi clearly is the funniest of the Digital foundry crew. LOL. Thx for the vid guys.

[@mundayuk]

Without a doubt, this is DF’s best work so far.

[@theFrizzleFry]

This review really got me hyped for Biomutant! When is it coming out again?

[@max_the_german4989]

The DF Tech Review I‘ve Been Waiting For!

[@CarlosDiaz-is8cu]

didn't expect the video to be this good haha, more videos like this please!

[@adamlookadoo3029]

This video was funtastic to watch. Awesome work, guys. Can't wait to see the sequel video WEN the recently announced upgrade ps5 and series x/s version release in September.

[@sonofagunn17]

Are you going to address how the game runs on a single frame? A bold choice for sure

[@cyniczny]

Jazz Jackrabbit 2 DF Tech Review WEN?!?!?! I dare you. I double dare you.

[@basedsh4rk]

I laughed more than I should've at the "Lack of Detail" text on the 5000% zoom

[@ThirdPlaceEntertainment]

The intro was just art. I love you DF

[@TheDisengaged]

Best Tech Review EVER! Love the jokes, and Mustache-Alex was great! Also, since this game was awarded "Fem Gunde" I HAVE to play it now!

[@marvin4737]

I love that you guys added this much comedy on that episode, keep it coming 😂👌

[@theinnocent_one]

I guess you didn't check the date ?

[@NintendoSphere]

I expect a 6000% zoom in every tech review going forward.

[@kaptenblod6877]

You nailed it guys! 😂 This was hilarious 😂 Dynamic framerate 😂 We need more of these sarcastic ironic reviews!

[@GhostWorld80]

As someone who put 60 hours into Biomutant and kinda enjoyed it I still fully endorse everything said in this video. Thank god I had VRR on the Series X to save me from all those frames

[@somasundaramsankaranarayan4592]

Why is PS5 always optimised to 60fps but not the Xbox though?

[@343ishill]

@@somasundaramsankaranarayan4592 Same reason as to why Xbox games load as fast as Ps5, with half the SSD speed. Devs do the bare minimum for console optimization.

[@somasundaramsankaranarayan4592]

@@343ishill Some games on the PS5 like Spiderman have instant loading apparently. I haven't seen any on Xbox. Also why doesn't xbox force 3rd party devs to optimise games as well as they do for the PS5? It's pissing off at this point.

[@343ishill]

@@somasundaramsankaranarayan4592 To be fair, Spiderman is first party. If either console cared about 3rd party optimization, Cyberpunk 2077 wouldn't have released. But they know they'll make money anyways, so they don't care. 🤷‍♀️

[@jack_knife-1478]

@@somasundaramsankaranarayan4592 HFW loading times are like 1.5 seconds, you don't have time to scratch your nose they're that quick!

[@yellowbat79]

I am a simple man. When I see evidence of Audi editing a video, I like, save and leave a comment to let the DF gods know WE NEED MORE AUDI. IT'S NEVER ENOUGH AUDI.

[@PC98_Audi]

This is all John, my friend. But I suppose it does show how bad of an influence I am on the channel.

[@yellowbat79]

@@PC98_Audi oh damn. Call me pleasantly surprised. John's editing has come a long (and thanks to you, weird) way.

[@travisp4576]

"Cast a wider net, catch more fish" 🤣

[@davidking9605]

Did this just become one of the best DF videos of all time?!!

[@LarryDavis2099]

i would recommend playing Biomutant on a display with FRR (Fixed Refresh Rate), it really evens out the framerate hiccups

[@VariantAEC]

Smdh it, Makes the game too easy. Only a 4yo would choose silky smooth FPS and ultra low latency gaming which just improves everything. Up the difficulty by selecting poor and variable FPS plus high latency... like an adult!

[@Alex-444x94]

"dynamic framerate" funniest thing ive heard in a sec.

[@vantagepointwithkeli]

Love is a strong word but on my way to proclaiming love for Digital Foundry. Thank you for all you guys do.

[@shawty10ize]

Mega props for using parodius music in the review!

[@yourmom1321]

Love how they make fun of all the xbots on Twitter

[@MrMeanh]

As a swede I think that Sven sounds like a norwegian imposter or maybe he just has been a prisoner on an oil rig in Norway for too long. #SaveTheSwedishSlavesInNorway

[@GeoViktorq]

This video was funny as hell, at 5:50 I couldn't stop thinking about John getting impressed by Ratchet and Rivet's fur back in the Rift Apart videos

[@MarcusRoberto]

I loved the humor and take of this video. bring more of them time to time.