Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army has launched on consoles and PC, and while labeled as a remaster, it resembles more of a remake of Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army. I previously shared insights from a preview build last month. Since then, I’ve played the final version on various platforms, including the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam.
In particular, I aimed to test the Switch version on the Switch 2 due to some interest surrounding it, especially given the absence of an upgrade path. The Switch 2 version uses a Game Key Card. This feature will focus on the handheld experience, but I’ll touch on docked play as well to assist you in determining the best portable version of Raidou Remastered.
Performance on Nintendo Switch
The performance of Raidou Remastered on the Switch (with the latest 1.02 update) is somewhat inconsistent. While it can maintain 60fps in certain areas, it tends to feel unstable with diminished image quality in both docked (on a 1080p display) and handheld modes. You might experience noticeable aliasing during movement through 3D environments, leading to a shimmering effect. According to Atlus, the Switch variant should target 720p and 1080p resolutions with a performance range of 30-60fps, but slowdown is indeed an issue.
Testing on Nintendo Switch 2
Comparing the Switch 2 version (also running the 1.02 update) to the original Switch version revealed that it performs significantly better, exhibiting greater stability overall. While I noticed slight hiccups during exploration, they weren’t as detrimental as the performance drops observed on the original Switch or Steam Deck. Visually, the handheld experience on Switch 2 is an improvement, with docked mode showcasing a more stable image than handheld mode. Although aliasing is still present, it doesn’t severely detract from gameplay.
Comparing Switch and Switch 2
When it comes to visuals and performance, the Switch 2 clearly stands out as the superior option. Although the original Switch version can push a better framerate, the visual compromises are significant. If you’re looking to play on Switch 2, that version is recommended, but if you’re considering playing on both systems or have a Switch Lite, the original Switch version might be more suitable due to its physical release.
Steam Deck Insights
Initially, during my testing of the PC preview build, I encountered a peculiar performance issue on the Steam Deck, where the game stuck in the 40-45fps range in certain areas regardless of settings. This issue persists in the final build, albeit to a lesser degree. It seems specific to SteamOS/Proton, as the game runs smoothly on ROG Ally, and the Steam Deck struggles to reach 60fps even on the lowest settings. As it stands, I can’t recommend playing Raidou Remastered on Steam Deck unless you’re comfortable with inconsistent frame rates around 40-60fps.
Recommendations and Conclusions
For the best portable experience, the Switch 2 version and the Steam release on ROG Ally currently reign supreme. The ROG Ally offers sharper visuals and a higher framerate, though it has a shorter battery life. If you own a ROG Ally X, that will be the optimal choice for playing on-the-go. The original Switch version is the least favorable among those I tested, but using the Switch 2 significantly improves the experience, albeit with some visual downgrades.
