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 Swap model on Nintendo Swap 2. At this level, I had solely performed it on Swap and Xbox One. We lastly had it revealed for Swap 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 the moment discounted. As a substitute of simply doing a evaluate of the One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Swap 2 Version in comparison with the Swap 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 give attention to One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Swap 2 Version right here.
Earlier than we had the official One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Swap 2 Version announcement, I truly purchased One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4’s Final Version on Swap when it was discounted, regardless of proudly owning it in one other area’s Nintendo eShop. In case you’ve been being attentive 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 somewhat than the DLC by itself. I made a decision to forfeit my previous save and began contemporary on Swap 2 through backwards compatibility. Experiencing One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 on this method is good, with an enormous efficiency increase over the abysmal Swap model performed on the unique hybrid console. I questioned what we’d see within the native Swap 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 Swap 2 Version is three steps ahead and two steps again.
I say that as a result of One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Swap 2 Version is a notable improve over the unique Swap model when enemy depend, draw distance, texture high quality, and cargo occasions, 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 Swap model on Swap 2 can now drop into the 50s. In-game menus and textual content even have a visible bug when enjoying docked, the place it appears 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 quite a bit to be desired. Foliage and shadows nonetheless have flickering and shimmering points. I even tried enjoying the PC model at most settings and noticed comparable points, so that is probably only a recreation drawback, however I hoped this next-gen improve would deal with it to a point. Whereas there may be extra foliage, it took me a couple of levels to get used to the shimmering.
When enjoying handheld on Swap 2, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Swap 2 Version offers the largest enchancment so far as I’m involved. The unique Swap model handheld on Swap 2 ran nicely by backward compatibility, however it was a blurry and ugly mess. The Swap 2 Version delivers a worthwhile improve regardless of some efficiency points now current. I hope these may be addressed in patches for the reason that recreation remains to be getting DLC, however I’d nonetheless improve for some efficiency penalties somewhat than enjoying the Swap model on Swap 2.
As for One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 itself, 5 years later, I nonetheless suppose it’s improbable, however I actually solely advocate shopping for it when you will 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 value you extra in case you purchase simply the bottom recreation now and need the DLC later, so maintain that in thoughts.
In terms of load occasions, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Swap 2 Version hundreds fairly a bit quicker than the unique Swap model, even once you play it on Swap 2 through backward compatibility. The PS5 model is the quickest to load the sport, however battles load quickest on PC. The Swap and PS4 variations performed on the previous consoles take too lengthy to even be thought of worthwhile in 2025. I’m pleased with the load time enhancements on Swap 2, with it taking 12 seconds to load the battle I examined with, in comparison with 50 on Swap, 17 for Swap on Swap 2, and 15 on PS5. The Steam model took about 3 seconds right here as a comparability.
In case you already personal One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4, the One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Swap 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 depend, however the efficiency is not so good as it was through backward compatibility. For newcomers, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 Nintendo Swap 2 Version with DLC is value getting, even in case you aren’t a fan of One Piece. Simply don’t trouble with the standalone base recreation proper now.
Model Examined: Nintendo Swap 2Review copy offered by Bandai Namco Leisure
