THQ Nordic has announced that the native PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S release of Wreckfest is available now, both as a full game release and as a paid upgrade from last-gen consoles.
The fully native current gen release brings with it support for higher resolutions at a dynamic 4K, enhanced visuals effects like dynamics dirt, improved lighting and textures, as well as support for 24-player online multiplayer. There are higher 60fps frame rates for PS5 and Series X as well, though not for Series S at this time.
Those who own the game on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One can upgrade to the current gen versions for $9.99/€9.99 – the upgrade is available on Xbox through an in-game option, as THQ’s way of getting around Microsoft’s free upgrade/Smart Delivery policies.
Still, the fact that it’s here on Xbox at this point is the big surprise. THQ say that this version of the game is ready earlier than expected, but that means that a disc release is still coming at a later date.
Yes! Since the Xbox version is releasing earlier than expected, it will take a bit longer to push the disc version – but it'll be available soon!
— THQ Nordic (@THQNordic) June 1, 2021
Let’s be honest here: Wreckfest’s next-gen upgrade programme has been messy and confusing. First there was the backward compatibility update that allowed the Xbox Series X to target 60fps while running the Xbox One version of the game – something seemingly not possible for third party developers at the time.
Then, back in March, THQ Nordic announced that there would be a full, native upgrade for PS5 game on PlayStation 5 launching 1st June (Hey! That’s today!). This would enhance the game’s visuals significantly, but would be a paid upgrade. The Xbox Series X|S native release would be coming later in the year, though.
Then there was the biggest surprise: Wreckfest’s PS5 version was actually coming to PlayStation Plus as part of the subscription’s bundle of included games in May. Was this bringing the paid upgrade forward as well? Nope, this would just be on PS Plus, and so it was.
Now there’s the latest twist with the native Xbox Series X|S version coming out with minimal preamble.
Despite all this tooing and froing, it’s a game that’s worth the upgrade. Looking back on its original release, we said in our 9/10 Wreckfest review:
“Wreckfest is a surprising triumph in blending the best that sim and arcade racers have to offer in an explosive and visually gratifying package. A few visual issues and overly aggressive AI do little to spoil one of the best driving games of 2019.”
Dan Jones
I’m confused as to which version of the game I downloaded with PS+ last month – the native PS5 version or PS4?
MrYd
That was the special PS+ version with just the PS5 version included. Not to be confused with the new version that has both the PS4 and PS5 versions. Or the old version that only has the PS4 version. Or the “complete edition” that doesn’t include the PS5 version.
If you downloaded it with PS+, you’ve only got the native PS5 version.
Stefan L
Yeah. That. You’ve got the native PS5 version.
As I said above, it’s a confusing mess.
MrYd
It’s more of a confusing mess than you said. Sony seem to have invented special PS+ versions of games that only include the PS5 version and disappear from the store after a month. (Well, 4 or 5 weeks, depending on when those Tuesday work out).
It seems to have caused a certain amount of panic when people have claimed the special PS+ version, and then it’s suddenly listed in the store as costing money. You still own that special version, and you can download the PS5 version at any time. But it gets removed from the store and replaced with a not so special version. I’m sure someone has got confused and paid for something they shouldn’t have to. So be careful.
Stefan L
Ugh, really? That’s terrible UX, which is saying something considering how the PS Store is already wonky for UX in so many ways.
camdaz
Good to see they’ve kept things nice and simple!