Lunatic_Gamer
Member
The question of whether current-generation graphics—say, in gaming consoles like the PS5, Xbox Series X, or high-end PC GPUs like NVIDIA's RTX 50-series—are a letdown depends on expectations and context. Let’s break it down.
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[Digital Foundry] Are Current Generation Graphics A Bit Of A Let Down?
- Thread starter Lunatic_Gamer
- Start date
- Opinion News Analysis
The question of whether current-generation graphics—say, in gaming consoles like the PS5, Xbox Series X, or high-end PC GPUs like NVIDIA's RTX 50-series—are a letdown depends on expectations and context. Let’s break it down.
Little Mac
Member
Mister Wolf
Member
Most of the first party AAA games have been crossgen so yes.
RJMacready73
Simps for Amouranth
I dont care for 60fps my old ass eyeballs only update at like 540p/24fps anyways but I would really love to get a look at the original UE5 TombRaiderish demo that debuted on the PS5, that along with Matrix looked truly next gen, as did Horizon Forbidden West tbh
kevboard
Member
yet the 60fps Wolfenstein 2 on One X looks better than most modern games.
Xtib81
Member
On consoles, definitely. It has been the least impressive visual leap ever. Most ps5 games look like better-looking PS4 games. Even worse, I swear that IQ was much better last gen. Shimmering and aliasing have made a huge comeback.
At least, we have 60fps in most games..
At least, we have 60fps in most games..
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Trogdor1123
Member
We get more 60 fps games this gen. It’s by far the way to go.
Kataploom
Gold Member
Nah, they were good enough for most things in 7th gen and excellent already last gen, so they only need improvements only in the case of hyper realistic games. Maybe once RT and virtual geometry becomes the norm we should find ways to use them more efficiently so we can have other stuff on screen like more objects, better physics, etc
S0ULZB0URNE
Member
Nope
Mister Wolf
Member
My first disappointment started with Halo Infinite. It never should have been designed around running on the Xbox One. Should have been the flagship showing for a brand new system. A huge visual leap. Still enjoyed the gameplay.
Fbh
Member
Kind of.
On console I'm ok with slightly improved last gen graphics as long as they run at good REAL resolutions and 60fps. Or I'm willing to accept 30fps as long as there's a big generational leap in presentation.
Sadly, it seems like more and more we just get the worst of both worlds. It's like "Slightly improved last gen graphics at 720p and 40-60fps."
The latest monster Hunter is the perfect example. Visually it isn't a particularly impressive leap over last gen visuals, which would be fine if it ran well...but it runs like shit too.
On console I'm ok with slightly improved last gen graphics as long as they run at good REAL resolutions and 60fps. Or I'm willing to accept 30fps as long as there's a big generational leap in presentation.
Sadly, it seems like more and more we just get the worst of both worlds. It's like "Slightly improved last gen graphics at 720p and 40-60fps."
The latest monster Hunter is the perfect example. Visually it isn't a particularly impressive leap over last gen visuals, which would be fine if it ran well...but it runs like shit too.
RodriGames40
Member
All this sincerely makes me wonder if someone's ever going to top Rockstar after releasing the game. No one has even touched RDR2 yet...
kevboard
Member
the framerate isn't the issue, it's the fact that too many shortcuts are being taken that tank performance and lead to extremely low resolutions and artifacting on a scale we have never seen before.
if developers kept using tech from last gen and just increased performance and resolution where possible, we would still have 60fps games but ones that look way cleaner and more pleasant while running at probably twice the resolution.
look how Gears 5 looked and ran on One X, a console with a dogshit CPU and a GPU less than half as powerful as current gen.
yet, high resolution (dynamic 4k with dips to ~1500p), great graphics (even for today's standards), nearly locked 60fps... weird isn't it?
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viveks86
Member
For what I expected current gen to pull off already, yes I do feel let down. Having said that, I do feel the next few years should be great with GTA, Fable, Mafia (assuming the game matches the trailer) and Intergalactic. I'm sure Wolverine and the next Gears would look bonkers too when it is actually revealed.
Hellblade 2 is a good reference point for where my expectations were for AAA games this generation. Except, I'm struggling to count hellblade given its shortcomings and "tech demo" nature.
Hellblade 2 is a good reference point for where my expectations were for AAA games this generation. Except, I'm struggling to count hellblade given its shortcomings and "tech demo" nature.
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TommyCronin6969
Member
People who judge game on graphics as a high priority are quite the fool.
Yes, I can't say that I am wildly delighted with how the visual component of games has stepped forward. Although, to a greater extent, it seems to me that the problem here is much more widespread, not only in the graphics themselves but also in the art design of the games. Because a pleasing to the eye picture is not only the capabilities of new video cards and technologies, but also the talent of artists, designers and other specialists who work on the visual component of the game. And the fact that the developer at some point decided to use new technologies not as a tool for improving the visual perception of the picture by the user, but as a tool for saving time on optimizing games, also does not help the situation. Therefore, this is one big, widespread problem of this generation games and it affects a large number of different areas.
But "everyone" is happy with everything, since the hardware and games continue to sell well. Despite user complaints, this is unlikely to change in the near future.
Somewhere in the Nvidia office right now.
But "everyone" is happy with everything, since the hardware and games continue to sell well. Despite user complaints, this is unlikely to change in the near future.
Somewhere in the Nvidia office right now.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
Marching Orders to get people ready for Next Gen even though a year ago they was telling us PlayStation Pro wasn't needed
Video: Detailed 10~ minute response talking about games using new rendering techniques, manpower, budgeting, using things like Lumen/Nanite that can help developers art out assets quicker and how it can perceptually look different between different approaches like baked or real time stuff
A wild O onQ123 appears: "LoL mArChInG oRdErS, Df iS tHe BiAsSsSsS"
kevboard
Member
the issue isn't the graphics themselves, it's how broken many games look.
if you play a game and the second you move the camera your entire player character turns into a pixel mess, it's not about graphics quality anymore, it's about looking pleasant to the eye.
when you play on a Series S for example, Ninja Gaiden Black looks more pleasant than Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, even tho one is just a backwards compatible game from 20 years ago and the other is a current gen title with Raytracing and super high polycount meshes. the former looks clean, sharp and without artifacting, the latter looks like your console or TV is broken. that's even true on Series X to an extent, even tho it's not as extreme of a difference
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Represent.
Represent(ative) of bad opinions
A bit?
The answer is an astounding yes -
But these dorks play a huge part as to why.
Bunch of framerate warriors and pixel porn bandits. Nitpicking nonsense and constantly missing the big picture. And they never have the balls to call devs out for ugly games.
The answer is an astounding yes -
But these dorks play a huge part as to why.
Bunch of framerate warriors and pixel porn bandits. Nitpicking nonsense and constantly missing the big picture. And they never have the balls to call devs out for ugly games.
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Deerock71
Member
To me, it's the MCU effect. It was this amazing, jaw-dropping, eye-opening visual extravaganza, until you saw the behind-the-scenes when you saw a bunch of actors with white dots all over themselves standing in a giant green sound stage. It was then you realized doing an on-location shoot in Istanbul was the real adventure, and Dave the Diver ruled.
ShaiKhulud1989
Gold Member
No? We're hitting the ceiling of manhours and diminishing returns, maybe some broken pipelines. But right now even smaller teams can make absolute visual bangers like SH2 remake.
Mr Hyde
Member
Games I've been impressed by graphically this generation that feels like next gen leaps.
Demons Souls
Horizon Forbidden West
Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart
Callisto Protocol
Silent Hill 2
Indiana Jones
Dead Space
That's about it. And with that said, there is obviously diminishing returns. But I don't really care. Games look so good today. Even some games from PS360 generation still holds up graphically.
Demons Souls
Horizon Forbidden West
Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart
Callisto Protocol
Silent Hill 2
Indiana Jones
Dead Space
That's about it. And with that said, there is obviously diminishing returns. But I don't really care. Games look so good today. Even some games from PS360 generation still holds up graphically.
Mister Wolf
Member
Remember when crossgen games had this level of difference
And these are third party developers.
And these are third party developers.
Lumpyoatmeal
Member
The question of whether current-generation graphics—say, in gaming consoles like the PS5, Xbox Series X, or high-end PC GPUs like NVIDIA's RTX 50-series—are a letdown depends on expectations and context. Let’s break it down.
Epic Games could easily produce a game with the fidelity you see in these demos, but they are not going to financially take the risk.
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PectacularOz
Member
Horizon Forbidden West.
Huge, lively open world.
Positively gorgeous, full 60FPS.
End of thread.
Huge, lively open world.
Positively gorgeous, full 60FPS.
End of thread.
Synless
Member
Can play a comparable looking version on a ps4….
We are in a very disappointing era of graphics.
dragonyeuw
Member
Maybe. Maybe not. I don't know...... my most anticipated releases this year are the newly announced Terminator 2 and Ninja Gaiden 2D games, so that says alot about where I'm at nowadays.
Hollowpoint5557
A Fucking Idiot
Playing Forza Horizon 5 right now. Here's a screen from photo mode. It's a event lab, share code is 999 927 900 if you want to try it yourself. The game looks nuts. I think graphics are great if that's what developers focus on.
ElFenomeno
Member
Graphics are fine and they have been since Doom 3 and Half Life 2.
What we need is more interactivity with environment, objects, fire, water simulation, physics, smart AI. Also strong artistic direction and not photorealism.
This requires talent which is lacking nowadays.
What we need is more interactivity with environment, objects, fire, water simulation, physics, smart AI. Also strong artistic direction and not photorealism.
This requires talent which is lacking nowadays.
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owandeseis
Member
Maybe it's a bit of copium but we could be on a transition generation?
Stuff like textures, polygons etc have reached diminishing returns, the aspect that can be gamechanging from now on is the lightning, Cyberpunk's a good example, it still looks better than everything released last year or this one when maxed, but if you remove the path tracing it's just mediocre.
Maybe in next gen once path tracing becomes cheaper and common, we'll see a big leap in graphics
Stuff like textures, polygons etc have reached diminishing returns, the aspect that can be gamechanging from now on is the lightning, Cyberpunk's a good example, it still looks better than everything released last year or this one when maxed, but if you remove the path tracing it's just mediocre.
Maybe in next gen once path tracing becomes cheaper and common, we'll see a big leap in graphics
Video: Detailed 10~ minute response talking about games using new rendering techniques, manpower, budgeting, using things like Lumen/Nanite that can help developers art out assets quicker and how it can perceptually look different between different approaches like baked or real time stuff
A wild O onQ123 appears: "LoL mArChInG oRdErS, Df iS tHe BiAsSsSsS"
Sadly we don't live in that time anymore where devs get praised for pushing older hardware to do amazing things it's more about getting the games out to more devices & if you want better graphics buy the new hardware. Then later on you're amazed that the older consoles are still going & able to run the games that you bought the new console for
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I collect VHS tapes
Member
people obsessed with graphics aren't real gamers
Blank Space Invader
Gold Member
What ever would I do if Digital Foundry didn't tell my eyes what to think?!
Killjoy-NL
Member
Is this in response to PS5 Pro being the best place to play MHW atm?
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DAHGAMING
Gold Member
The peak of console graphics was Xbox One X and PS4 Pro for me. They took good looking game and boosted the res, so good graphics and sharp iq. Now we do have an improvement in graphic quality but not by a huge amount, but we have lost iq in some cases with lower res and shity upscaling. Unreal Engine 5 is underwhelming, and the likes of some of Capcoms recent games are not that great looking for the performance either.
TintoConCasera
I bought a sex doll, but I keep it inflated 100% of the time and use it like a regular wife
A lot of modern games are very ugly, yeah. Lots of postprocessing effects that kill any semblance of visual clarity and tone down the colors.
Schmendrick
Member
The biggest AAA release this year so far, MHW, looks like a bastard between a PS3 and a PS4 game and runs like a pathtracing flagship
.....
That says a lot about the current state of affairs
.....
That says a lot about the current state of affairs
HerjansEagleFeeder
Member
ChorizoPicozo
Member
da faq with their answers?!
nkarafo
Member
Which also runs horribly on PC.No? We're hitting the ceiling of manhours and diminishing returns, maybe some broken pipelines. But right now even smaller teams can make absolute visual bangers like SH2 remake.
And i mean, like one of the least optimized games ever made. They even render the whole town under the fog, despite you not being able to see it. It's completely ridiculous.