New Dawntrail Benchmark - Show your WoL's before and after: Part 2
I'd suggest replying to this thread instead: https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/...ated-benchmark
Post your WoLs compared to the current game, previous benchmark or both and perhaps some thoughts or feedback.
Current (6.5)| Old Benchmark | New Benchmark
https://i.imgur.com/OdQzpyM.png
Wow, first impressions is that I noticed the lips are much better compared to before. They still seem a bit too plump and ducky but they are standing out less, blending into the face more. The mouth line really helps as well. Shame my hair is still illuminous as ever in the aether screen :( but it's a bit amusing in it's own way. I also noticed that the facial structure is angular as before, which is welcomed.
https://i.imgur.com/UzQb1um.png
I felt like my character looked more satisfactory to me in the different settings, in particular the darker lighting.
https://i.imgur.com/ravW2d7.png
Gridania inn reminds me of the first preview from Fanfest, very strange to see in the actual game window
https://i.imgur.com/s2YsXxI.jpeg
I enjoyed looking at all the different angles in the new updated environment settings, it feels much more like "home" than the original benchmark. It definitely helps getting to look at everything in the correct lighting, the benchmark video is definitely not sufficient in regards to character focus.
https://i.imgur.com/WSH4TEG.png
https://i.imgur.com/3yuvc0k.png
On that note I did find my character to still look worse in the benchmark video, I worry that it's going to be a case of only liking my character in certain lighting... still suffering from the duck lips it seems - but i'm not sure if that's just the benchmark having exclusive facial animations that just don't seem too flattering on my character. I'd hope so :(
https://i.imgur.com/xKuKcaN.png
Unlike the original update, I DO feel like this is my WoL. I am pleased with the changes so far but I ultimately feel very mixed and still a bit anxious, I hope that when things are fully ironed out we will be as close as we can to our original counterparts. I've said it a lot in this post but hopefully a little bit more adjustment with lighting on the mouth area in particular...
I'm still not really a fan of the way the eyes or skin look as well but I wouldn't consider it an issue related to my character's appearance as much as before, seems to be more of a personal preference. I do wish the eyelashes could be more voluminous as before and to return the less dark eyebrows too. I still feel like a vacant stare is present as well, the original had a sharper but gentle expression that still seems absent.
https://i.imgur.com/L9yCRsX.png
EDIT: To elaborate further on the eyes, the pupil much larger on the "small eyes" option than the current game and this is probably where a lot of the problems arise
Additional list of nitpicks/wishes
- Please sharpen the Au Ra eye shape again
- Please adjust the "small" pupil size
- Please make the Au Ra scales sharper again, the textures look very distorted and unpleasant, especially on the face
- I would like if Au Ra scales were less plasticy
- My eyebrows are too dark, please make white eyebrows lighter again
- Please adjust the lighting on white hair so it does not illuminate too heavily in rays of light
(I also noticed that my lips are still pinkish in certain lighting, but I am unsure if this can even be changed)
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Not to discredit my thoughts but I will admit I am much more fond of the original graphics engine (I find a lot of charm in the rough areas). But as I love spending my time in this world, I think that ultimately I will just have to get used to these strange graphics even if deep down, I'll always love the old one.
Maybe I will perpetually feel mixed about the graphics update, but I will hold out and hope that things will be a little more alright in the end.
