Lackluster Graphics in FFXIV

[Abriael]

As someone who's played Aion for more than a year, I can honestly say that even with the current engine, Aion's character graphics beat FFXIV. Although the faces aren't as realistic, Aion's character models in terms of armor, clothing, and weaponry have a level of polish that I've yet to see in FFXIV. Both games have texture problems, however, when it comes to terrain.

Really now

Aion

FFXIV


You talk about armor, clothing, weaponry and especially polish, and there's simply no comparison. Pics are better than a thousands words. FFXIV's equipment looks much more realistic thanks to the normal mapping (while aion's look extremely flat due to the very limited use of mapping), on top of that due the fact that Aion uses lower resolution textures, the oweral look is much more blurry. Everything in FFXIV's characters is very visibly sharper and more defined.
This without even mentioning that NCsoft has to grow up quite a lot more before getting even near to SE's art direction and character design.

Again, place two pictures of any kind side by side, and FFXIV completely obliterates Aion.