Shocker

[ChronoCross]

graphics were dumbed down to let people with old computers play.
combat was changed to be more WoW like.

[rabbitzero]

graphics were dumbed down to let people with old computers play.
combat was changed to be more WoW like.

I had a pretty powerful computer at launch, couple months old, but top of the line graphics card. I couldn't get over 15 fps most of the time, and that's with lowered settings. Every other game i played i could max out and get smooth fps. Don't even get me started on not having a hardware mouse for a while. :P

The textures seem better back then if my memory serves, could be wrong though. I did like how you got a combat bit right away, instead of how it is now where it's talk, walk, talk, walk, etc for so long.

There is a reason they scrapped it and now have ARR though, for the good that there was, the bad far outweighed it.

[mouseno4]

I had a pretty powerful computer at launch, couple months old, but top of the line graphics card. I couldn't get over 15 fps most of the time, and that's with lowered settings. Every other game i played i could max out and get smooth fps. Don't even get me started on not having a hardware mouse for a while. :P

The textures seem better back then if my memory serves, could be wrong though. I did like how you got a combat bit right away, instead of how it is now where it's talk, walk, talk, walk, etc for so long.

There is a reason they scrapped it and now have ARR though, for the good that there was, the bad far outweighed it.

I understand and fully appreciate that. On one hand i would like to have known what it was really like, but on the other hand... i would rather not have to slog through that.

1.0 wasn't even that bad, I don't understand what all the fuss is about. Yes, at first, there were no chocobos. There was no real story. There were no NMs, and no end-game...

But the game was deep and gratifying, like FFXI. Things took effort, and when you leveled up, people actually congratulated you, because it was an accomplishment. (again, like in XI). The UI was terrible, sure. But I play a game for playing the game, not screwing around in the menus and complaining about it. The fatigue system was 'meh' ... I prefer a rested exp reward system over one that hurts the hardcores, I guess... I stayed up until the first patch that had NMs, and really I'm kicking myself in the arse that I didn't stay for 1.23.

I really like ARR, and I disagree with OP, as I think ARR really looks beautiful, and OP may just have an underperforming PC/GPU. But I do think 1.0 was more aesthetically pleasing. 1.0 and ARR are both leaps and bounds prettier than GW2 and SWToR, those are the only 2 MMOs I've played in the past few years. Better than Aion too, and WoW I've only seen videos but that game looks like a cartoon.

I have the highest possible graphics settings. The settings do NOT GO ANY HIGHER.

[JayVisco5886]

graphics were dumbed down to let people with old computers play.
combat was changed to be more WoW like.

I really don't think it's close to WoW. I think the old system was closer to the WoW style of combat tbh; auto-attack, select skill, repeat...FF11/14 was just a lot slower (and I mean a lot! lol). This new combat system reminds me more of GW2.

[Ecks007]

Uh, you know the game is only running on the DX9 engine, right? When they upgrade it to the DX11 engine next year, the game should see a pretty nice graphical improvement for those playing on machines that can handle it.

Add: And the game looks pretty damn beautiful as it is right now.

[mouseno4]

Uh, you know the game is only running on the DX9 engine, right? When they upgrade it to the DX11 engine next year, the game should see a pretty nice graphical improvement for those playing on machines that can handle it.

Add: And the game looks pretty damn beautiful as it is right now.

I hope this is a joke.

[KiriA500]

I hope this is a joke.

ROFL, hideous.



Also, just for a nice comparison.




Lighting and shadows really make a difference.

[mouseno4]

ROFL, hideous.



Also, just for a nice comparison.




Lighting and shadows really make a difference.

Compared to modern day graphics engines, yes. This looks OLDER than 3 years. 3 plus years ago this game as it is right now, would be ground breaking. But when a mobile game, portable game console and even indie PC games have FAR better graphics than this, this game looks incredibly dated.

I am not necessarily saying the game looks ''hideous'' as you describe it. No, i am just saying the previous game seems to look better, and the the fact that games made over 3 years ago look similar to this one. Perhaps it is the price we all pay for the fact that this game still runs on the ancient hardware of the PS3. It is my hope that the downgrade in graphics quality from the first iteration, be restored about the time when the PS4 version is released.

If you want more proof, take a quick look at modern day MMO's and compare them against this game. I know, ive played most of the major ones (even though they lacked what i desired in an MMO - even Guild Wars 2) and comparing this game to them... yes they just dont compare. Hopefully with the PS4 version, the devs will update the graphics to a more quality looking approach, rather than performance required on the severely aging PS3.

[Capita]

If you want more proof, take a quick look at modern day MMO's and compare them against this game. I know, ive played most of the major ones (even though they lacked what i desired in an MMO - even Guild Wars 2) and comparing this game to them... yes they just dont compare. Hopefully with the PS4 version, the devs will update the graphics to a more quality looking approach, rather than performance required on the severely aging PS3.

... What?

I've played pretty much every modern MMO (including ESO). ARR has better graphics than all of them, except for ArcheAge.

ESO's graphics are muddy and the character models are typical Bethesda models, i.e. crappy until you mod them yourself.

GW2's art style is nice, but the graphics aren't better. The game looks like it was run through an Instagram filter and dumped in a bucket of Contrast. Characters were also extremely floaty. Felt like running on ice skates.

TERA? That game has TERRIBLE graphics! Muddy textures and a poor art style (although this is subjective). Everything's bright and whimsical, which is cool, but the environments and actual quality are subpar.

SW:TOR? Lol...

So tell me what modern MMO has better graphics than ARR. ArcheAge is literally the only modern MMO that I can truly say looks better than ARR in terms of graphical fidelity.

ARR's character models took a definite hit. They're noticeably more muddy and low-res than their 1.0 counterparts. BUT for however many steps back the character models took, the environment took several leaps forward.