Lackluster Graphics in FFXIV

[BelgianRofl]

That true gifthorse... FFXIV isn't a seamless world. The engine isn't sophisticated enough to perform such tasks.

They really should have just used a different engine.

[Epo]

How does this game not have amazing graphics? Even on extremely low settings this game looks much better than the majority of MMOs out there. On max settings, this game is by far the best graphical MMO out there. Surpassing WoW by far, and even Aion. The only games that can surpass this are ones that aren't out yet, such as Blade and Soul and possibly TERA. Aion might look better when it has the new graphic engine that's supposed to be released in their 2.5 patch. Other than those few games, all of which aren't out yet ('cept Aion, but the new engine isn't out yet), this game easily has the best graphics of any MMO. Not to mention it's one of the few games in the world, not even just one of the few MMOs, but overall few GAMES that has dynamic lighting.

[BelgianRofl]

not even just one of the few MMOs, but overall few GAMES that has dynamic lighting.

The lighting is one of the graphical weak points..... Light passes through walls and solid objects; does not cast shadows.

[Dreamer]

I don't find the graphics in game to be lackluster overall, but they DO seem inconsistent. This is far more noticeable when you encounter terrain that's repeated with the same sub-par textures. The cliffs in Ul'dah in the waterways around Gridania are fine, yet both are lacking in Limsa. Limsa has some very nice lighting at night, while Gridania's is lacking.

How does this game not have amazing graphics? Even on extremely low settings this game looks much better than the majority of MMOs out there. On max settings, this game is by far the best graphical MMO out there. Surpassing WoW by far, and even Aion. The only games that can surpass this are ones that aren't out yet, such as Blade and Soul and possibly TERA. Aion might look better when it has the new graphic engine that's supposed to be released in their 2.5 patch. Other than those few games, all of which aren't out yet ('cept Aion, but the new engine isn't out yet), this game easily has the best graphics of any MMO. Not to mention it's one of the few games in the world, not even just one of the few MMOs, but overall few GAMES that has dynamic lighting.

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.

[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.

[gifthorse]

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.

I agree with this. FFXIV's character models, armor models, and animations are beyond compare.

[Malakhim]

I'm not entirely sure why I'm posting seriously in this thread, but whatever.

So I checked out official screen shots for games such as TERA and Rift, as well as some gameplay vids for both, and I've gotta say, while there are some interesting aesthetic variations and scenery, the claim that FFXIV's graphics can't hold a candle to them is bullocks. Sure the aesthetic design might be more appealing to those who want the "Dragon Age" D&D take on MMOs with big hulking ogre things and lots of hard edges, but that's just aesthetic design, and has nothing to do with graphics.

A few more pieces of grass here and there isn't game changing. Tera definitely has some cooler vistas, and looks much less of a WoW clone than Rift, but the gaudiness in character and gear design that pervades most korean MMOs is still prevalent and still a huge turn off for me personally. A lot of the vistas in Tera look like stuff we got in Aht Urgan, Promathia, etc. There isn't anything to say we won't get some mind blowing awesome stuff(and I still think stuff looks great now) later on down the road, but in terms of actual graphics, FFXIV is in the lead, hands down.

That isn't to say anything of the gameplay, which this thread isn't about.

Anyway, that's my peace. I'm out.

[sharky]

I think that this thread is better suited in the 'Ask the developers' section. If you want more graphics then it should be brought to the attention of the developers so that it can be implemented some how. Otherwise it's just a matter of opinion. I happen to like the character designs in FF14, which is something you can't get in other MMO's or Wave Race 64 for that matter.

[charliesheen]

The graphics in FFXIV are epic. Only a decaying troll would pick on things like how fast water ripples and each & every shadow that doesn't show...

When it comes to graphics, all I've got to say to SE is... winning!

[Ostia]

The graphics in FFXIV are epic. Only a decaying troll would pick on things like how fast water ripples and each & every shadow that doesn't show...

When it comes to graphics, all I've got to say to SE is... winning!

How many subs did the graphics get them ? Yeah! THEY IS WINNING ALRIGHT! XD