Do the graphics improve with Heavensword and Stormblood.

[ArcanoJones]

I am presently at level 46 still in the ARR MSQs. and the graphics are nice. But I am thinking since the 2 expansions where released years after the main content that they improved the graphics some and it will look even nicer when I get to the expansion areas. I am just curious. Still have at least 20 hours of questing before I get to Heavensward content.

[Ametrine]

Ehh, not really too much as far as textures go.

I do think the overall design steps up with HW and again with SB. At the start of HW, the zones increase in size and detail, and they no longer re-use old, simple looking 1.0 gear designs. SB continued the trend, and takes advantage of the PS3 drop with massive zones with a variety of environments within.


But, again, down to actual texturing details, polygons, and such, it doesn't have this huge jump at the expansion start.

[ArcanoJones]

oh ok. Thanks for the reply.

[Clawbriar]

In my opinion, A Realm Reborn still has the nicest looking areas in the game. Some parts of Yanxia & Dravanian Hinterlands are just... yikes.

[Enur]

Many of the ARR zones look and feel more planted in the world when compared to the HW and SB zones, which all of them are squares cut out and ill fitting together as a larger whole. The backdrops in ARR zones are nicer and helps make a sense of scale seeing the different parts of the world through the different maps (Pharos being visible throughout most of La Noscea is greates examble). None of the newer areas are connected in that sense. Graphically i will say the HW were a step back featuring lower resolutions and more empty areas. Stormblood has generally better textures and more filled settlements, although none of the settlements feel lived in as you cannot enter most houses.

One reason i the ARR areas generally looks better is in my opinion the lack of flying. When those zones where created the devs could make the backdrops with all the optical illusions to make the zones aroundlaying areas seem massive. In the newer zones this is harder since flying eliminates this possibility. Yanxia is the one exception though, the unreachable farmlands to the south really does make the region seem larger than the area we visit.

[White_Wolf_X]

HW = very minor if any.

SB = some places does look abit better ( can't say how much )

[Naunet]

Yanxia is the one exception though, the unreachable farmlands to the south really does make the region seem larger than the area we visit.

Painfully unreachable areas always make me feel boxed in, rather than the zone feeling larger. Just imo. xD I get so frustrated by the invisible wall blocking us off from the rest of Ala Mhigo.

[Ametrine]

I feel that HW and SB are a step up in that there is more variety in each zone. It's much easier to look at your surroundings and know exactly where you are based on the local details alone, meanwhile ARR areas are densely packed, it's a contant reuse of the same base assets.

Although there is not of that horrid copy-pasted map layouts of 1.0!

Every settlement in Stormblood feels like a unique little town, while every settlement in ARR was designed by one of only 4 architects.

Your mileage may vary on which is better.

[Enur]

Painfully unreachable areas always make me feel boxed in, rather than the zone feeling larger. Just imo. xD I get so frustrated by the invisible wall blocking us off from the rest of Ala Mhigo.

I dont mean that Yanxia doesnt feel like a little box, no not at all. Merely that unlike the ruby sea, western coerthas or really any of the expansion areas Yanxia has something of interest outside of its borders. The Yanxia we visit looks like a small sliver of the country.