Benchmark/Graphics Update - Show your WoL's before and after

[Embran]

This is that it looks like to skip on sunscreen:




Can't believe they've done this to my char
But that's fine, Hrothgals are lookin hella cute!

You're in the wrong Final Fantasy, Strangers of Paradise is that way ->

[Turethir]

Here's my girl before and after.

Really sad about the lip/mouth shape, it completely changes her feel and I don't think it looks like the same character



I created a GIF to show the difference; it looks a lot better with the old lips, much more like her!

[Embran]

It's very good. Yes, some parts are a little different and slightly alter the vibe, but it's to be expected. It always happen, and in fact after getting used to the new one, old shots of the old characters will look horrible by comparison (this is exactly what happened with WoW's character updates)

These show how SSS lets characters look ok even in lighting conditions that looked awful before:

Huge improvement. She looks great.

[Evergrey]

I think I'm leaning more towards the updated version.
Idunno, the eyes feel more calm and peaceful with the update, instead of giving me the sad vibes from the current one.

[Hexterian]

The redness in the ears from the subsurface scattering is a bit much on my skintone. But for the rest it's growing on me? Maybe a tad too soft, and I miss the deeper mouth corners.
I'd kill for a wrinkle slider or something.

Am glad the lipcolor is proper black now though.

[Scintilla]

Mine are a bit mixed. My Hyur and Miqo'te are fine. New Hyur is definitely better and the Miqo'te differences are so small I'm unlikely to want to change anything. I wasn't sure about the total lack of shadows from the jaw in image 2 but that is likely just lighting as it looked fine in the rest of the benchmark. I think I prefer the old lips on all, but it's a minor thing to me.

The Viera, however, I much prefer the old one. I did change the hairstyle from my usual to compare, but it's more the eyes that I don't like. The shape seems different and they look far brighter than I like. But, with a bit of time and adaption, perhaps I can find a balance.

Hyur




Miqo'te




Viera

[AirisRay]

I really don't like her new mouth.

- The mouth has lost its clear outlines.
- When the light is directed at the face, ugly dent appear in the corners of the mouth, which spoils the face as a whole and makes it unpleasant.
- The texture of the lips became plastic.
- Most of all, it reminds me of the outline of Aura mouth on Miqo’s face.
- Overall, it seems like she had a botched facelift or the doctor gave her a Botox injection incorrectly.
- The mouth is a very important part of the face, which can irreparably change the entire appearance, which is what happened in this case.

UPD:
I spent a lot of time looking at the details. From some angles and in some lighting it looks a little better. But if you zoom in on her face... The mouth has terrible textures. And if they are still somehow visible on the lower lip, then the upper one has no texture at all. The lips are flat and sloppy and stand out in stark contrast to the really good textures of the skin, eyes and hair.
I can only hope with all my heart that this will not remain like this and that it will be corrected.

[Jojoya]

I think part of the problem for some of the races is the eye tilt seems slightly off, which could be an actual issue considering how much focus was trying to give the eyes more life. Having the eye textures sit just a touch off from what they used to be makes a big difference. Characters go from looking intrigued to disinterested (or the opposite seemed achieved with the Elezen male).

There are some other differences as well, of course, but the eyes are what my eyes jump to in almost every post that is unhappy with the changes.

I was wrong here. It's not eye tilt, it's camera tilt.

I finally got around to starting on screenshots. The extra detailing means a tiny change in camera angle is making a bigger difference than it would with the old graphics. Very noticeable with eyes and jawline, somewhat noticeable with lips.

If your look is bothering you, see if a small change to camera angle makes a difference.

Black hair is still very faded in comparison to current. That I'm not fond of but it's not making me unhappy enough to want a Fantasia.

[lunartears]

I really love my character and was going to play with her for many years to come. I never intended to change she, redo she, and I don’t need free fantasia, thank you. For 2.5 years I haven’t changed anything about her except her hairstyle. I just want to get back the familiar facial features that I loved so much. I really love her and I'm sad at how you "improved" her.
I look at her now and see how beautiful she is and it saddens me to realize that in a few months I will no longer see this face that is so dear to me.

Exactly how I feel about my own character, especially with the mouth. I understand you completely

[Alywen]

I have mixed feelings, since the cute aspects, are a bit gone in the update, she seems a bit lifeless, might grow up to me
left benchmark, right current