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From Software Addresses Dark Souls II Graphical “Downgrade”

Dark Souls II received glowing praise from most critics.

However, some reviewers – and a great many gamers – accused developer From Software of down-scaling the graphics, as the in-game visuals didn't seem to match the game's pre-release footage.

Now, a From Software representative has commented on those accusations, telling MCV :

"Throughout the game development process, a game is constantly being balanced not only in game playability, but also in the realm of resource management."

That seems a little evasive, doesn't it? It's not, "Nope, the graphics weren't downgraded." It's, "Well, maybe, kinda, sorta, but there are reasons for it." Not sure if that will appease the fans, but we certainly understand that the final build of a game doesn't always match the pre-release promo footage. That's not exactly uncommon.

The rep added that "a developer is always challenged with creating the most rewarding gaming experience while delivering continuity in graphical quality, gameplay dynamics, and balance within a game." The translation there is that because the game is so large, and because balance and difficulty are key components, the team had a lot on which to focus.

In our review , we cited some less-than-impressive textures, and also noted a definite frame rate issue. Didn't stop the game from being great, though.

Related Game(s): Dark Souls II

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kraygen
kraygen
10 years ago

As much as I've loved this series of games it's not like the first two were graphical powerhouses. Demon's Souls and Dark Souls had pretty mediocre graphics for this generation.

Doesn't mean they weren't awesome, just means they focus on quality gameplay over how pretty every detail is.

LimitedVertigo
LimitedVertigo
10 years ago

That's the thing, besides the less than stellar graphics people are reporting frame rate issues. I'm pretty sure most gamers can justify a loss in textures/lighting for improved stability. I'd say in this type of game, especially given how difficult it is, timing is everything and frame rate issues can be a deal breaker.

Bonampak
Bonampak
10 years ago

Like Vertigo said, there are framerate issues.

The PS3 version runs in the 20's and sometimes dips into the single digits. This while the 360 version never goes below 30fps.

The developer originally was showing a much more enhanced version (better lighting, geometry, better use of normal mapping, etc.) in a demo that was rumored to be running on a PS3 (or a PC that was set up to emulate its technology). It is said that the developer had to dumb-down the game in order to accommodate the 360 version.

All I have to say is thank God that last gen is over and that in this gen, only one console matters: PS4.

PSN French
PSN French
10 years ago

I have the PS3 version and I have NEVER notices frame rate issues. Not once. A few pop-ins now and then but never a frame rate issue. Personally, the only thing I find wrong with the game is that it is so much easier than the previous games.

Bonampak
Bonampak
10 years ago

@PSN French – From my experience, the game runs at 25 fps most of the time and only goes up to 30fps in inside areas.

However, if you don't believe me, you still got the people at Digital Foundry. They did a report on the whole framerate issue. Here's a direct quote: "Performance is largely a sub-30fps affair for Sony's console".

So its kinda funny that From Software said that they had to downgrade the graphics to make everything run better. Because that didn't happen.

xenris
xenris
10 years ago

I haven't had any noticable framerate issues. When I am inside it feels like it jumps up to 60fps in some areas. But it definitely feels like its running at 30fps most of the time with the odd dip here and there but I have never had it go into the single digits and I'm 30 hours in now.

Maybe it runs better or worse on certain console models because mine is running totally fine.

Bonampak
Bonampak
10 years ago

@xenris – It doesn't really go into the single digits. I thought it did because things got choppy while walking through a path. But I have yet to experience that again. So it was probably nothing. So I take that one back.

Its still a great game, though. But like I said before, I'm looking forward to what they can do on the PS4.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
10 years ago

This is a funny new trend about "downgrades"

Hello! Every game ever made since the pixel days looks better in the pre-release videos than when you get to play it at home.

LimitedVertigo
LimitedVertigo
10 years ago

…except for Crysis. Let's all praise the god of graphics which was Crysis.

Bonampak
Bonampak
10 years ago

@World

That's not a good argument to be made about a game coming out on consoles that the developer has had years of experience with.

If they had released a tech demo or video for an untested console, then they could say that they didn't knew the specs and that they overestimated how the game would look like on the actual console.

Anyway, lets not pretend that game companies have not published videos or tech demos that have been embellished for the sake of getting all the attention at E3 (See WATCH_DOGS).

Gearbox was a lot more shameless with that with Colonial Marines.

frostface
frostface
10 years ago

The problem is over ambition been stifled on old tech. Time to move over to the next gen and I don't mean cross gen. I can't imagine what DS2 would be like in PS4/XBone but I feel it would be something special. Having said all that, I'm loving DS2 on PS3.

Corvo
Corvo
10 years ago

I like how when a game goes on pc, graphics become an issue with a game.

The game looks amazing, armors and everything is heavily detailed along with the world and enemies. What more do you need? Realistic water and grass?

Geobaldi
Geobaldi
10 years ago

It's not even on PC yet, so can't blame that user base for this.

LimitedVertigo
LimitedVertigo
10 years ago

Geo, I love your picture.

CrusaderForever
CrusaderForever
10 years ago

I am hoping this will come out on the PS4. They might announce it by the time I am able to play it.

dillonthebunny
dillonthebunny
10 years ago

This is nothing to do with anyone commenting on this thread but seriously some gamers are just too stupid and shouldn't be allowed to play a console. If they can't work out why textures aren't as crisp as the previous game yet, gameplay, content and the balancing is as rich as they never seen it before, then they should just give up and go play outside in the sunshine. I used to think that kids growing up in this day and age with the technology to hand are really lucky, but they're not. They can't empathise, they can't understand and they have no reason to either.


Last edited by dillonthebunny on 3/20/2014 3:14:21 AM

PlatformGamerNZ
PlatformGamerNZ
10 years ago

well all i gotta is that dev's need to not change the visuals but if they do if they feel the need that they have to don't make it ovious ur gunna get stomped on and you know it nuff said

happy gaming =)

___________
___________
10 years ago

i guess you could forgive the fact that the game does not look as good as it did, especially the lighting effects, if it ran smooth as butter.
but thats exactly the problem, it looks worse than it did with previews, AND the frame rate jumps up and down so much you would swear your back playing fallout 3 upon release!
really makes you wonder where the performance is going because its hardly a massive open world, i mean if R* can get such a massive map like GTAV running, and look 100000 times better than dark souls, than there is zero excuse!
i miss the good old days where things improved throughout development, not got WORSE!

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