'Dark Souls II' Graphics And Lighting Downgrade Sparks Controversy

Dark Souls II doesn’t look quite the way many gamers expected it would. If you take a look at the above video, you can see a gameplay comparison between early release footage and actual gameplay on the PS3.

[MrSwankSinatra]

Gotta admit that is a pretty massive downgrade.

[Vegamyster]

The original footage looks better then the first game in every regard which made it pretty clear it was running on PC hardware, DS1 had framerate drops throughout the game, especially in Blighttown.

[Timesplitter14]

I heard a lot of people say the beta on PS3 actually looked as advertized, though. Maybe the devs realized that there were new parts in the game where the framerate drop was too extreme so they had to downgrade.

Anyway... graphics aren't really a big issue for me. I do have limits but this is fine

[brish]

I was in the beta and the early game play videos match the ps3 graphics in the beta.

Just search youtube for "dark souls II beta". There is tons of footage of it.

One example:
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[SaturdayNightBeaver]

What about "graphics don't matter , it's all about the gameplay" ? Huh peasants? Searching for graphics in 10 year old filthy potatoes , makes you look stupid as hell. Get a PC if you are about graphics.

[ShowGun901]

1.) it IS about gameplay, thats why this game is getting GREAT reviews.

2.) Anyone who thought it would look massively better than DaS1 was kidding themselves anyway, it was maxing the ps3 2 years ago.

3.) if there is any ACTUAL rivalry between console and PC gamers, its ignorant, rude comments like yours that fuel the fire.

I can compare the price of my 10yr old machine to your computer if you'd like, because i get just as much fun outta my ps3 as when I play on my PC. Techinally, if you can't set every PC game you have on the ABSOLUTE HIGHEST setting, for all the settings, somebody out there thinks the same about you that you do about console gamers. "what an idiot, cant even run max settings, spend a little money on an upgrade!"

Please think before you speak, it makes you look stupid as hell. (and rude.)

[MrSwankSinatra]

Is it that time of month for you?

[SaturdayNightBeaver]

What ? You don't like me or something? You can ignore my posts it's easy. But you seem a bit frustrated yeah? Wonder why, hmmm... oh wait.

[MrSwankSinatra]

i'm frustrated? you're the one who got all emotional because of a statement i made. so who's really frustrated here??

[NewAgeisHere]

I have to agree the game looks terrible on my ps3, worse than DS1, still fun, but the game looks really bad. And I love Dark Souls, have a platinum and I could easily be called a Sony fan, but this game looks terrible on ps3.

[Lucas22]

you would think with that downgrade at least the fps will be a constant 30fps but the ps3 framerate drops down to 16

[Nitrowolf2]

terrible?
I just completed the game and barely saw it dropping to something that I would at least call terrible. I know it's not at 20FPS all the time, that's veyry noticeable when it does jump to it for like a few seconds, but the FPS doesn't chug like the past game did. Least not for me

If you are playing online it's most likely small lag as I have seen that, but for the most part the FPS is actually well for an open wolrd game especially in the area with a ton of dragons flying over head. The first ga,e had single digit FPS in blighttown. Was expecting to see soemthing liek that here, but never did.

[PurpHerbison]

I was convinced they would fix the FPS issues but they didn't. It drops lower than 16 by the way. I don't even think it averages at 30. Extremely disappointed. I wonder what the focus was if it wasn't the biggest issue in the entire game, FPS.

I was in such disbelief I even cleaned my entire PS3 and defragged the hard drive, same experience.

[diehardmetallicafan]

maybe it's the last gen and rumored current gen version?

[kingduqc]

not only that but the games tear like crazy on 360 and the framerate is always under 30 on ps3.

Hope pc can fix the game.

[TheDarpaChief]

Oh for the love of god. The game looks incredible even with the "downgrade". It rivals tlou in game yes I just said that. You just love controversy huh?

[TheDarpaChief]

Disagree some more. You're just mad I'm in mgs5 and your not!! :P

[Ezz2013]

what the ....?

[Scroticus]

Wait, let's think for a moment...Maybe the shown footage was on PC? Y'know. The version that they've already declared as the top-end? I know I'd show the best version to get that appeal. Every dev/pub do it.

[Rivitur]

But the video that was shown at PlayStation all access was running on a PS3 with the pretty graphic... first reveal most definitely was running on a PC however.

[KonsoruMasuta]

Eh. I don't care. I don't play Dark Souls for pretty visuals. And if you do, you're doing it wrong.

[staticdash22]

But you cared enough to comment on this article lol

[KonsoruMasuta]

Yup, I was curious what all the fuss was about. I didn't come here to b*tch and moan like everyone else, I came here because I was curious what the actual difference in presentation was.

The article sparked my interest. So why not read it?

That doesn't mean that this issue bothers me though. As I stated before, I don't play Dark Souls for pretty visuals. I commented and left my thoughts on the issue. Is that a problem?

[DCfan]

It isn't about grafix. More like about false advertisment.

[ShowGun901]

LOL don't cry because yall cant beat the game! LOL! I agree, playing DaS2 for the graphics is silly. to be honest, i haven't noticed the graphics for all the horrible monsters turning my mage into a puddle of mage goo... LOL DaS2 Rocks!

[beatled]

now I'm glad I waited for the pc version, was just standing in best buy holding the game (ps3 version) with a gift card for $20 burning a hold in my pocket, telling me to pony up the other 40 for it NOW!!!

but f all that, I HATED the way Dark souls 1 ran on the ps3 and when I got it on pc and played it modded with MASSIVE down-sampling and perfect anti aliasing and rock solids steady 30 frames it was like a different game altogether

over 110 hours on my steam version and I think I will just wait it out for the best version that is always the case on pc

[starchild]

Yeah, I really don't mind waiting a month or so to get a greatly superior version. Even though I own a PS3 and 360, I couldn't take the screen tearing in the 360 version or the stuttery frame-rate in the PS3 version.

I mean, if those were the only options then, sure, I would still enjoy the game for what it is. Luckily there is a better version on the way very soon.

[SaturdayNightBeaver]

You can get it for $30 for steam at some cd-key stores online. Cheaper , highly superior , future mods? Worth the month wait absolutely.

PC gaming is dead , you can't see the difference between 720p and 1080 or 30fps vs 60.. but you know to complain when it does indeed look real bad.

[Ashunderfire86]

Bullshit the game looks good for last gen and just play the game instead of reading these useless articles.

[A LIVING LEGEND]

underwhelming,no doubt.
The visuals in some areas aren't acceptable,regardless.
Good game but....

[voodoochild346]

If companies show the in game footage from the systems the game are ACTUALLY FOR, this wouldn't happen.

[WheatBread]

master race

[mogwaii]

Oh dear that is horrendous but this is the norm for thhe gaming industry, the division wont lookthe same, watch dogs dosnt look the same, they all do it but this is a slap in the face.

[frostypants]

The industry has done this for decades. The screen shots on the box for every game ever made are BS. It's funny that people are suddenly freaking out about it. The *only* unusual potential issue here is if they really did mess with the lighting right before the game went gold. All the other complaints are over the same old industry tricks.

[hano]

Today all publishers/devlopers lie

The screenshots/videos prior to release are usually from a beefy PC version or they are often retouched. (Deep Down announcement trailer was just a Sony BS marketing move)

But it builds hype and drooling fanboys gobble up such feces.

[TheDivine]

Its a big difference but the game is phenomenal. It looks and plays better than DkS and every e3 reveal is usually running on a rig. The gameplay never matches it. I'm a little disappointed the lighting isn't as good because it was amazing in the trailers but whatever. Its another Souls game, I've been waiting since DkS released and am already hyped for the next. If its a huge deal breaker buy the PC versions.

I'm not saying let From off the hook because it was misleading but they did knock it out of the park. They had a huge mainstream marketing push and this helped it become more successful which means more Souls games. As long as they don't casualize the series ever il stick around.

[PurpHerbison]

They didn't know anything out of the park if they couldn't address the games biggest issue... Frame rate.

[Tdmd]

I've heard it was steady now. You mean fps is still a problem?

[PurpHerbison]

It's sort of steady on the 360 version but still has nasty dips and screen tearing. The PS3 version is cursed with stuttering. I'm starting to feel like it's not necessarily FromSoftwares fault but more so the community as majority will in fact tell you the game is "buttery smooth" when it is not. If more people had collectively voiced their concern about the games biggest issue (FPS) then I think they would of took the time to do something about it.

[Hellsvacancy]

Got my copy today woop woop, it also came with a signed copy of the comic Into The Light http://postimg.org/image/bg... well happy

Can't wait to play this later (when my kids are in bed)

[ShowGun901]

dont wait too late, im sure you'll wake up the kids the 9th time a boss cheap-shots ya!

LOL had this since launch, just as irratating as the first 2, and also just as AWESOME!

good luck, see ya online! Add me if youre on ps3!

[Hellsvacancy]

My kids sleep through the night, if they wake up so will mummy lol

I'll add ya when i'm on dude

[RyanShutup]

The more I think about it the more I feel like the purposefully dialed down the lighting so that when they release the inevitable next-gen definitive edition, the difference is night and day and everyone will happily double dip.

Bastards... whatever, I'm getting it on next gen as well, can't help it.