Lens of Truth: Brutal Legend Demo Analysis

Lens of Truth writes, "This week the Lens of Truth staff finally got a chance to play the demo of the anticipated Jack Black game, Brutal Legend. So let your hair down (John) and get ready, because this demo only has room for one rock star, baby!"

[jaidek]

Holy screen tearing batman! I really hope that Double Fine gets the PlayStation 3 version polished up before shipping. Other than performance, looks close visually.

[ArthurLee]

I hope it does too but chances are, that's the game...unfortunately. Oh well.

[Anon1974]

Unless the demo is the final build of the game, and you know it to be the final build of the game - what's the point? So users know what system is slightly better to play the demo on?

Edit below: But that proves nothing. They did this with Resident Evil, and it was skewed because the PS3 build of the demo wasn't as far along compared to the 360. That's why I said, unless this is the final build of the game - it's meaningless. LOT even says in the comparison that the PS3 might have this fixed up in the final build. So what's the point?

[jaidek]

"So users know what system is slightly better to play the demo on?"

No, so they know which version should be the superior one when released. Kind of a heads up, if you will.

[leyego]

tbh i might get this instead of uncharted 2.
hm... or get them both. i dunno yet

[badz149]

this, even if it's good, will remain a "future possible buy" for me at the moment! and for the record, both look closely identical! nothing too much of a different to warrant a winner!

[andron]

So I don't think it will be a big issue. We'll see when the game releases...

[mastiffchild]

I haven't noticed much of anything of the sort on either demo if I'm, honest. I wasn't studying for it, mind, but does anyone when they just play the game?

Also most demos aren't the polished and final build of the game and as such comparing them isn't really saying anything about the final game on either playform.

Most importantly, however, if I didn't notice anyhing one either demo when I wasn't looking how many will? If there's a difference in the game similare to this it certainly wouldn't be enough to stop someone buying for their console of choice anyway. I'm starting to think that LoT and DF should only really bother when there's something that WOULD make a difference(i.e noticable by anyone)to your gaming or which console you'd choose to get a game for-and those occasions are very rare indeed these days.

[stealyrface]

This game looks like allot of fun. Hopefully for PS3 fans the demo is not the final code and the screen tearing can be fixed.

[LinuxGuru]

It's been 3 years, I'd like to see some equal-looking vsynced multiplats please. 2nd and 1st-party Sony devs, help out these 3rd-party studios...please!

[Sangria]

I wonder what they actually call screen tearing because i've played both versions, even compared them and didn't notice any major difference, excepted a more sensible aliasing on PS3.
Dead Rising has an handicapping screen tearing, but one you don't even notice? No way.

[darkecho]

Hmm... trust you, or trust an analyzing program that's designed to detect screen tearing in games...

[Shogun Master]

I know what you mean. and the tearing is usually not an issue. But there is one game where the tearing was so bad that is was a distraction for me, and that is Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood. Just awful. Looked great but I could barely play it. It tore at almost every movement. Hope BL is not like that.

[Sangria]

Darkecho: it may detect it, it doesn't mean your eye will do as well and neither it will affect your appreciation of the game.

[mastiffchild]

I'm pretty much with sangria on the tearing. Just cos a program senses it doesn't mean the human eye will or if it does that it means it'll make a big difference. I'd much rather take the findings of my own eyes over those of a mchine that has zero clue what or how well I'll see anything-ttake a look a the demos for yourself is the best advice, trust me, as these articles really nitpick(I know it's the whole [point) things which most people cant see even if they try!

I was told that RE5 had big issues with tearing but I honestly haven't noticed any, ever, on either console and I bought it for PS3 and rented on 360(to play co-op with a mate who has no PS3)and there's been lots of times when I've noticed nothing when LoT and DF said the problems were pretty big. They aim for parity on multis and when they fail it's not by much. The games aren't optimised for either console and as a result don't really push the hardware and are primarily restricted by the fact that BOTH sets of weaknesses are present but neither of their strengths-so multis struggle at the higher end and the good ones like Batman AA should get appreciated a lot more than they do on their looks. BL doesn't really go that far, even for a multi so I doubt very much we'll see massive differences in the final game.

I never find a difference so bad these days that it affects which console I buy a game for-the last time tech issues changed my mind was with TOB which I first bought for 360 but since then only G'busters came near and that's a lot of games later for me. Far too much notice taken of things you wouldn't ever notice if you weren't told they were there AND many you can't see even then!

[Eddie20101]

Doesn't really matter what a program measures if it is something that is barely noticeable, if at all. There are many Multi platform games where the screen tearing is worse on the Xbox 360 version, I've noticed screen tearing way more in Xbox 360 games than in PS3 games.

[Morituri]

I played the demo, and it did nothing for me. The art style is great, but everything else is uninspiring.

[SupaPlaya]

why are you here?

"a game I didn't care about in the first place."

[Morituri]

1.I expected better from this since psychonauts was so good (and how many of you "fans" own a copy of that gem?)

2. All these comparisons aren't worth a turd. If you need cybernetic eyes to notice any difference, it really doesn't matter.

3. Bored at work. Almost quitting time. Wondering if I should go to JnL in Chinatown and get an early copy of Demon's Souls.

[SupaPlaya]

Ah, the infamous bored at work syndrome.

"If you need cybernetic eyes to notice any difference, it really doesn't matter. "

I agree unless the difference is huge.

[darkecho]

I can agree that it probably finds things that not everyone will notice, but I also know that Clip 7 in the video on the PS3 side was horrid! Even without those little orange lines, I'd spot those tears with one eye. I mean c'mon, look at it. You almost have a seizure it's so flickery. Stuff like that affects my gameplay and is why I read articles like this.

[mastiffchild]

Then how did I manage to miss them when I played the demo at home? Honestly there's been loads of times when, on both platforms, LoT or DF have reported much bigger issues than this and I'be not noticed when playing a game.

[Soul Train]

There is no way the final code will be any different, the game ships in a week. 360 wins another multiplat. What a surprise.

[Fishy Fingers]

It's unlikely of course, although we do not know when these demo builds were finalised. It's even more unlikely they were wrapped up just prior to releasing them for download, they're likely to be quite old, so who knows. Wait and see if your on the platform fence. Although I assume your not.

[LittleBigSackBoy]

PS3 has the higher FPS average :)

[darkecho]

From the article:

"...Although the FPS averages don’t always suggest it, the 360 performed slightly better with a frame rate that stuck pretty close to 30 FPS throughout. There were some instances in our testing where smoke effects and fading effects seemed to be malfunctioning on the PlayStation 3 causing the frame rate to raise significantly above 30 FPS which brought up the averages a little"

Basically, the PS3 was wigging out in some scenes and bringing up its lower average.

[OmarJA]

It's funny that you only show up in these articles...

[mastiffchild]

Wins what Soul Train? Unless you're suggesting that BL is the game with the best gfx this gen on either system, the most demanding physics engine and puts all exclusibes on PS360 to shame then what does a little screen tear in a demo really tell us? Screen tear I didn't notice on either demo btw?

You think BL is a more demanding game for the PS3 than KZ2 or Uncharted2? That it pushed the 360 harder than Gears2 did or AW will? Unless you are all this would ever prove is that they managed to code slightly better for one platform than the other(not shocking with shafers PC heavy background either)when aiminmg for parity on a petty undemanding game in general. Would it have been worth their while pumping in the cash needed to rival PS3 exclusives for a pretty niche game anyway?

Face it the differences aren't big enough to change anyone's mind AND even though it may be late we don't KNOW it's the final build, do we? I honestly don't think you can knock down the PS3 over a game which was NEVER about tech to start with and is pure gameplay and story and shafer. Hell, if they ousted JB AND made it a better looking game it could have ben perfect-I'd always take something pretty over that particular advert for annoyance.

[Sir Ken_Kutaragi]

...it's no KillZone 2/Uncharted 2 looker is it??? ;) Looked like a PS2 game to me???
'God of War 2' looks better!!! ;-D

I suppose ChatBots think this game is the best you can get this Gen???...how very SAD... ;-D

[droid and bot]

and in another news
the game looks identical in real time
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[Transporter47]

if something is better on the ps3 xbox fanboys won't admit it, but if something is just a slightly worse it could be the most minor detail on the ps3 and hell its like oh your system sux xbox pwns all.... i hate that, just annoyance

[madkrazygames]

So in order for us to see a difference, we have to put it on one these frame rate devices? Come on LoT, can you guys produce anything original? News flash, Eurogamer got the comparisons department on lock, so there's no need for copycats.

[Kiroe]

"Come on LoT, can you guys produce anything original? News flash, Eurogamer got the comparisons department on lock, so there's no need for copycats."

You need to give credit where credit is due. There are only 3 websites that does this sort of frame rate and performance analysis. Eurogamer in Europe, PS360 for Japan and Lens of Truth for America.

And since when is anything on the internet original?

[HDgamer]

youtube video = fail

[madkrazygames]

yo my dude, these guys at LoT are straight clowns. They don't play games, they count pixels and frame rates. Nobody on N4G is going play the game on one those devices, so who gives a rat's ass? Comparisons are becoming a thing of the past, seeing how multi-platform titles are becoming so close, that you need a frame rate analysis to tell the difference.

[Kiroe]

"Comparisons are becoming a thing of the past, seeing how multi-platform titles are becoming so close, that you need a frame rate analysis to tell the difference."

You are correct, they are becoming very close visually. But there is still some work to be done in the performance department. I hate tearing and comparisons like this are a service to many.

BTW, no problem with the YouTube video. Quality is just fine. Heck, you can download a 60fps mp4 from their site if you want.

[mxpxboy]

I watched that video and they both had dropped frame rates at some point. Why doesn't Lense Of "Truth" acknowledge this? They always fault the PS3 and give the edge to 360 on every game. No matter if both versions have the same defects.

Lense of "Truth" grading scale:

In the event of a tie, 360 wins.

Here's a quote straight from LOT.

"There were some instances in our testing where smoke effects and fading effects seemed to be malfunctioning on the PlayStation 3 causing the frame rate to raise significantly above 30 FPS which brought up the averages a little."

So, let me get this straight. When the framerate get's better than the 360, it must be a malfunction on the PS3's part? Hmmm....interesting.

[jack_burt0n]

I have to agree it sends there credibility straight down the crapper, I played the demo there is no significant screentearing.

But to be honest the games that flat out work alot better on the ps3 dont even get tested its very funny.

[mxpxboy]

Also, if you re watch the head to head and keep an eye on the red(PS3 and green(360) lines running along the bottom the the video that represents FPS, you’ll see that the 360 dips down lower below 30 FPS more often and for longer periods than the PS3 does. If anything, the performance section of this head to head should be a wash. The PS3 wins in FPS and the 360 wins in screen tearing.

[Hercules]

this is ridiculous. what is the point? so fanboys can agrue? just get the game which system you have. if you have both get the one your friends have. geez

[madkrazygames]

fanboys are retarded, they're always going to argue with each other, over the dumbest sh!t. People from LoT and Eurogamer can change this, but instead they promote it, because it's easy.

[jaidek]

These videos are not for the fanboys. They are for people who own both systems, aren't in middle school and actually care about picking up the best experience they can. Maybe I wouldn't care either if mommy was buying them for me.

[mastiffchild]

Jaidak-the thing is that when they need to use programs to find faults it means(9/10 anyway) that they couldn't find them by, y'know looking-like how you would when playing a game except intead of playing they're just looking for faults which kinda makes it a little anal apart fom anything else.

I chose The Orange Box for 360 because of this kind of thing but the differences jus aren't ever that big anymore to warrant reporting let alone changing you from your console/controller of choice/from the platform your mates play on. Basically all I think you do when the differences aere as tiny as they are these days is justify the existence of sites which aren't even serving a real purpose anymore-if you choose to go with a game on another console than the one, say, where you like the controller better do you think the infinitessimally improved performance will make up for playing with a pad you dislike?

In a MP game would it make up for missing your mates? Give you better peace of mind for moving you, possibly, onto a system you feel is less reliable? Honestly mate-whoever you think pays for my games(though if my dead dad is I'll be amazed!)do these kind f tiny differences really make you feel you should choose one over the other in the face of oher preferences which, I'd argue, affect your experience way more than program detected issues can.

[chrisulloa]

because it's better on Xbox 360? Wow, you are an idiot.

[kaveti6616]

What the eyes cannot see, the mind cannot care about. When a game is running in motion, I doubt anyone can tell if the game is at 28fps or 30fps, and as far as screen tearing goes, I had to look it up on wikipedia because I didn't know what it was, and even after that I was astounded that this occurs in games. I've played a lot of games on my crappy 480p television, and there was no screen tearing. I guess the problems get worse once the tech gets better. Plus, Brutal Legend is not one of those games that people should be nitpicking about in terms of graphics. The graphics are not notable in any sense. It's not like we're comparing astounding environment renders.

[jack_burt0n]

Screentearing can be a real problem RE5 and bionic commando on 360 were almost unplayable on a big screen. Tbh i notice more games on ps3 having vsync than the other way round but people dont talk about that lol.

[NinjaPlease]

I disagree with the frame tear analysis. I think the lens of truth needs to go back to the drawing board on this one. What did they get some kindergarten hack to put this together?

[OGharryjoysticks]

Fix the camera

[Knightofelemia]

I cannot tell the differance can't wait for the game

[devilhunterx]

Thank you LOT in helping me justify why I wont be picking up this game.

[Bigpappy]

Nothing to cry about here. They are pretty much identical. Move along!

[Kiroe]

apparently you did not watch the video...sigh.

[dkgshiz]

Mediocre gameplay. Mediocre compressed sound, mediocre car handling. This game is mostly and excuse for Jack Black to show his face.

[dkgshiz]

No buy for me. This game was pretty much trash. I loved the very standard boring old hack and slash combat thats been used in every plat-former since the dawn of time. I also love the very compressed sound thats almost impossible to hear anything at all thats going on in the game. The driving in the game is flawless! Nah, jk. The driving was the worse part of the demo. Hopefully they compressed the sound only for the demo. If thats how it is in the full game. THEN DAMN!

[sedx]

this game is complete trash ...

[teedogg80]

Who cares? The game sucks anyway. Prolly worth a rental at least. I'll be to busy playing Uncharted 2 to even think about this crap game.

[Marty8370]

At it again. Comparing a f#cking demo, and probably an old one at that. Considering it out early this month.