Epic’s Unreal 3 Optimization Brings The Pretty

Nathan Schmidt of Allegedly Speaking writes...

"I was really impressed by how much it looks like Epic tweaked the Unreal Engine to new heights while viewing the new Gears Of War 3 screenshots, that they released this week. So I decided to do my first side by side and see if Gears Of War 3 was really a leap ahead of it’s predecessor, or if I was just imagining things..."

[Letros]

I kinda prefer the Gears 2 look, don't get me wrong I'm glad to see Epic advancing their engine, but I do like that grit look to Gears 1 and 2.

[swiftshot93]

Gears 2 technically looks better, but I agree with you. I have to see it in motion, though.

[Komega]

I think it is all going to come down to personal preference, while I like the new look I've also spoken to a few people that feel the same way you do and think Gears 2 looked better.

[Strange_Evil]

Is it just me or does Gears 3 have a kind of a cell shaded look? I prefer the 2ish look.

[FURY__UNLEASHED]

"Epic’s Unreal 3 Optimization Brings The Metal and Rocks"

[HolyOrangeCows]

I really don't see a difference...

[WhittO]

TBA there isnt much difference except for one of those pics which looks like its not ingame.

like this pic:
http://www.allegedly-speaki...

There is no big improvements in lighting/texture resolutions or by the looks of things scale/things on screen.

I think it will look better in motion, like the new Killzone 3 scans aren't that much better than the second game at all, but I'm sure when we see that in motion...:O

[Chubear]

You're getting disagrees but you're right.

If look at Gears1&2, the main thing they used to give a sense of graphical progression was they changed the colour Platte. In gears1 certain sceneries where grayish blue but in Gears2, the same areas where Redish brown which gave a sense of improvement but the graphical fidelity where similar.

They also tried to make it a bit better by taking resources from the background and focus on the fore ground.

eg look at gears1 pic of similar or the same areas found in gears2. You'll notice that gears2 has way more fog in the far background and gears1 has far more depth of field vision.

It looks like it's the same here for gear2 to gears3. A bit better graphical fidelity but using colour schemes to give an illusion of graphical progression.

[FantasyStar]

I noticed that the Gears 3 pictures feature dynamic lighting as per the increase presence of shadows. Gears 2 had some level of dynamic lighting, but Gears 3 looks to be going all the way with it. I very much like this change as I believe all games should have dynamic lighting at this point.

EDIT: I found a picture that best illustrates this.

http://farm5.static.flickr.... - Gears 3 lighting
http://xbox360media.ign.com... - Gears 1/2 Lighting

[Willio]

mumbo jumbo, quit talking as if you people are experts.

[emk2004]

they look the same except for the colors.

[Lich120]

@Willio

You don't have to be an expert to comment on lighting.

Heres a link to their UDK update which includes Cascaded shadow maps (makes dynamic time of day possible).

http://udn.epicgames.com/Th...

[MNicholas]

In this picture you can see just how much Gears 2 was cut back from Gears 1.

With Gears 2, they redesigned the buildings and other objects to be much simpler shapes. Gears 2 also has more fogging to reducing the draw-distance. Overall, Gears 2 was a big downgrade.

http://xbox360media.ign.com...

As for this picture, there isn't much detail, just lots of flat surfaces with painted outlines. Just look at that van lying side-ways. The "detail" on it is just drawn outlines. Same with the buildings.

Epic is the master at using drawn outlines to simulate detail. It's almost like cell-shading mixed with regular graphics.

http://farm5.static.flickr....

Compare that playable environment with this one:

http://www.playstationwallp...

[Legosz]

I don't know why people complained about the color in GoW1 and 2. It was gritty for a reason, now with all this color it doesn't look like Gears anymore...

[corneliuscrust]

for whining about "brown and grey"

damn jackasses

[Moonboots]

That is what I'm finding funny about this.

"Greys of War" how many times do you hear that?

Now it has color and people are complaining it's not "grey" enough..

LMAO. I think no matter what the haters are always going to hate.

I think it looks great and much improved but I don't trust Epic's screenshot's and need to see it in motion.

[corneliuscrust]

This is what we get when all the retards attack the gritty "brown and grey look" that suits Gears PERFECTLY. Now they're trying to go for the colourful look which doesn't being the same weight to the gears universe.

[BreakNeckSpeed]

Wow... one of the main things the first 2 games were criticized for, was a certain lack of color. Which was a pathetic thing to say anyway as they had plenty of vibrant colors in comparison to games like Killzone 2 for example. Now that the art style has been slightly changed for a more colorful tone, its basically been shitted on.

And to the person saying it has 'cel shaded' look. I could say the exact same thing for Uncharted 1&2.

[Akagi]

This looks good, not gonna lie.

[MNicholas]

It simply trades pixel shading (less shiny armor) to restore a bit of the environment geometry that Gears 1 had. They also changed the color.

They also still have lots of outlines strewn all over the armor rather than actual rendered detail. It's the outlines that gives the game a detailed look without it actually being all that detailed.

Chances are it will have the same sprite based effects that Gears 1 and 2 had as well as the simply on-or-off effects lighting which has no gradiation whatsoever and baked lighting/shadows.

There are more technically ambitious games on the 360. Epic's achievement here is artisitic, not technical.

[Komega]

The article doesn't even mention Killzone 3, can't we leave the fanboy crap in the trash where it belongs for once?

[WMW]

the only difference i see is in color which looks better to me.

[DatNJDom81]

Seeing these scans made me realize just how great Killzone 2 is. They still havent reached it. In my opinion, Killzone 3 looks better. Had more fun with Killzone 2 than any of the gears of war. Not saying gears is bad. good game is good.

[likedamaster]

Anyone notice how in that first pic it's not Gears 2? That is Gears 1 on the left and Gears 3 on the right. With that said, I still prefer the Gears 1 look over 2 or 3. It just looks much more realistic to me. Hopefully they give us something that looks stunning and plays equally as good.

[MNicholas]

from Gears 1 in terms of environment detail.

Gamespot did a side by side of the same locations and everything from buildings to furniture was greatly simplified in Gears 2.

Even draw-distance, which wasn't exactly a strong-point in Gears 1, was reduced in Gears 2 but Gears 2 did a better job of faking draw-distance in certain scenes with cleverly painted backdrops.

Subjectively speaking, I too prefer the overall look and level of detail in Gears 1 over Gears 2.

They did throw in a bit more action in some scenes of Gears 2 and they had some post process improvements but the overall impression is that the gains didn't justify the cutbacks.

[SaberEdge]

Yeah it looks better, but I can't tell a huge difference by the screenshots. Then again, the Killzone 3 screenshots didn't really look much different than Killzone 2, so I can't wait to see more. I am sure Epic will show this game at E3.

[gtamike]

Gears 2 looks better and killzone 3 destroys them all :)

[vhero]

There isn't gonna be much differnce they will add tweaks here and there and try add improvements but I think they optimized it as much as they could for Gears 2. You notice on the first shot though on the article they picked the worst possible shot they possibly could find? The rest of the gears 3 shots are all from a vid that's not even in game? What point are tey trying to make with those shots?

[Komega]

I actually thought Gears 3 looks a touch more gritty, but a more realistic gritty if that makes any sense.

[gtamike]

Here's another gears 3 picture (the detail is really pushing 360)
http://img14.imageshack.us/...

[Natsu X FairyTail]

Looks really good. I just want some HQ Screens soon.

[Greywulf]

lol..

You guys never learn.

1 bubble is the same as Epic and their "Screenshot" history. Ya.. Im just wondering if it will happen 3 times in a row. Well not really wonder, I'm more in complete awe at the idea of it happening again.

[Richard Alpert]

You have 1 bubble again, looks like your the one who never learns.

[BannedForNineYears]

How do you two already have 1 bubble? I mean, luckily mods took my bubbles away before N4G reset them.

[crapgamer]

I'm digging it! I cant wait to get my hands on Gears 3!
I love the series and want to see how this particular chapter ends, then of course we get the prequels and things, but I'm super excited to see how this one goes. It does look better the Gears 2 though, which is amazing.

[COINTELPRO]

Gears 3 looks better.

[ClownBelt]

Gears 3 looks a bit cartoonish(right word?)while Gears 2 is in the realistic side more. Personally, I love Gears 2 graphics better.

[BreakNeckSpeed]

Just like uncharted 2 right?

[likedamaster]

Exactly like uncharted 2. Why is Uncharted in my Gears?!!

[topgeareasy]

would be great

[washingmachine]

looks like theres abit of color in the new gears lol

[KingKionic]

Yeah gears 3 definitely looks better. The lightning is much better .

[monkey nuts]

Ima go out on a limb here and say your moma dropped you on your head when you was a baby. Either that or your just an attention whore, due to the fact you have no friends in the 'real' world so you poke fanboys with a stick so you get some form of human interaction however pointless that interaction may be. AmIright?

[IWentBrokeForGaming]

BUT I knew that already... just make the gameplay... especially ONLINE, work this time!

[Kingdom Come]

Around 11 Months from release and already the game looks incredible. Keep up the good work Epic.

[monkey nuts]

F*4k this new site. It was more reliable when it was in beta.

Edit for earlier post: OT, I hope they can sort out the online competitive side of the game though. Going from gears to gears 2 was like a step backwards.Horde was its saving grace for me.

[Ripyealip]

for me id say i like the way gears 2 looks more than gears 3

[R2D2]

I would give anything for 1 night with that girl in your avatar.
Drooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooools

[peowpeow]

Misa Campo? ;)

[xabmol]

Gears fans will never stand for this!!

j/k xP

[The real killer]

Wow, some people are serious buthurt and no sense of realisme.

I only mean that Gears 3 will look very good,and Killzone 3 will just over run Gears Of War 3.

That doesn't mean that Gears of War 3 is bad, but it's no competition with games like Kilzone 3 in near future.

Seriously, some members click of the first sign of so called trolling button are just LAME and ignorant, you cannot even tell a own opinion and you are nailed for trolling by fanboys with big foot.

This bubble system is way bad and is easy for abuse for fanboys, disagree is oke, but cal me for trolling is another question.

The looks of Gears 2 is in my opinion looks better, becouse of the grafichs department.

Edit:

Of some one has the balls why the disagree, give then a answer.
Don't be coward and hit the trolling button, i hate that bubble system.
----------------------------- ------------------------------ - ---------------

capjacksparrow

Watch out, some fanboy members will hit the trolling button for saying that "but I have a very strong feeling it's not topping Killzone 3 visually"

[Mkai28]

is more of the uncharted 2 approach.Yes there is more color, but there is more lighting as well. That "dark gritty" look was to hide textures that everyone loved so much. This will look better.

[keysy420]

the color pallet is differentnbut it doesnt really look that different graphically

[Blitzkid]

where can i find the screens with the improvement?

[capjacksparrow]

Gears 3 does look great, but I have a very strong feeling it's not topping Killzone 3 visually. I give gears credit though, these screens look much better than Gears 2, and the lush green environments are a great addition, maybe they're learing from Uncharted 2?

[XDF]

If all else fail, use graphics.

If graphics is not a strong point in their game, cough**RDR, cough, then graphics don't matter.

I wanna know does KZ3 have 4 players co op, RPG element, and gameplay to match Gears?

[XDF]

This game has like what, a year left for release. It is already looking great and improved over GeOW2. It will be better in every aspect like 4 players co op, more weapons, RPG feature.

Hope they will show some gameplay at E3 this year.

KZ3 and Gears will both be fantastic..oh Wii Zelda too. I am getting a Black Wii and SMG2 this Sunday.

Own all 3 consoles and be a gamer.

[Vip3r]

Ah, colour, there you are.

[dizzleK]

the characters have gone from slimy looking meat bags to dried out/ashy looking meat bags.

[brendan4444]

looks a lot more cartoony in a way if you ask me

[jalen247]

Doesn't look like much improvement to me. If anything it looks more colorful...that's about it...time for Unreal Engine 4.

[TheMutator]

killzone for me is a mediocre game, just graphics, nothing more...

[pixelsword]

Why are you bringing up Killzone in a unreal thread?

[coolcut135]

insecure much ??

[TheMutator]

this post make me sick, i hate fanboys , im going to take my genesis out and play Musha

[DASDIGITALDEATH]

Graphics are not Everything. and if you are basing whether a game is going to be good or not on graphics then you should no play any old game EVER because it has worse graphics then games to day.

[Hotel_Moscow]

not what 360 fans said when ps3 cameout

[ChickeyCantor]

Do i see colors?!

The image actually reminds me of Uncharted...
Colors...i like.

[PirateThom]

Looks exactly the same, with a different colour pallet which is, by no means, a bad thing.

However, why is Gears still being praised as some sort of graphical marvel anyway?

Mass Effect 2, on the same engine, far surpasses it.

[Killzone3Helghast]

Kinda looks lame to be honest.. I mean both 1&1.5 were lackluster with the lame matchmaking and now 3?.. Where do I start.. The color scheme makes the level look too much the same with a bit of blooming and bluring here and there.. nothing impressive imo

Now since Uncharted 2 added the covering system and what not like Gears of War I think its far to compare it.. now in my opinion Uncharted 2's scenery don't look bland like Gears of War does

so my only beef about Gears of War: lame matchmaking, horrid scenery and that's about it

[ChronoJoe]

Marginally superior to the previous iteration.

Not sure what they're playing at with shot two though. It's clearly pre rendered. Not flaming the game or anything like that, but the models and quality of that image is higher than any of the other genuine screenshots so it stands out like a soar thumb.

Looks pretty decent, graphically. Not exactly raising the bar but definitely doing a very good job as they did last time around.

[theone26]

Nothing dramatic in improvements though it seems more colorful now, peeps hoping for a new graphics benchmark are probably in disappointment now.

[rlm42]

Gears 3 will sell more than Killzone 3.

[Tzuno]

It's all about colors and lights

[AngryTypingGuy]

I like the revamped look. There was minimal difference between Gears 1 and 2, but the difference between 2 and 3 is definitely noticeable. I love the extra color and more detailed textures.

[Pika-pie]

Doesnt really look that much different to moi.

[Vorekdor]

Killzone 2 looks better than Gears of War 1,2 and probably 3 but ¿you know why? because it has the worst framerate ever that shit looks like it's in bullet time always, slow motion all the way.

And don't get me wrong i like Killzone 2 but the lame framerate, the trashy and boring weapons and rubbish controls kill the game for me.

Lets hope Naugty Dog teaches them how to do a great and solid game.

[Ve3tro]

The first screenshot is not Gears of War 2, it's the original first title.

You should compare it with the second one.

[gypsygib]

It pretty much looks exactly the same as gears 2 graphically.

[suckerpunch]

god dammit ps3 fanboys.

graphics that, graphics this, 360 crap this 360 crap that, ps3 is my god, sony is my god killzone this killzone that uncharted this uncharted that......blah blah blah

STFU and GTFO already. please........just GTFO