Mass Effect 2 demo: PS3 vs. Xbox 360

By Richard Leadbetter Published 22 December, 2010

Is the PS3 game really the "definitive" edition?

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Recent news that Mass Effect 2 on PlayStation 3 is running on a newer, enhanced engine and may even be the "definitive" version of the game raised more than a few eyebrows. While performance is close, Unreal Engine 3 typically favours the Xbox 360, and it's safe to assume that BioWare's prior customisations to the tech were carried out very much with the Microsoft platform in mind. So, is the PS3 version genuinely enhanced and improved?

Based on the demo code released last night, our conclusion is that the PS3 version of Mass Effect 2 is different as opposed to definitive, and while nobody is likely to be disappointed with the game, a direct comparison with the Xbox 360 version suggests that while some elements are improved, others have been downgraded and the effectiveness of some of the aesthetic changes will all come down to personal taste.

The format of the demo is similar to the Xbox 360 sampler: you get to witness the destruction of the Normandy, you'll create your own in-game avatar and then witness Shepard's resurrection and the pitched battle through to the end of the intro level. After that, the focus shifts to a secondary action-orientated level. In the 360 game, that was Shepard's orbital prison breakout, while on PS3, the mission shifts to a visit to a plague-ridden planet as our hero attempts to add a brilliant, if eccentric medic to his (or her) team.

The only other change is that in the 360 version, progress made in the demo could be ported into the full game when you bought it. This isn't possible in the PS3 demo because the ME1 recap isn't included.

To business then. Here's a head-to-head video of key scenes from the intro mission, backed up by a meaty comparison gallery to mull over at your leisure.

Mass Effect 2 compared on Xbox 360 and PS3. Use the full-screen button for full resolution, or click on the link below for a larger window.

Mass Effect 2 on Xbox 360 ran at native 720p with the nerfed 2x multi-sampling anti-aliasing implementation common to many Unreal Engine 3 titles. Regular Digital Foundry readers will know that in this scenario, the AA effect appears to be carried out relatively early on in the rendering process - as lighting and post-processing effects are added, the MSAA is gradually removed from much of the scene. The PS3 version doesn't seem to run with any anti-aliasing at all, but looks very similar overall.

BioWare is on the record in stating that the PS3 version of Mass Effect 2 has enhanced visuals.

"One of the first things you're going to see is improved graphics," game producer Jesse Houston said during a recent BioWare podcast. "We actually created the engine for Mass Effect 3 and used that to make Mass Effect 2 PS3. So we took the content, the story and all of the other assets that made up Mass Effect 2 and we put it into the Mass Effect 3 engine."

It stands to reason that BioWare would want to make adjustments to the core engine for what is now a cross-platform project: this is, after all, an extensively retooled Unreal Engine 3. However, direct visual comparisons with the same scenes on the existing Xbox 360 version of Mass Effect 2 suggest that not all of the changes are not for the better. There's a curious mixture of improvements, downgrades and swapped out effects.

Take for example this shot of Miranda. The distinctive hexagonal pattern on her uniform clearly looks smoother and of a higher resolution than the equivalent on the Xbox 360. However, the effect is curiously flat - normal-mapping appears to be absent.

texture-360
texture-ps3

The hexagonal pattern on Miranda's skintight suit appears to be of a higher resolution on PS3 (as indeed does the detailing on her neckwear), but normal mapping seems to have been omitted.

This one will come down a matter of personal taste, but BioWare has also tweaked and adjusted the shadowing scheme in Mass Effect 2 as well: the jittered sampling effect has been given the heave-ho in favour of the more traditional PCF (percentage closer filtering).

Shadows are still of a low resolution and can look rather rough close up, but they are obviously more tightly defined and look a tad more realistic than the system employed in the original release of the game.

shadow-360
shadow-ps3

Shadowing still isn't completely ideal when viewed at close range, but the refinements made for the PS3 version of Mass Effect 2 produce a tighter, arguably more realistic effect.

In other areas of the game, we see effects that have clearly been toned down in their transition across to PlayStation 3, dropping to a lower resolution or operating at a reduced precision level. A good example of this is seen right at the beginning of the game, with a more artifact-ridden cosmic backdrop behind Miranda as she talks with the Illusive Man.

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Comments (166) Latest comment 1 year ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • vmanb #1 1 year ago

    Pretty pointless article really as the game is not even finished on the ps3. Is this a demo and not the finished blue ray version, YES. Are demo's always exactly the same as released finished versions, NO, yet i get negged for being factually correct.
    Edited by vmanb at 23/12/10 @ 13:56

  • AgentFortySeven #2 1 year ago

    360 will always be the best.

  • Dizzy #3 1 year ago

    Mass Effect 1.5?

  • nitx Verified Online Engineer, GameLoft #4 1 year ago

    How is it not finished ? It comes out next month so dont expect sweeping changes unless this demo is from a very old build which isnt likely since developers these days dont hurt game sales by releasing old builds as demos.

  • soviet_ #5 1 year ago

    The definitive version then? PC of course.

    At 1:08 in the cockpit and the scene directly after the PS3 version shows a couple of effects not present in the 360 video and I can't remember them in the PC either. Overall looks like a decent job but nothing special

  • SeesThroughAll #6 1 year ago

    Thank you for the comparison of a demo (usually based on earlier builds) of a game that is not out yet. Am I glad you warned me about that tearing! Richard worked very hard, always faithful to his first love (the 360).

    Recent news that Mass Effect 2 on PlayStation 3 is running on a newer, enhanced engine and may even be the "definitive" version of the game raised more than a few eyebrows.

    Of course not! How dare they not insult the PS3 hardware?

    How was the audio? Since you didn't mention it, I take it really is better on the PS3 (for those who have the setup, of course).

  • karooo #7 1 year ago

    Umm, was expecting more from the PS3 but its an unreal engine 3 game so yeah its acceptable.

  • Badassbab #8 1 year ago

    Could be an old build or Bioware are talking crap like developers have done so before. Ghostbusters anyone?

  • onyxbox #9 1 year ago

    I'm glad Richard did this comparison... I'm on the fence about whether to swap my copy from 360 to PS3 version but by the looks of things I should (but probably won't) stick with the 360 version :)

  • vmanb #10 1 year ago

    @nitx. All i'm saying is let's do the comparison article with the finished blue ray disc and not a downloaded demo. That would make sense to me

  • SeesThroughAll #11 1 year ago

    You're so brilliant! Can I do the same?

    You might have snagged a once PS exclusive but lets face it.....it is the tard version. LOL.
    (In relation to FFXIII, of course. By the way, I took the liberty of correcting your awful spelling.)

  • karooo #12 1 year ago

    "The dream is over guys. You might of snagged a once 360 exclusive but lets face it.....its the tard version lol."

    Tard version really? read the conclusion of the article again.

    The question is whether its superior to the 360 version or not.

  • carlosdfn #13 1 year ago

    Considering this game is based on UE3 I was expecting a total disaster so this is a pleasant surprise. Some changes to a few textures, shadows or lighting are completely irrelevant.
    I was surprised with the framerate analysis. The PS3 rarely drops below 30 (less than the 360) and sometimes is actually a lot higher.
    The issues with the FMV are weird, i don't expect it to be fixed in the final version either. The game's strenght is the characters and the way you interact with them, people shouldn't give these things more importance than they deserve.

    Now let's make room for all the raging fanboys. The port is good guys, get over it. Good games should be played by as many people as possible.

  • riseer #14 1 year ago

    I played the demo all the way through it compares to the pc version quite well.Some screen tear oh well the game holds a good framerate in action.So tired of all these xbots talking about how well their shitbox 360 is.Ps3 has much better exclusives,and way more games comming out in 2011.Just get off the ms koolaid for a moment.

  • nitx Verified Online Engineer, GameLoft #15 1 year ago

    Yes but all i am saying is dont expect many graphical changes. The game will go gold in a few days. I am guessing the rumors about the ps3 version using the ME3 engine are false , hopefully because I dont want ME3 to look like this. We should be happy that ME is going to the PS3 . More gamers get to play an awesome game :) .

  • riseer #16 1 year ago

    This game runs very good on Ps3 and it's useing the Unreal engine that imo is crazy good.

  • nitx Verified Online Engineer, GameLoft #17 1 year ago

    @riseer What about the sony koolaid you are drinking ? One fanboy calling out another fanboy . Nice !!

  • riseer #18 1 year ago

    Scotty until you play the Ps3 version keep your mouth shut scrub.

  • roojames #19 1 year ago

    I was actually excited about what they could do to this game with PS3 technology, but from what I can see the 360 version actually looks a lot better. Not to mention the game's so much better with the ME1 save game upload. I honestly don't see how this is supposed to be a "Definitive version". Looks more like a shameless too-little-too-late cash-in to me.

  • riseer #20 1 year ago

    nitx you can stfu and piss off thxs!

  • miiiguel #21 1 year ago

    How dare they not insult the PS3 hardware?

    I'm not joking here: it trully impresses me how emotive PS3 fans (?) are. They trully believe in this "hate"; "love"; the dare to insult, et cetera. Sony should be proud, I don't know how they did it but it's almost like a religion.

  • nitx Verified Online Engineer, GameLoft #22 1 year ago

    @riseer : Why ? Because i dont agree with your fanboyish comments. I think its you who need to STFU sir.

  • yagisencho #23 1 year ago

    I'm thinking that the PC version trumps the console versions, but my $10 copy of the 360 version arrives this week from Amazon. I'm curious to see though if the PC version's rendering glitch toward the end of 'Archangel's' loyalty mission repros on the console.

  • riseer #24 1 year ago

    nitx i have a pc that kills both versions thats not the point.At the end of the day it's still a port they didn't break everything down and code it to work on ps3 like first party devs do.I am tired of all the xbot kids getting on here and talking that bs.I played both the pc and ps3 version,ps3 does a nice job handling all the chaos this game can offer.

  • riseer #25 1 year ago

    Nitz why don't you find the closest bridge and jump off thxs pal!

  • riseer #26 1 year ago

    ''FIN''

  • nitx Verified Online Engineer, GameLoft #27 1 year ago

    @Riseer : And i have played all 3 versions . PC is obviously the best version. the Ps3 version is not the definitive version. Not by a long shot. The 360 version does everything the ps3 version does. Should the people who own only a ps3 get ME2 ? Absolutely . Its a super game. Is it the definitive version ? No. Are you a hurt emo sony fanboy ? Yes. Am i a xbox kid ? No . I am a grown man and after reading your comments i dont think you are.

  • muttler #28 1 year ago

    Now that that devs are getting to grips with the PS3 it's starting to be that multiplatform games are best on PS3.

  • funkateer #29 1 year ago

    Unfortunately the demo wasn't on PSN in my country yet...
    From what I've seen elsewhere it overall looks quite favourable on the PS3 compared to the 360, but it's interesting to see DF found areas where the 360 version still trumps the PS3.

    I have the PC version at home, but I sadly didn't manage to play it to finish yet (I just prefer my console on the big screen with awesome audio set-up over hunching over my laptop any day), so I'll definitely get the PS3 version.

  • Phantom_Dynamite #30 1 year ago

    Good news for Ps3 only owners even if it was more superior on Ps3 I still wouldn't swap versions, I want my shep to be consistent through all 3 games I love the ME universe at least if it expands well it won't end on the 3rd game.

  • GamesConnoisseur #31 1 year ago

    riseer and some SDF prays comes across unnecessarily arch zealotry with their can do no wrong console!

    I m thankful I can enjoy more than one game machine, and as result people like me CAN actually experiences wealth of games, and also be in position to compare the 'performances' of the games. I stated recently re head to head, too much focus can be paid to pixel countings where it's the actual gameplay experience being same or close enough that matters the most.

    I ve been looking forward to trying out PS3 version after played through the sublime X360 iteration (course PC version still stand above both PS3 and X360), I was ahast at first of seeing the amounts of frame tearings in early part of demo and not keen on the frame rates variations.

    Did also notice more flatter look in key scenes, which now clearly cos of normal mapping and lightenings being done differently.

    That said, all of that is quite minor degree of difference and in other areas PS3 version gave better moods, as changes can be positive. But the outcome of the demo is that the advantages are more subjective and minor whereas I thought would have been more substantial from the hypes of new ME3 game engine.

    Both consoles DESPITE the wishes of the zealots, are in actual much closer, each with advantages in some areas than other. As the article concludes, the MOST important outcome of all, is that more people can enjoy ME2.

    This is something that the worse fanboys on both side actually shares same delights, wonderments, sadness and thrills in doing ME2.

    After playing the demo, I can confirm that despite earlier concerns, the overall experience is not TARDED, and satisfied despite the differences, the game is still as juicy and delicious as ever!

  • AnsemsApprentice #32 1 year ago

    I thought the PS3 demo was shocking at first tbh, especially after hearing people from Bioware (I think) say it may run better than the 360 version. It felt like I was playing Mass Effect 1 for a while, but it got better after the intro so, maybe there's another reason for this strangely choppy start.

    Overall it's good though, and I'm just glad PS3-only owners will be able to experience a great game. Enjoy it!

  • muttler #33 1 year ago

    All those that love the Mass Effect franchise should jump ship to Sony. Seriously, to argue that the PS3 version wont be light years better is sheer lunacy. What exclusives has the 360 to look forward to now?

  • Feanor #34 1 year ago

    Might be time for new consoles if 720p and 20-30 fps is all devs can muster.

  • chrisola #35 1 year ago

    the lighting on the PS3 looks shit and ruins that final screenshot.

    But the real joke is on the 360 players who spent all the time on the damn planet mining mini game in it's original form. ARGH!

  • technicianTed #36 1 year ago

    Will there be an online campaign started by the SDF like with Call of duty black ops?
    The butthurt they must be feeling after reading this preview must be a real kick in the teeth.

    Definitive version? what a laugh!!!!!

    I'll rent it to get the trophies though ;)

  • feistycheese #37 1 year ago

    Possibly one of the most juvenile comments sections I've read in a long while. I mean seriously, whats with the 12 year old American mentality of some of the idiots on here?

    Back on topic, Im a PS3 owner, but I have to be honest and say that by the comparison shots I actually prefer the look of the 360 pictures.

    I hope at some point Bioware release Mass Effect 1 for the PS3 though, as I hate starting game trilogy's half way through, so wont be buying ME2 until Ive played the first.

  • MDL199 #38 1 year ago

    Just to remind everyone Digital Foundry counts Microsoft as one of it's clients. Others have mentioned it before and should be taken in to account when reading these comparison articles. http://www.digitalfoundry.org/showcase2/...

  • Tallon4 #39 1 year ago

    Compared them myself....not with fancy equipment but by swithing between the HDMI-ports on my telly.
    The 360 version seems sharper to me. Gonna buy that one . Quite cheap now.
    Bit disappointed in the PS3 version. Not that it's bad by any means. But after the dev talk I thought the difference with the 360 version would be huge.

  • carlosdfn #40 1 year ago

    I thought this site had mods. The articles are interesting but it's pointless to discuss anything here.Some of these comments make me feel embarassed of being a gamer.

  • PoundHound #41 1 year ago

    From my layman's eye view, the faces look better on the 360 and the armour looks better on the PS3. :)

  • VandelayIndustries #42 1 year ago

    Retroid to the comments section. Stat!

    Different is the word, some odd decisions in there too.

  • Smoped #43 1 year ago

    You know, seems I'm one of the few, or possibly the silent majority, who like these comparisons not to see whichever platform "wins", but just for the fascinating technical stuff. But it seems to me it might be best if Eurogamer disabled the comments section for these comparison articles because just reading this stuff makes your IQ drop.

  • TaniumZX #44 1 year ago

    I see the spiral eyed, born again PC zealots are trying to spread the word on this thread. We know its prettier on a PC. No one cares.

  • farlander #45 1 year ago

    The sound is also broken somewhat - during my playthrough many sounds started to disappear, or volume started to jump up-down towards the end of the game. And the voice-to-music volume in the opening scene was such that voice was virtually impossible to discern.

  • uzivatel #46 1 year ago

    @Tallon4: bit OT: There are rumors about the ME2 DLCs being discounted as part of the holiday deals, if you plan on buying the 360 version, make sure to check the marketplace - LotSB is must have.

  • richarddavies #47 1 year ago

    Is the demo using the new engine for Mass effect 3? It seems the only difference is lighting and some mapping effects. The same differences that most ports between the 360 and ps3 have anyway. It's not giving memuch faith in this new engine there bigging up if it's identical to the last one.

  • richarddavies #48 1 year ago

    Is the demo using the new engine for Mass effect 3? It seems the only difference is lighting and some mapping effects. The same differences that most ports between the 360 and ps3 have anyway. It's not giving memuch faith in this new engine there bigging up if it's identical to the last one.

  • Loghorn #49 1 year ago

    @MDL199: What the hell does that got to do with comparisons? That doesn't mean that they're automatically MS fanboys. Do you seriously think that they aren't being fair with the comparisons here?

    You're just mad that another multiplat happens to be more better on the 360.

  • Scimarad #50 1 year ago

    It's certainly an odd one; When actually playing it actually seems to be smoother and faster IMO but can sometimes seems to jerk around a bit. The characters mostly look decent but on the scene where Shepard meets Jacob her (in this case) face looked really bizarrely smooth at one point.

    If there was one thing that I think would bug me it's the videos; They really seem jerky as hell for some unknown reason. Maybe (and I would hope) they will be smoother when streaming off the blu-ray.

    All in all it certainly seemed fast and fluid to me, looked better than the 360 on some occasions and worse on others. I'd even say I actually preferred playing with the PS3 controller. PS3 owners certainly shouldn't worry about a crappy conversion this time around.

    One point to remember; The female Shep has a much better VA than the male one!

  • TheTrueSpin #51 1 year ago

    The guys on Digital Scrutiny ( http://www.digitalscrutiny.com/content/2... ) said much the same. Although I'm confused... does ME2 on 360 actually have AA? Eurogamer say yes, but others say no...

  • Loghorn #52 1 year ago

    @TheTrueSpin: Yeah, the 360 version of this game does have 2xAA.

    Mass Effect 2 = 1280x720 (2xAA, transparencies and effects not AA'd).

    This is from Beyond 3D themselves.

    http://forum.beyond3d.com/showthread.php...

  • MDL199 #53 1 year ago

    @Loghorn

    I'm not saying they're 360 fanboys but I am saying the fact they are on Microsofts pay roll is bound to have some effect. Some of these comparisons are bullshit like the Resident Evil 5 one for instance where it was concluded that the 360 version was the one to own and yet it had some of the worst screen tearing i've ever seen in a game (Google - Resident Evil 5 screen tearing on 360) where as the PS3 version ran with V synch and had none. Vanquish was another game where most concluded the PS3 version was the better yet Digital Foundry almost leaned towards the 360 version.

    It's also interesting that sound is hardly ever mentioned in these face off's and that's an area the PS3 would win probably every time.
    Edited by MDL199 at 22/12/10 @ 23:07

  • Loghorn #54 1 year ago

    @MDL199: While it's true that the PS3 would always win in sound, it's kind of irrelevant in comparison to graphics, performance, etc.

    Plus not only that, but you got to have some really good, expensive speakers in order to experience that great quality sound. Not really worth it when you got bills to pay among other things. Nobody is on MS pay roll here. That's just fanboy talk. It's a fact that 90% of multiplats are more superior on 360 than PS3. Plus about Resident Evil 5, there happens to be screen tearing that is fixed on the 360 version through a patch or some sort, or that it all has something to do with your settings.

    Take a look at these here to see how others have handled it:

    [link url=http://tough-to-find.blogspot.com/2009/03/resident-evil-5-screen-tearing-fix-xbox.html
    ]http://tough-to-find.blogspot.com/2009/0...[/link]
    http://www.gamespot.com/pages/forums/sho...

    Also, they weren't exactly saying that the 360 version of this game was better due to screen tearing. The 360 version had many advantages over what the PS3 version had. Here's what they said about screen tearing:

    The major difference is that Xbox 360 runs with v-lock disengaged, while the PlayStation 3 code has absolutely no tearing whatsoever. However, similar to Grand Theft Auto IV - which operates in the same way - the Xbox 360 version has a tangible advantage here on two fronts. Firstly, it drops far fewer frames than the PS3 code, and secondly, the response from the controls is significantly crisper, particularly when the environments are chockfull of opponents. And again, similar to GTAIV, while the tearing is there, it's pretty much unnoticeable in gameplay (cut-scenes are another matter).

    Overall gameplay impressions back up what you see on the video. The Xbox 360 game has the odd bit of screen tear, but its impact on the image quality is not a big deal, and more importantly, it makes for a smoother, more playable game. Where you'll see the tearing most evident is in the cut-scenes.

    http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/face-o...
    Edited by Loghorn at 22/12/10 @ 23:36

  • Lemming81 #55 1 year ago

    TBH, I think the real issue is why the hell we haven't got ME1 released on the PS3 as well? The flow of the story, not to mention the save-game integretion options would have made this a second coming for the franchise, and Bioware.

    I love ME2, but having played both (I have the PC versions), I kinda feel sorry for the PS3 customers only getting half of a fantastic double-feature.

    Seriously why turn down the free money? :(

  • TAPNGO #56 1 year ago

    @Lemming81

    microsoft was the publisher for mass effect 1.

  • RevanNL #57 1 year ago

    MS has the publishing rights for Mass Effect 1 on consoles.

  • Scimarad #58 1 year ago

    @zuluhero

    Really? I haven't met anyone who prefers the male Shep's voice actor. I know he bugs the crap out of me...

  • Ror1984 #59 1 year ago

    @Scimarad - I have to say I prefer the male Shep too. I've done two playthroughs on each on ME1, but have only done the one on ME2 (male), so can't comment on that. I find them both to be good though, I just happen to prefer the male option.

  • MegaCadet #60 1 year ago

    ME2 for the 360 is the definite buy if you have both platforms. Just make sure you get ME1 as well. Terrific game :).

  • Billy_Sastard #61 1 year ago

    @Riseer : And i have played all 3 versions . PC is obviously the best version. the Ps3 version is not the definitive version. Not by a long shot. The 360 version does everything the ps3 version does. Should the people who own only a ps3 get ME2 ? Absolutely . Its a super game. Is it the definitive version ? No. Are you a hurt emo sony fanboy ? Yes. Am i a xbox kid ? No . I am a grown man and after reading your comments i dont think you are.

    ^If this is a post from a grown man then I despair^

    Grow up. And here's me thinking Fanboyism was dying. Grown Man, tsk. Yeah right.

  • Centrifugal #62 1 year ago

    Good to see that the Mass Effect 3 engine has some improvements, even if only small.

  • JensonJet #63 1 year ago

    Agree with the comments about the lighting. The new engine is displaying shadows too heavily. Truth be told this is a pointless article written with a bias towards the 360. The differences are generally insignificant, with both versions looking similar enough that neither Xbox or PS3 owners need be envious of the other. As has been mentioned before, if you really have to know you have the best looking version of the game throw out your cheap console and get an expensive decent PC rig. Personally I think the game looks as terrible as all of this generation's games. Obviously better than past efforts. But until games reach proper photorealism we're fooling ourselves thinking that the smallest differences between the shadows or textures or animation in one game or engine and another make an ounce of difference. We enjoyed games in the past that looked utterly sh*t compared to todays efforts. And in future we'll look back at this generation of games and wonder how we played such poor looking games.

  • TAPNGO #64 1 year ago


    stop all the crying and play the best game thats going to be on the ps3, and yes i've played uncharted 1&2.

  • MJHaylett #65 1 year ago

    surely it's only worth doing with the Retail Disc of Mass Effect 2 on PS3? No or am I missing something? Its like comparing a tent out in the woods all set up and habitable to one in the shop in its sheath! I only said this so I could use the word sheath :D

  • jackdoe #66 1 year ago

    Hm. Well, Richard really likes superior framerate (no matter how marginal) over slightly better visuals, so I suppose the PS3 version gets the nod (if he wanted to be consistent).

    But really, there is pretty much no difference in the two games except for some slightly different textures, lighting scheme, and shadow rendering. In fact, this is an excellent port on Bioware's part and I expect that ME3 will have next to nothing to differentiate between the 360 and PS3 versions.

  • TheJediWookie #67 1 year ago

    Played the 360 version to death and was going to pick up the 'definitive' PS3 version, because it is such a good game. After playing the PS3 demo though I am very disappointed. Screen tearing all over the place, a really jittery/inconsistent frame rate and no AA, means this has gone from an instabuy to a no sale for me. Granted some of the textures and shadows do look better on the PS3, but even so it looks like I'll be keeping hold of my 360 version and coughing up for the dlc. I hate screen tearing and low fps, it just ruins the immersion for me.

  • chris_ace #68 1 year ago

    Post deleted at 11:55:13 13-12-2011

  • RKOwned #69 1 year ago

    Im curious if the reatil version is any better. Even if its not, i think Iliked the way it looked on PS3 more.

  • MDL199 #70 1 year ago

    @Loghorn

    Resident Evil 5 is certainly not fixed on 360. I bought the Gold edition for my PS3 but still have the standard edition on 360 and the screen tearing is terrible. I don't call lowering the resolution a fix either I really couldn't be assed to mess with the setting's just to play 1 game. The PS3 might drop a few frames here or there but it's far less noticeable than the screen tearing which effects the 360 version.

    In my experience in the last couple of years most multi plats are basically identical with only a small percentage being better on one or the other console - usually but not always the 360. The finest PS3 exclusives beat most multi plats.

  • bladdard #71 1 year ago

    The softer lighting on the 360 version does look nicer but I played the PC version and some of the shadows casting on faces made people look like aliens especially Miranda. In some scenes she was incredibly hot in others she looked like she'd eat your face off, the PS3 version looks very much like this.

  • RKOwned #72 1 year ago

    I think you all complaining of bad FPS are insane. It ran like a dream for what ive played of the demo, which was over half of it.

  • SeesThroughAll #73 1 year ago

    I'm not joking here: it trully impresses me how emotive PS3 fans (?) are. They trully believe in this "hate"; "love"; the dare to insult, et cetera. Sony should be proud, I don't know how they did it but it's almost like a religion.

    And here is the biggest MS fanboy who will always buy ANYTHING from Microsoft, from a Zune to a Tablet PC, who said his experience with Vista was great, and will now never miss an opportunity to tell everyone how much fun he has playing KINECT(TM) with his younger relatives.

    Microsoft is proud of your hypocrisy though, that I am sure of.

  • randyronald #74 1 year ago

    Aside from the lighting obscuring the character model's faces, this looks like a great port. Assuming this was an unintentional change from swapping engines, was it really a necessary move in the first place? I'm guessing the ME3 engine was built with the PS3 in mind in the first place so porting it over probably saves a lot of time and hassle instead of tweaking the game in the ME2 engine.

    Still, bit of a shame. Even without 360/PC shots for comparison I imagine a PS3 gamer would come away slightly less impressed by the cutscenes if what we see here is indicitive of those throughout the entire game.

  • Phishfood #75 1 year ago

    On the surface it looks like a good effort but I'd say its a very good technical achievement to do it so well on PS3, considering how so many other developers have trouble with the hardware.

  • trugs26 #76 1 year ago

    Don't really see what's the big deal, I mean they're slightly different, and in the end I'm not gonna notice when I play either one.
    Edited by trugs26 at 23/12/10 @ 02:51

  • ATNR1 #77 1 year ago

    The game utilizes the Unreal 3 engine. An engine the Playstation has always struggled with, and judging by there comparisons Bioware did a great job with this port. If it is the better version doesn't really matter, what does matter that it is not a bad port and that it will play well on the PS3. PS3 only owners, be happy you've got one of the greatest games of this gen on your platform now. I see no losers here. And if you a multiplat console only player, and you haven't played it yet. It is obvious you should get it on the 360, to me price will always be king! Unless there is a HUGE discrepancy in the graphics of course. Which in this case there isn't.

  • natashaspice #78 1 year ago

    although i dont like this game much but as a ps3 only owner its nice to see this game coming to the ps3 but on the other hand why would you get the ps3 version if you have a 360 aswell. its cheaper,you get to enjoy the full story from one to three,and from the article stated theirs not much difference in the performance. if i had a 360 i would no doubt get it on that platform(hmmm around 12 months ago).not bashing EG or anything but i think this article is kinda pointless they should have left the comparison for ME3 or even the retail ME2.
    Edited by natashaspice at 23/12/10 @ 06:25

  • UncleLou #79 1 year ago

    I see the spiral eyed, born again PC zealots are trying to spread the word on this thread. We know its prettier on a PC. No one cares.

    Yeah, it's obviously the PC gamers that are the zealots in this thread. Oh dear. :D

  • lostlain #80 1 year ago

    Maybe there should be more pc fanboyism. Instead we quietly enjoy some of the best games on the best system. We also have access to a variety of free/cheap indie games. Games are generally cheaper and play generally better. Also thanks to the consoles, most current games (which are ports) work on a cheap pc! Even if you guys are holding our platform back ):

    There I tried.

  • Eerazor #81 1 year ago

    It is clear, for a lot of the textures that the texture memory limitation on the PS3 is once again outdone by the XBOX (256Mb PS3 compared to 512Mb XBOX360). Yes us PS3 fanbois have the cell processor and yes it is far more powerful than the CPU inside the box, however, the huge huge huge bottleneck in terms of image quality is, unfortunately the nvidia RSX chip, since its basically killed through the use of 256Mb. A huge blunder on the part of nVidia and Sony (and bear in mind this is coming from someone that would not look at an ATI card or M$ Box for that matter). I have both Mass Effect 1 and 2 for the PC, and I am considering getting ME2 for the PS3, unfortunately the lack of a first part does put me off (even though I have both on PC). Its just because one of the cool elements in ME2 is completely cut (the savegame usage from the previous game which takes a lot of the player options into account like sidemissions etc.).

  • HokutoNoKen #82 1 year ago

    Here are some more pictures provided by MazingerDUDE:

    [link url=http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=25042813#post25042813
    ]http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.p...[/link]

    Also scroll as far down as you can to see what some correction of saturation and contrast can do to the image quality.

    / Ken

  • Zappa #83 1 year ago

    DF''Shadowing still isn't completely ideal when viewed at close range, but the refinements made for the PS3 version of Mass Effect 2 produce a tighter, arguably more realistic effect.''

    arguably?? LOL 360 shadows clearly look like ass compared.

  • Judas_Priest #84 1 year ago

    Good to see that the frame-rate was improved, considering that the next installment should (hopefully) run at a near consistent 30 fps, something I had hoped the second game would have achieved.

  • space_ace #85 1 year ago

    not all that we've been Shepherded into believing in, but still good, eh?

  • coolbritannia #86 1 year ago

    Hmm, seems the PS3 just can't cut a multiformat break these days.

  • Ravage27 #87 1 year ago

    what the...maybe it's due to my preference, but i swore the PS3 version looks better in the video comparison. I actually like the changes in lighting and higher fps is always good news to me.

  • lucky_jim #88 1 year ago

    If Shepard read this comments thread, he'd let the Reapers wipe us out.

  • Machiavellian #89 1 year ago

    I have played the crap out of ME2 so getting the game for the PS3 is a miss for me. As far as i am concerned, I am ready to play ME3. Since I started the game on the 360 from 1 and 2, I highly doubt that I would purchase the PS3 version for ME3. Also from what I have seen of the PS3 version, even if it was slightly better looking than the 360, I would not notice unless I had both side by side switching between the two so it would not matter.

    These days I care not about which version of a game looks the best since if I am only playing one, I would not know what I am missing so I do not care. Instead, I like to know if the gameplay is effected by the different versions and this is why I read the DF articles. If gameplay is better on one version than the other then I would by that version. If it's only graphical niggles between the two, I would majority go th 360 route because I like the pad better.
    Edited by Machiavellian at 23/12/10 @ 23:45

  • hiscore #90 1 year ago

    I own both consoles, so I'm not an MS fanboy (on the contrary), but this... I mean, Bioware claiming the PS3 version being the 'definite' version. Clearly, additional -and very obvious- screen tearing has made it to the PS3 version. Then, there's the"new" shadow/lighting system.. downright ugly (especially on faces) in my opinion. Kind of lost faith in Bioware since they introduced massive texture pop-in and screen tearing in ME1. Art design may be top notch, but who is waiting for a beautiful scene to be torn apart by ugly lines...?

  • Collymilad #91 1 year ago

    ""You might of snagged a once 360 exclusive but lets face it.....its the tard version lol"

    New engine with improved lighting
    Single disc
    ALL DLC on the disc.

    I know which versions is the "tard" version ;)"

    Really? Improved lighting? not really, considering it ruins the facial close ups which are a major part of the game. Single disc means fuck all, seriously give that one up considering you have to switch disks maybe 1 or 2 times in a playthrough. All DLC on disk is a result of you getting the game a year later, nothing more.

    So yeah, neither are really the tard version, but if I had to pick one I'd pick the one that pulls off a major part of the game well rather than ruining it with shitty lighting and the one with a better framerate over one that has a minor convenience as an advantage.

  • DavoTheDiv #92 1 year ago

    Ooops, sorry wrong thread. Any one know where grown-ups can post intelligent observations?

  • Scimarad #93 1 year ago

    There's one easy to solve all this bickering - play the sodding demo!

    Seriously, the only real problem I saw with it was the stuttering video and I suspect there won't be an issue with that on the blu-ray version. The PS3 suffers some crappy ports but this really isn't one of them.

  • Bonders99 #94 1 year ago

    This must be the most juvenile and degenerative thread I have had the opportunity to read on Eurogamer. Where are the mods ?....asleep ?

  • JamieR #95 1 year ago

    Going by the picture the shading looks much better with the new engine.

  • chuck_bone #96 1 year ago

    Personally I bought the 360 verison for £15 at Game a few weeks ago, so I dont give a toss about the PS3 version.

  • Shinetop #97 1 year ago

    So you're looking for the definitive version and decide to ignore the PC? What the hell is this, Eurogamer?

  • mazzl #98 1 year ago

    what worrys me is that this is build with the ME3 engine .... so there is not much imporvement to be expected then? for me as a 360 owner this does not look good for ME3, i liked the old engine better. we'll see what they can do with the engine during another 6 months of development.
    ps3 owners should get this dough ME2 is still my favorite game of 2010 by a long way!

  • DoctorFraud #99 1 year ago

    Once again devs play up a PS3 port yet when we get it in our hands it fails to match the 360 version. The lighting and jittering really let the port down.

    Very dissapointing, but at least the PS3-only kiddies get to play what is one of the very best games this gen.

  • funkateer #100 1 year ago

    "@TheTrueSpin: Yeah, the 360 version of this game does have 2xAA.
    Mass Effect 2 = 1280x720 (2xAA, transparencies and effects not AA'd).
    This is from Beyond 3D themselves. "

    That's strange, because all 360 screenshots of ME2 clearly show that there's obviously no AA at all in the 360 version.
    It seems B3D made a mistake and simply copied the rendering specs from ME1 (which are in fact correct).

    Interestingly Richard Leadbetter contradicts himself in this article (compared to his own earlier 'ME2 tech analysis' article):
    "For Mass Effect 2, BioWare appears to have turned off the anti-aliasing completely, presumably saving memory and GPU cycles in the process." ([link url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-tech-analysis-mass-effect-2-article)
    ]http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digita...[/link]

    All other sources seem to confirm that there is actually no AA in ME2 on the 360.

    Conclusion: No AA in the 360 version.

  • obihobson #101 1 year ago

    I love the physcology of this shit!! I also like the way DF used a massive pair of lady bumps to point out the differance in the depth effect of the mapping lols.

    PS is there anyway i can spell check this stuff my spelling is rubbish, i am such a dum ass

  • makeamazing #102 1 year ago

    Played the demo and i was very impressed, shooting felt great, graphics on the whole looked brilliant, except for some odd bluring and shadow effects at the strangest times, but overall cannot wait to get this for the PS3, and I hope other PS3 users who dont have it, will support it.

    ME1 play through is the only downside, so it will be interesting to see how they handle it in the comic, I had the PC version, but it ran out of activations (DRM joy), picked up 1 for the Xbox yesterday for £10... so will have to quickly play it through (for the third time - never finished it), then when i get to the PS3 version, i will just play through the comic choices in what i did in the game, its the only way to get around it all i think :)

  • Retro_ #103 1 year ago

    I played the Demo on PS3 last night, looked and played well.... until it glitched and i ended up standing on a table that I couldn't get down from.... so, premature end of demo for me.

    Fired up the DeadSpace 2 demo next on PS3.... now that is a good looking game :)

  • Widge #104 1 year ago

    It must be sad to own a 360 and not have any decent exclusive titles anymore :(

  • telboy007 #105 1 year ago

    How come the complete difference in rendering Joker's head gear isn't mentioned? It looks odd on the PS3. Odd as in his whole head disappears into shadow.
    Edited by telboy007 at 23/12/10 @ 10:27

  • icematt12 #106 1 year ago

    I did notice one slight improvement on 360 version, when you pick up the grenade launcher it seems to freeze for a second or two that i didn't notice with the ps3 demo. Some of the text seems off but maybe because I am used to how the 360 version looks. Number of times I fired my pistol instead of the getting the ability wheel :(

  • Geordiemp #107 1 year ago

    Having completed ME2 as vangard on insanity and more than once, Mass effect 2 is a great game.

    However, its great in the tactical fights, the RPG and story and immersiveness (if thats a word).

    What it is not is a technical powerhouse, in game (not dialogue or cut scene) characters are clunky, animation is limited on characters, number of enemies is small on screen...

    OK, its better than something like Oblivion, but its an old engine and you dont play the game for COD framerate / reponse or Assasins creed visuals...

  • Lucodeath #108 1 year ago

    If you had asked me which version is best almost a year ago there would be a clear winner.

  • Drpwnage #109 1 year ago

    If BioWare implemented KB & Mouse support on the PS3 version it would clearly be the superior version. Having played ME on my 360 and then ME2 on my PC,( ignoring how much nicer the PC version looks) with the FPS based action gameplay it just feels vastly superior. I appreciate only a small proportion of PS3 owners use a mouse and kb (I don't!).

  • albinas #110 1 year ago

    Played demo yesterday and I for me graphically it is very average. Just another ue3 game. And as it is technical comparison, neither of versions is technically good enough. Dead space 2 much more impressive and it looks the same on both platforms.
    Edited by albinas at 23/12/10 @ 11:25

  • SeesThroughAll #111 1 year ago

    Interestingly Richard Leadbetter contradicts himself in this article (compared to his own earlier 'ME2 tech analysis' article):
    "For Mass Effect 2, BioWare appears to have turned off the anti-aliasing completely, presumably saving memory and GPU cycles in the process." ([link url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digita...
    ]http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digita...[/link]

    All other sources seem to confirm that there is actually no AA in ME2 on the 360.

    Careful for saying the truth, you'll be called a religious fanatic!

    It is really not the first time Richard is inconsistent in his claims.

  • FladgeMangle #112 1 year ago

    Played the PS3 demo last night, it looked fine.

    So much so that I didn't notice the rendering as much as the awful 1970's porn film acting of the characters and how it felt awkward and a bit silly running around with my pistol out. That and the plasticine hair, which I suppose is a rendering thing.

    Great game you say? OK, fine. Seemed like a standard cover-based shooter with an added party management RPG to me though, with a no-so-healthy dollop of cheese on top.

    Just my opinion, although I'm expecting many negs..

  • Petulant_Radish #113 1 year ago

    I still don't get what screen tearing is, maybe I'm blind to it as I've never noticed my screen rip down the middle when playing games on any console ever. I am happy in my ignorance mind as it means something that seems to bug so many people means nothing to me, I'm just happy playing great games like Mass Effect!

  • butler` #114 1 year ago

    What's your idea of a good RPG then, Fladge?

  • technicianTed #115 1 year ago

    If that's how you feel fladge, then don't buy it, it's as simple as that.

    Let bioware know they can't get away with such claims as 'the definitive version' by voting with your wallet.
    Show them you don't want 'xbox games' on your ps3, maybe they'll drop mass effect 3 as well from sony's machine if ME2 fails.

  • womble #116 1 year ago

    Wow, PS3 fanboys smearing Richard's credibility and reputation. Shocker. Haven't seen them do that before...

    Wankers.

  • bigtechno #117 1 year ago

    Why buy it on PS3 when you can pick it up on Xbox for about £9

  • Bagpuss #118 1 year ago

    Pffft...

    Its all just tinkering around the edges of hardware that has quite frankly, had its day.....

    Seriously, when we are talking about frame rates in the 20's with Vsync tearing, its time to move on....we need new consoles.

  • digoutyoursoul #119 1 year ago

    360/ps3 gamer here that knows very well if you want the best version of a game from a technical standpoint the PC is always going to come out on top.

  • FladgeMangle #120 1 year ago

    @technicalTed

    Why try to fuel a format fire? I just thought I was OK and not great. I obviously don't get Bioware, because I thought KOTOR and DA:o were both a bit stiff too.

    @ butler'

    I really don't know any more. Not this.

  • T3TSUO #121 1 year ago

    You see this is why Richard is classed amongst most as a bit of a poor journalist.
    You see what he fails to comprehend is if Bioware has seen fit to change things, be it from the PC or Xbox version then that is their interpretation of "definitive".
    If an artist paints a picture, completes it but 6 months later returns to said picture and thinks to change what he or she is not happy with. Once complete said artist would describe the work as "definitive"
    Just because it's different to the xbox version does not mean the PS3 is struggling and "compromises" have had to be made.
    Comments like those lead to flamebait. Totally unprofessional journolism.

    definitive
    de·fin·i·tive
    1.
    most reliable or complete, as of a text, author, criticism, study, or the like: the definitive biography of Andrew Jackson.
    2.
    serving to define, fix, or specify definitely: to clarify with a definitive statement.
    3.
    having its fixed and final form; providing a solution or final answer; satisfying all criteria: the definitive treatment for an infection; a definitive answer to a dilemma.

    I played the demo last night and though I have only the PC as a reference, the PS3 looked great. Even better once I dropped film grain.
    Wasn't too keen on the stutter in some cut-scenes but I can imagine this could and will be fixed. Nobody knows when this demo was put together before gold master and I'm sure the final could be easily patched knowing Unreal architecture.

    Now Richard, if the only way you can get traffic through you're site is to annoy and flamebait the pubic in order to pay the bills I suggest stop and try a bit more thought out concise journalism.
    Considering you used to work on a Playstation magazine I do remember some of the bias you had towards that platform.
    Enough is enough now. You know what gets peoples backs up in video game circles and it's getting childish.

  • damoxuk #122 1 year ago

    Lol 360 is better than ps3 no ps3 better than 360 blah blah - schoolkids and there low alcohol beer*



    Clearly the Pc version shits all over any console version so na na na na etc etc

  • Lucodeath #123 1 year ago

    why do people keep mentioning the pc? It clearly says ps3 v xbox

  • makattack #124 1 year ago

    @funkateer:

    "Interestingly Richard Leadbetter contradicts himself in this article (compared to his own earlier 'ME2 tech analysis' article):"

    I read no such contradiction. In this article, I read the following:

    "Mass Effect 2 on Xbox 360 ran at native 720p with the nerfed 2x multi-sampling anti-aliasing implementation common to many Unreal Engine 3 titles. Regular Digital Foundry readers will know that in this scenario, the AA effect appears to be carried out relatively early on in the rendering process - as lighting and post-processing effects are added, the MSAA is gradually removed from much of the scene."

  • Syrette #125 1 year ago

    Oh do be quiet T3TSUO, it's called a Face-off for a reason. People want a conclusive answer, such as what is the definitive version.

    Leadbetter calls it as he sees it, sometimes the PC 'wins', sometimes it's one of the consoles. Calling him biased is unfair given how much factual content he uses in his articles.

    If fanboys feel the need to get defensive and start flaming each other, than that's their problem. There's plenty of us out there who appreciate all the platforms and see comparing titles like this as something interesting, not a 'fight' between the 360 and PS3 or whatever.

    Besides, he called it "different" rather than "definitive" didn't he?
    Edited by Syrette at 23/12/10 @ 14:30

  • CHAZBIGPOTATO #126 1 year ago

    I read that article cheering every positive for Xbox and booing every positive for PS3, what a fanboy!

  • T3TSUO #127 1 year ago

    @foreverafternothing
    Now this is exactly the sort of thing I'm getting at. Just these type of articles lead to idiots with a keyboard typing drivel like this.
    If he's entitled to his opinions then so am am I as are you. Shouting someone down or in Richards case favouring one console over another to promote a site is just wrong.
    I take it the guy just sat there with both versions running, notepad and pen in hand looking at the PS3 version saying "that's wrong" and "that bit's wrong"
    Why?
    Because he favours the original xbox version that's why.
    It's plain to see in his style of writing. Anybody with any sense of intelligence can see it.
    Here's the kicker people. It's the Mass Effect 3 engine so it's bound to be different. Maybe features have been dropped to get Mass Effect 3 working.

  • Syrette #128 1 year ago

    Sweet fanboy Jesus.

  • makattack #129 1 year ago

    Some people here really need to consult with a psychiatric physician... You've got NHS; use it.

  • bluetoothion #130 1 year ago

    My question lies on the actual reason or purpose of a different engine for the same game on PS3 and Xbox 360 but since i m not sure i ll get the answer...i ll ask something else on a technical perspective...

    i ve noticed some odd lighting differences on the faces with ps3 usually favouring in persuasion but trully matter of taste but importantly there is a lack of some self shadowing of objects eg. the shooting scene where and also on the same scene the fire next to the robots produces no light on the bodies on the X360 version. I d prefer RL to name the reason if its simply due to different engine or were also downgrades to the xbox360 that he forgot to mention perhaps...because wondering as to the source of light isn't not quite an answer or reason to omit this.

    I know i ll get negged eventually for daring to impy critisism.....
    But different engines of the same root UE3 i didn't really expect all that much... but hanging on the definate version line was bait... and chance to play with words whether its the version to get.

  • des #131 1 year ago

    more like definitive loser

  • TopKatt #132 1 year ago

    I could never understand how excited fanboys in both camps used to get when there were big differences in the games on each platform, why the hell people are still jumping up and down when the games are almost identical I'll never know.

  • Ror1984 #133 1 year ago

    @bluetoothion - bare in mind that ME2 was originally developed for 360/PC, not PS3. I'm sure they could have ported the engine over to PS3, but considering ME3 is in development for all three, what would be the point? It would surely make more sense for them to use the ME3 Engine that they are, I should imagine, building the multiformat version of ME3 in right now, rather than create an engine for each game on PS3.

    That's my thinking, anyway.

  • HokutoNoKen #134 1 year ago

    Merry christmas too all of you !!!

    / Ken

  • IronCladChicken #135 1 year ago

    @Lucodeath
    Because Mass Effect is also released on the Pc (including Mass Effect 1)

    The PC versions are usually enhanced over the console releases - sound, graphics, and interface - the usual. However Bioware actually seem to take the time to make PC version of the game rather than the usual quick Xbox port PC gamers are usually stuck with.

    Because of this the PC versions of Mass Effect 1 & 2 are generally considered the 'definitive' versions of the game...

    PC gamers have the same expectation for Mass Effect 3 - So, I'd guess, seeing the PS3 version described as the 'definitive' version has raised their curiosity - also because Eurogamer didn't discuss/mention the PC version at all (for comparison against the Xbox/PS3 editions) - They wondered what the differences are?

  • Sunyavadin #136 1 year ago

    Lighting and shadowing looks a little less even and polished on the PS3, as well as texture pop noticeable in at least one scene.
    Textures do look smoother, but also have less depth.

    All in all, I PRAY the claims that the PS3 version uses the ME3 version of the engine were hyperbole.

  • gandhimaster #137 1 year ago

    With all due respect to Sony/BioWare, if this version is NOT better than the 360 version which is a year older, then its shameful.

  • linea #138 1 year ago

    1. I'm glad that PS3 owners can play this game as it's a fricking excellent game

    2. The comparison's interesting inasmuch as it gives some idea of how the tech's going to be improved for ME3 (not much by the sound of it).

    3. Personally I think it would still be one of the games of the year if it were still using the Infinity Engine from Baldur's Gate.....

    3a. Actually there's a large part of me which would rather it *were* an Infinity Engine game....

    4. Merry Christmas

  • hesido #139 1 year ago

    Ps3 is lacking some self shadows? I skimmed through the article but it seems not to be mentioned?

  • VandelayIndustries #140 1 year ago

    It's pretty interesting comparing this demo Face Off thread to the Dead Space 2 one.

    Here we have three pages of baiting and biting along with the usual group of commentators who profess to be 'above it all' yet can't help but have a dig at the 'biters' (Although, strangely those who bait get away scott-free. Funny that).

    Whereas the DS2 Face Off thread is just one page of people happy that the game runs brilliantly regardless of their favored platform. A real choice for those who want it and just good news for those who don't have that choice.
    Edited by VandelayIndustries at 23/12/10 @ 16:57

  • riseer #141 1 year ago

    I compared it on my pc with everything maxed the ps3 version holds up quite well imo i think the lighting looks better on ps3.Some of the smoke effects from the starting scene are absent on the ps3 version.My pc runs it 60+ fps the whole time,so the pc has it their as well.I belive if you don't have a good enough pc to run it then the ps3 version is the way to go.

  • telboy007 #142 1 year ago

    @VandelayIndustries

    Heh, that would be because ME2 used to be a 360 exclusive. :)

  • MisterM #143 1 year ago

    I don't really care what the general opinion here is, but I have to say, I'm preferring the look of the PS3 version. The shadows in particular look way more realistic.

  • Lucodeath #144 1 year ago

    @iron
    Still a ps3 v xbox thread though

    Just played it, the story parts stutter and tear for no reason unless its shifting loads of data off the disk at the time. Cant remember the xbox doing that as bad.
    Didnt notice any in the game though.
    Edited by Lucodeath at 23/12/10 @ 19:19

  • funkateer #145 1 year ago

    @makattack
    "I read no such contradiction. In this article, I read the following: ...."

    The thing is, this article contradicts with Richard Leadbetter's *previous* article about the 360 version of ME2.

    Click the following link, it's his Mass Effect 2 tech analysis of the 360 version around the time it was released:
    [link url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-tech-analysis-mass-effect-2-article
    ]http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digita...[/link]

    In there, you'll read this:
    "For Mass Effect 2, BioWare appears to have turned off the anti-aliasing completely, presumably saving memory and GPU cycles in the process."

    So, did Richard make a little mistake in this face-off and is there actually no AA in the 360 version, or did anti-aliasing magically re-appear now that the 360 version is up against the PS3?
    I'm pretty sure it's the former. Just look at the 360 screenshots: no AA whatsoever.

    That said, I finally checked out the PS3 version myself and I have to say that apart from this factual error the article is mostly spot on (although Miranda's suit actually does appear to have normal mapping; it's just not as pronounced as in the 360 version).
    But the unlocked framerate (which is all over the place) in the PS3 version makes it feel pretty inconsistent, and the FMV quality is easily the worst I've ever seen in a PS3 game. Hopefully the final release has that sorted.

  • onyxbox #146 1 year ago

    i played the PS3 demo and then tried out the 360 version just to see the difference today and I think the FMV lets it down a little on PS3... perhaps they can do full 1080p when they have the space on Blue Ray (not a download).

    The frame-rate is more consistent on 360 but I didn't find it to be a problem/off putting on PS3 when it suddenly ran a lot smoother than 30fps ... In fact I'd say that Bioware have done a nice job and there really isn't much if anything to be upset about. We should rejoice that a good chunk of people can enjoy this game and perhaps it will inspire more games like this to be made :D

    This game will make a hell of a good start to 2011
    Edited by onyxbox at 23/12/10 @ 21:10

  • mgillespie #147 1 year ago

    Digital Foundy embarass themselves again by putting PS3 games under a microscope and sweeping X360 games problems under the carpet.

    You would really have to be a retard to not see what the agenda here is.

  • BlinkeredAxis #148 1 year ago

    Sounds like it's just great on both consoles. Enjoy Sony-sans!

    On the other subject, I moved away from PC (except for MMO) because sitting on a setee with
    a 32 inch screen, and a controller with a real trigger FAR outweighs the graphic
    advantage of a PC IMO. I know a mouse/keyboard combo can be more controllable, but heck, it
    sure aint a trigger. On second thoughts, does ME2 support the 360 controller on PC?

  • FuzzyDuck #149 1 year ago

    Just finished ze demo, looked fairly spiffy save for the unlocked framerate. Hope there's an option to lock it in the final release.

  • DRUNK3N-_-DRAGON #150 1 year ago

    @seesthroughall
    what a nob

  • sol1du5snak3 #151 1 year ago

    haha I hate theses xbox vs PS3 threads. I have both consoles, and love both of them.

    But I'll be sticking to my 360 version of Mass Effect 2, the UE3 engine was designed with Xbox in mind, and given the PS3 quite different (but not better or worse) hardware design it will probably always have the advantage right up until the end of this gen.

  • Badassbab #152 1 year ago

    Actually UE3 is a cross platform engine. The engine still looks fine on PS3 just better on 360.

  • sol1du5snak3 #153 1 year ago

    I didn't say it wasn't a multi platform engine, but the PS3 was not Epic's focus when they designed it. The games still look great on PS3 mind, most of these are technical difference after all.

  • Lord_Chaos #154 1 year ago

    @Badassbab: Actually UE3 is a cross platform engine. The engine still looks fine on PS3 just better on 360.

    I agree the Engine does tend to favor the 360 & the PS3 games suffer because UE3 PS3 version of the engine was just a quick hack job by Epic (quick optimizations over redesign) which is fine.
    I do think Sony should pull an MS and throw some cash at Epic to get a new Engine though, we have seen what the PS3 can do with games that use first party Engines & they really do put other console games to shame graphically & even games that use UE3 are left wanting.

    Epic if you read these comments & I'm sure some of you do, we need UE4 ASAP........... I was always blown away by your Tech on PC & 360 until Crysis/Crysis Warhead, Uncharted 2, God Of War 3 & Killzone 2/3, now step up & take that graphics crown back!

    Richard thanks for all your work this year it's made for some great reading & saved me a few £'s aswell........ To you and all DF staff/ readers...... Merry Christmas.

  • Stratix #155 1 year ago

    I would have loved to have seen comparisons between PC images too. The game looks fantastic on the PC, apart from the lack of an option for anti aliasing.

  • farlander #156 1 year ago

    I don't know how everybody managed to miss the atmospheric effects that are now fill the corridors of the Lazarus Project in the PS3 version. The Xbox360 version is sterile, completely devoid of any steam, for or anything like that. PS3 version, on the other hand, has a lot of that, and looks much more realistic. The demo is not quite as polished as the release on the Xbox360 I have compared it to, so I hope they fix all the issues by the time it's released, but overall, I'd say the PS3 version might indeed look better with all those small additions, like atmospheric effects.

  • MegaCadet #157 1 year ago

    To the above poster.

    There are certain effects on the 360 version that weren't there on the PS3 verion. Like the article said, no console version really is definitive...just different.

  • bloodflowers #158 1 year ago

    Isn't this comparison a bit pointless? It's been out for so long that everyone aside from PS3-only gamers (who by definition only have the PS3 version to choose from) have all finished it and are waiting for the third game.

  • farlander #159 1 year ago

    After having spent quite some time playing both versions (demo on PS3 and matching levels from the Xbox360 release) all I can say is that I have yet to find anything that Xbox360 version has that PS3 version doesn't, besides slightly different lighting. PS3 version has more blur and volumetric effects than Xbox360, which in some instances makes a huge difference in how the game environment feels. All in all, I'm definitely picking up a PS3 version the day it comes out - it's about time for yet another stint fighting the Collectors, now with more fog, steam and blur!

    If someone were to decide now which console version to buy - I'd say definitely PS3.

  • HokutoNoKen #160 1 year ago

    MASS EFFECT 2 Demo Cut-Scene XBOX360 vs PS3

    [link url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K4aac2MZ0Q
    ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K4aac2MZ0Q
    [/link]

    FPS (Frames Per Second) - PS3:
    Max: 43
    Min: 26.5
    Average: 30.155

    FPS (Frames Per Second) - 360:
    Max: 30
    Min: 20
    Average: 29.507

    The PS3 version has slightly more tearing compared to the 360 version but it really is minimal.

    / Ken

  • Retroid #161 1 year ago

    HELLO. Slightly late as I've been extraordinarily busy over the Xmas period.

    /Reads first page of comments

    /Facepalms

    Honestly.One of the best games of 2010 comes to PS3 with all content and one or two tweaks to it and people still scream, stamp their little feet and cry foul over someone pointing differences out.

    JUST BE HAPPY IT'S A GOOD PORT OF A FANTASTIC GAME.
    Edited by Retroid at 29/12/10 @ 03:45

  • MaXiMuMMaXiMuS #162 1 year ago

    Computer will always reign supreme technically, each console has their ups and downs. I'm just not entirely sure it was a wise choice to spend time and money tweaking and fixing Mass Effect 2 for PS3 almost a year after its original release, rather than spending it on Mass Effect 3.

  • Retroid #163 1 year ago

    Well, it uses the ME3 engine so that's work 'saved' in relation to ME3 also coming to PS3, and they could cherry-pick assets from the already-existing 360 & PC versions so they won't have had to do too much from scratch in that sense.

    It's bad enough from their perspective that the first game can't be ported to PS3, it would've been a bit cheeky to expect people to become invested in the final part of a trilogy! :)

  • Badassbab #164 1 year ago

    HotokuNoKen Post 168-

    According to you it's more technically demanding the more v-synced a game regardless of frame rate and screen tear impact is so I guess the the 360 version is more impressive to you.

  • HokutoNoKen #165 1 year ago

    The 360 version tears too but not just as much as the PS3 version...

    / Ken

  • HokutoNoKen #166 1 year ago

    @Badassbab
    According to you it's more technically demanding the more v-synced a game regardless of frame rate and screen tear impact is so I guess the the 360 version is more impressive to you.

    I have never said regardless of frame rate and screen tear...

    Check out this thread as it probably is where you think I said that.

    [link url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-justcause2-demo-analysis/comments
    ]http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digita...[/link]

    Just Cause PS3 (zero tearing).
    FPS - Cutscenes
    Max:32
    Min: 18

    FPS - Gameplay
    Max: 32
    Min: 24

    Gameplay seem to mostly be 30-32 so the averange is really good. I think the target framerate is 30 on this game but some oddity makes it to render over the target. If the framerate would be uncapped we would see jumps over 32 but we never do even if you walk upclose to a wall and nothing else is rendered.

    [link url=http://www.eurogamer.net/videos/digitalfoundry-just-cause-2-demo-performance-analysis?size=hd
    ]http://www.eurogamer.net/videos/digitalf...[/link]

    / Ken
    Edited by HokutoNoKen at 30/12/10 @ 18:23