140°

Face-Off: Sleeping Dogs [ Digital Foundry ]

On Microsoft's system, Sleeping Dogs adopts a native 1200x720 presentation, with an 80-pixel horizontal upscale to 720p, while on the PS3 we're looking at a much lower 1152x640, which has more severe implications with regards to overall image quality. Anti-aliasing on both consoles is a post-process, most likely provided by NVIDIA's popular FXAA solution, although we find that the PS3 uses a more aggressive edge-detect algorithm in order to smooth over the additional jaggies created by the heavy upscale.

While the 360 game gives a passable impression of a native 720p presentation, it looks significantly blurrier on the PS3: the combination of the much heavier upscaling and a stronger FXAA solution covering the final image in a veil of softness. Finer texture details that are visible on both platforms are smoothed over and edges feature a distinct softness that is regularly apparent with anti-aliased sub-HD games. Specular highlights are also subdued on the PS3 due to the stronger edge-detection being employed, although this doesn't come across as a particular downside given that the characters can look a little too shiny in some scenes on the 360.

Aside from the obvious resolution differences, it is clear that the PS3 version is missing some of the more intricate texture details found on the 360, a situation not helped by the more aggressive FXAA implementation. Additionally, we also find that normal maps feature less distinctive bumps and ripples, leading to the affected surfaces looking a touch blockier in nature. The reason for this is that lower resolution artwork is used on many objects throughout the game, thus resulting in visible detail loss, while normal maps appear to be using a different, more lossy compression scheme which creates artifacts on surfaces which use the effect - the Xenos GPU has access to improved texture compression technology compared to RSX, which may explain this.

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stonecold34268d ago

wow square dropped the ball on this version i think i might give it a miss and due to lazy port i was going to get it but its not worth supporting a company just give ps3 half a$$ ports and not spending the time resources in the ps3 version ?

Anon19744268d ago (Edited 4268d ago )

I wouldn't worry about it. "Overall Sleeping Dogs is worthy of consideration on both console platforms"

I remember despite the strong reviews, you'd think the Orange Box back in the day was unplayable on the PS3 given the way people were talking about it. I skipped it but ended up saying "What the hell" and picked it up eventually on my PS3 for $15, and it was awesome! Same thing happened with Ghostbusters. Everyone was harping on how terrible the PS3 version was, but I tried it and had a blast.

These articles might make a difference to you if you have both a PS3 and 360 but I can't see the use in them. Watching that comparison video, if they weren't telling me what was different between the two, I'd never be able to tell you. In one scene, I guy fell through a glass pane and there was added blood particles on the PS3 version that wasn't there on the 360 version. That was the only thing I could tell you was different about the two versions.

I'd hardly call this a half assed port, and that doesn't seem to be the conclusion DF came to either. Anyway, I pity the gamer that would skip playing a game based on these type of pixel counting articles. If it really mattered to you, you'd be playing on a high end gaming PC anyway.

Bathyj4268d ago

Playing PS3 version right now. Its great.

Remember, a man who never eats pork bun is never a whole man.

Wintersun6164268d ago

It's the game that matters, not the graphics. I would NEVER miss on a good game just because the other version looks better.

TBM4268d ago

i have ps3 version and its playing just fine. can't believe people still care about comparisons. i just keep it for the console i felt most comfortable with.

just like i bought darksiders 2 for 360.

i could have easily bought both for the opposite, or both for the same consoles. pointless comparisons lead to stupid fights.

StrawberryDiesel4204267d ago

Well, I don't buy games that have screen tearing, period. It's the sign of lazy developing skills and if the devs don't give a shit, neither do I and I won't purchase the game. I love these comparisons, keep up the good work Digital Foundry! Next up should be the Darksiders 2 comparison.

specialguest4268d ago (Edited 4268d ago )

You're like a spoiled brat in the gaming world. Had there not been a comparison image or video of this game, you might have just enjoyed the game at its purest form for what it is. Seriously, is your entire gaming world that fragile to where a slight difference in graphical details (details you would've never known about) would shatter your chance to play a game you looked forward to playing?? That's really pathetic.

That's like a child who crave pizza, but because his slice had one less pepperoni than the other kids, he tosses it back in childish protest, crosses his arms and pouts.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4267d ago
fossilfern4268d ago

I really wish people would stop using FXAA its a terrible form of AA. Can they not use SMAA atleast ?

yewles14268d ago

Still using a more taxing solution on the PS3 GPU than letting the SPE's handle it? No wonder MM is helping out on LBP Karting...

JellyJelly4268d ago

I'll be getting the 360 version. Anyone know how the PC version fares?

T3MPL3TON 4268d ago

It's the best version of the game. Played the 360 version fr a bit it's fine but the PC version seems to have gotten the most attention.. which is odd seeing as this is really a console game.

vikingland14268d ago

Digital Foundry says the PC version is the best of the 3. But I only have a PS3 and Xbox 360 no gaming PC. So it looks like the 360 version for me.

pr0digyZA4268d ago

PC has ended up the best they included a bunch of new features, plus a 4 gig high res texture pack for free, and there has been 4 patches. Probably one of the best ports.

stuntman_mike4268d ago

The PC is definitely the best version. Plays better than the console versions.

iistuii4268d ago

The pc version of EVERY game is better. Just because its running at a higher resolution. so even if the game is a complete console port, it'll look better because the resolution irons out lots of jaggies.

RyuStrife4268d ago

no. fifa is still a little behind. they've improved it, but still lacking some features. Sure, you get full hd 60fps but it still isnt as good as the hd console versions.

neoMAXMLC4268d ago

Game keeps crashing back to my desktop. =|
My GTX 260 isn't exactly a powerhouse but it's nice having a pretty high frame rate even if it means playing this game on medium settings...

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4268d ago
kevnb4268d ago

If people really care get it for PC, its a huge difference there in this game.

Show all comments (20)
70°

I’m Glad Atlus & SE Changed Dates To Avoid Competing With Shadow Of The Erdtree

Saad from eXputer: "I'm glad I don't have to choose between Square Enix, Atlus, and FromSoftware due to bad release windows and Shadow of the Erdtree."

H91d 10h ago

More intelligent than guerilla games

raWfodog16h ago(Edited 16h ago)

Atlus is releasing their game one week before Erdtree, SE is releasing theirs one week after.

HZD released four days before Zelda, HFW released one week before Elden Ring.

It seems to me like they are still releasing their games too close to Erdtree.

120°

It's A Crime That There's No Sleeping Dogs 2 Yet

Huzaifah from eXputer: "Sleeping Dogs from the early 2010s is one of the best open-world games out there but in dire need of a resurgence."

LG_Fox_Brazil10d ago

I agree, I consider the first one a cult classic already

isarai9d ago

You say "yet" as if it's even possible anymore. United Front Games is gone, along with anyone that made this game what it is

CrimsonWing699d ago

That’s what happens when games sell poorly. And I’ve seen people wonder why people cry when a game sells badly… this is your answer.

solideagle9d ago

Majority of the time it's true but if a company/publisher is big (in terms of money), they can take a hit or 2. e.g. I am not worried about Rebirth sales as Square will make Remake 3 anyway but if FF 17 doesn't sell then Square might need to look for alternative. <-- my humble opinion

Abnor_Mal9d ago

Doesn’t Microsoft own the IP now since they acquired Activision?

DaReapa9d ago

No. Square Enix owns the IP.

Abnor_Mal9d ago

Oh okay, Activision owned True Crime, but when that didn’t sell as intended it was canceled. Six months later Square Enix bought the rights and changed the title to Sleeping Dogs.*

*As per Wikipedia

boing19d ago (Edited 9d ago )

Sleeping Dogs was a sleeper hit back then. It was fantastic. It actually still is. Would love a sequel to this, or at least a revive of True Crime series.

Show all comments (10)
130°

Yuji Naka guilty of insider trading breaks silence to accuse Square Enix producer of lies

Yuji Naka was fined $1.2 million and given a suspended jail sentence for the crime.

Profchaos15d ago (Edited 15d ago )

I find his comments around how Balan turned out to be very insightful as to why the game is trash. He basically apologises for its existence

solideagle14d ago

can you please give some of us who don't know anything about this, a summary of what happened?

Chocoburger14d ago

Balan was knowingly rushed out by S-E, it had an extremely short dev cycle and was fairly low budget.
Naka was the game's director until near the end when he was fired or perhaps he quit, I forgot.

carrotcakeag14d ago

@Chocoburger Yeah they did fire and replace him which caused him to unload a bunch of rants about the company. The project only existed because of Naka in the first place, he convinced Square to give him one shot at making a platformer. They gave him an opportunity but pulled the rug out before he was done for reasons not explained.