Next-Gen Face-Off: Tomb Raider Definitive Edition

Eurogamer: Earlier this week we kicked off our Tomb Raider coverage with a look at performance on Xbox One and PlayStation 4, uncovering some interesting revelations behind the hotly discussed frame-rate situation - but this is just the beginning of the story. There's so much more to cover: Square Enix promises a dramatic graphical upgrade over the previous console releases with this new Definitive Edition, factoring in brand new effects, a remodelled Lara Croft, lashings of extra detail, and physics-based enhancements that supposedly puts this next-gen version of the game ahead of the spectacular PC release. But just how much of an improvement is it, and are the differences worth splashing out for?

[GarrusVakarian]

Just as we already know....PS4 version is the clear winner both visually and technically.

"Overall, PlayStation 4 takes the lead where the next-gen consoles are concerned, with the higher quality effects work and higher frame-rates providing a preferable experience overall, particularly during heated combat, where the drops in performance are both felt and seen more heavily on the Xbox One."

X1 has variable resolution and locked 900p in some non-gameplay scenes....smh.

[csreynolds]

Exactly. I also chuckled when the author referred to United Front Games as "Xbox One developer". Yeah, UFG made PlayStation exclusives ModNation Racers and LittleBigPlanet Racers too, Bierton...

[jackanderson1985]

they developed this Tomb Raider for the xbox one though and that's why he's said it i'd assume

[csreynolds]

@jackanderson1985:

I realise this, but "Xbox One developer" implies UFG only develops for Xbox One. Given it's public knowledge that Eurogamer is extremely pro-Xbox, this was no doubt done deliberately.

The author could've written "developer United Front Games" just as easily...

[jackanderson1985]

@csreynolds

bad editing really should have added in a comma after the developer and a the before xbox then it'd make more sense when taking the whole sentence into consideration

different folks different strokes at writing styles... admittedly mine is poor on the best of days

also i think this article takes away from the "extremely pro-xbox" argument... certain writers may have a preference towards the console but the same can be said about any console on any site

[Volkama]

I read it and found it pretty obvious that he was referring to development of the XBox One version of Tomb Raider, and not claiming United Front were an exclusive developer (which if anything would only make the performance more damning).

Maybe that's because I already knew about United Front Games, or maybe it's because I'm not looking for any old thing that I could challenge.

[csreynolds]

@jackanderson1985:

I suppose it is horse for courses. I am skeptical of the phrasing knowing the site as I do, but I take on board it could just be a style thing.

The author does do a very good job of down playing the PS4 version's achievements though, and making excuses for the Xbox One's weaknesses. Considering this is the new console generation, I don't think upscaled resolutions/30fps cuts it - those are last-gen benchmarks. Just calling it as I (and others) see it.

[Kayant]

@jackanderson1985

"also i think this article takes away from the "extremely pro-xbox" argument... certain writers may have a preference towards the console but the same can be said about any console on any site" - It don't here because this isn't written by Richard Leadbetter.

But you're right it's mostly probably the writer's style.

[LostDjinn]

Well would you look at that Lucas? Turns out that it wasn't just A FPS difference. Strange how certain groups lied about that now isn't it?

After reading through the comments and being a humanitarian kind of guy I'd like to help out though. I think I'm going to need a trowel and 5 buckets of Rectinol. That should ease the pain.

Edit: What? Do you think I'll need more Rectinol?

[FATAL1TY]

PS4 wins again -_-

[Kayant]

"For the most part the main graphical bells and whistles are lavished equally across both consoles, although intriguingly there are a few areas that do see Xbox One cutbacks. As demonstrated in our head-to-head video below (and in our vast Tomb Raider comparison gallery), alpha-based effects in certain areas give the appearance of rendering at half resolution - though other examples do look much cleaner. We also see a lower-quality depth of field in cut-scenes, and reduced levels of anisotropic filtering on artwork during gameplay. Curiously, there are also a few lower-resolution textures in places on Xbox One, but this seems to be down to a bug (perhaps on level of detail transitions) as opposed to a conscious downgrade."

Oh would you look at that the gaf community were right afterall.

[pyramidshead]

They're generally right about most things to be honest. That's why it's so fun to lurk there. All sorts happens.

Interesting DOC on them actually from gametrailers:
http://www.gametrailers.com...
For anyone who's interested and the conspirators who call it SonyGaf ;P

Turns out it 'ain't just some message board' to game devs.

[johndoe11211]

The only people who downlplay GAF are the microsoft fanatics because they can't handle it when GAF is right about almost everything. And GAF has been very critical of the xbone this gen and rightly so.

[imt558]

Quote from article :

Xbox One: the anti-aliasing solution remains unchanged, but we see the inclusion of what looks like a variable resolution framebuffer in some scenes, while some cut-scenes are rendered at a locked 900p,

900P in last generation game. NICE!

[ambientFLIER]

A last-gen game that's been beefed up to next-gen graphics, genius. Why don't you numbskulls ever realize that?

[ThePope]

The PS4 has slow down and some lower res textures too. So still have something to say?

[pyramidshead]

This is a last gen game too. Holy christ nipples! :/

[Volkama]

Who cares about technical details? The PS4 version is already the clear winner.

"PS4 the light bar on the Dual Shock 4 changes colour when Lara fires her pistol. "

Come on, it's like having a real gun in your hands! Not even the PC can match that level of immersion :)

[MasterCornholio]

Well at least its only a few cutscenes that are 900P. But overall the PS4 version is better because of the framerate.

[Sarcasm]

"But despite the inconsistency in the PS4 experience, we still feel it's the preferable buy. During combat - a key element in the game - we see the Xbox One drop down to the mid 20s, with the PS4's higher frame-rate offering a clear advantage in both smoothness and RESPONSE, despite the fluctuations - the bottom line is that the differences between 40-50fps on the PS4 are far less of an issue than, say, the 24-30fps drops incurred by the Xbox One. "

And those of you guys saying "but but but there's less lag than 30fps" eat crow.

[Letthewookiewin]

Wow no defending this.

[johndoe11211]

Oh you'll be shocked at some of the excuses xbox fanboys are gonna come up with....

[Letthewookiewin]

See it everyday. Even from MS.

[T2]

check out polygon review LOL they scored them identically and said "doesn't matter in a game like this" actually on second thought don't bother giving them a click, waste of 10 seconds of your life.

[Why o why]

Zeff polygon. They are paid shills. They will continue to blurr lines to suit their backers.

This occurrence won't be unique this gen. It was written. Some people are just better off leaving comparison articles well alone. Just look at some of the comments above me...

'The PS4 has slow down and some lower res textures too. So still have something to say?'

and

'A last-gen game that's been beefed up to next-gen graphics, genius. Why don't you numbskulls ever realize that?'

Lmao.....go to bed fellas, you're tired and suffer from selective amnesia.

[Sarcasm]

But, the cloud?

[Bathyj]

Just hot air and moisture

[cbuc1125]

Now this is MEGATON! Now whats the excuse gonna be? I just cant believe over 3 million people prefer an inferior product. We need to raise the bar and stop settling for less!!!

[jackanderson1985]

well lets see off the top of my head... they prefer MS's exclusives, their friends game on the system, the 720p vs 1080p doesn't affect them due to size of tv or just the lack of caring, they actual like, enjoy and use the kinect

just because you don't like the system doesn't mean others won't

[ThePope]

80million bought the PS3 when it could barely run some multi plats. And then bought a PS4 not knowing if the situation has changed...hmm

[DoesUs]

WTF?! You sir, are clueless.

[BattleTorn]

I personally know people who still prefer Xbox. (where as I have made my switch)

They say "there's no difference between 720 and 1080 - or at least, I don't see it - so who cares"

And I say back, "guys, were coming off a generation where we've been championing Xbox360 multiplat for having a 100p advantage over PS3 (ie COD) - and where one versions having more bugs was total domination' -- where we nitpicked over details on games that ran at the same FPS, and usually same resolutions.

Now, different resolutions, and waay more importantly different FRAMES - doesn't matter at all?

Then they say "dude, I like Xbox, and it's controller - and the games look great to me"

And I shake my head, and go back to my PS4.

[Kayant]

1080p at 40-50fps is a big win for PS4 that's not even including the differences that happens in some cases.

[DJustinUNCHAIND]

I'm playing it on Xbox One right now. I've yet to see this slowdown during heavy combat or action.

[csreynolds]

If you can spot a reduction in frame rate from 30 fps to 27 fps, I want your eyes.

[DJustinUNCHAIND]

That's my point. He says it feels more heavier and more often in the article.

[starchild]

That's because the XB1 version sticks to 30fps 98% of the time. Also, the PS4 version is NOT 60fps. The PS4 version averages about 50fps, see the Digital Foundry comparison.
http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...

The XB1's average frame rate for cutscenes is 29.98fps, and for gameplay it is 29.84fps.

A game that spends as much time down in the 40s as it does above 50fps is not a 60fps game, no matter how the developer or fanboys want to bill it.

The only platform that can maintain a solid 60fps or higher on this game is the PC version.

The Xbox One version is capped at 30fps and sticks there the vast majority of the time.

In any case, it's a silly comparison since the XB1 version is capped and the PS4 version is NOT a 60fps game. It fluctuates up and down A LOT and only averages 50.98 fps.

I'm not saying the PS4 version isn't better than the XB1 version overall. I'm just saying the framerate comparison itself isn't what some people have been making it out to be. The advantages the PS4 has over the XB1 are to be found in other areas: resolution, effects, etc.

[MightyNoX]

Xbox One dips to 900p on cutscenes?

Ouch...

[ambientFLIER]

Wow dude, your comment history is a sad tale of non-stop trolling and hardcore fanboyism. Doesn't it ever get old?

[XabiDaChosenOne]

I could ask you the same question when it comes to your damage controlling, why don't you go play all those Xbox one exclusives you keep talking about and stop crying over the words of others.

[ThePope]

@kobe

I'm sure he does play them as far more of them exist and more are on the verge of launching.

That said the PS4 trolls are like a plague on both our houses

Bubble up for anyone who can guess where that's from!

[MightyNoX]

I'm guessing the salt in your eyes prevented you from commenting on the article instead of attacking others. :)

Want some whine with that Sodium Chloride?

@Pope: Care to back that number? Because seems reality disagrees with you http://www.gametrailers.com...

So sheer numbers disagree with you. If by 'exclusives' you mean games that only 'you' want to play, that makes more sense. Xbox Fanboys often eschew reality.

[jackanderson1985]

@Pope... that particular PS4 part is all u ha but i assume the gist of it is from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, 1592

google never lies... except when it does then it lies

[Gamer-40]

Man, Atari 2600 wins again.

[WickedLester]

Hey yo yo Xbox One! I'm really happy for you and I'mma let you finish. But the PS4 Tomb Raider is the best Tomb Raider of all time!

[Gamer-40]

No, old Tomb Raider series best of all time on Ps1. (Gameplay).

This already they a joke, only the graphics much more beautiful.

[izumo_lee]

Haha! Notice this 'Face/Off' isn't done by Richard Ledbetter or the results would've been heavily skewed to make it that there isn't really anything wrong.

Last gen as a PS3 owner it was frustrating & most of all annoying having to read these articles from Digital Foundry as well as other sites like Lens of Truth constantly trumping their horns saying how superior Xbox 360 multiplats were. Adding fuel to the already heated PS3/Xbox360 fanboyism.

Now that the roles has been reversed it is for a Playstation owner refreshing. Do i enjoy it? A bit of me is but at the same time it is still annoying that gamers from both sides have to endure these articles.

For the most part i blame journalism for making these a big deal but i have to count the developers into the mix as well. I know they are striving for parity & all that but be honest when things are not. If one system has the advantage just admit it, don't go on sugar coating things making people believe there isn't a difference.

[Ashlen]

I personally don't want them to strive for parity.

I want them to make the best game they can with the hardware they have.

[yewles1]

*popcorn, kevlar, chastity belt, Jason Vorhees hockey mask, spiked helmet, IMAX glasses, 24" PlayStation display, remote* Okay, GO!!!

[boeso]

Lazy devs! More cinematic! Titanfall!

Guys accept it or get a PS4.

[ipach]

though it's another loss vs PS4, this might be one of the best looking games on Xbox One, especially as it actually runs 1080p native for once... but even on PS4, it's clear that this is a title with last gen roots, much like AC4 and COD. In terms of next gen visual engines that feel more like the future, the best showcases remain Killzone, BF4/frostbite, and Ryse in my opinion.

[Gamer-40]

On this side more the mathematician, than the real player. They deal with the numbers much more, than with the games.
This playful society is a tragedy. Most games are like this because of this, a long time ago the overall picture, the mood, the music, the game experience were the important ones.

Now only the numbers and the graphics, because of this it's that simple the majority of the today's games, because developers know it what the mass needs. The graphics for the main concern.

Respect for the exception.

[aquamala]

good they have a comparison with the PC version

"Running with the ultimate preset enabled and the original TressFX in action, it's clear that the Definitive Edition delivers an upgrade in select areas, but fails to trump the PC game in all respects. Certainly, when it comes to running at 1080p60 - or with even higher resolutions and frame-rate - no other platform can truly offer a PC-beating experience."

[WickedLester]

"...but fails to trump the PC game in all respects. Certainly, when it comes to running at 1080p60 - or with even higher resolutions and frame-rate - no other platform can truly offer a PC-beating experience."

And it shouldn't considering what you need to spend on a PC rig to run Tomb Raider maxed out on PC. The real victory here is how well the PS4 performs at 399.99 in comparison to the PC version. Good luck building a 400.00 PC rig that will run Tomb Raider maxed out at 1080p/60fps.

[webeblazing]

i dont think anyone with a right mind will try to build a $400 pc for any purpose. and he was saying how pc trumps in some aspects of the game plus being able to run 1080p at 60fps and over. yall try to spin stuff so much. tomb raider isnt even demanding compared to other pc games. why do yall try so hard when the results is so obvious. anybody that knows about games knows pc can perform better than consoles. why are reaching for no reason enjoy the game.

it dont take a massive rig to max this game and by the end of the year pc hardware price will drop again. get over it. it happens every year why are people fighting and trying to ignore what always happen.

[starchild]

Nice spin. Unfortunately it isn't accurate or true.

I run Tomb Raider at a solid 60fps with 2xSSAA on a $800 PC.

Yes, the PC will cost you more up front, but it also does a million things a console can't, as well as play the best looking versions of all multiplatform games, provide free online gaming, and cheaper games.

Also, no matter how many times you fanboys repeat it, the PS4 version is NOT a 60fps game. It averages around 50fps.

"on the PS4 we see frame-rates regularly fluctuating between 40-50fps depending on the complexity of the scene"
http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...

To be considered a 60fps game, Tomb Raider would need to run at 60fps over 90% of the time and have an average framerate somewhere around 59.85, or at least something like 57.33. When the game is running between 40 and 50fps so much of the time you can hardly call it a 60fps game.

The only version that can truly run at a solid 60fps or higher is the PC version.

[Metfanant]

Poor misterX and his friends...they will still say the Xbone version looks better and that they are waiting for the "stereo" drivers

[MasterCornholio]

And those poor fanboys who still argue that the Xbox One is better because of Kinect.

LOL

[NeloAnjelo]

BONE CRUSHED!

[larrysdirtydrawss]

a average of 20+ more fps and better effects/overall graphics. ps4 with the EASY K.O