Infamous Second Son HDR Comparison Screenshots Highlight Huge Improvements

The PlayStation 4 exclusive game Infamous Second Son has received a new update introducing HDR support. Comparison screenshots highlighting some definite improvements also emerged online

[GTgamer]

Good God that lighting is insane getting my pro nextweek can't waittttt.

[Babadook7]

Why oh why did I get a 4k tv but no HDR?? Had no idea! :(

Oh well I'll tell myself HDR will keep getting better and a better time to buy one will be in 2017.

[Aceman18]

Hahaha i did the same damn thing last year around black friday a 55" OLED, I'll just have to take the L for now because I'm not spending another 2k for a tv no time soon lol.

[lipton101]

What kind did you get? I got nervous when I read your comment and checked mine. I have a Samsung SUHD js8500. It doesn't say HDR but has something called "peak illuminator pro" which is Samsung speak for HDR.

[Babadook7]

I got a Visio m60-c3. I was hoping for a patch to make it HDR (ish). Lol. Not happening.

[BoriboyShoGUN]

@Lipton
Hey bud I have a Samsung SUHD the (2016) model and mine supports HDR ! pretty sure you're good dude

[Razrye2]

I just bought a Samsung 4k with hdr yesterday. All ready now for my pro next week. Along with my PSVR

[TankCrossing]

If it helps you feel better HDR will almost certainly be better on 2017 models, when hopefully manufacturors conqueur the brightness levels of HDR10.

[ChronoJoe]

@Lipton

Your TV has HDR but people report 37ms of input lag on that TV. That's pretty poor and I would always go for responsiveness over HDR when gaming, if forced to make the choice. 37ms isn't horrendous but it's enough that you would feel disadvantaged playing anything competitive.

That's the issue with a lot of these televisions, they have HDR, they have 4k, but they also tend to have a lot of input lag. Some of them don't even support 4k in game mode. For instance Samsungs KS7000 has 21ms of input lag in game mode, but no HDR, in movie mode (where HDR is enabled) the input lag is 112ms. That's horrendous and would make just about any game feel very unresponsive.

Not many HDR, 4K displays currently support low latencies (sub 20ms). So that's an issue that manufacturers will need to deal with going forward. Monitors don't generally support HDR at the moment, and monitors tend to be the best in terms of gaming responsivity, so the emergance of HDR supporting monitors may be the answer for many gamers moving forward.

[lipton101]

I appreciate the responses guys. I calibrated my tv but when I read Joes comment I switched to game mode and it made a world of difference. Crazy how much input lag affects gaming performance

[XanderZane]

Why are the pictures so much darker with HDR? Looks like crushed blacks. Similar to what happens when games were upscaled on XB1 for some of their games. Is this in 4K or is it only with HDR turned on?

Example is look at the picture with the "Poem Tree: Flower Shop. The one without HDR is bright and clear. The one with HDR is dark and black, you can't see the guy on the screen.

[Caedus511]

Are you viewing the images on an HDR enabled screen?

And before anyone says it, smart phones don't do HDR yet, so you still have to view then on an HDR enabled tv (or monitor, but I'm not sure if there are any HDR enabled monitors yet). And HDR on our phones camera isn't the same as HDR in gaming which makes things confusing, I thought my phone could display HDR b/c I have that option when taking a picture.

Also the images could be suffering from quality issues due to image compression.

[Nicolee]

because you need HDR TV to see the improvement.

[tmisellati]

Well , you are not far away from the truth. Yes , the games looks darker when the HDR is enabled and this is most probably because the game was developed while the HDR was not in mind. But even through , there are many improvements. The textures when the HDR is enabled , reacts better to the light. They look smoother and more detailed with no more shimmering and There is no more loss of details when light shines on surfaces.

[Unspoken]

Look at that amazing HDR quality captured by a non HDR phone uploaded as a non HDR photo and viewed on a non HDR screen! That lighting is incredible! I can't wait to get PS4 Pro and replay my games in HDR!

These fanatics are almost as bad as Apple users, and just as blind, literally. Trying to view HDR through the photo... lol

Extra brightness won't save a worthless game.

[mozzie]

probably because they're taken with a camera. the camera is most likely able to capture some of the enhanced colors bot not all. I did some similar shots with the MAD MAX Bluray on my xbox one s.

[BizarroUltraman]

@caedus511,

The Galaxy Note 7 was the first phone to have HDR. But now that its been removed from the market. We're back to square one.

[SublimeStylee]

Yup I've been questioning this and get dissagrees. i'm playing it now on my 4k hdr and its ridiculously dark and you say it looks dark, and get dissagrees? when I'm actually playing the game on my tv and its absolutely the worst hdr I have seen for blacks! no other games on ps4 and Xbox with hdr look like this!!!insanely dark....every other game just happens to be amazing but the denial is insane the hdr actually takes away from the picture!! Don't see how blacking out your guy and all the detail around you is a step forward...most of you are seriously so uneducated and don't even have the devices to see first hand and you praise something you don't even have and dissagree about how dark it is.....can't wait for those articles of how dark it is when people who own proper hardware discover this!! How is every other game hdr perfect lighting the last of us, gears, forza uhd movies/Netflix all perfect don't have to touch a setting...load up second son can barely see ur guy or stuff around you? But sure dissagree lol makes no sense. I'm not even bashing the game I love the game but you can't fucking see....its that simple!!!

[NotEvenMyFinalForm]

HDR means whiter whites and darker blacks. So the darker blacks will look crushed on your screen because it doesn't has the gamut to display it correctly, so there'll be multiple shades of black that will look the same. The opposite happens too, where the white is too white and you actually lose detail in bright scenes.

Only new 4k displays have HDR BTW, so at least 90% of the people in this comment section doesn't even have one in order to be able to appreciate the differences. But these shots here were taken with a camera from a phone, so even if you had an HDR screen you won't be able t see anything anyway. I had tons of respect for this website, wccftech, but the idiocy there is outstanding.

[XanderZane]

@Caedus511
Viewing it on my laptop. So the pictures on a computer or tablet will look very dark, but on a UHDTV with HDR it will look brighter? So if someone took a picture of the HDTV with a camera and posted it, it would still come out very dark as well? If that's the case, there's really no reason for anyone to post HDR game pictures online. You'll never see the game the way its suppose to be seen, unless you view them on your HDR TV.

@SublimeStylee
So it's just with this particular game then. It's not like this will happen with all the other games.

[tmisellati]

I have found a solution to resolve the darker image problem.
I changed the RGB setting of the ps4 to full and then changed the black level on the TV from low to high. Now no more darker areas problem.

[bouzebbal]

This is one amazing looking game

[respekanize91]

ME TOO!!!! Got 10 of games that are being patched. I knew i waited to play TLoU again.

[BoriboyShoGUN]

@Lipton
Hey bud I have a Samsung SUHD the (2016) model and mine supports HDR ! pretty sure you're good

[SojournUK]

@Lipton, all Samsung SUHD (Quantum Dot/Nano Crystal etc) support HDR

[Muzikguy]

I wish I was getting mine. I still need a new tv too

So these screens remind me of what Watch Dogs was supposed to look like. I'm curious if it would now if on the Pro. I'm not interested in buying it, just wondering.

[uth11]

It already looked amazing on standard PS4. Can't imagine how it could look much better

[IamTylerDurden1]

Excited that 30+ games will have Pro support on November 10th.

Games like..

Battlefield 1
Ratchet and Clank
Titanfall 2
CoD BO3
CoD Infinite Warfare
CoD Modern Warfare
Uncharted 4
Infamous
TLoU
Skyrim
Fifa 17
NBA 2K17
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Xcom 2
Paragon
Smite
World of Tanks
Hitman
Mafia III
Deus Ex MKD
Elder Scrolls Online
Helldivers
Firewatch
Shadow of Mordor
Knack

And virtually every major VR game will receive Pro support on day 1.

[UltraNova]

This game still holds up even today...

That said what the hell is Sucker Punch up to?? I hope they reveal their next game in this year's December PS meeting.

[Jayszen]

Infamous Second Son had some really lovely locations that looked exquisite in the nighttime, especially with some rain. 30 months after release and the game still looks better than many new games released this year even using the vanilla PS4 so I expect Second Son and the expansion will look even better using the PS4 PRO, especially during the fight sequences.

[KeeseToast]

And especially with the Neon powers

[Jayszen]

@KeeseToast

So I guess like me, you will be giving the game and the expansion another go after PS4 Pro hits?

[Mikerob2007]

Doesn't look all that much different too me. If this is the only difference between a £1000 4K TV and PS PRO and my normal hd tv and ps4 i think ill just wait 5 years or so.

[Raider69]

You have to see the shoots in HDR TV .Im seeing them on my Plasma and its obvious the HDR pictures pops more detail.Now been a new feature i expect TV makers start releasing more UHD TVs that have HDR in game mode and also start focusing in making UHD Tvs with lower input lag when using HDR and Game Mode.

[mozzie]

If i'd fire this up on my TV would it really be displayed in HDR? My TV always shows a little speach bubble "HDR" when i launch Netflix a Bluray or a game like FH3. I know I'm speaking about xbox but my question is if can just view HDR images in HDR e.g. in the browser or if the APP needs to tell my TV "yo this is HDR, switch to HDR" mode? I think it's the latter because when i launch HDR enabled contet i also hear my speakers "click" for a few milliseconds (sound goes from xbox via hdmi to tv and from tv to optical soundbar) this means the xbox disconnects the non HDR hdmi connection an makes an HDR HDMI connection. so I'm not entierly sold on the you have to view it on an HDR screen..

[TankCrossing]

HDR... Plasma?

[The_Sage]

I thought they stopped making plasmas before HDR was a thing.

[Bennibop]

You are viewing the pics in sdr not hdr, you need to see the game on hdr TV to actually see it properly

[mad-dog]

You can only see the differences in those screens correctly on a 4K screen that supports HDR.
In a lot of Pro games it's not just the colours that are improved ofcourse. Resolution, AA, Shadow quality, texture streaming quality, more effects, more things on screen, etc.
But we all can make the decision for ourselves if that is worth the upgrade. I can totally understand people rather waiting till the scorpio or PS5.

But i'm buying the Pro even just for 1080P.

[abstractel]

Format that PS4 (and Pro, don't forget vanilla PS4 can do HDR now too) supports is called HDR10.

[G20WLY]

Erm...what does PS Pro have to do with anything?

These shots are comparing PS4 without HDR to PS4 with HDR! And the HDR update is FREE! lol

[mad-dog]

Ah right. Still need a 4K tv then ;P

[GTgamer]

It's not being played on the pro tho so imagine it on the pro

[Rude-ro]

Pssst... this is the PS4 vs PS4 with hdr.
The pro is not even at hand here.

[iTechHeads]

If you think it looks good in the screenshots just wait until you see it on an actual HDR 4K TV :D

[Vegamyster]

I can see a difference but i can't say if it's an massive improvement because the picture quality is quite blurry lol. Anyone got any better ones?

[GrimDragon]

Yawn...it's alright just not worth another 400 for it. I'll wait.

[Tussin187]

Yawn, have you seen the game or these screenshots with a 4k display with HDR? I'll wait.

[GrimDragon]

hard to be impressed with this when ive seen better on my Corsair Hydro H100i v2 Liquid Cooled Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming 6 motherboard running a dual GTX 1070 8GB video card in SLI. attached to my BenQ BL3201PH monitor.
still though i can see why you guys are drooling over this...if you never experienced it. consoles have come a long way but honestly its getting to the point that you might as well pc game for all the money youll spend and still not have the very best quality of a built pc set up.

[LamerTamer]

If you don't have a 4K TV then Pro is not worth it. Now if devs gave the option for 1080p users (even 4K users who prefer a higher frame rate and better graphics effects) to run the game at 1080p 60 FPS instead of 4K 30 FPS then it may be worth it. Sadly they don't seem to want to do that, they seem fixated on that 4K number, either native or upscaled. Some games even look worse on the Pro by taking out effects such as particles etc just to get that magical 4k number, totally not worth downgraded and missing graphical effects and choppy frame rate just for a little crisper edges at 4K.

[Kinger8938]

may look better, but its still the same game :(

[jaycptza]

and your point?

[YAO-BLING]

still a better love story than quantum break

[TankCrossing]

But not quite up to the lofty standards of Power Rangers Samarai Force Season 2 Episode 4.

Which is to say, wtf does Quantum Break have to do with Infamous screenshots? :|

[Errorist76]

Lmao for trying to capture a HDR display with a phone camera.

[Master of Unlocking]

Like this game didn't look ridiculously good to begin with, now they're adding upscaled 4K compatibility and HDR. I have a feeling that owners of other systems are going to be mad with envy.

[DarkSnow]

I think most people dont know that in order to notice and enjoy HDR real diferences they still need a 4K TV that suports HDR tecnology. Sony is trying to trick people to buy more 4K tvs.

[Zeke68]

"Sony is trying to trick people to buy more 4K tvs"
Ofc Sony and every other Tv manufacturer wants you to buy their latest products, but the Playstation part of Sony made a console that caters to both HD and UHD users. So they don't "trick" anyone to do anything. Aren't you an adult that can make your own decisions based on your own economics and so on ?

But I agree that many around here seem to forget they can't watch HDR screens/videos on their regular FULL-HD monitors/TV's. That's why it's so important Sony and other companies start to invest much more into 4K demo TVs at gamestores and so on. Seeing is believing ! :)

[alfcrippinjr]

a good marketing department they have got
i dont really need this plus i bet someone will bring out a device to up scaling the ps4

[LamerTamer]

If you don't have a 4K TV you REALLY don't need it.

[videogames8]

Without HDR looks better on this images.

[Bjorn-c-blocker]

But the game is still boring... right??

[Blaze929]

Game was a rush job & short as hell. i don't even count it forreal in the inFAMOUS series.

[SublimeStylee]

I'm currently playing on 4k hdr og ps4 and my tv is calibrated correctly this is the hardest hdr to get excited about I've tried everything and its the only game that compared to the last of us hdr. Gears and forza hdr oh and movies this is the darkest hdr yet I can barely see my guy. Someone please tell me because all the other games are superb I was truly impressed with the last of us and this is just so hard to even see sometimes?? I mean the sky color effect pop but so dark...

[Cubiedk]

I agree on this one.

[jholden3249]

Not really a big graphics guy, but I'm liking these improvements.

I mean, anything on PS3/Wii U level is acceptable for me. But since I'm buying a Pro anyways for VR improvement, I'll gladly take this extra slice on the side

[NohansenBoy]

At first I couldn't tell which was HDR until I noticed the slides said which was which. Rather have higher frames than slight lighting improvements.

[Zeke68]

First of, this pictures aren't taken in TRUE HDR, and even if they was, you still need a 4k monitor or TV to see them correct. Do you have that? (4K TV) if not, you wont see any difference.

[NohansenBoy]

Nope, I game on a 144hz 1080p monitor. Again though, better lighting doesn't appeal that much to me if I can't keep above 60FPS.

[NohansenBoy]

Also, none of these consoles will do native 4K anyway. There's no way a piece of hardware below $600 is going to do true 4k, let alone do 4k well enough to maintain an acceptable framerate and graphic quality.

[Grimwood]

"Highlight Huge Improvements"
Not?

[Rhezin]

ugh, any more of this and I'm gonna get swayed to get a PRO. STOP IT!!

[GTgamer]

It's not about the pro tho this standard ps4 with hdr enabled.

[SOM3ROiD]

So, you're telling me that we should play this game again just because of some HDR boost? Come on.. HDR console gaming just got very expensive, you can get a very decent high-end gaming PC for that amount money (PSPro+4K HDR TV) IMHO

[_LarZen_]

All images are from the PS4....

[GTgamer]

Its being played on the current ps4 calm down

[BizarroUltraman]

Does HDR create lag? And how noticeable is it? Thanks

[NotEvenMyFinalForm]

This is the most idiotic comparison ever. It's like trying to show 4k on 1080p.

[CodeNameTBW2]

thous wasn't screen shots

[derkasan]

Very nice. Hopefully other titles follow suit - I'd like to see Uncharted 4 or Ratchet & Clank get the same treatment.