Was Spider-Man downgraded? 2016 vs 2017 Graphics Comparison

Recently one of the fans asked Insomniac Games directly on Twitter about possible Spider-Man downgrade, that he believe to spot. Devs strongly denied that.
Now as we could already see two gameplay videos, first during E3 back in 2016 and second on this year’s expo let’s check by ourselves if we can notice something that will prove the alleged worsening of graphics.
One of the most noticable things is addition of blur effect to the character movement and slightly changed Spidey’s suit – look closely on last still in this video.
Is that a downgrade for you?

[zivtheawesome]

i think you meant "Was Spider-Man upgraded?"

[Eonjay]

I assume Gareth didn't rewrite this. It sounds too childish. It definitely looks upgraded plus there is the fact that this is the first true trailer we have. Downgraded from what?

[The 10th Rider]

Yeah, exactly. I believe the first trailer wasn't even labeled as in-game, just in-engine.

EDIT: They said "in game/engine/real-time"

[Aeery]

Not at all.
This game looks incredible ... cant wait to try it!

[getbacktogaming]

It just looks like a different lighting/time of day with a more punchy 'golden hour' look to the 2016 footage. They both look great although I like the yellowwish colours better for a more dramatic look I can't see why it wouldn't be available in the final game...

[XanderZane]

Well at exactly 36 seconds you can easily see the difference in Spiderman's mask and the texture. Whether you want to call it a downgrade or upgrade is entirely up to you. There is no doubt, there has been some changes.

The game still looks impressive, no matter which video you watch. Whatever they did, I don't think it
ll hurt the visuals or gameplay much.

[Whatever234]

No it won't because they both look great .But common its pretty obvious 2016 was fake.

[XanderZane]

@Whatever234
What part of "The game still looks impressive" & "Whatever they did, I don't think it will hurt the visuals or gameplay" did you not read in my comments?

[OB1Biker]

First its the usual unfair comparison with completely different scenes, different places, time etc.
second I thought people were saying last year that they didnt show any gameplay at all? The usual goal post moving to suit different argumentation?

[Gazondaily]

Huh? That was gameplay shown last year surely? If not, it's remained pretty faithful to it.

Looks like a slight downgrade in some tiny areas but ultimately still looks fantastic.

[OB1Biker]

a lot of people were saying last year wasnt real gameplay.
The main difference I see is Spidey suit that looks more latex like rather than microfiber like. Its not necessarily worse. Other areas are like I said from different places and not really fair to compare.

[Liqu1d]

No. But keep up the awful comparisons.

[cyckiewicz]

some people like them :)

[moegooner88]

Same site that used low quality Horizon ZD footage to pass it off as downgrade. Awful is an understatement.

[andrewsquall]

The comparisons are fine. Cycu1 does a great job at looking at older builds of games and comparing them to the newest of final versions, even game from last gen too.
Its the blind people with terrible eyesight and their fake "concerns" that are awful.

[KingKionic]

The parts at 0:17-25 outside show two different lighting systems on the world.

Its either its downgraded or there are different areas that have better lighting conditions visually.

[Ricegum]

Nope. Take your Xbox goggles off and check again.

[TKCMuzzer]

Lol, same people, same blind comments...

[meka2611]

Nah he is right, it is a slight very slight downgrade. Look at the polygons on the shoulders of spiderman, the one on the right is just a tiny bit blockier, but game still looks amazing and still a day one buy for me.

[StormLegend]

If anything it's an upgrade and it's all about making the gameplay smooth. We've seen how it looks and it looks amazing so who cares if i did go down a little.

[andrewsquall]

You won't see anybody here acknowledge the fact that the game ran very slow throughout lots of parts of its in engine reveal at E3 last year.

[Allsystemgamer]

Um.

Never mind. Not worth the time.

[classic19]

In parts it does look like a downgrade or is it just time of day. Idk that said i like the suit in 2017 gameplay trailer more!. One this for sure tho is that it was running on actual ps4pro hardware. Day one for me.

[Razzer]

Looks like changes in shadows and lighting. Time of day? Either way....don't see how anything is a downgrade.

[mkis007]

No, but it's not even close to it's release date yet is it??? Ridiculous to post these until after release.

[neoandrew]

Well they changed a lot, but overall i think it looks even slightly better, more refined and realistic, i assume this was intended.

[Big_Game_Hunters]

Probably, Doesn't really matter, everything is downgraded now days, target renders are just part of game development.

Incoming CDPR fanboys. W3 was one of the most downgraded games.

[LP-Eleven]

"Everything is downgraded these days".

- That would be false. And The Witcher III =/= every game coming out. In fact, the only examples ever used are that or Ubisoft games. Thus, it's a much smaller section of titles than people like to typically claim.

[Allsystemgamer]

W3 had to be downgraded because the consoles were too damn weak. The developers expected stronger machines hence AC Unity and watchdogs as well.

[VariantAEC]

Please explain why Spiderman, DRIVECLUB, The Order 1886, Ratchet and Clank, WipEout: Omega Collection, MGSV, Uncharted 4, etc, etc looked slightly better to significantly better than most of PC exclusives?

[Master of Unlocking]

At 1:09 Spider-man's hood clearly doesn't have the same texture as in the 2016 reveal trailer. Other than that it looks fine to me. Much much much better than Crackdown 3 at any rate.

[TheColbertinator]

Yes I see the part where the textures were scaled down. Doesn't look like what was originally shown.

[LP-Eleven]

"Scaled down". Man, it's like some of you just willfully choose to sound uneducated in this field (or you simply are and just want to post whatever you can).

Nothing about his suit was scaled down.

[ForeverTheGoat]

It is scaled down a bit. Not a lot. The 2016 suit has a little bit more detail to it than 2017.

[meka2611]

Your kidding right? It is scaled down, but very very slightly, look at the polygons on his shoulder, they are just a bit blockier on the one on the right. Still looks great, and a day one buy, but it is a slight downgrade, not like it's a horrible thing so don't be so defensive.

[LP-Eleven]

@ ForeverTheGoat: Um, until you can show the proper specifics to confirm a 'downscale", it didn't happen and nothing in the video suggests it, either. Not for those of us who actually know what to look for.

[TKCMuzzer]

So I assume if the devs have changed something in 12 months due to arist alterations and general evolvement of the game, many will shout "downgrade' because it looks different, not worse, different.
Does the phrase "Grasping at straws" perfectly describe these people? Yes, yes it does.

[LP-Eleven]

@ meka: No, not kidding, and just as I stated before, unless you can prove your theory, it's as good as hot air.

[tyasia0]

Hey lets compare blurry video streams over youtube. That should be accurate,right?

[LordJamar]

looks more like different lighting but who cares tbh everything is downgraded these days in some form if that is gonna stop you from playing it so be it

[BeOpenMinded]

I'm sure some things will be adjusted before release for base model at least. Plus I want this game to be good but don't want it to be a generic open world superhero game that i felt ive played 50 times before. That's what will make or break my buy but not a slight downgrade on already good looking game.

[Cobra951]

There's that misapplied buzzword again. If a game hasn't been released to the public yet, it cannot be downgraded. The word does not apply to the context.

Only if the game is released, and later patched to look worse can it be called "downgraded".

[objdadon]

People need glasses😂 i remember they questioned horizon zero dawn being downgraded, yeah, ok lol

[gnothe1]

to those comparing Spider-Man to CD3 is just really showing your fanboyism..one game went for a more cinematic look while the other went for a cell shaded cartoon look ..2 totally different games..they both look good in their respect...but you cant honestly sit here an say the 2017 game play looks better than the reveal trailer...because it doesn't...but what game actually does....watch dogs nor the division looked as good in game as they did in the reveal trailer...I doubt Anthem is gonna look as good as it did this year at E3..those car called TARGET RENDERS..but the way you guys defend this game ONLY because its a PS4 exclusive is ridiculous ...you did the same thing to no mans sky an we all know that game was terrible...not saying Spider-Man is because I'm actually looking forward to it...but you guys don't need to defend it just like guys don't need to defend CD3..if the game is good everyone will know it..an if its bad people will know..

[OB1Biker]

OK it's you opinion and fair enough to express it but I think your wrong on many levels man.
First I find silly when people come in the comments to deride gamers as 'defending' a game. No game needs defending. There's the question of owning a console and being fan of that platform because you enjoy it for many years and that's what being a fan basicaly is. By experience you are optimistic because you know your unlikely to be disappointed. Say some people are fans of Insomniac games. There's a reason to it.
Now as for this comparison. Tell me with a straight face it is a fair comparison. No its not a fair comparison. Come back when you get two exact same footages and then you can call it a comparison. So if you really want to base some sort of opinion on this 'comparison' then I think we can only compare the suit which looks different but not necessarily worse. Different fabrics is what they go for it seems. Don't tell me spider swinging in the sun light with a completely different lighting can be compared to a clear blue sky with no sun facing the camera or in the shadow.
As for Crackdown I do hope gamers who like what they see express themselves, (probably not the right post though). That doesn't mean they 'defend' a game. Example I did like the Order 1886 and I hope gamers who enjoyed Ryse did share their thoughts about it. It's no about 'defending'. 'Defending' , 'attacking' is more like for people who think there's some sort of fanboy war going on. Don t be that sort of people who call out others because their opinions is different and therefore they have to be 'fanboy'.

[gnothe1]

dude having an opinion is one thing..but you know theres people especially on this site that will hate a game JUST BECAUSE its on another platform....an that's what starts the defending...I actually have Ryse which was a good game an I beat it, I also have the order 1886 good game as well I haven't beat it..but you know fans on both sides tore them games apart an I still cant see why...I guess everybody like different things..I have bought EVERY uncharted game, Have not completed one..but I have beaten both tomb raider games..Uncharted is a great series an people love it...but for me..it just don't hold me...I have never bashed the game because I see the quality but I haven't given it the time it deserves..just like Halo..I have them all..but truthfully..I really cant stand it..ill play it alittle here an there an that's it..but I love Destiny..I got over 2700 hours in that game..but I don't bash halo...

[OB1Biker]

It's true that some people like to hate on a game (and that's become common expression unfortunately because I personally don't see the point on hating instead of moving on). But that goes both ways you know that. Still I reckon people expressing themselves in the comments are only a fraction of people visiting the site. Even so there's no need to generalise about the comments. It makes me think of people complaining there r too many PS fans on the site. Who's fault is it? I say everyone should express themselves but no need to call out people for their preference.
About this game reveal I feel they wanted to show in an artistic and dramatic way the game and they succeeded with a sort of early morning lighting. The differences don't deserve to be qualified as downgrade IMHO even if they were the same footages which they are not at all anyway.

[GNCFLYER]

I gotta quit seeing spidey info. This is one of those games I can't wait for. I'll be at Wal-Mart making the midnight stock guys dig it out of a box at 12:01. If they give me cheap I'm calling a manager over because they have to start selling it at midnight.

This is a system seller, a gorgeous open world Spider-Man game by insomniac.

Games like this is a reason to own a PS.

[Summons75]

Are you comparing a not in game CG trailer to the in game gameplay? Clickbait at it's finest.

[strifeblade]

I think its an obvious downgrade. Definitely in terms of effects. Look at the way he web slinged those boxes. The year before with that trailer this game looked incredible- now it kinda looks like any spider man game- which is not a bad thing

[sampson3121]

they said the same thing about Infamous SS, Uncharted 4, Driveclub, and the list goes on.
this is sony producing this game, not micorosoft.

[Silly gameAr]

This site should really stop doing comparisons and leave it to the pros.

[jokerisalive]

Ummm I DON'T think so....the game looked and played amazing at E3. The graphics look like a movie and ran so smooth. If anything it has been upgraded. Also the earlier footage was a target render which I feel they have since achieved and eclipsed.

[ClayRules2012]

Lol, I'm all for comparison videos ( especially for PS4 exclusives ) because when it comes to them, there's always improvements.

I remember before HZD's release, a comparison video came out & many were saying it was downgraded, which wasn't the case. If anyone considers the retail version a downgrade, I kindly suggest you to see an eye doctor. That game is a technological marvel.

Spider-Man's E3 showing this year looked absolutely beautiful. The detail in the character models, environments & lighting all looked awesome. On top of that, the animations were freaking beautiful, smooth, fluid in heir own right. That somewhat impressed me more than the breathtaking graphics lol.

I have no doubt there will be more comparisons when the release gets closer. I also have no doubt the graphics will be more polished & impressive when we can all play what looks to be a GREAT game/Super hero game!

[Ra3v3r]

If there's been any downgrade, it's in the intelligence of humanity. The scenes are different, the lighting is different, the suit has a different texture and there's different levels of motion blur applied to both versions. If anything, the 2017 footage looks cleaner.

Provided this is plays as Spider-Man 2 from back in the day, were onto a winner. If we get something that's a little more like Sunset Overdrive with Spider-Man acrobatics then I'll also be happy.

[ClayRules2012]

Well said.

[Sarcasm]

So less motion blur, re-designed textures, and sharper detail = downgrade? I remember why I stayed off N4G and damn why am I back and clicking this crap.

[zaherdab]

ohhhh noooo ... this article moved it from a day 1 buy to a day 2 buy for me !!

the game is so downgraded it got mistaken for a the movie footage !

[B1uBurneR]

hard to tell but it looked like it took a frame rate hit. Overall that games looks like what it powered for.

[Jon_Targaryen]

So wish this would come to PC but I know it wont.

[JackTheLiz]

Ugh.

[AmUnRa]

No, i see no downgrade, all i see is an upgrade, its even better by far.

[masterfox]

braindead article and braindead comparison by this writer, totally different scenarios, totally different angles, totally different time of events, the only thing it achieve is remind us how freaking stunning Spider Man looked this E3 ;)

[megaleo009]

Easy for comparison:

1-First scene was in the shadows,but have good comparison(The drops is jumping more on the screen).
2-In second scene we can see more blur on move and complete shadows on the suit(abou new scene).
3-this scene is rare,because if you see down you see the trees(very blurly)but in second(the new scene)is very blurly except spidey,maybe is the near and far focus with the the objects.
4-In this scene spidey is very carefully,the suit is very near to the screen,and we can see more brightness and HBAO+????is very disgusting the old trailer in comparison?yes,for that reason the new have more reality in comparision with old trailer.
5-this scene is good for the two(new and old scene):

.In scene one, spidey moves between people, we can different objects jump, we can also see how people move and ultimately breaks the crystal.

.Spidey should not collide with the rubble and with the building that is about to fall, a complete scene as it adds fire and dust in several places (destructive not?)

What is the difference of this? None in this sense, what is wanted to show is the density of the physics,but the new scene have more for the destruction.

6-last scene,In the last scene, in the new trailer, we can see that the movements of spiderman seem more real, they look cleaner and everything has a more realistic tone, here we end up with the suit seeing that it looks more latex.

Conclusion:here there is nothing more than improvements, I do not see the downgrade.

[trooper_]

Not clicking on your stupid article.

[Einhander1971]

Both builds look fucking amazing, day one for me regardless of this pointless article.

[Critic4l_Strik3]

different time of day + different scenes + different lighting = looks different

[jackdaddy]

Stupid article and I haven't even read it.

[kevinsheeks]

it was downgraded the lighting and a few textures it won't stop anyone from purchasing what looks to be a good game, but some of you in the comments talking about it's been upgraded . .come on guys staphhhhh ittttttt

[phoenixwing]

at 1080p i can barely tell a difference between them other than the suit is no longer as cloth heavy in the later build and that the time of day has changed as well as some lighting which I chalk up to being made to look impressive for the first engine build but later changed around to suit an open world. So, to me, if there's a downgrade i'm not seeing it.

[Sm00thNinja]

Eh.... looks pretty much the same. I like the lighting better in 2016 but that's just my opinion. It's pretty faithful to the target render. CAN'T WAIT to play this Spiderman is my favorite superhero!!!

[jznrpg]

The newer version just looks like they added shadows and effects and such. It actually looks better

[Miacosa]

Probably not as the OG was target render and not actual game engine.

[mocaak]

Oh it's the Cycu1 clown, nothing to see here.

[ApolloTheBoss]

I swear we're always finding something to complain about. Who cares as long as the game is good.

[KickSpinFilter]

It's a downgrade just look at city traffic congestion. In 2016 it looked like NYC traffic cars every where.
Now cars are placed more orderly.

[jasonpugh]

I think it looks great. Should be a fun game.

[NotSoMad]

How is changing the design of the suit downgrading it graphically?

[Exvalos]

His suit is darker and more defined in the e3 2016 trailer other then that, This ain't no watchdogs situation

[CrimzonRazor]

Like many many games as they get father into development they change as they are optimized, anyone who looks at early footage of a game and tells themselves this is what the game will look like only has themselves to blame.

[XStation4pio_Pro]

Doesn't look worse, just looks more art directed. Personally I think it looks better. How can it be a downgrade when it has more effects like the water drops?

Different doesn't always means worse. Just means they are polishing and adjusting to taste.

[TheOttomatic91]

About the video in question no but it is possible the final product will be slightly downgraded but if so it won't stop me from enjoying a fantastic game.

[snoopgg]

Looks better then crackdowngraded.

[NecoTehSergal]

He's comparing a skyscraper office building that's empty and being blown up with rocket launchers to a ****ing Diner/cafe on the ground floor as if to compare 'Fullness' and the lack-there-of?

This is beyond petty and obnoxious clickbaiting, just report/blam this and move on. I have a huge anger towards 'comparisons' that neglect the differences between situations, CONTEXT.... and areas of different time zones and lighting, trash sites did the same with Infamous: Second Son too when it came out.

[bluefox755]

Looks amazing, I don't know what they're talking about.

[Harmy666]

The lighting seems better in the 2016 render, but that just may be the scenes that are shown.

The textures look better on the 2017, but lighting (going off this video alone) is better in 2016.

[BIGBOSS08]

I know looking at this game hurts xbox fanboys, i know. Don't worry, you can watch people play it on youtube holding your xbox controller pretending your playing it. Your 6tf flop box will never have quality like this. All you guys will be doing is looking at your screens with magnifying glasses trying to spot any differences on your shitty scorpio versions of 3rd party games that most people will play elsewhere. Sony and nintendo is where its at. Microsoft will be having scraps.

[hobbitooo]

its not even released, what the fug is there to compare..........
just by pausing youtube videos?? damn bloody waste of time

[latinlegend81]

The only scene I felt was downgraded was the restaurant scene where he's running on tables and jumping off the wall.

[KickSpinFilter]

Huh?!?
Cafe is on street level. The other floor level is 52 floors up on a construction site??. A better example is the traffic: 2016 feels like a real NYC traffic jam. 2017 looks like a bunch of cars placed on an orderly computer generated grid.
That being said this game looks awesome.

[WelkinCole]

I dont get it. The scene in the build it looks better in the new gameplay. The only diffence at the start is the lighting.

[MrSec84]

Looking at like for like comparison footage on the PlayStation YouTube channels or other genuine direct feed footage available there have been numerous upgrades, the initial reveal footage was PS4 in-game, this is Pro and it's clear that things have moved along nicely.

When you can't take footage as is and have to use zoomed in, lower res stream feeds of the new footage to try to "create" a downgrade it's sad.
We can already see that games like Horizon, Uncharted, Ratchet and numerous Multiplats, etc are doing similar things, not really shocking that newer generation games like this, Days Gone, God of War, Red Dead Redemption 2, etc have iterated on that formula further.

[LifesChoice]

Day one.
I wonder if this would even be a conversation if this were a multi-platform title.

Emotions run high when you can't participate in the fun.

"Of course were gonna throw as much shade as possible on the best looking super hero game coming." - Microsoft Fanclub

At least we can play as Batman

[Saranya]

Yes it's downgraded.

[MIDNIITE_Z3RO]

Best looking Spiderman game that there has ever been, regardless of a downgrade. I'm still buying it, and I'm still gonna enjoy swinging around New York, Spidey style!

[DanteVFenris666]

Oh look in this scene he's in the sun so it's all vibrant and look in this other scene it's not sunny so it looks worse.

That's basically 99% of these downgrade articles now a days

[2pacalypsenow]

Only difference I see is lighting, but everything else is the same.

[Enigma_2099]

.. what? You saying it looks ugly now? It looks fine. How much prettier do you need toe game to be?

[FernDiggidy]

Looks differently lit that's all. You're comparing different locations. Nice try