Mass Effect 1 vs. Mass Effect 2: PC graphics compared

PC Games Hardware compares the PC versions of ass Effect 1 and Mass Effect 2. On the screenshots one can see the visual upgrades Bioware integrated into the new game.

[rawrockkillz]

Looking good!

[N4PS3G]

The grunt comparison :O :O

[dp277407]

yea they do...its the only game coming out soon that im going to get for my pc everything else im going to get so i can play it online on my big t.v. on my ps3

[dirthurts]

Why not set your TV as your second display, and play pc games there. That's what I do. Pretty simple really.

[SmokeyMcBear]

why are the gameplay shots of ME2 always in the dark... doh.

[GamerSciz]

I see an improvement in lighting, texturing, and overall polycount on the models and environments. Looking very good and looks like they improved on everything graphical.

[thewhoopimen]

Partially agree. Texture is definitely sharper, lighting is also better. However, I don't see the polygon pushing you're talking about. Character polygon count look pretty much the same to me. Same with the environment looking at the command center on the ship. Everything is a little wider... same design. What needs to be seen is the animations, physics and particle effects, as well as number of onscreen AI. That to me completes the overall "package".

[timotei]

Ah sweet, the REAL comparison.

[GamerPS360]

4 more days. !! Pre-ordered through steam already :D

By the way, mass effect1 doesn't took that bad on PC. Not sure what type of PC they are using but it sure looks much better on my PC.

[Ashta]

That is some amazing differences and I still think that Mass Effect 1 is a gorgeous game, but....wow.

[Karooo]

ultimate experience.

[webeblazing]

look like they actually did something with ME2 on pc cause the 1st didnt look good to start with and seeing they re did the controls on pc to work with the pc and not some console controls on pc it seems like its true

[DelbertGrady]

Can't wait to enjoy this on my Xbox 360! :)

[lh_swe]

I played the first on my 360 and it keept freezing for some unknown reason, but I know this doesn't happen to everyone so don't get your panties in a bunch.

But if I had a functional 360 I'd do the same I have to admit (the controller feels more natural), on that note does anyone know any controllers for the PC that feel as good as the console controllers? Most of the ones I have looked at are terrible.

[CernaML]

Uh... you can use a 360 controller on the PC...

[lh_swe]

It wouldn't hurt to be nicer when conveying information tho.

[CernaML]

Sorry. I'm just ticked off because the rain almost destroyed my car's engine today (I live in SoCal where it's been raining for a week already).

[ATi_Elite]

UH you can use a PS3 controller on the PC
(need special software of course) google it
or try a logitech rumble pad 2

Is it me or am I the only one who's sick of the Unreal engine and it's antique Directx 9 format.

[mcnablejr]

who would possibly want to play this on a pc. pc is for WORLD OF WARCRAFT, thats it.

[Ninji]

The people who don't want to play the inferior 360 version.

[CernaML]

Again, ignore the misinformed with the Modern Warfare 2 avatar. lol

Oh, I'm sure your roommate can run Mass Effect 2. On the lowest settings. lol

[mcnablejr]

you dont need a particularly good rig to run this on pc on high settings as im aware, he will be able to run it on high settings, trust me . well , as i said he's buying the 360 version, he's only got a few games on his pc. i cant even remember the names. He's got crysis which is alright, alot of low end games, , stalker or whatever. and half life.

Right so, 32" bravia
cambridge audio amp,5.1
sofa
is a significantly more enjoyable experience then moving your mouse around franticly,
consoles>pc

[CernaML]

42" Viera or/and monitor.
(I need a surround sound set up - You got me there D:)
Bed or sofa or comfy computer desk chair.
360 or PS3 controller
Higher graphic settings (no need to worry about sub HD games like on the 360 lol)
Superior online experience
Superior multitasking
Superior media center
All on PC. lol You console only fanboys don't know a thing about PCs.

[ATi_Elite]

I wish I had a dollar for every IDIOT who thinks you can't play PC games on a big screen TV while siting on your sofa eating chips and drinking sugary liquids like everybody else.

(Well actually I prefer fresh fruit and OJ) Have you CONSOLERS ever heard of HDMI or DVI or do you connect your console to your TV's with that UHF adaptor and the screws still.

Seeing how NONE of your GOOD games are FULL HD you may as well.

Mass Effect 2 with it's ancient Unreal Engine and Directx 9 graphics. My computer can run this while in HIBERNATION MODE.
and yes it will look better than a 360

[huga_muga]

They both look exactly the same.

[snp]

I don't think you can expect 'too much' advantage in games on PC and another or multiple other consoles. Making multiple character models for the different machines power differences is probably not viable. Until the 360 and PS3 either start upping the anti (in terms of discovering new tricks within hardware or some such) or their next gen models come about (in a couple of years time, presumably), i'd say most of the PC's extra power will be constrained to resolution/lighting/texture quality etc. advantages (which are somewhat more limited than they could be; such is the lot of a PC community with unfortunately slowing sales..).

[ATi_Elite]

retail game sales are slow but remember Direct 2 Drive, Steam, The Big download is where PC gamers get most of their games which are not in the VGchartz or NPD tally.

Over 2 million Directx 11 video cards sold in 4 months. Trust me they weren't bought for minesweeper or solitaire.

360 PS3 up their ante? Not even close. The PC is doing GPU tessellation Ultra HDR, Physx, EYEFINITY, Photo realistic enviroments and not to mention GPGPU or CPU-GPU Stream technology.

Directx 11 would turn a PS3 or 360 into a smoking pile of melted silicon.

PC gamers know only a hand full of PC developers have the talent to make a great PC game utilizing current technology to it's potential and Mass Effect 2 (though good) does not push any boundaries.

[snp]

I hope you're right. I'd love to see sales justify more focus on the PC. At the risk of p-ssing off console only folk, they really are much more powerful these days.

But, my hunch is they just aren't selling enough to justify being the primary focus these days. Like i say, i hope i'm wrong - where the power is is where the excitement is re:graphics etc for me - but my hunch is those directx11 cards are selling as much to pirates as they are to legitimate game buyers.

We'll see, though. If online sales have taken off/do take off, maybe some more effort and focus will come back to pushing higher end PC's.