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[Lunatic_Gamer]

The Yakuza franchise has evolved - not just in terms of its name but also its key technology. The bespoke Dragon engine powering the series has been replaced by Unreal Engine 4 - but the first title to see the change is actually based on an old Japan-only series entry first seen on PS3. So how does the game play out on all systems? Oliver Mackenzie investigates.

Summary:

- Hybrid remake/remaster using UE4
- Uses modern rendering sensibilities like better lighting along with redone assets, character models, bokeh DoF etc.
- However, some geometry is still almost exactly the same as PS3 just in higher resolution.
- Animations are also reused, they're fine in cut-scenes but game play can stick out compared to modern games.

- PS5|SX: 1440p/60 FPS
- Series S: 1080p/60 FPS
- PS5 has toned down Ambient Occlusion and sharper shadow filtering.
- SX has stronger AO coverage and 'softer' filtered shadows which DF prefers

- All consoles target 60 FPS for game play and 30 FPS for cut-scenes. There are also a lot of 60 FPS "dialogue" scenes that are not like the high-quality cut-scenes.
- SX hits 60 FPS in game play outside of one off drops in intensive game play and heavy QTE's in boss fights.
- 30 FPS scenes suffer from uneven frame pacing
- 60 FPS dialogue scenes can drop a frame or two during camera cuts
- PS5 is a mirror to Series X in all aspects above

- Series S can have more sustained drops and heavy dips in boss fights with QTE segments, on the flip side it looks visually very similar to the big consoles (resolution difference only accounts for some softness)

- PC version launched with stutter issues, but the latest patch seems to have resolved most of those
- However, PC version still suffers the one-off drops in camera cuts and 30 FPS cut-scenes with bad frame pacing just like PS5|SX
- PC version supports most modern upscaling techniques (FSR2, XeSS)
- FSR2 Quality is clearer than native 4K and the lower modes do a good enough job.
- PC version has only basic settings to toggle.
- PC Max is hybrid between PS5|SX with restrained AO like PS5 and softer shadows like SX as the highest preset.

Thanks adamsapple for the detailed summary

 

[killatopak]

I don’t think a DF thread is complete anymore with an adamsapple summary.

 

[TintoConCasera]

30 fps cutsecenes and minigames is a shame, but aside from that I'm really enjoying this game.

Not gonna watch a 15 minutes video with a dude whose voice puts me to sleep, but I'd like to add that they fixed the stutters on the PC version with the latest patch.

Dragon engine powering the series has been replaced by Unreal Engine 4

Not sure about this. They stated that they were tinkering with it to test if it's best to use UE4 or keep improving the Dragon Engine. Based on this "remake" has come out I really hope they stick with the Dragon Engine.

I have a crazy theory tho: all of that is false, and the truth is that this remake has been developed by inexperienced interns while the main devs work on LAD 8 and LADGTMWEHN. Those interns don't know shit about the DE but they know UE4,m so that's why they went with it.

 

[solidus12]

Adamsapple is not the OP, so this means that the PS5 version might have a slight advantage...

 

[adamsapple]

Summary:

- Hybrid remake/remaster using UE4
- Uses modern rendering sensibilities like better lighting along with redone assets, character models, bokeh DoF etc.
- However, some geometry is still almost exactly the same as PS3 just in higher resolution.
- Animations are also reused, they're fine in cut-scenes but game play can stick out compared to modern games.

- PS5|SX: 1440p/60 FPS
- Series S: 1080p/60 FPS
- PS5 has toned down Ambient Occlusion and sharper shadow filtering.
- SX has stronger AO coverage and 'softer' filtered shadows which DF prefers

- All consoles target 60 FPS for game play and 30 FPS for cut-scenes. There are also a lot of 60 FPS "dialogue" scenes that are not like the high-quality cut-scenes.
- SX hits 60 FPS in game play outside of one off drops in intensive game play and heavy QTE's in boss fights.
- 30 FPS scenes suffer from uneven frame pacing
- 60 FPS dialogue scenes can drop a frame or two during camera cuts
- PS5 is a mirror to Series X in all aspects above

- Series S can have more sustained drops and heavy dips in boss fights with QTE segments, on the flip side it looks visually very similar to the big consoles (resolution difference only accounts for some softness)

- PC version launched with stutter issues, but the latest patch seems to have resolved most of those
- However, PC version still suffers the one-off drops in camera cuts and 30 FPS cut-scenes with bad frame pacing just like PS5|SX
- PC version supports most modern upscaling techniques (FSR2, XeSS)
- FSR2 Quality is clearer than native 4K and the lower modes do a good enough job.
- PC version has only basic settings to toggle.
- PC Max is hybrid between PS5|SX with restrained AO like PS5 and softer shadows like SX as the highest preset.



Apples note: DF made no note of which console is a better choice between the two outside their preference of the shadow filtering on SX.

 

[MasterCornholio]

Sounds like a tie to me. Either softer shadows or slightly better AO. Everything else is the same.

 

[93xfan]

Sounds like a tie to me. Either softer shadows or slightly better AO. Everything else is the same.

nice try

 

[MasterCornholio]

nice try

It does seem like a tie to me.

Maybe you can imagine it worse if it makes you feel better.



It's fine on both BTW.

P.S I'm just kidding with you.

 

[RobRSG]

I pretty much saw zero difference in the demo, and ended up buying the PS5 version.

Good to know nobody got a crappy version.

 

[Captain Toad]

Another one!

 

[Thief1987]

Only 1440p for a game like this is embarassment.

 

[Quixz]

The last few Japanese-developed games have disappointed graphically.. don't judge me too harshly gaf

 

[Captain Toad]

Only 1440p for a game like this is embarassment.

 

[TonyK]

I love Ryu Ga Gotoku games, but I can't understand how a game with this graphics is not native 4k and 60fps in PS5/SX.

 

[Esppiral]

A PS3 game not able to run at 4k60 on current gen is a red flag

 

[RobRSG]

I love Ryu Ga Gotoku games, but I can't understand how a game with this graphics is not native 4k and 60fps in PS5/SX.

Me neither.

Dragon Engine was definitely heavier than UE4, I think they went safe to avoid variable performance.

 

[Lysandros]

The difference in shadows is obviously beyond filtering.

 

[TintoConCasera]

The difference in shadows is obviously beyond filtering.

Green rats on suicide watch, how will they ever recover?

 

[MasterCornholio]

The difference in shadows is obviously beyond filtering.

In that shot shadows look better to me on the PS5. But maybe it's less realistic on that system.

I don't know how to explain it.

Certainly not something I would notice while playing it.

 

[adamsapple]

In that shot shadows look better to me on the PS5. But maybe it's less realistic on that system.

I don't know how to explain it.

Yes, realistically shadows become softer if the shadow casting object is at a distance, it doesn't always stay pin sharp.

 

[Celcius]

Oof at 1440p

 

[MasterCornholio]

Yes, realistically shadows become softer if the shadow casting object is at a distance, it doesn't always stay pin sharp.

Regardless its not a massive difference. I didn't really notice it until he posted that screen. Both versions are almost identical now that I'm seeing the difference. Still game seems to run fine on both which is good to see.

 

[Mr Moose]

Yes, realistically shadows become softer if the shadow casting object is at a distance, it doesn't always stay pin sharp.

They aren't pin sharp in this game.

 

[sendit]

This game is a runner up for one of the ugliest games in 2023. It has no right running at only 1440p on the PS5/XSX.

 

[adamsapple]

They aren't pin sharp in this game.

Well, yeah, but you get the idea of what I meant I hope.

Far Cry 3 technically has "sharper" shadows on 360 compared to PC, but that's because of the difference in filtering, the PC method is a higher "more accurate" filtering.

Some people may very well prefer the sharper look, that's not an issue at all.

 

[ChiefDada]

Me entering the thread suited up in army fatigues, M-16 in hand, only to be let down by DF's tie results and adamsapple objective summary

 

[intbal]

Ollie forgot to turn off the low pass filter.

 

[Fbh]

One detail they didn't mention is that apparently the original version of the game took place in Mexico while the remake is set in Japan

 

[adamsapple]

One detail they didn't mention is that apparently the original version of the game took place in Mexico while the remake is set in Japan

NGL in some places I actually like the originals warmer tone more.

 

[as1m]

F

The difference in shadows is obviously beyond filtering.

 

[The Pleasure]

Is this a smash bros fan?

 

[Lysandros]

Difference in ground textures besides shadows:

Can be seen clearer there:

Digital Foundry Article Technical Discussion [2023]

I'd say TAAU combined with DRS has better IQ. For instance it's really great in Kena. I find the AA in Kena to be quite poor but I'm running at native 1440p, should I try running it upscaled to see if the IQ improves?

forum.beyond3d.com

(Are you seeing your own reflection somewhere in the picture or what adamsapple, what's so funny about it? Still not bored playing the emoji trolling?)

 

[SkyHighTrees]

Why is it unacceptable to say PS5 has a better looking game. Those shadows and textures look better. End of, no ifs or buts. Lower res shadows, or lower shadow filtering is usually an option to make your PC games run better, not look better.

 

[damidu]

Why is it unacceptable to say PS5 has a better looking game. Those shadows and textures look better. End of, no ifs or buts. Lower res shadows, or lower shadow filtering is usually an option to make your PC games run better, not look better.

have heart man, people are desperate for a “win” at this point

 

[Killer8]

I have no idea why he chose to use the PS3 version running in an emulator as the point of comparison. For a channel that prides itself on accuracy, it's not very academic to resort to emulators which may have a host of broken or incorrect effects. At the very least use the retail PS4 version.

It's also pathetic that yet another PC release has stutter. Yes, the devs fixed it - pat on the back for them, I guess. But it's yet another instance of that particular issue slipping through the net and then needing a week after release to fix it. Why are we celebrating such a state of affairs exactly?

I went with the game on PS5 and did not look back.

 

[lh032]

 

[sendit]

Why is it unacceptable to say PS5 has a better looking game. Those shadows and textures look better. End of, no ifs or buts. Lower res shadows, or lower shadow filtering is usually an option to make your PC games run better, not look better.

Say no more, all your answers can be found here: https://www.neogaf.com/threads/ot-xbox-power-king-memes.1531914/

 

[Loxus]

Say no more, all your answers can be found here: https://www.neogaf.com/threads/ot-xbox-power-king-memes.1531914/

Well, that thread didn't age well.

 

[YCoCg]

With it being locked at 1440p its got me thinking that an FSR2.2 update is coming down the line as 1440p would scale up to 4k just fine under "Quality" mode.

 

[adamsapple]

With it being locked at 1440p its got me thinking that an FSR2.2 update is coming down the line as 1440p would scale up to 4k just fine under "Quality" mode.

I think they just used 1440p/60 cause that's the same resolution all the dragon engine games use. I don't think there was much else to it. RGG studio doesn't generally revisit games after launch to add substantial things like different AA or different resolution/performance modes, so I wouldn't hold my breath for any FSR implementation or a 4K Quality mode.

 

[El Pistolero]

No fighting on saturday night, only partying!

 

[akaFullmetal]

Almost identical other than shadows a little sharper on PS5.

 

[aries_71]

The difference in shadows is obviously beyond filtering.

It’s like a whole different game…

 

[Thebonehead]

Difference in ground textures besides shadows:

Can be seen clearer there:

Digital Foundry Article Technical Discussion [2023]

I'd say TAAU combined with DRS has better IQ. For instance it's really great in Kena. I find the AA in Kena to be quite poor but I'm running at native 1440p, should I try running it upscaled to see if the IQ improves?

forum.beyond3d.com

(Are you seeing your own reflection somewhere in the picture or what adamsapple, what's so funny about it? Still not bored playing the emoji trolling?)

Incredible - It's 4090 levels

 

[Lysandros]

It’s like a whole different game…

of shadows.

 

[YeulEmeralda]

I have no idea why he chose to use the PS3 version running in an emulator as the point of comparison. For a channel that prides itself on accuracy, it's not very academic to resort to emulators which may have a host of broken or incorrect effects. At the very least use the retail PS4 version.

It's also pathetic that yet another PC release has stutter. Yes, the devs fixed it - pat on the back for them, I guess. But it's yet another instance of that particular issue slipping through the net and then needing a week after release to fix it. Why are we celebrating such a state of affairs exactly?

I went with the game on PS5 and did not look back.

Because games have been launching in a broken state for the last 10 years AT MINIMUM and clearly nobody cared.

 

[SkyHighTrees]

i dont see these kinda comments when the game has 3% better res on xsx

Incredible - It's 4090 levels

 

[DenchDeckard]

This sounds like almost a perfect tie between them both. Would be lovely if all games were like this.

 

[Bojji]

This sounds like almost a perfect tie between them both. Would be lovely if all games were like this.

Even frame drops are the same, this gen is the closest ever in gaming in terms of power levels.

 

[onQ123]

This sounds like almost a perfect tie between them both. Would be lovely if all games were like this.

Look closer PS5 look better zoomed in

But strangely that is the point of VRS