[PS3] Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time

I wish Insomniac would put more emphasis on lighting and shadows.

Exactly my concern ! With R2 they had started paying attention to lighting and shadowing, I was hoping they continue down that path more. Their Ratchet worlds are beautiful, but they can be the most beautiful if they start casting shadows too, and volume lights too.
 
What I miss is the short range, infinite ammo beam weapons like Sheepinator from PS2 R&C games. I'm puzzled why Insomniac would remove the ultimate combat platforming weapon from R&C arsenal. :(
 
I wish Insomniac would put more emphasis on lighting and shadows.

I don't think it's very important in this type of game. For more realistic games, yes, improved lighting can be fantastic, but for something like this, I just don't think it's necessary. They already have an absolutely fantastic looking game, stellar animation, and a great engine.

I really hate to use this term, but they are the closest to the "pixar look" this generation, in my opinion.
 
I don't think it's very important in this type of game. For more realistic games, yes, improved lighting can be fantastic, but for something like this, I just don't think it's necessary. They already have an absolutely fantastic looking game, stellar animation, and a great engine.
Well, their in-engine prerendered cutscenes from Future show that improved shadows actually add a lot to the graphics.
 
Well, their in-engine prerendered cutscenes from Future show that improved shadows actually add a lot to the graphics.

I understand what you're trying to say here, but that is not the word you want to use.

Anyway, the lighting in those scenes is enhanced because they are slower paced, your focus is on the characters, and there is a lot of action. It's not worth the compromise to drop the frame rate for the sake of better lighting.

People always knock Insomniac for their lighting, meanwhile overlooking everything else. They have the best engine that runs at 60fps with the most action on screen (and certainly some of the best looking textures for the frame rate it runs at).

With Resistance 2 they had a wonky lighting engine, but the amount of action happening on screen eclipsed many games (the Chicago battle comes to mind).

I can understand folks wanting improvements, but at least acknowledge some of the other highlights that are present.
 
Well shadows would immensely improve the look, for sure. PIXAR does use shadows :LOL: !

Insomniac uses shadows as well. But it's certainly not necessary to put forth tons of extra effort into making sure that every object has a shadow, be it real time or baked. It offers minimal return, and costs additional money. It's not worth it. Not for this type of game.

Insomniac Games puts out one game every 12 months, roughly. Spending time on questionable efforts such as "does this rock cast a shadow" really isn't going to do much for them.
 
Any word on online options?

They could have co-op modes where you could play Clank using some ranged weapons and collecting the items while Ratchet continues to fight.

There are also non-enemy character which they've had in the series which might be playable.

Also being able to control bosses could be interesting too.

The online modes they had in the PS2 versions were okay but derivative of shooters. I remember some arena-like online level where others were controlling their own Ratchets and could pick up things like jet packs to accelerate towards your opponent as a surprise tactic.
 
Insomniac uses shadows as well. But it's certainly not necessary to put forth tons of extra effort into making sure that every object has a shadow, be it real time or baked. It offers minimal return, and costs additional money. It's not worth it. Not for this type of game.

Insomniac Games puts out one game every 12 months, roughly. Spending time on questionable efforts such as "does this rock cast a shadow" really isn't going to do much for them.

Heh Heh ! its all subjective tha_con. To me Its worth it. After all why do we nitpick about graphics inn all the games, because it matters:D. Nobody says that platformers do not need great graphics, in fact it is RnC itself which shows that great graphics go a long way.

I want shadows, you don't ! ...........................but shadows do matter to me:devilish: !

How do you think shadows contribute to Uncharted's gameplay? .....but we still nitpick about them ! Does a shooter NEED shadows? ......but we still want them ;) !
 
Heh Heh ! its all subjective tha_con. To me Its worth it. After all why do we nitpick about graphics inn all the games, because it matters:D. Nobody says that platformers do not need great graphics, in fact it is RnC itself which shows that great graphics go a long way.

I want shadows, you don't ! ...........................but shadows do matter to me:devilish: !

How do you think shadows contribute to Uncharted's gameplay? .....but we still nitpick about them ! Does a shooter NEED shadows? ......but we still want them ;) !

You're talking personal preference, I'm talking about their business model.

I understand you want shadows, but what I'm trying to explain to you is why they aren't there.

Naughty Dog works on a 24 month cycle. They have time to contribute to baking shadows for every object, etc. They have the time to create that technology for their games. They sell games partly because they look so good. There is a financial return for them to spend additional time to make the game look better.

Insomniac Games works on a 12 month development cycle. Their games spend about 6 months in pre-production by a small team, and then get about 12 months of actual "development time". During those 12 months, they have to weigh their options. Frame rate, draw distance, texture resolution, enemy count, polish, etc. For their business model, it is not worth it to them to ensure every object has a shadow of some sort. There is little "return investment" for them. We are the minority being enthusiast gamers buying R&C. Most of the people who get it are "casual" gamers.

In RnC: Future, every enemy casts a shadow, and the character casts a shadow. That's good enough for me, especially if the game is running at 60fps with almost no tearing at all. I wouldn't sacrifice the frame rate in R&C for better lighting.
 
Any word on online options?

They could have co-op modes where you could play Clank using some ranged weapons and collecting the items while Ratchet continues to fight.

There are also non-enemy character which they've had in the series which might be playable.

Also being able to control bosses could be interesting too.

The online modes they had in the PS2 versions were okay but derivative of shooters. I remember some arena-like online level where others were controlling their own Ratchets and could pick up things like jet packs to accelerate towards your opponent as a surprise tactic.

They have another character helping them this time. Would be great if they offer some sort of co-op. Even Uncharted, a story-based adventure game, has online now.
 
I notice the video on PSN is 1080p. Has anyone heard if Insomniac are actually going for "full HD" this time round?
 
There are also 1080p trailers for Uncharted 2, Heavy Rain and White Knight Chronicles, and I know they have put up 1080p trailers for 720p games before.
 
The game will render at 720p. As with Insomniac titles, they will upscale to 1080i/p *if need be*. If your TV supports 720p, however, it will simply render at that resolution.
 
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