Downgrade or Upgrade? Starfield From 2022 And 2023 Compared
The web is overflowing with materials comparing Starfield's current graphics with the setting from twelve months ago. Players are engaged in a heated discussion about whether Bethesda's game has changed for the better.
The recent Starfield Direct brought us a glimpse of, among other things, the current visuals of the upcoming hit by Bethesda.
Recipients were quick to point out that the title looks noticeably different than year ago, which caused the web to be flooded with materials comparing the current graphics with the appearance of the game presented more than twelve months ago.
Interestingly, opinions of the gaming community are divided, and the game, in the opinion of many, has lost in some aspects to gain in others.
Downgrade or upgrade? According to most, it is better, but not in everything
Below is a summary that perfectly - frame by frame - shows what changes have taken place in the audiovisual setting of Starfield over the past 12 months.
- What clearly catches the eye is the change that has taken place in the character models, as well as the placement of the camera during dialogues - most commentators take it as a downgrade, emphasizing the lower realism and level of detail in the faces of NPCs.
- Undoubtedly also global lighting was changed (which can be perfectly seen in fragments between 1:18-1:42 or 4:02-4:23 of the above footage). Here, in turn, the prevailing opinion is that the graphics are much improved compared to the 2022 video.
- Interestingly, the changes included not only strictly graphics, but also the "artistic vision" of certain locations (the city from 4:24-4:27 is an example).
Bethesda/YouTube/Cycu1
Bethesda/YouTube/Cycu1
All in all, however, the gaming community seems to be satisfied with the direction Bethesda has taken with regard to the audiovisuals of Starfield. Not to be lip service, here are some of the highest rated comments from under the comparison.
"I see a real improvement over the 2022 demo. Character models have the same texture resolution; the new lighting system provides much better realism and depth (...)."
"No reduction in quality. The game looks better and less artificial."
"I think the differences we see are mainly due to better global lighting, as mentioned [by the developers - ed. note] at the Xbox event. This would make sense, since shadows receive much more color from reflected light, rather than being simply black as before."
Not everyone likes the new graphical direction
However, it is worth noting that not everyone is happy with the change in the level of graphics in Starfield. Some players - including journalists - seem to prefer the 2022 version.
"Lighting technology definitely looks better in 2023, but I prefer the grittier color gradation, contrast, materials, etc. of 2022."
There is also no shortage of voices saying that changes in graphics Starfield are a sidegrade, i.e. changes that cannot be evaluated in terms of better or worse - it is simply different.
"The only real difference is that facial animations are better in the 2022 version. The rest seems to be sidegrade."
Personally, I've decided not to attempt to evaluate the changes that have taken place in Bethesda's game. I will only point out that, in my opinion, both versions of the game look good enough for 9th-gen consoles.
You, however, are strongly encouraged to share your opinion on the subject.
At the very end, I would like to remind you that the release of Starfield is scheduled for September 6. That's when the game will be released on PC Xbox Series X/S consoles. Simultaneously the game be available in Game Pass.
