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[DagnastyEp]

Another ROTTR analysis?

It's true, we've covered Rise of the Tomb Raider so many times over the past couple of years that we've even given it a YouTube playlist - but this is by no means a bad thing. It simply demonstrates the love and care developer Nixxes has poured into maintaining the game over the years.

This is the Gamescom demo we're hands-on with, covering off around ten minutes of gameplay from the Syria-based Prophet's Tomb level. We actually played through the demo four times - in 4K, 4K HDR, and using the alternative rendering modes: Enriched 4K and High Frame-Rate. The native 4K mode is indeed impressive as Rise of the Tomb Raider remains a highly demanding game on the PC. Granted, the level of detail is pushed back compared to the PC version, but it holds up better than you might think.

Textures:

the extra memory on Xbox One X means that textures nearly on par with the PC's highest setting are available here, and a welcome twist is that these textures persist across all three display modes on Xbox One X

Native 4K mode:

Most of the demo plays out at 30fps, but busy scenes can drop beneath - a little concerning bearing in mind that The Prophet's Tomb is actually one of the lightest areas of the game.

4K Enriched mode:

performance is improved and the graphics are just straight-up better. What's not to like? Right now, this gets our vote as the best way to play the game [on console].

High Frame Rate mode:

It offers a 1080p output just like PS4 Pro but as we mentioned earlier, it now supports higher resolution textures.

What we can confirm though is that like-for-like tests on the demo area confirm that Xbox One X does indeed run the same content faster than PS4 Pro.

More in the Article and video.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/d...e-of-the-tomb-raider-full-xbox-one-x-analysis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qG9-DrKSvQ

 

[MAX PAYMENT]

Is the ps4 version going to get HDR?

 

[Gowans]

I really like all the modes

That triangle of Image Quality, Resolution and Frame Rate are great picks to cover whats important to people.

Hope more dev use the extra memory for better textures.

I'll defo be playing through again for HDR and think I will go Enriched as Dark recommends.

 

[PsihoPerihelion]

If resolution looks like 4K CBR on PS4 pro, then 4K enriched is the way to go. Native is great, but 4K CBR with higher settings and better performance seems like a no brainier.

 

[OdysseusVA]

They really are milking this

 

[dead monkey uk]

Is the ps4 version going to get HDR?

Another Digital Foundry incoming if it does.

 

[SEGAvangelist]

Still crazy that they got this running twice the native resolution of the PS4 Pro version with even better textures. Hopefully they get the fps konks worked out.

 

[Space_nut]

Xbox One X a beast

Can't wait to finish my playthrough on it

 

[DagnastyEp]

I really like all the modes

That triangle of Image Quality, Resolution and Frame Rate are great picks to cover whats important to people.

Hope more dev use the extra memory for better textures.

I'll defo be playing through again for HDR and think I will go Enriched as Dark recommends.

I agree, I love the option of the 3 modes, and hope more devs use RotTR as an example of how to implement Pro/1X upgrades.

 

[CherryIcee]

I don't see any mention if it fixed the input lag. Has anyone reported if it's better in this version?

 

[MosquitoSmasher]

The way this game is being handled should be for all upcoming games. In terms of options that is. Great stuff for everyone.

 

[AllGamer]

I don't see any mention if it fixed the input lag. Has anyone reported if it's better in this version?

It has already been fixed.

 

[AyaisMUsikWhore]

Not to be dismissive but why is this the only game constantly tested on the Xbox One X? Is there no other game that can be tested to show it's strength? I thought we already knew this ran good....what here is new information?

 

[DagnastyEp]

I don't see any mention if it fixed the input lag. Has anyone reported if it's better in this version?

I didn't see it mentioned in this article or video, but in a previous RotTR article it was mentioned that input lag is fixed for the 1X release:

Let's talk basics first - an on-site Square-Enix representative told us that talented Dutch developer Nixxes has handled the port on behalf of Crystal Dynamics. It's an interesting choice bearing in mind that Crystal produced the original Xbox One version. However, the benefits are obvious - Nixxes is responsible for the PC, Xbox 360, PS4 and PS4 Pro versions of the game, and this means that the X version runs with the enhancements made on the latest PS4 update. Case in point: Crystal never fixed the input lag issues on the original Xbox One release, while the X port retains the crisper right-stick control of the latest PS4 title update.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/d...mb-raider-on-xbox-one-x-improves-over-ps4-pro

I haven't seen/heard mention if the fix to input lag also applies to the base Xbox One.

 

[Carn82]

Not to be dismissive but why is this the only game constantly tested on the Xbox One X? Is there no other game that can be tested to show it's strength? I thought we already knew this ran good....what here is new information?

It's a game that has similar features available on the One X's direct competitor (PS4 Pro), and is also available on X1, PS4 and PC, so it's a good case to highlight the differences between the platforms.

 

[PackAPunchedMick]

It's a game that has similar features available on the One X's direct competitor (PS4 Pro), and is also available on X1, PS4 and PC, so it's a good case to highlight the differences between the platforms.

It's also a 2 year old "port".

I'll be more impressed when they show current up and coming titles that don't have a fluctuating frame rate at 4k with graphical cut backs.

 

[DagnastyEp]

Not to be dismissive but why is this the only game constantly tested on the Xbox One X? Is there no other game that can be tested to show it's strength? I thought we already knew this ran good....what here is new information?

The Xbox One X isn't out yet, and while there are over 130 games confirmed to have 1X support, there's aren't many examples of released multiplatform titles which provide the basis for comparisons to other platforms. RotTR makes a good game for comparison because it's an already released title with great Pro support, meaning a detailed comparison can be made between the two consoles (and PC) using this game.

The new information in this article is how each of the 3 Xbox One X modes perform, and the comparison of those modes to what's available in the PS4 Pro release (with regard to the Prophets Tomb level).

 

[JoeLT]

I really like all the modes

That triangle of Image Quality, Resolution and Frame Rate are great picks to cover whats important to people.

Hope more dev use the extra memory for better textures.

I'll defo be playing through again for HDR and think I will go Enriched as Dark recommends.

Yep, being able to simply choose from these three modes is fantastic. I wish more games would take this three mode approach, between effects/resolution/framerate.

 

[KageMaru]

Hopefully they get the performance issues ironed out in the 4K mode. I don't see them ever getting a locked 60fps when my i7 can drop in the geothermal valley section of the game.

It's also a 2 year old "port".

I'll be more impressed when they show current up and coming titles that don't have a fluctuating frame rate at 4k with graphical cut backs.

Regarding of it's age, it's still one of the more demanding games this generation. We should wait for the final release before assuming what we see here is what we'll get.

Besides I'm sure we'll see other comparisons after the system launches. RotTR is one of the few multiplatform titles shown early. Most, if not all, of the other titles shown have been Xbox exclusives.

 

[DagnastyEp]

It's also a 2 year old "port".

I'll be more impressed when they show current up and coming titles that don't have a fluctuating frame rate at 4k with graphical cut backs.

While the framerate isn't locked 30 as of now, the native 4K mode features graphical updates (improved textures) over the base Xbox One version. None of the 3 modes on Xbox One X feature graphical cut backs, when compared to the original Xbox One release, in fact each mode is improved due to the high resolution textures.

 

[Yearsoflurking]

Not to be dismissive but why is this the only game constantly tested on the Xbox One X? Is there no other game that can be tested to show it's strength? I thought we already knew this ran good....what here is new information?

System isn't out yet

 

[Carn82]

It's also a 2 year old "port".

I'll be more impressed when they show current up and coming titles that don't have a fluctuating frame rate at 4k with graphical cut backs.

Your point being? Not that many other games available at the moment that lend themselves to this kind of multiplatform comparison.

 

[dark10x]

Not to be dismissive but why is this the only game constantly tested on the Xbox One X? Is there no other game that can be tested to show it's strength? I thought we already knew this ran good....what here is new information?

Oh sure, let me just turn around and fire up my Xbox One X right now and test all these other games!

 

[rodrigolfp]

"The native 4K mode is indeed impressive as Rise of the Tomb Raider remains a highly demanding game on the PC."

Still doesn't have HBAO+ and VXAO like on PC.

 

[belvedere]

"The native 4K mode is indeed impressive as Rise of the Tomb Raider remains a highly demanding game on the PC."

Still doesn't have HBAO+ and VXAO like on PC.

LOD differences as well but I'll need to wait until I can watch on a larger display to be sure.

 

[PsihoPerihelion]

Still crazy that they got this running twice the native resolution of the PS4 Pro version with even better textures. Hopefully they get the fps konks worked out.

Wait, what do you mean by double? Double as in 1080p to 4K CBR on Enriched mode?

 

[LukasTaves]

Wait, what do you mean by double? Double as in 1080p to 4K CBR on Enriched mode?

It's actually double the resolution in both modes.

(Native 4k being double 4kCB, and 4kCB being double 1080p)

 

[Bill R Boggess]

I already own this on my vanilla XB1 so it's nice that I'll be getting the upgrade automatically when I get the XBX in November.

 

[horkrux]

So does "optimize" mean "downgrading"? Because to me it seems like they don't have that many options here to further improve performance in 4K lol
At east the other modes are nice.

 

[onQ123]

Is the missing reflections & lack of depth of field something that's across both Xbox One versions or is it just something they did on Xbox One X to optimize for 4K? they should have tested to see if it should up in 1080P mode.

 

[PsihoPerihelion]

It's actually double the resolution in both modes.

(Native 4k being double 4kCB, and 4kCB being double 1080p)

4K Native is not double than 4K CBR lol.

 

[LukasTaves]

4K Native is not double than 4K CBR lol.

It renders exactly the double the number of the pixels, yes.

 

[onQ123]

It's actually double the resolution in both modes.

(Native 4k being double 4kCB, and 4kCB being double 1080p)

Native 4K is not double the resolution of 4KCB they both have the same resolution CB rendering just has half the color sample rate.

 

[adamsapple]

I hope there's a switch version eventually so we can add that to the mix too. Not complaining, just really really fascinating how Rise of the Tomb Raider is *still* a very good benchmark for console hardware.

All versions released are very good showpieces of their respective hardware from the 360 version to the Pro version last year.

 

[dark10x]

Is the missing reflections & lack of depth of field something that's across both Xbox One versions or is it just something they did on Xbox One X to optimize for 4K? they should have tested to see if it should up in 1080P mode.

Neither of those appear in the 1080p mode.

I'm not sure what's wrong with that reflection as it always disappears on PC in a glitchy looking fashion while it's not present on Xbox One X.

 

[onQ123]

It renders exactly the double the number of the pixels, yes.

No it does not they have the same amount of rendered pixels

 

[Dictator93]

No it does not they have the same amount of rendered pixels

Someone tell Guerilla Games to get their facts straight!!!!!!

 

[onQ123]

Neither of those appear in the 1080p mode.

I'm not sure what's wrong with that reflection as it always disappears on PC in a glitchy looking fashion while it's not present on Xbox One X.

So maybe it's just something that was inherited from the base Xbox One

 

[jett]

4K Native is not double than 4K CBR lol.

It pretty much is.

4K checkerboard means the game is internally rendering at 1920x2160, and then is upsampled to 4K using clever reconstruction techniques. The end result is close enough to native 4K, but it is what it is.

 

[PsihoPerihelion]

It renders exactly the double the number of the pixels, yes.

Well, he said resolution, which is false. You said pixels, which is sorta right, but not 100% factual.

It pretty much is.

4K checkerboard means the game is internally rendering at 1920x2160, and then is upsampled to 4K using clever reconstruction techniques. The end result is close enough to native 4K, but it is what it is.

Again, he said resolution, not pixels. It can also be 3840x1080, which seems to give better results like in the case of RotTR.

 

[LukasTaves]

So maybe it's just something that was inherited from the base Xbox One

No, xbone had these effects (And I think they even showed it on the video).

 

[pretty done]

It pretty much is.

4K checkerboard means the game is internally rendering at 1920x2160, and then is upsampled to 4K using clever reconstruction techniques. The end result is close enough to native 4K, but it is what it is.

I'll take it over all the bootleg 1440p Pro patches. IQ is much better with 4K CB than sub-native resolutions.

 

[plagiarize]

I really want that Switch port. Hah. We know it's capable.

Really interesting to see this comparison though. Owning this game on Xbox One definitely makes me want an X (And a 4K TV)... but I don't think that'll be happening any time soon.

 

[LukasTaves]

Well, he said resolution, which is false. You said pixels, which is sorta right, but not 100% factual.

Still, the resolution is also half, only sparse. The final output is indeed the same resolution, but that is also the case even with the simplest upscaling tech you could came up with, so it's not something that warrants CB to double the resolution.

Even if the result is very close, and sometimes even 1:1 a proper distinction is needed for performance metrics.

 

[belvedere]

CB rendering renders exactly the same amount of pixels as a native presentation, but half of those pixels are reconstructed using a more efficient but less accurate method.

 

[onQ123]

Someone tell Guerilla Games to get their facts straight!!!!!!

Different methods but they all render the same amount of pixels in the end

 

[onQ123]

No, xbone had these effects (And I think they even showed it on the video).

That's weird if the game has these effects on Xbox One but it's not in the game on Xbox One X even when you play at 1080P.

 

[JoeLT]

That's weird if the game has these effects on Xbox One but it's not in the game on Xbox One X even when you play at 1080P.

Pretty confident they’ve turned DOF off to better highlight 4K for the press.

 

[JaggedSac]

Different methods but they all render the same amount of pixels in the end

Everyone apologize to Greenberg.

 

[onQ123]

Pretty confident they’ve turned DOF off to better highlight 4K for the press.

Reflections are also missing but I think it's more of them making sure the game performed good for the press & they will probably put it back in & optimize everything before release

Everyone apologize to Greenberg.

it's not the same because part of the rendering pipeline is done at full 4K resolution like the depth buffer & some effects