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There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the new Last of Us game. Many are calling it a cash grab but I think that’s unfair. For starters, the trailer was mostly filled with in-game cinematics. Prerendered graphics from 2014 haven’t changed much in 9 years although they have, of course, changed some. More importantly, the talent at Naughty Dog has improved vastly in that time and this has lead to in-game graphics having improved a lot. Don’t believe me? Just check out the comparison’s down below.
Technical details
Every attempt was made to get as close to the same moment in time as possible using audio or visual clues. The remake version was captured from the YouTube trailer and then a lossless PNG was captured from the video. For the remastered version, the footage was captured via a PS5 and a lossless PNG was captured from that. The YouTube trailer was download at 1080p. Then all the images were compressed using WebP at 75%. It’s not ideal but it reduces their file size by about 96.8%. This puts their baseline of even footing. So even with them both being 1080p, the remake still looks much better. This difference is even more noticeable at 4k and when uncompressed. It’s also not possible to compare 1080p and 4k images using WordPress’s Image comparison tools.
Please note that the remake doesn’t use prerendered graphics. I’ve noted if the remaster is prerendered or not in the captions.
One thing you’ll notice about a lot of these is that the composition and lighting has vastly improved. Characters heads aren’t clipped off the screen and lights affect object much farther away. Character face models have been altered slightly to correspond better with their mood. Joel and Ellie look more like they do in The Last of Us: Part II.
Don’t want to look at images? Watch the video instead. The video uses the raw screenshots but are compressed by the video codec on my end and again by YouTube.
Like what you see?
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In-game graphics. The glass breaks apart in larger chucks instead of fine dust.
In-game graphics. The lighting from the explosion is much more intense.
In-game graphics. Moments after the blast, the remastered has smoke coming straight up in a weird way where as the remake has more natural smoke. The light also shines much brighter.
Prerendered graphics.
Prerendered graphics. Notice the stairs in the background are missing.
Prerendered graphics.
Prerendered graphics.
The amount of detail in the clicker and the spores make this remake look incredible.
The expression on Tess has been altered to heighten the sense of fear in this scene.
The remake is a lot more dynamic. Blacks are black instead of a dark grey.
The decision to turn the flashlight on was a wise decision.
Prerendered graphics.
Prerendered graphics.
Prerendered graphics. They used the exact same sky texture.
Prerendered graphics. Bill’s head is not cut off so that’s an improvement.
Prerendered graphics. Overall better composition.
Prerendered graphics. There’s a lot more vegetation and the windows are more detailed.
Prerendered graphics.
Prerendered graphics. The camera moves around a lot in the remastered. This was a sharp of a frame as I could find.
Prerendered graphics. The opposite was true in this comparison. The remake was blurry but it motion it looks good.
Prerendered graphics.
Prerendered graphics. Ellie is supposed to be slightly upset in this shot and she looks the part in the remake.
Prerendered graphics. They added Joel’s flashlight.
Prerendered graphics.
Prerendered graphics.
Prerendered graphics.
Prerendered graphics.
Prerendered graphics. The light illuminates the ground much better in the remake. The remaster looks flat.
Prerendered graphics.
Prerendered graphics. Tommy looks like a different person.
Prerendered graphics.
Prerendered graphics.
Prerendered graphics. Sun beams look much better.
Prerendered graphics. Joel doesn’t look so awkward on his horse.
Good call on removing the random blood splatter.
Prerendered graphics. This shot has the biggest change so far.
Prerendered graphics. Ellie’s face looks a lot more worried.
Prerendered graphics. I’m not 100% sure that these are even from the same scene.
Prerendered graphics. The fine details in the clicker bring him to life.
Prerendered graphics. The infected had a change of clothes and Ellie looks properly worried.
Prerendered graphics. Ellie’s posture has improved.
Prerendered graphics. The composition and smaller bed makes this feel hopeless.
Prerendered graphics. Ellie might be immune but she’s no match for a gun.
Prerendered graphics. The burning building is more on fire and the scene no longer has a cool temperature.
Prerendered graphics. Ellie sheds a tear and has a noticeably sad look on her face.
Prerendered graphics. Hair looks like hair instead of something from the PS3 era.
This comparison wouldn’t be complete without the DLC.
Prerendered graphics. The mocap used was exactly the same.
Prerendered graphics. The light coming from the table isn’t overly bright and there’s some atmospheric glow.
Prerendered graphics. The hair of both characters have vastly improved and their wardrobe has changed slightly.
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