FFXV Console vs. PC Graphics Deep-Dive

Final Fantasy 15 Windows Edition: A Visual Masterpiece with Its Flaws

The game's visual improvements are evident throughout its various aspects, from character clothing and object details to terrain tessellation and turf effects. The level of detail in these elements has been significantly enhanced, making them more lifelike and immersive. However, it's worth noting that the differences between the Xbox and PC versions of the game are largely dependent on the hardware capabilities of each platform.

The game's T RAM setting plays a crucial role in determining the texture quality. Dropping this setting to average reduces the quality of textures, particularly for insignificant or distant objects. While testing this setting, it became clear that the amount of memory used is not as significant as initially thought. The game requests less memory when enabled with the lower-tier settings, but the actual usage remains a mystery.

The use of GPU Z or other software to track video memory consumption provides an approximate idea of how much memory the game is using, but it's essential to note that this information may be misleading. The amount of B RAM required for optimal performance remains unknown, and the game requests significantly more memory than its actual usage.

In terms of graphical capabilities, Final Fantasy 15 Windows Edition surpasses the Xbox version in several aspects. However, a crucial aspect is the asset pack size – specifically, whether it's necessary to allocate 65 gigabytes of space for textures. In this case, we found that the game can function adequately without this asset pack, and its benefits are largely dependent on hardware capabilities rather than visual fidelity.

The game's performance is also noteworthy, particularly when compared to the previous benchmark. As expected, the gameplay experience has improved significantly since then, addressing several concerns raised by players during the playable demo and previous benchmarks. The team at Square Enix has made notable improvements in areas such as hair rendering, lod management, and object loading.

One of the most significant changes is the integration of geo-mapping and terrain desolation into other settings or minimizing their impact on performance. Although some details remain unclear, it's clear that the developers have worked tirelessly to address player concerns and improve the overall gaming experience.

As with any game, there are still bugs present in Final Fantasy 15 Windows Edition. Despite these minor issues, the game remains an impressive achievement in terms of visual fidelity and performance. The addition of a more detailed character like Gladius showcases the level of detail that can be achieved when using high-resolution textures. On the other hand, less significant objects may not benefit from this increased level of detail.

In contrast to previous benchmarks, the PC version of Final Fantasy 15 Windows Edition has surpassed the Xbox version in terms of performance and visual quality. Dropping the settings down to average allows for reduced memory usage but reduces texture quality, making it more noticeable at lower distances or for less detailed objects.

Overall, Final Fantasy 15 Windows Edition is an excellent game with impressive visuals, improved gameplay mechanics, and a better overall experience than its predecessor. While some minor issues remain present, they do not detract from the game's overall value as a visual masterpiece with its flaws.

If you're interested in learning more about performance or checking out other benchmark results, you can visit our previous content pieces on the playable demo and benchmark 1. However, it's essential to note that the benchmark is no longer valid due to its flawed nature, so use these resources for comparison purposes only.