TR3 Graphics are Ahead of it's Time

[Kirishima]

Alot of those features are ps1 only, though... The pc version of 3 is missing not just things like reverb, but also footprints, spec of dust or whatever in certain pools of water, and shadow opacity gradients (for lack of a better term).

[TRExpertgamer]

Originally Posted by Kirishima

Alot of those features are ps1 only, though... The pc version of 3 is missing not just things like reverb, but also footprints, spec of dust or whatever in certain pools of water, and shadow opacity gradients (for lack of a better term).

I just rather leave it just like that for the pc version of this Tomb Raider game.

[_Seth]

Originally Posted by TRExpertgamer

I just rather leave it just like that for the pc version of this Tomb Raider game.

Why would you actively want some graphical effects to not be present on PC?

Anyway, another thing I noticed is how the falling snow actually stops on the floor and disappears after half a second. Games today just have it go through the floor.

[Reggie]

Originally Posted by _Seth

There are a lot of effects present in TR3 that you don't even see in current gen, PS4 games! Bearing that in mind, it's impressive that a 1998 PS1 game developed in a year features:

Water surface ripple rings when running, wading or lapping through water.
Air bubbles which rise to the water surface to create a ripple ring.
Shell casings that bounce off onto the ground.
Footprints left behind in sand and mud.
Echo filter for SFX in certain areas.
Different footstep sounds to match the surface tread.
Up to 3 harpoon spears that stick in walls shot at, at one time.
Underwater blood clouds.
Visible breath in cold areas.

...Those are the main ones. I think TR3 deserves a bit more recognition for it's raw technical proficiency.

MGS1 released earlier in 1998 had a lot of those effects. In particular, footprints were used as part of the gameplay.

Especially ones in bold.

Still, MGS1 itself was very ahead of it's time.

Neat talkthrough here -
https://youtu.be/pVMBQ7nEEhg?t=1401

[HarleyCroft]

What I find impressive even to this day is how the coloured lighting worked wonders for the atmosphere and overall palette

[Caesum]

What I love about TR3-5 is that when things get dropped into the water, they actually fall slower than in dry rooms.

[_Seth]

^Does that not happen to the flares in TR2? Never checked it out. (EDIT: It does. )

But yeah, all this stuff makes me resent how videos like these misrepresent how graphically proficient and fluid PS1 games can look:



I know it's all in good fun but people actually believe the above games would have looked like that.

[VictorXD]

Wait this thread is serious? lol

TR3 has some nice effects, but saying any classic TR games have graphics ahead of their time is just pure nonsense to be honest. Maybe TR1 did for 96 but that's about it.

Those huge 2M squares were outdated even in the PS1 days, and it's not a couple of fancy effects that will change that.

[_Seth]

Originally Posted by VictorXD

Wait this thread is serious? lol

TR3 has some nice effects, but saying any classic TR games have graphics ahead of their time is just pure nonsense to be honest. Maybe TR1 did for 96 but that's about it.

Those huge 2M squares were outdated even in the PS1 days, and it's not a couple of fancy effects that will change that.

The blockiness definitely undoes its standing in comparison to other games of the same year, sure, this thread is just to point out that aside from the blockiness it has subtle details that current gen games don't.

[Delamo1999]

Originally Posted by TR1249

That's why it's the best of the classics with TR4

This game is one of my favorites and will play it again. I have taken many pictures of my gameplay and am amazed at the graphics for its time.