TR3 Graphics are Ahead of it's Time - Page 7

paulojr_mam · 02-03-20, 21:07

^I was thinking it was weird how TR had long draw distances without LOD. It makes more sense now.

Does anyone know what resolution and framerate does TR3 run in? I found another thread here in TRF stating that only the european TR3 runs in 512x256 resolution, which is on the high-end of PS1 games and kinda rare. Does it run at 30 or 60 fps?

ReH_ · 02-03-20, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulojr_mam

Does it run at 30 or 60 fps?

Probably less than 30 FPS... The frame drops a lot in some areas of the game (Thames Wharf for exemple) I believe there's no game on ps1 that runs on 60FPS.

Kapu · 02-03-20, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulojr_mam

Does anyone know what resolution and framerate does TR3 run in? I found another thread here in TRF stating that only the european TR3 runs in 512x256 resolution, which is on the high-end of PS1 games and kinda rare. Does it run at 30 or 60 fps?

All the classics max at 30fps. Frame drops are really frequent in TR1 and 2. Things are a bit more stable in 3-4-5.

As for resolution, I'm not sure. If I had to guess I would say 320x240.

Kirishima · 02-03-20, 22:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReH_

I believe there's no game on ps1 that runs on 60FPS.

I hope you meant to say "I believe there's no TOMB RAIDER game on the ps1 that runs at 60fps". Because otherwise you've never played any of the fighting games on the system like Tekken. Hell, Dead or Alive on the ps1 displays in 512x480 and runs in 60 fps. The only time one of the classic Tomb Raider games ever achieve 60fps in any form was the Saturn version, and even then it was just for the inventory ring. Supposedly the PowerVR version of Tomb Raider can run at 60fps, but until a 60fps video pops to prove that I'm going to continue to be skeptical.

ReH_ · 02-03-20, 22:42

^ That's why I said "I believe it" I didn't played all ps1 games to confirm that. But it's cool to know the PS1 engine can handle 60fps games.
Thanks for the correction!

Kapu · 06-03-20, 02:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirishima

The only time one of the classic Tomb Raider games ever achieve 60fps in any form was the Saturn version, and even then it was just for the inventory ring. Supposedly the PowerVR version of Tomb Raider can run at 60fps, but until a 60fps video pops to prove that I'm going to continue to be skeptical.

There's a glitch in the TR4 (well, TRLE) engine that can be manipulated to force 60fps. It also causes a black flickering so it's nauseating over time and that also makes it more difficult to really appreciated the higher frame rate, BUT - nothing in the menus is optimized for 60fps and it's pretty much game breaking. You always scroll through menu options/inventory items two at a time and everything is twice as fast...because there are no additional frames being played despite there now being twice as many in a second. So everything (in the menus) is at double speed.

That being said, I am also skeptical of a TR1 version supposedly running at 60fps. It could certainly be a real thing in theory, but to be truly functioning at 1:1 parity with the default 30fps version means Core would have had to make programming changes. Why program something and then not release it, y'know?

EDIT: here's a crappy video of TR4/TRLE @ 60fps. As I said, it's crappy, so don't expect to be wowed. It's best to download the patch and run the game natively to get the full effect, although the flickering is inevitable.

Kirishima · 07-03-20, 02:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapu

There's a glitch in the TR4 (well, TRLE) BUT - nothing in the menus is optimized for 60fps and it's pretty much game breaking. You always scroll through menu options/inventory items two at a time and everything is twice as fast...because there are no additional frames being played despite there now being twice as many in a second. So everything (in the menus) is at double speed.

I wouldn't have made such a statement about the Saturn version if it wasn't for videos like this existing and my own experience playing the Saturn version and noticing something oddly smoother about it at the time, but just not being about to put my finger on it:

Wooxman · 07-03-20, 09:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReH_

But it's cool to know the PS1 engine can handle 60fps games.

In theory every console can display 60 FPS, it's just up to the cevelopers to optimize their games for that. According to this list there are 109 PS1 games that run at 60 FPS: https://www.sega-16.com/forum/showth...ation-Consoles

Core could've improved the graphics of the PS1 TR games a lot if they had more time. According to Meagan Marie's book "20 Years of Tomb Raider" TR II wasn't supposed to be released in 1997, but much later. It was meant to have a different plot that revolved about time travelling and the name should be "Time Raider". But Eidos (as we all know by now) forced Core to push out TR II much sooner and not deviate too much from the formula of TR I.

That being said they did the best that they could in the limited amount of time that they had between releases. But they were hardly "ahed of their time". About on the same level as most devs back then? Sure. But ahead? Not really.

A complete engine overhaul also wasn't possible because of the yearly release schedule. That being said: Fighting Force 2 was made with the same engine and less limitations, so that can be seen as an example for what a PS1 TR sequel with more development time could've looked like.

Maverin · 07-03-20, 14:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wooxman

Core could've improved the graphics of the PS1 TR games a lot if they had more time. According to Meagan Marie's book "20 Years of Tomb Raider" TR II wasn't supposed to be released in 1997, but much later. It was meant to have a different plot that revolved about time travelling and the name should be "Time Raider". But Eidos (as we all know by now) forced Core to push out TR II much sooner and not deviate too much from the formula of TR I.

Thank God for Eidos.

Everyone is always blaming them for being 'a greedy company' but without them Core would have messed up TR multiple times. Even trying to kill Lara completely in TRIV. What a messed up move. I can't say for sure of course but I very strongly believe that "time raider" wouldn't have been nearly as good as TRII.

BlackWolftr · 07-03-20, 16:36

Yeah, details that make happy your eyes.

I rarely see this in newer games. That's why Tomb Raider is even better.

02-03-20, 21:07	#61
paulojr_mam Archaeologist Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Brazil Posts: 2,440	^I was thinking it was weird how TR had long draw distances without LOD. It makes more sense now. Does anyone know what resolution and framerate does TR3 run in? I found another thread here in TRF stating that only the european TR3 runs in 512x256 resolution, which is on the high-end of PS1 games and kinda rare. Does it run at 30 or 60 fps? __________________ Don the braid, raid the world Last edited by paulojr_mam; 02-03-20 at 21:49.

02-03-20, 22:42	#65
ReH_ Student Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Your Dreams Posts: 197	^ That's why I said "I believe it" I didn't played all ps1 games to confirm that. But it's cool to know the PS1 engine can handle 60fps games. Thanks for the correction! __________________ Don't Tread on Me. Last edited by ReH_; 02-03-20 at 22:49.

07-03-20, 16:36	#70
BlackWolftr Historian Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Poland, Wałbrzych Posts: 414	Yeah, details that make happy your eyes. I rarely see this in newer games. That's why Tomb Raider is even better. __________________ I don't know what to write here...