Shawn | 
January 25, 2010 | 
“…Which version will escape the dark and deadly void?…”
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| Capcom |
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Capcom | |||
| Airtight Games |
1 | 1 |
Airtight Games |
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| Action, TPS |
n/a | n/a |
Action, TPS |
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| Release: 01/19/10 | 35.6 sec | 28.3 sec | Release: 01/19/10 | |||||||||
| ESRB: Teen |
10.16 % | 1.75 % | ESRB: Teen | |||||||||
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Head2Head – Dark Void
Length: 00:07:17 We go Head2Head with Dark Void for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. |
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This week Lens of Truth puts Dark Void under our lens to see which version can escape the Bermuda Triangle and return as winner of this week’s Head2Head. But first we would like to thank our always reliable sponsor Play N Trade (Oviedo) for supplying us with yet another great game to analyze for this Head2Head. As always, Lens of Truth was able to find some differences between the two versions, so if you’re interested in which version is worth taking the $60 plunge, watch the video and read on because you are in for quite a ride.
Before we continue on with the Head2Head, here’s a brief description of what to expect. Right off the bat, it’s very apparent that the main character of the game is voiced by Nolan North, the actor who voices Drake in the Uncharted series. It’s a little difficult to match his very recognizable voice to this new character’s face, but you can eventually get past it. In the parallel universe of “The Void”, you are Will, a pilot dropped into incredible circumstances within the mysterious Void. Trapped, Will must join forces with resistance fighters who are battling an alien race that threatens Earth. Dark Void introduces a unique vertical combat system, allowing players to dangle from crumbling cliff edges as they try to take cover and hurl enemies to their death. Will is also equipped with a powerful rocket pack which allows him to hover and attack from the sky or take a more direct approach and engage in fierce hand to hand combat. Of course, the player can also use the jet pack and rocket through the Void at sound-breaking speeds while engaging enemies.
Graphics: Dark Void starts out by immediately exposing the player to their jet pack with a quick tutorial on flight controls. Unfortunately, the flying ends abruptly and hurls Will to the ground for Gears of War style combat. It is not until around chapter six or seven that the player actually gets to play with the jet pack again, and this chapter also starts where the demo left off. Keep in mind when you look at the video and images, most of our footage is on the ground due to this change in gameplay. Overall, the graphics of Dark Void on both versions were of similar quality. Some textures did differ between the two in terms of looks (reference the image above), but texture quality looked to be the same resolution across platforms.
The first thing you notice with Dark Void is that the lighting effects on both versions look amazing; a good example of this is when you get your jet pack fully functional again. Walking out of the cave through a waterfall overlooking a thousand-foot cliff was just breathtaking. The volumetric lighting engulfed the character’s body while cascading multiple sun beams around which revealed Will’s silhouette. Simply awesome.
While the lighting on both versions looked great, the Playstation 3 version had some extra details not found on the Xbox 360 version. First, the Playstation 3’s environment looked more polished. In the last rollover image you can clearly see a cloud/fog effect filling the environment and adding a better sense of height. This effect was completely missing in the Xbox 360 version. Furthermore, the Playstation 3 version has a much stronger bloom effect complementing the stylized lighting and effects, which was also missing in some areas of the Xbox 360 version. On the flip side, the Xbox 360 version did sport anti-aliasing while the Playstation 3 version had none. Another effect that was present on the Xbox 360 version but absent on the Playstation 3 was exhaust fumes on the jet pack (as seen in the first clip). So overall, both the original development team and the port team did some things slightly better than their counterpart.
Performance: Dark Void’s performance was mediocre on both versions, each with its share of frame rate drops and screen tearing, but the Playstation 3 version performed worse when trying to render in-game cut scenes. Our analyzer proved that the Playstation 3 takes major performance dips in these cut-scenes, but on the bright side both versions seemed to perform on par with one another while playing through the game. Below is the complete break down of each version’s performance statistics.
| PlayStation 3 Frame Analysis | Xbox 360 Frame Analysis |
| Clip 1: Length of clip: 5727 frames Average FPS of clip: 29.98 Percent of torn frames: 1.45 |
Clip 1: Length of clip: 5727 frames Average FPS of clip: 29.94 Percent of torn frames: 0.36 |
| Clip 2: Length of clip: 3802 frames Average FPS of clip: 25.75 Percent of torn frames: 13.71 |
Clip 2: Length of clip: 3802 frames Average FPS of clip: 28.41 Percent of torn frames: 0.10 |
| Clip 3: Length of clip: 1634 frames Average FPS of clip: 29.98 Percent of torn frames: 0.02 |
Clip 3: Length of clip: 1634 frames Average FPS of clip: 29.83 Percent of torn frames: 0.20 |
| Clip 4: Length of clip: 3658 frames Average FPS of clip: 29.21 Percent of torn frames: 2.58 |
Clip 4: Length of clip: 3658 frames Average FPS of clip: 27.76 Percent of torn frames: 1.51 |
| Clip 5: Length of clip: 2682 frames Average FPS of clip: 29.96 Percent of torn frames: 0.02 |
Clip 5: Length of clip: 2682 frames Average FPS of clip: 29.96 Percent of torn frames: 0.0 |
| Clip 6: Length of clip: 1606 frames Average FPS of clip: 29.98 Percent of torn frames: 0.01 |
Clip 6: Length of clip: 1606 frames Average FPS of clip: 29.89 Percent of torn frames: 0.02 |
| Clip 7: Length of clip: 2921 frames Average FPS of clip: 29.51 Percent of torn frames: 1.10 |
Clip 7: Length of clip: 2921 frames Average FPS of clip: 29.71 Percent of torn frames: 0.05 |
| Clip 8: Length of clip: 2300 frames Average FPS of clip: 29.03 Percent of torn frames: 1.64 |
Clip 8: Length of clip: 2300 frames Average FPS of clip: 23.19 Percent of torn frames: 0.51 |
| Global percent of torn frames: 10.16 Global average FPS: 29.05 |
Global percent of torn frames: 1.75 Global average FPS: 28.70 |
Loading: This category was rather cut throat; the Xbox 360 load times average around 28.3 seconds while the Playstation 3 had an average of 35.6 seconds. Note the Playstation 3 did not have a mandatory install.
Load Time 1: PlayStation 3 – 38 sec / Xbox 360 – 30 sec
Load Time 2: PlayStation 3 – 42 sec / Xbox 360 – 33 sec
Load Time 3: PlayStation 3 – 27 sec / Xbox 360 – 22 sec
Roll over to see the differences. Here we compare the different HDMI settings between the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
Roll over to see the differences. Notice the Playstation 3 version lighting reveals a more natural look.
Roll over to see the differences.
Roll over to see the differences. Notice the Xbox 360 version lacks bloom.
Roll over to see the differences. Notice the Playstation 3 version has some additional environment effects.
Conclusion, Technical Score and Staff Choice on Page 2.
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This game had so much promise, but having played it over at a friend’s house, it is seriously disappointing IMO. With all of the good games coming out over the next 2 or 3 months, there’s very little reason to buy this.
Devs need to find another voice actor too, lol. I’m sure Nolan North is loving it mind you.
I agree with the conclusion here, but I don’t think anyone is really missing out of they pass on this game.
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Wow these head to heads are coming in really fast!
I hope you guys get the bioshock one before the game comes out:P
I chose tie, because loading doesn’t bother me. The screen tearing I’m disappointed about, but again doesn’t bother me unless its VERY noticeable.
Good H2H, and omg its free, go figure:D
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Due to the way our analyzer works, it takes longer to create our Head2Heads now. So if we get Bioshock 2 a few days before street date, it most likely still won’t be analyzed completely and on our site by the time the game hits the shelves. But we’re always working to refine our processes. So eventually we can turn out these Head2Heads faster.
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Actually, the analyzer has been part of the Head2Heads for several months. It definitely adds an “overnight” aspect to the process, but the longer turnover time has been mostly due to staff members getting a workflow figured out. I think we’ve got it now
We’ll do our best to get Bioshock 2 in and out before the release date.
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Oh I was only teasing lol, u guys dont work for us, we work for u in a way:)
I’m very happy with these head to heads, even though I’m disappointed that some don’t turn out my way, its what we all need:)
Now if we can only we can go back in time and convince you guys to do this during the SNes vs Genesis era:D
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That’s an awesome idea! I’ll pass it on to the retro crew
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PS3 wins for me
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Wow I had some sort of expectations to see performance issues with the PS3 (Due to the fact that most multi-platform games seem to have this issue) but did not see the better visuals for the PS3 coming.
I picked Mass Effect 2 over this and I would probably make that choice again any day.
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Global FPS is higher on PS3, there should be tie in performance section (And overall tie).
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Ok let me get this straight. The PS3 has better graphics and a better framerate but the 360 has less tearing. They still give the win to 360. It should be at least a draw. The H2H is biased towards 360.
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Not really. Yes, the Playstation 3 has better visuals but at the cost of serious performance issues. I have to agree with their verdict, a slightly lower frame rate is far less distracting than screen tearing.
Also, you seem to have missed the fact that the loading is also factored in and the Xbox 360 won in that category.
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Since I’ve been PC gaming before I was console gaming, screen tearing is a part of my routine:P
You should see Mass effect on my laptop lol:P
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1 extra frame (globally averaged) will never be noticed. The frame-tearing on the other hand will get irritating.
The PS3 also lost in loading mind you even if that isn’t a huge deficit. Based on their scoring system the 360 wins.
In the end its upto you. If screen tearing isn’t a big deal and a few extra seconds of loading time won’t bother you then go for the PS3.
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In the end it doesn’t really matter does it?
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PS3 would have won with an install as it is I think it is fair to call this a tie.
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Not really, as LoT test 360 games without installing them, but you can install them all and that can have a big effect on loading times. I installed Bayonetta and that shaved 10 seconds off loading times, for example.
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This game is destined for the bargain bin and will a decent purchase under 20.
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I hate tearing, but PS3 version looks more realistic.
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I like you guys head2heads, but I really think this one was a waist of time because this game sucks!
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wow this one was quick, good one guys.
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The PS3 version wins, has more on the environmental effects, and effects of bloom. PS3 wins this absolutely clear.good head2heads.
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It looks like the ps3 version wins this time around. Too bad the game is mediocre at best. =/
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Drew if the retro happens, I’ll slap an onion ring on u and marry u:) LOL!
I would love to see opinions on TMNT turtle in time SNES vs Genesis:):P
oh p.s for as a cool thing u guys could do hardware h2h, ie Xbox 2009 vs Ps3 2009, see how they evolved.
(size, noise, functionality, heat, price, blah blah blah)
But just tossing that in:P
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That was a bit confusing! Loading is not a problem, but quality is! How can a game be in better quality and lose?
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Indeed not fair, the ps3 looks waaay better,a bit tearing, but the 360 looks like a kiddy game
ps3 wins 4 me
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And they agree with you, the Playstation 3 does look much better. But that is only 1 of the 3 tests they run against each game. Had the Playstation 3 performed better, it would have easily won this comparison.
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this game sucks so hard, who cares witch version is better???
DONT BUY THIS ****
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its a crappy, game, it makes it really hard to care which version is better.
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LOL, you are so right.
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lol ps3 gets better graphics but it’s flat more low rez than the 360 version…
ohhh lensoftruth you so fanboy.
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“lol ps3 gets better graphics but it’s flat more low rez than the 360 version…”
I am not sure what you mean by “flat more low rez than the 360 version…”. Care to elaborate?
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This head2head is completely biased towards the 360. You clearly presented the global frame rate for both systems,and it indicates that PS3 version has better frame rate, and yet you state 360 version has higher frame rate in your conclusion, that’s extremely contradictory. I don’t care much of this game but you people did not follow your own motto “Just telling the Truth”, You people should change your motto to, “Just being biased to the 360″. The sole reason why I come to this website is because I believed you people aren’t biased towards a specific system, but now everything seems clear to me. You guys are pathetic fanboys.
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Sorry you feel this way. But our tests haven’t changed and we analyze both systems using the same criteria. For Dark Void, both games had performance issues. The PlayStation 3 version had a slightly higher average fps, but it was the frame tearing that was the deciding factor. The clip that hurt the PlayStation 3 the most was the in-game cinematic (clip 2). We include in-game cinematics in our analysis because it is the only one-to-one footage we can capture across platforms (since they are scripted events). It is all about the overall experience and in-game cut scenes are a major plot driver. However, even if we take out clip 2 from the analysis, the PlayStation 3 still would have around 5% torn frames.
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That is not what I was talking about. In the verdict, for performance, this is what is stated “The Xbox 360 wins in performance, sporting a higher average frame rate and less screen tearing”. Global Frame rate for PS3 is 29.05 as stated, and 28.70 for the 360. You guys just contradicted yourselves with the frame rate; it clearly states the PS3 version of the game has a higher frame rate by 1 frame, and yet you guys claim 360 has a higher frame rate.
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This statement is solely based upon the pictures in this “review”:
While i prefer the look of the PS version, but a great margin. It seems to me, that this is not because of technical reasons but because of aesthetical reasons. The color pallet seems better suited for the game. I geniunly think the xbox version appears more crisp, both in overall picture and especially in texture quality.
Am I really fooling my self regarding this point?
I can’t comment on partical effect etc. but I’m sure the PS takes the cake, as it’s mentioned in the head2head.
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PS3 version looks better. Should be a tie.
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How is it that no one notices that the X360 seems to have 2xAA (selective) and the PS3 does not? O.o Look at the picture where they say the X360 lacks bloom and you’ll see. It’s the most evident in that pic, though if you look hard enough you’ll see it in the other pics as well. PS3 still seems to have the lighting advantage, but also tends to look more “blurred”.
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PS3 version probably has bloom to help with the jaggies (which is the whole point of bloom)
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PS3 graphics are way better, and in overall shoul be a tie.
Now I just want to see Final Fantasy XIII head2head, because it will be a tremendously challenging game and it will be the best game until today, to see wich is the most powerfull system.
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