Original XBOX and PS2 (Graphics Observations)

[Creek]

Hello,

I don't really intend on this being a debate topic, but rather information-based (e.g. "the reason behind it is because..."). Yes, things may get technical Please keep comments clean.

I've had an Xbox for nearly 10 years now (I think I purchased one in either late 2005 or early 2006), and I purchased a PS2 (slim version) early last year.

Something I think I've noticed, even well before I purchased a PS2 (though I had played PS2 games well before then), is that Xbox games have generally had this sort of a "washed-out" look to them, like shadows aren't very noticeable at times, though shadows definitely seem noticeable in PS2 games. Is there a reason behind this? Like is the XBOX's DirectX technology not as good at producing shadow detail as the PS2's technology, or perhaps has it's own way of doing shadows? For example, I came across this graphics comparison video on YouTube (Need for Speed: Underground 2):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPrBHB5pX7Q

In this video, I notice the "shadow" concept whenever the car drives under an overpass - in the Xbox version, it looks as if the ceilings of the overpasses "light themselves up" somewhat, whereas in the PS2 version, the ceilings are clearly darker. Although the lighting of the Xbox version may be more similar to that of real life (in terms of blending), do you see what I mean when I say the Xbox version looks more "foggy" or "washed out" ("low contrast"). The overall shadow detail looks better in the PS2 version to me, although it seems like the Xbox version would be "easier on the eyes" (less harsh shadows).

So, would anyone perhaps know the reasoning behind why PS2 games seem to have more prominent shadows than Xbox games? Is the PS2 better at producing special effects than the Xbox (e.g. shadows and lighting)? Generally, from what I've noticed and from my gaming memory, it seems that these two systems have their pros and cons to graphics:

PS2 seems better at:
-Lighting
-Shadows
-Other special effects

Xbox seems better at:
-"Clean" image quality (less "jaggies")
-Resolution (sort of related to first point)
-Textures (though not necessarily sharper than PS2 textures)
-MAYBE better modeling (e.g. polygons), though I think they can be comparable at times (e.g. Forza vs. GT4).

When I say "better" effects, that's sort of opinion based, e.g. I like "shiny" cars in PS2 games verses cars in Xbox games that may have more realistic lighting, but look more "dull."

I think since I got a PS2 last year, I keep finding myself impressed with what that system is capable of, even as old as it is (e.g. I think GT4 looks like a PS3 game).

Any input would be appreciated! God bless

 

[Thunder Peel]

Both systems had some good looking games, although I think the Gamecube was actually able to outdo both of them at times, or at the very least the PS2. I loved that console but the games were either really good or looked blocky and unappealing.

 

[Creek]

Both systems had some good looking games, although I think the Gamecube was actually able to outdo both of them at times, or at the very least the PS2. I loved that console but the games were either really good or looked blocky and unappealing.

Thanks for the input!

I have actually had access to a Gamecube for even longer than the other two mentioned consoles - I still think the first two Metroid Prime games blow me away in the graphics department. However, I think the GameCube was pretty comparable to the Xbox graphics-wise.

I think maybe the reason many people seem to prefer the graphics of the Gamecube and Xbox to the PS2 is because of the better resolution in most games (if I'm not mistaken, isn't the standard resolution for Gamecube and Xbox games at least 480i, whereas most PS2 games run at a lower "standard" resolution - I think it is something like 320i?). However, on my small CRT TV that I recently got back (I wasn't too impressed with the HD LCD TV I had - I gave it to my parents ), I think the resolution differences are very minor (480i on the CRT TV looks like 480p on the LCD TV, if not better, and yes, I was using component cables with the LCD TV).

So, yes, I would agree that the Gamecube and Xbox are graphically superior to the PS2, but I do like how the PS2 seems to have more "modern-looking" special effects. Xbox games, though possibly really nice-looking, just seemed to have that "low contrast" look about them (I think a big part of it had to do with rendering shadows and/or lighting). Now, this "low contrast" look may not be the case with every Xbox game, but it does seem more common on the Xbox than PS2.

For example, I was driving home via highways tonight. In reference to the comparison video I posted above (NFS: Underground 2), I think what I saw in real life looks much more like the PS2 version (Xbox version looks to bright to me for nighttime). However, in that video, I will say that I think the Xbox version actually has a better "overall look".

So, in sum, to me it currently seems (generally speaking):

Xbox (and Gamecube) are better at:
-Resolution
-Textures

PS2 is better at:
-Special effects (lighting, shadows, etc.)

If anyone else has anything to contribute, feel free to post

God bless

[UPDATE]

I was playing on my Xbox today, and I guess the graphics aren't as "foggy" as perhaps I had recalled, but I think what it may be is that the Xbox has 8 hardware lights, so games may look more "lit-up" on the Xbox than on the PS2. I was playing Project Gotham Racing 2, and forgot how well the Xbox can render shadows.