The PC version of Dark Souls 2 is almost upon us and we’ve been wondering whether that particular version would feature the more advanced lighting system that was shown when the game was initially announced. After all, PC is more powerful than consoles so there shouldn’t be any limitation, right? Well, we’ve got some bad news for you today.
The embargo for the game’s PC version was lifted yesterday and IGN has posted a comparison video between the PS3 and the PC version. As we can see, the PC version sports better textures but apart from that, there aren’t any major differences between them.
Yes, the PC version runs at a higher resolution and sports better framerates but unfortunately that amazing lighting system that was showcased in the game’s first builds is also absent from it. Figures.
When Dark Souls 2 was released on consoles, there were reports and rumors suggesting that the PC version would feature this more advanced lighting system. Unfortunately, those reports were not legit.
Here is what Namco Bandai and From Software had to say about the lighting changes that occurred on the console version:
“Throughout the game development process, a game is constantly being balanced not only in game playability, but also in the realm of resource management. A developer is always challenged with creating the most rewarding gaming experience while delivering continuity in graphical quality, gameplay dynamics, and balance within the game. The final version of Dark Souls II displays the culmination of this delicate balance and we’re very proud of the positive media and fan reception for the game.”
Fair enough, consoles could not handle that lighting system. But what was the excuse for not keeping it for the PC version? None. But then again, the PC version is a direct port of the console version and not a version that was under development simultaneously, otherwise there wouldn’t be any reason to scrap it from it.
Dark Souls 2 PC is coming on April 25th.
Enjoy and kudos to our reader Stevanvel for informing us!
John is the founder and Editor in Chief at DSOGaming. He is a PC gaming fan and highly supports the modding and indie communities. Before creating DSOGaming, John worked on numerous gaming websites. While he is a die-hard PC gamer, his gaming roots can be found on consoles. John loved – and still does – the 16-bit consoles, and considers SNES to be one of the best consoles. Still, the PC platform won him over consoles. That was mainly due to 3DFX and its iconic dedicated 3D accelerator graphics card, Voodoo 2. John has also written a higher degree thesis on the “The Evolution of PC graphics cards.”
Contact: Email
Of course the PC visuals are the same as consoles. They even removed the old, better looking pics from Steam a few days ago. It was clear, there is no surprise here. They did false advertising and got away with it. I think the games industry is the only place where you can do crap like this and nothing happens to you
They didn’t got away with it ,remember ,EA got sued for things like that ,they should be too ,come on people ,SUE THEM they deserve it.
I see a lot of people saying that this is normal. They don’t care and they will buy it no matter what. I really don’t know where we going with this kind of attitude, if players will continue to forgive everything.
It’s because at the end of the day, people care more for the game over the graphics. I am angry that the graphics was downgraded but that doesn’t change the fact that the game is good.
Yeah i dont like the game but alteast its honest to its audience they dont change it to appeal to everyone for more sales.
I think the whole “lying” will bite big AAA ips in the but in the future.
That is what I like about From Software. They are true to their audience.
yeah its rare this days.
yea, it’s dark souls 2 ffs i wait for it so long ds1 is my top 10 of all time , i personally even forgot how it looked in the 1st trailers and since there is no point in watching them anymore , i’m fine but still , it’s 2014 and PC games should look way better from console from 2005.
It is disappointing that the game is downgraded. Hopefully things like this won’t become the norm.
yea , like watch dogs.. what they showed in first e3 that gameplay really hyped me up , but now when i see it i don’t even wanna look at it.. its just ugly. if they showed it back then like it looks now then it would not be a problem.
You should take a bigger picture of this. It’s not about Dark Souls 2 anymore, it’s about the future of the gaming as a whole.
By buying it, you are saying that you are okay with it, killing another tiny piece of a healthy relations between developers and players. There were a lot of examples in recent years (Ground Zeroes, SimCity, Colonial Marines, etc.) and it’s not the future I want.
You can’t change anything, but you can vote with your money.
I’ve played the game by a friend and I had a fun time with it. That is enough for me to buy the game. I’m not going to deprive myself of the game because of this. Also, From Software aren’t exactly the best developers from a technical standpoint.
Actually it does when lighting comes to affect the gameplay. But WHO CARES? Lets play the same thing over and over again!!
Not in this game.
agreed
Agreed 100%
https://vk.com/doc2000011543_287537087?hash=c2db90359246ae8474&dl=955a93c23e28375282&wnd=1
PC version looks pretty decent… for a game from 2005.
Great, so thats TWO Dark Souls games that I will never purchase >_<
Maybe Namco should just hire people from the mod community to make PC versions of their games. 2nd try and what a utter shame. I could shake my head and say oh well but that would be way to nice. Namco you are (#(#(ing blowing it! Us pc gamer’s don’t buy expensive hardware just so we can have straight console ports with a bit better textures based off consoles that use DX9 for #(#)’s sake’s.
funny but so damn true.
We need a signal like the Bat light, but for the modders to come to our aide and fix this.
I guess I should be more angry at Namco and From, but instead I’m just glad that we have what we have. Not a very healthy attitude, I know. But I can’t help it. A couple of years ago I could only dream of games like Dark Souls and MGR:Revengeance on PC. And now I can play them. That’s better, right?
P.S. “The embargo for the game’s PC version was lifted tomorrow”
You probably meant “yesterday”, John.
Japan those cocksuckers and their retarded stubborn focus on console peasants. F’ em!
Yeah it’s totally the Xbox/PS3’s fault that a developer falsely advertised a game, and shat in your mouth. Yet another case of moronic PC master race syndrome. Do you people ever learn? You play the master race card even though all of your “best” games you need to finish yourself. And when a developer doesn’t pander to you it’s the consoles fault. Did you ever think that maybe they’re just shitty developers? And that we should ALL be trying to get them in shit for it? Rather than being an imbecile bitching about people on a different platform that had literally no effect on the reasoning behind blatant false advertising.
Damm, that’s is really a stupid thing to say!
this is really a bullshit move, showing off the game’s impressive visuals that ran on a PC demo, only to be removed is another proof that console’s hold back PC’s
I’m still going to play this game. I am disappointed but the game was still enjoyable.
lol pc lead system my ass. what a joke. nothing but fake visuals bait and switch like watchdogs. you people will gobble this turd up i bet.
Just hope this does not become a “standard” for publishers. They love to feed on morons pre-ordering their games so it’s a good thing for that.
It was probably removed because it screwed with the gameplay. Sure, it looked nice, but it was extremely high contrast and areas not in the light were pitch black, even when there would’ve been reflected/ambient light. DS is tough enough without the player being completely blind unless their torch is in the right position.
they will explain to us why pc
Version Does Not Feature The Old/Better Lighting System like last time they explained to us why they graphics look like shit
Well now I know “where” to get the game from!
haha , i knew from the start. no gonna support this namco BS , might get it from steam sales sometime for online , but then its gonna be swarmed with cheaters and idiots.
Christ
All they had to do was up the ambient light a little, surely
I refuse to buy it on principle so screw you Bandai, I’m not paying for a downgrade at £40, you lied.
can’t wait to play, glad i did not play more than a few hours on xbox
Same preorder as soon as i heard the port didn’t suck ass.
“A beggar can’t be a chooser” This is what we got when we start to beg for console games. Next time, lets think twice before asking for ports.
“A beggar can’t be a chooser” This is what we got when we started to beg for console games. Next time, lets think twice before asking for ports.
Eheheh, awesome reply to dumb comment 🙂
The only things I noticed is that the PC has higher resolution textures, better LOD on far scenery, better resolution dynamic shadows and the framerate is higher.