Note the simpler armor and missing Doll

In modern game development, it can sometimes be tough for developers to fulfill their initial promise with a game. Often, this results from too much being shown too soon; as the project continues to grow and change, certain aspects must be scaled back in order to accommodate more. As alluded to in the sub, Watch Dogs was a recent example of this. At E3 2012, many praised the advanced lighting and fluid animation effects that were prominently displayed in a demo, only to be disappointed when the initial release did not match the same level of visual quality. It didn’t look bad, but it didn’t look nearly as good as it did initially and, ultimately, that was a tough pill to swallow for many.

Unfortunately, it appears that Nintendo’s upcoming RPG extravaganza, Xenoblade Chronicles X, has also been subject to some scaled back graphics. A Youtuber named gundamzerostrike recently posted a comparison video between Xenoblade Chronicles X’s initial E3 2013 video and the updated version shown in the last Nintendo Direct, and the differences - while not striking - are noticeable. What’s immediately apparent are the simpler lighting effects, blurrier textures, and some missing objects in the environment. Ultimately, it’s a non-issue, as gameplay footage so far has proven beyond doubt that this is an absolutely gorgeous looking game, but it's still something worth mentioning. Take a look at the video below and see for yourself:

To assuage any possible fears that this game will look anything less than top-tier, here’s a trailer released by Nintendo earlier this year showcasing the game, with the newer graphics, in action:

What do you think? Was the slight reduction in visual quality justified, given the scope of this title? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

[source kotaku.com]