Splatoon 2 for the Nintendo Switch looks a lot better than Splatoon for the Wii U, at least in terms of graphical performance.
Upon its announcement, several players mentioned that Splatoon 2 merely looks like a simple port of Splatoon with added elements to qualify as a sequel. But looking more closely at the two titles side-by-side, Splatoon 2 actually looks more polished and superior to its predecessor than initially realized.
In his latest video, YouTube channel NomComms put both titles in an in-depth comparison, seeing how the sequel differs from the original Splatoon. As seen on his video, while Splatoon 2 isn't that significantly advanced and next-generation looking, it does feature more detail, vibrance, and graphical fidelity.
Graphics Comparison: 'Splatoon' vs 'Splatoon 2'
First up — assets. Looking at the image below, Splatoon 2 definitely features richer and finely detailed assets than its predecessor. Take a look:
In Splatoon 2, the statue features a bit more luster and vibrance, with the reflective surface particularly striking compared to that in Splatoon, which feels a bit plasticky.
The video then zooms in to a more familiar scene in Splatoon, which features Marie and Callie. In the original title, they look a bit washed out, dull, and their animations seem plain. In Splatoon 2, they look a lot more frenetic, colorful, and lively. The colors pop brightly, and so does Marie and Callie's respective textures. It's almost a bit unnerving how different the two titles are in this scene.
Then comes the selection screen. Looking at the original Splatoon, it's almost grating how dull and dark it looks — especially for a game about slime, splat, and color. In Splatoon 2, the selection screen still features tinges of gray but complemented by vivid colors and none of Splatoon's dullness. See for yourself:
As a bonus, take a look at Sheldon in Splatoon and in Splatoon 2. You get the idea.
How 'Splatoon 2' Improved Its Graphics Over 'Splatoon'
Considering the Switch features more powerful hardware than the Wii U, it should come as no surprise that Splatoon 2 looks a lot more fleshed out than the original title.
But how exactly does it improve upon its predecessor? Eurogamer has published an in-depth analysis of the game's final version, discovering some interesting results.
First up — the resolution. Splatoon 2 manages to hit 1080p on less busy scenes but drops to 864p at certain times. In short, the game tries to shift the resolution to hit the target frame rate, which is 60 fps.
The game's hub section, meanwhile, offers 1080p resolution but with half the target frame rate and anti-aliasing, for good measure. It's an odd place to have beefed-up resolution. If anything, though, it shows how higher resolution will give penalty to performance.
But those aside, it's important to remember that Splatoon 2 has more detailed environments, sharper and more defined surfaces and textures, better shadows, and graphically bumped assets. It's the little things that make Splatoon 2 a step up in the graphics department. Nintendo's careful attention to detail once again shines in this title.
Take a look at the comparison video below and feel free to tell us what you think in the comments section!
