Are the Graphics Better in Tears of the Kingdom?
Tears of the Kingdom, the highly anticipated sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, has finally arrived, and gamers are eager to dive into its vast open world. One of the most pressing questions on everyone’s mind is whether the graphics have improved significantly from the original game. In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and delve into the various aspects of the game’s visuals.
Better Resolution and Draw Distances
According to a side-by-side comparison from Looygibros, Tears of the Kingdom might contain noticeably better draw distances, meaning places far away will look a little bit better. This improvement is evident in the game’s ability to render detailed environments and characters from a distance, creating a more immersive experience.
| Comparison | Tears of the Kingdom | Breath of the Wild |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Up to 900p (dynamic) | Up to 720p |
| Draw Distance | Noticable improvement | Limited by hardware |
Dynamic Resolution Scaling
The game features dynamic resolution scaling, which means the resolution will adapt to the scene, offering a more consistent visual quality. This technology helps reduce the impact of limited hardware resources, ensuring a smooth gaming experience.
Fog and Visuals
While the game’s art direction is excellent, some fans have expressed disappointment with the blurriness and visual similarities to Breath of the Wild. However, the fog helps hiding the fact that everything (especially things that are far away) has low resolution, a common technique used to maintain performance.
| Perceived Resolution | Tears of the Kingdom | Breath of the Wild |
|---|---|---|
| Far Away | Lower resolution | Lower resolution |
| Close Up | Higher resolution | Higher resolution |
OLED and TV Play
When playing Tears of the Kingdom on Switch OLED, there are some niceties, but these are mostly reserved for the handheld experience. There is no difference between the original Switch’s performance and the Switch OLED in TV play.
| Performance | Original Switch | Switch OLED (TV Play) |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 720p | 720p |
| Frame Rate | 30-60 FPS | 30-60 FPS |
Graphics Comparison
Here’s a comparison of the graphics in Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild:
| Feature | Tears of the Kingdom | Breath of the Wild |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Up to 900p | Up to 720p |
| Draw Distance | Noticeable improvement | Limited by hardware |
| Fog | Yes | Yes |
| Frame Rate | 30-60 FPS | 30-60 FPS |
| Art Direction | Excellent | Excellent |
In conclusion, Tears of the Kingdom’s graphics have made significant strides over its predecessor, Breath of the Wild. The improved resolution, draw distances, and dynamic resolution scaling create a more immersive experience. However, the fog and limited resolution at a distance are still noticeable. The Switch OLED’s performance in TV play is identical to the original Switch, and there are no significant visual improvements in this regard.