What's not next-gen about GRAW 2?
Once again Ubisoft has mastered that next-gen feel when it comes to graphics. Despite intense fire fights and immense maps, the graphics remain consistently brilliant. Floating debris caused by the powerful blades of helicopters drift by and in sunlight you'll be acquainted to superb lighting and shading techniques, as the whole area becomes emblazoned with the hue one sees on a hot sunny day. Explosions befittingly create dazzling firework displays of utter destruction The towns accurately reflect a war torn country and travelling in the gunner seat of a helicopter and copping a panoramic view of the cities gives the game an authentic feel, creates tension, and thrusts you firmly into the eyes of a soldier.
The graphics in GRAW 2 are not dissimilar to Ubisoft’s previous title in the series and locations are still shrouded with a greeny/brown veil that camouflages each and every level, giving the shooter a raw and gritty complexion. There’s the welcome return of the rich textures, stunning lighting and particle effects, multi-windowing and state-of-the-art physics that we saw in GRAW, but the real differences can be seen in the explosions and the animations of soldiers as you drop a frag into a group of a dozen rebels and watch them spray in all directions, showcasing some superb rag doll physics effects. I launched a grenade onto a bridge in co-op mode where approximately half a dozen rebels were dashing across and watched some of them fall backwards, some slump over the railings and others go hurtling off the bridge. Despite bodies disappearing very quickly after impact, the fun to be had out of watching the bloody animations is immense.
Click for larger imageDynamic weather conditions also return and are as visually engaging as ever, with war debris and foliage dripping with moisture; even the grass and tarmac of the roads glisten under your feet as you make your way up Monument Hill or patrol the streets around the Embassy.
Throw a grenade towards a car where a Mexican rebel is hiding and rather than the resulting fire having an effect as if the burning mass is a solid graphical block, it mimics a real explosion where the fire is uncontrollable, moving in the wind and flickering casting it’s light and shadow on the surrounding areas.
GRAW 2 also features ‘object translucency which allows players to see through surfaces like leaves and fabrics under the right conditions and a new technique called "God Rays", which simulates the way light goes around an opaque surface.’ As a smoke grenade is thrown the vapour rises and forms an impressive gaseous wall, even more visually striking than seen in the previous instalment and, furthermore, smoke drifts off in the wind depending on which way it is blowing. It’s an impressive achievement which adds to the atmosphere of the battle and adds a further touch of realism.
Click for larger imageThe whole atmosphere of GRAW 2 is built around these next-gen graphics and the outstanding audio in the game.