The tech test

(ON MEDAL OF HONOR PACIFIC ASSAULT SINGLE PLAYER DEMO)

My PC specs are:
Pentium 4 2.4 Ghz
512MB Ram
Geforce FX 5600 256MB
Windows 2000

Settings are:
Model quality: High
Texture quality: High
V-Sync: On
Decals: On
Post-processing effect: On
Hardware Shader: varies

Ok, if you players are experiencing lag, or the game is unplayable, read on.

Firstly, those who have graphic cards that can't play 'Halo' or is unable to see the Master Chief Gold Visor, you are out of luck. The demo won't run.

Secondly, those who complain that the game is unplayable, lower the graphic setting. Turn down Hardware Shaders to 1.1 . It helps a lot and still mantains gameplay.



At the beginning of the demo, you are awaken by one of your squadmate. Lets call him Frank.

Frank on the left is taken with Hardware shaders 1.1, everything else (texture quality, model quality at high).
Frank on the right is taken with Hardware shaders 2.0, everything else at high.

It is your choice, a non-blurry Frank or a blurry Frank that simulates you waking up.

Now another comparision:



This is during Verge Of Death Mode, the cropsman (medic) here is Jimmy.
On the left is Hardware shaders 1.1, notice the sharpness.
On the right is Hardware shaders 2.0, notice the more blurred effect.
Using the foilage behind, Hardware shaders 2.0 makes stuff blurred and has a better eye-candy than with 1.1. Both though, still decolorises.



Ah, now the real comparision. The picture far above is taken with Hardware shaders 2.0. The picture just above is with Hardware shaders 1.1.

Average FPS for Hardware Shaders 1.1, all settings on and set to high:
20-40 throughout

Average FPS for Hardware Shaders 2.0, all settings on and set to high:
6-15 in busy areas, 22-25 when there is no fighting

Other factors to consider:
1.1 enables faster gameplay
1.1 have no real-time foliage shadow
1.1 looks good
1.1 no blur :(

2.0 enables better graphics
2.0 have real-time shadow all over the place
2.0 looks better, but sacrifices FPS
2.0 blurs

Conclusion:

1.1 looks like Call Of Duty,
2.0 looks like Call Of Duty with photo filters placed on top of it. 1.1 runs faster.

On personal prefrence, if you want gameplay, use 1.1.
If you want to take beautiful screenshots, use 2.0. But prepare to suffer horrific lag.

Back to The Temple Of Thoughts 2.5
Back to the demo impression.