Digital Foundry - Quantum Break: An Xbox One Tech Showcase

[SvennoJ]

It has a lot of impressive tech, unfortunately compromised by a lot of compromises:
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2016-quantum-break-tech-analysis

+ Character models
+ Physics
+ Filmic full motion video look
+ Motion blur
+ Physically based rendering materials
+ Data streaming
+ Ambient occlusion close to HBAO+

- Image quality, temporal reconstruction doesn't really work in motion
- Shadows
- Temporal ghosting, black trailing artifacts around object silhouettes
- Inconsistent physics and no inverse kinematics (hands/arms clipping through walls)
- Texture popin
- Cross buy not available for physical edition
- Loading times
- Video integration, final quality does not justify download size (Bink video?)
- Low res volumetric lighting down to ps2 levels.

Ultimately, Quantum Break is one of the most technically accomplished games on Xbox One but it's not without its issues. Northlight produces beautifully detailed worlds with remarkable effects work and lighting but image quality just isn't where it needs to be. The filmic look works to an extent but visible aliasing is still evident in motion making it clear that the solution employed here isn't quite on par with what we witnessed in Rainbow Six Siege. The issues with shadow quality and general stability due to heavy reliance on screen-space data also impacts the look of the game at times.

DF does like the game better than who wrote the review.

The real triumph here is the way in which the game's technology benefits the core gameplay. Quantum Break is an absolute joy to play - perhaps the best game Remedy has made to date - and much of that joy is the result of its technology. That perfect mix of high quality animation, effects, and feedback just feels right. It's an highly satisfying game to play.

Tech does improve gameplay!

Anyway would be nice to see this run on PC.