Grand Theft Auto IV: PS3 vs. Xbox 360 Special

First things first. Xbox 360 runs at full 720p (1280x720), whereas the PlayStation 3 code takes a 20 per cent hit, being natively rendered at 1152x640 before being software-upscaled.

Where post-processed blur meets the upscaling effect of PlayStation 3, the result usually looks very good indeed - a little softer, of course, but rarely distracting. A slight change of hue (particularly noticeable on indoor cut-scenes) also makes the PS3 version look slightly warmer.

Resolution, Textures and Anti-Aliasing

 Technically speaking, Xbox 360 really should be winning this contest hands-down, but bizarrely, it doesn't. There's support for proper hardware-assisted anti-aliasing, eliminating a great deal of the jagginess of the PlayStation 3 version, plus it's running at full-fat 720p. However, Rockstar has introduced a 360-specific post-processing effect that dithers just about every texture on-screen. It's an effect not present at all on the PS3 version and serves to introduce an oil-painting-like effect to the overall look of the game, particularly on background objects. Unfortunately, it also seems to actively distort the edges of detail in the textures and occasionally looks really ugly.

I can see why PS3 would be more appealing to some. The upscale and resultant blur helps to make the game look a touch more movie-like; less rendered and less 'gamey' if you will - a good combination for a mainstream audience.

Lighting, Draw Distance and Effects

Time for a spot of myth-busting then. Aside from a slight tweak to the colour palette (going back once again to Houser's 'warmer' PS3 comments), the two games feature virtually identical lighting.

Maniacal flying of the helicopter showed obvious pop-in on 360 that the PS3 version coped better with, but in more common game conditions both versions acted in a very similar manner. In fact, both games infrequently exhibited pop-in textures, something you wouldn't expect from the PS3 code.

Frame Rate Tests

But the one difference I couldn't help but notice was the sense that as well as possessing a higher resolution, the Xbox 360 version of GTA IV runs noticeably smoother than the PlayStation 3 code.

Test One: Game Intro
360: 31.990fps
PS3: 26.460fps
See it on EGTV.

Test Two: Clean Getaway
360: 28.624fps
PS3: 23.452fps
See it on EGTV.

Test Three: Final Destination
360: 35.262fps
PS3: 29.041fps
See it on EGTV.

Test Four: Station Face-Off
360: 26.076fps
PS3: 26.081fps
See it on EGTV.

Test Five: Rigged to Blow
360: 26.712fps
PS3: 23.781fps
See it on EGTV.

Test Six: Ivan the Not So Terrible
360: 33.798fps
PS3: 28.313fps
See it on EGTV.

The PS3 performs better on the "smaller load times", "less pop-in" and "overall better image" (and in my opinion better lighthing due to the HDR)...

The 360 is there with more resolution, better framerate and better AA (You can look at the pics there is clearly more edges on the PS3) , but this doesn´t give the edge in the overal look...

 They're right. I've never seen a multiplatform game look better on the PS3.

is it just me or does the ps3 version have less jaggies. of course both versions look very good.

 It's because they are blurred 

there isn't a huge difference between them, they are pretty much identical

 yh but i have never really known this site to give the ps3 a compliment without the word but in it. They always have to give the ps3 a cheap shot, i mean if the ps3 version looked like the 360 and the 360 looked liked the ps3 version, they would have defo gave 360 the win. i mean tbh the leaves on the trees of the 360 one looked kinda funy whilst the ps3 ones looked really nice. But this site failed to mention it. and whenever something looks better on the ps3 they use the words slight or a little bit, but when its the other way round they say alot better or ps3 lagging behind

Both versions do look really nice tho

 Is just you, well to be honest the PS3 have less noticiable jaggies due to the blur post-process, but you can look at the three pics,

First, on the lamp base (Left, above the map)

Second, nikolai´s neck (The only part visible)

Third, class add (Right corner, top of the add)

Edit, this AA thing is almost like DMC4

 Good job FJ-Warez. i should have done that

Check out their comparisons of Burnout Paradise for example, they say the ps3 version has the edge.