The graphics of Warhammer 3 > Warhammer 2: improvements and comparison

[Mazisky]

I have seen a lot of comments about how Warhammer 3 looks worse than Warhammer 2 and I don't think it is fair.

In fact, Warhammer 3 looks way better than 2 and so I decided to compile a list of all the graphics improvements we got from 2 to 3.



-Better looking maps:

All the Empire, Bretonnia, Greenskins and Norsca land battle maps have been remade for Warhammer 3.

Try to launch some Empire or Bretonnia battle maps in Warhammer 2 and they look very barren with low details, while in Warhammer 3 they are completely different and full of details.



-New GPU grass.

The grass in Warhammer 3 is much better and deep while in Wh2 they are just low res bitmaps.



-Dynamic Skyboxes

The skyboxes in Warhammer 2 are static, in Warhammer 3 the clouds move.



-New and better VFX

In Warhammer 2 the VFX, including spell effects were pixelated and very low quality.

In Warhammer 3 they are smooth and better looking.



-Global illumination

Warhammer 3 uses Screen Space Global illumination, while Warhammer 2 doesn't.

That makes the lighting way better epecially in shadowed areas, where in Wharammer 2 they look completely flat.



-Screen Space Shadows

Warhammer 3 has additional shadows compared to Warhammer 2, which make the scene look less flat.



-Better performances

Yes, Warhammer 3 has better performances compared to Warhammer 2.

Wh3 it is heavier overall due to being a newer game with better tech, but that isn't important.

The main point is that Wh2 was engine limited in large battles where you would get huge fps drops even with top hardware because it couldn't handle thousands of units on screen.

Warhammer 3 doesn't have this issue and it runs much better during large battles or complex scenes compared to Warhammer 2.



I think it is unfair to say Warhammer 3 is visually worse than Warhammer 2 so hopefully this list would put things in a better perspective.

[TequilaZaire]

Warhammer 1 looks better than both.

[Mazisky]

Originally posted by TequilaZaire:

Warhammer 1 looks better than both.

In terms of style I can agree with you, both atmosphere and UI.

But not techincally wise.

[TequilaZaire]

Originally posted by Mazisky:

Originally posted by TequilaZaire:

Warhammer 1 looks better than both.

In terms of style I can agree with you, both atmosphere and UI.

But not techincally wise.

The issue is that the engine used doesn't particularity handle a lot of the new eye candy particularly well. I'd rather engine optimizations and things like DLSS over graphical elements that continue to be performance drains.

Though part of the core reason some prefer WH2 is the art direction and stylistic choices that WH3 moved past or changed outright.

[Mazisky]

Originally posted by TequilaZaire:

Originally posted by Mazisky:

In terms of style I can agree with you, both atmosphere and UI.

But not techincally wise.

The issue is that the engine used doesn't particularity handle a lot of the new eye candy particularly well.

It does better than Warhammer 2.

Warhammer 2 zoomed in during large battles with blood completely drop to subpar 40 fps.

Warhammer 3 doesn't, it remain smoother during those intense circumstances.

[TequilaZaire]

Originally posted by Mazisky:

Originally posted by TequilaZaire:

The issue is that the engine used doesn't particularity handle a lot of the new eye candy particularly well.

It does better than Warhammer 2.

Warhammer 2 zoomed in during large battles with blood completely drop to subpar 40 fps.

Warhammer 3 doesn't, it remain smoother during those intense circumstances.

Blood has always been a tad janky and never felt particularly well implemented. Again, I'd rather have engine optimization or at least something like DLSS to mitigate some performance issues.

[Filthy Pollo 🐔]

Originally posted by TequilaZaire:

Warhammer 1 looks better than both.

I remember I had last battle with wood elves and dwarfs against Archaon... the battle performance was godawful and I could get stable fps by zooming out with top down view too far away.

[Aleera]

The only graphical part of game 3 which is worse for me, is corruption in certain area's. If it borders a region that doesn't share the corruption it's edges are squares.

I have no idea which part of my settings causes this.

[Filthy Pollo 🐔]

Originally posted by Rianne:

The only graphical part of game 3 which is worse for me, is corruption in certain area's. If it borders a region that doesn't share the corruption it's edges are squares.

I have no idea which part of my settings causes this.

not your settings, it's pretty normal. I really don't mind since it can maximize the border instead of incomplete border in WH2.

[Mazisky]

Originally posted by Rianne:

The only graphical part of game 3 which is worse for me, is corruption in certain area's. If it borders a region that doesn't share the corruption it's edges are squares.

I have no idea which part of my settings causes this.

That's a known problem of the game, not related to your config.

It is pending for a fix.

[Aleera]

Originally posted by Filthy Pollo:

not your settings, it's pretty normal. I really don't mind since it can maximize the border instead of incomplete border in WH2.

I do mind it, it's a eyesore. xD

But yeah, other then that I find that game 3 has superior graphical quality.
Now the map art style is subjective if it's a improvement. The more vibrant colors can be seen as a downgrade to some. (I personally find it alot nicer)

[Mazisky]

Originally posted by Rianne:

Originally posted by Filthy Pollo:

not your settings, it's pretty normal. I really don't mind since it can maximize the border instead of incomplete border in WH2.

I do mind it, it's a eyesore. xD

But yeah, other then that I find that game 3 has superior graphical quality.
Now the map art style is subjective if it's a improvement. The more vibrant colors can be seen as a downgrade to some. (I personally find it alot nicer)

I like wh3 artstyle more, but also I liked Civ 6 artstyle more compared to civ 5.

Wh2 campaign map was cluttered and unreadable but I understand why some prefere its grittier style.

[sirkudjon]

Tell that to all those who have textures broken on units and models not to mention light bugs. You rotate around unit and have flickering. Oh and corruption borders are just squares - lol

[BIG E.]

Thing is, i don't care if a game looks pretty.

Only thing i care about is gameplay.

Like i literally play 20 year old games.

[Mazisky]

Originally posted by sirkudjon:

Tell that to all those who have textures broken on units and models not to mention light bugs. You rotate around unit and have flickering. Oh and corruption borders are just squares - lol

Those are bugs, it is a different matter.

[Mazisky]

Originally posted by BIG E.:

Thing is, i don't care if a game looks pretty.

Only thing i care about is gameplay.

Like i literally play 20 year old games.

Total War is a series that focuses on graphics and spectacle, and most of its production budget is spent on graphic stuff.

So regardless if you care about graphics or not, it is one of the main selling points of the game.