Comparing versions of TR2

[Valiento]

I discussed some of differences between TR1 prevaiously….

Thought I’d discuss some differences between versions I notice with TR2 as well.

As mentioned in another thread lighting and darkness sometimes varies wildly between versions of TR2. I won’t go into detail here since that topic already goes much further into it….

https://steamcommunity.com/app/2478970/discussions/0/4293690852335818907/

But other differences in graphics included true transparent waters just like in PS1 version of TR1. The waves and ripples are completely transparent… fire is also transparent on PlayStation not Direct3D. Water splashes/boat wake are transparent. Blood may be transparent too.

See transparent water here…
https://ibb.co/YDh1bWJ
https://ibb.co/0XBvG7r

Transparent fire:

https://ibb.co/5jbMzPy


Pc version doesn’t have transparent water and fire effects… not on Direct3D hardware mode sadly…. The transparencies are a major improvement over solid water or fire animated ripples.

Maybe on proper 3DFX hardware? If the game originally had glide drivers? Were there other driver sets as well? Or was it only a unified release?

This discussion appears to suggest PC TR2 never had transparencies.
https://www.tombraiderforums.com/showthread.php?p=8411924

The PSX version has a few reflective moments like the Midas stature… appears to only be on PSX? Those rolling top blades in first level for example are shimmery and reflective. Again not available in Direct 3D.

See shiny reflective rolling blades:
https://ibb.co/rHhypxp

Psx has a dither filter over the entire screen and and appears to use more goraud shading than the PC release does. Similar to the TR1 on PSX.

Psx of course is more unstable with wobbly textures

Psx allows you to save anywhere like pc version, but only one save at a time. It saves current location or loads beginning of level as a choice.

There are differences in the health and water bars. Psx is multicolored and longer like in remaster. Pc version was solid red or blue and shorter.

Draw distance is perhaps slightly shorter of version but but not as much as difference between PC and PSX version of TR1.

Spiders dramatically explode guts in all directions in psx and pc versions they barely explode in remaster/toggle OG versions.

The way muzzle fire light shines appears to be different between original games and remaster/og mode. Muzzle fire is also transparent on the PSX version and solid on PC version.

[Valiento]

Oddly enough seems there might be some slight changes to some enemy placement between versions.

[StreamWhenGuy]

ok

[Topazlink]

I have something I'm thinking of posting when the patch comes out, but until then there's this: in the PS1 version of TR3, when selecting Lara's Home, you actually start with a Save Crystal in your inventory. So you can properly save the progress you make there, such as saving after unlocking the quad bike

[Valiento]

Another interesting detail there are no load screens in pc version levels load almost instantly so no load screen art at all.

Psx has long load screens with a load bar.

Movies are at slightly higher quality than in PC version and no scan lines.

Psx also offers a very nice level select menu that adds levels as you discover them…

[Brownie]

Originally posted by Valiento:

Another interesting detail there are no load screens in pc version levels load almost instantly so no load screen art at all.

Psx has long load screens with a load bar.

Movies are at slightly higher quality than in PC version and no scan lines.

Psx also offers a very nice level select menu that adds levels as you discover them…

i notice in the TR2 that the level you done, that you cant select them after whats that about?

[Valiento]

Just noticed something the red menu background is animated in PS1 version but isn’t on classic PC version.

So the fact that classic mode is animated shows they took a feature from the PlayStation version…. But oddly enough didn’t add any of the other PlayStation effects like transparency and reflection surfaces.

It also uses PS1 health and air gauges too.

[Valiento]

Clock ticking sound in menu doesn’t appear in pc version.

[Valiento]

I notice there are quite a bit of use of color atmospheric lighting in PSX version such as yellow lighting in Venice water, dark blue lighting in 40 fathoms Maria Doria water levels etc. this effect doesn’t appear in pc version (though water in general tends to be blue tinted on PC but this appears to be done with texture colors not atmospheric light maps) or OG remaster mode.

Here are some images taken on Beetle HW with dithering turned off and bilinear filtering turned on.

Shiny mirror effect on rolling traps (TR2 PSX)

https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/2432579266206105655/130BC12EF281241A2C0C7FB433BF2B759ED867F2/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

Transparent fire
https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/2432579266206140447/2AB047C8C4C44880247F5384B035668F4120A577/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

Transparent water and wake effect
https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/2432579266206158763/AF868DAC4F956056FAC68F5844CE4977105DA587/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

The sunglasses are transparent.
https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/2432579266206306084/4A4EA51AECD72CCFE123B9B2837F1C3A74BA95C7/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

Some use of color lighting effects in Venice.

https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/2432579266206291105/C916A63315EEC3ECCD9860D34F1C848F4ABD7B79/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

[GamerXT]

yea, those are the effects I mentioned previously. Odd they never added them yet.

[Valiento]

Originally posted by GamerXT:

yea, those are the effects I mentioned previously. Odd they never added them yet.

It’s weird mix of pc and PlayStation and all have so far is psx health bars, loading screens and animated background (pc got short end of stick on background sadly, it’s flat texture)…. Is it hard to program in the rest or psx features into PC/MAC code?

[GamerXT]

Wouldn't of guessed that since doesn't mods like TR2Main add some of this ?

Edit

Yes it does.

[Valiento]

Originally posted by GamerXT:

Wouldn't of guessed that since doesn't mods such as TR2Main add some of this ?

TR2 main is a complete source engine remake as are open Lara and TR1X so they do add some effects but not all I think….

[GamerXT]

Maybe not everything yet, although it shows that it is possible.

[Valiento]

Originally posted by GamerXT:

Maybe not everything yet, although it shows that it is possible.

Ya but it’s a completely different engine….

But since this updated source engine uses material from TR4 engine and we know TR3 could handle transparencies and reflections on PC? Or should be possible to insert those back into old stuff…

[GamerXT]

The engine is probably the same for all 3 remasters, so they probably could if TR3 did, even if TR2Main is another engine.