Which to play first - EC or EC:R?

[ProfN]

Hi everyone, I just bought TVoEC for the first time. Neat that it comes with the Redux for free, but...

Which should I try first?? ^_^

Seriously, hoping some longtime players and fans can tell me which one gives the better "first time experience".

[Invincible]

Hi, even i brought this game. I am sorry i may not be able to answer your question. But, i need your help. Are you experiencing any lag with respect to the mouse and in-game cursor? I do and i want to solve it. I also started a discussion(regarding my topic) i hope people help me out. Just tell me if it happens to you also(the lag). Thanks.

[World Eater]

They are the same game VR is the enhanced version with better graphics

[ProfN]

But they're NOT the same game, World Eater. The documentation for the redux clearly states they made gameplay changes too, not just graphic changes.

[76561198025235947]

Originally posted by ProfN:

But they're NOT the same game, World Eater. The documentation for the redux clearly states they made gameplay changes too, not just graphic changes.

The gameplay changes are not significant, the two most important differences relate to graphics and a save system. :)

Take care,
Adrian from The Astronauts

[Bozz Collin]

I have to recommend the original, despite what Adrian recommends. The original feels more artistic and has better textures. Either way, the game can be completed in one or two sittings. I gained all achievements in both versions in one night.

[Shiηовι]

Originally posted by BozzCollin:

The original feels more artistic and has better textures.

I've seen you say this twice now. Care to explain what "more artistic" actually means? And do you have any sort of proof of better textures in the original?

[Bozz Collin]

Originally posted by Sнιη๏вι:

Originally posted by BozzCollin:

The original feels more artistic and has better textures.

I've seen you say this twice now. Care to explain what "more artistic" actually means? And do you have any sort of proof of better textures in the original?

Sure, the artistic thing is purely opinion. The world looks more painted in the original, with stunning water reflections/shaders, shoreline ripple effects and consistency throughout the entire game. The redux isn't so consistent in its visual presentation and can go from great looking to average, mainly because of the lighting overhaul it has and the reflections (reflections are great on puddles, but not so great on the lake). The lighting in the redux is overall "better" but at the same time it's overblown, washes things out a bit, is too vivid and it's inconsistent throughout the game, which are all pet peeves of mine. The original keeps a consistent artistic look, filled with atmosphere throughout the entire game.

Before you feed me the typical "Do you have the redux on low settings or something?" Both games are maxed out completely.

Here are some screenshot comparisons:

Original: Reflections are glorious and bring out the detail of the water
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=798397116

Redux: Reflections are okay, but not artistic and painted looking
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=798376969

Original: Looks fantastic
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=798355246

Redux: Washed out and hideous with bad water reflections
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=798360193

Original: HD railing, wood seams don't blend as well as the redux, not noticeable during gameplay
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=798397994

Redux: Lower detail metal railing and wood
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=798377915

Original: Again, killer reflections and an overall atmosphere beast with artistry to the max. Something you can't see in this shot is the shoreline. In-game there is a really good shoreline effect with rippling water, looks incredible. It's not in the redux. The redux is just a flat, clouded, ugly, low resolution water texture.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=798396903

Redux: Flat water, not much atmosphere and reflections genuinely suck in comparison
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=798377240

Original: As usual, great reflections, even at the far end of the map
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=798396684

Redux: Overblown lighting, reflections get worse and worse the further out they are
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=798391047

Original: Just can't beat these reflections, even the clouds have good reflections
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=798396468

Redux: Flat as always, lack of quality reflections
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=798410057

I had more shots of textures, but thanks to steam compression and the lighting in the redux, it was impossible to show the differences accurately in a screenshot, compressed or not. Just have to see it for yourself. Things like stone walls or most stone textures in general, other than landscape rocks and mountains, are better in the original. Think buildings, bridges, the dam, railings with stone supports, etc.

Though the lighting is overall better in the redux, but you can see here that the lighting just doesn't work any of its magic on the water and gets overblown and too vivid at times. You could say to turn down the brightness, contrast or whatever else, but then you'd have to constantly be changing it back and forth because the redux simply isn't consistent in it's visuals.

The original is dark and gritty with atmosphere overflowing in every scene. The lighting really messes that up in the redux. Again, just my opinion.

[Shiηовι]

Originally posted by BozzCollin:

Originally posted by Sнιη๏вι:

I've seen you say this twice now. Care to explain what "more artistic" actually means? And do you have any sort of proof of better textures in the original?

snip

Thanks a lot for such a detailed explanation of your stance. Very cool. Pity they didn't just improve the lighting alone for the redux, whilst not overdoing the bloom / HDR. I see what you mean. The lighting is a bit better in the redux, albeit with somewhat overdone bloom / HDR causing some washed-out looking stuff in the distance.

[FromIwoJima]

So, I am not the only one who thinks old version have a lot to offer...
But I didn't play nor one version still. Just watched few comparasion videos and I'm concluding old version is superior.
But will try both, old one first.

[SuperCatMan]

You say that the Redux version has a better save system. Does it allow you to save when you want?

[76561198025235947]

Originally posted by SuperCatMan:

You say that the Redux version has a better save system. Does it allow you to save when you want?

No, it does not, but the saves are much more regular than with the original version so you should have no issues whatsoever with saves in Redux. :)

Take care,
Adrian from THE ASTRONAUTS

[SuperCatMan]

Originally posted by adrianpalma:

Originally posted by SuperCatMan:

You say that the Redux version has a better save system. Does it allow you to save when you want?

No, it does not, but the saves are much more regular than with the original version so you should have no issues whatsoever with saves in Redux. :)

Take care,
Adrian from THE ASTRONAUTS

Will try when I decide to replay the game. :) I absolutely loved the game, but there are problems with the save system. For example if I use the elevator to go back to the House of the Portals and then again enter the mine from the tunnel in the forest it shows me two kirks, two elevators and two railcars (altough the case with the kirk was already solved). Anyway, I was able to complete the game and it's one of the most amazing non-shooter games I've ever played. Thank you for the experience!

[76561198025235947]

Originally posted by SuperCatMan:

Originally posted by adrianpalma:

No, it does not, but the saves are much more regular than with the original version so you should have no issues whatsoever with saves in Redux. :)

Take care,
Adrian from THE ASTRONAUTS

Will try when I decide to replay the game. :) I absolutely loved the game, but there are problems with the save system. For example if I use the elevator to go back to the House of the Portals and then again enter the mine from the tunnel in the forest it shows me two kirks, two elevators and two railcars (altough the case with the kirk was already solved). Anyway, I was able to complete the game and it's one of the most amazing non-shooter games I've ever played. Thank you for the experience!

Thank you for playing! :)

Take care,
Adrian from THE ASTRONAUTS

[DocCovington]

Originally posted by World Eater:

They are the same game VR is the enhanced version with better graphics

That's a matter of opinion. I preferred the graphics on the original by far!

However, the walking speed in the Redux version is faster (unfortunately you were kind of crawling along in the original). Also, Redux offers you more graphics options, which is also nice.

But the textures and effects of the original look better IMO, as is the sound quality (the dialogue volume in Redux is off, you can barely hear it). So I would recommend playing that one first if you don't mind the slow speed.

[FromIwoJima]

Originally posted by DocCovington:

Originally posted by World Eater:

They are the same game VR is the enhanced version with better graphics

That's a matter of opinion. I preferred the graphics on the original by far!

However, the walking speed in the Redux version is faster (unfortunately you were kind of crawling along in the original). Also, Redux offers you more graphics options, which is also nice.

But the textures and effects of the original look better IMO, as is the sound quality (the dialogue volume in Redux is off, you can barely hear it). So I would recommend playing that one first if you don't mind the slow speed.

Thanks. Sound resonable.