This might be a stupid question, and it probably will be called as such, but could someone please (try to) explain to me how there can be such a massive difference in the graphics of FFX and FFXII on the PS2?
Everything from the in-game cinematics to the faces and terrain has been upped, whilst still using the PS2.
I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the coding of the game, but, then again what do I know.
Thanks

FFX was released fairly early in the life of the PS2, where as FFXII was released at the end. Square Enix were simply able to use the hardware much more efficiently by the time it got to FFXII, specifically the texturing in FFXII is a lot better then in FFX.

Similarly, FFVI looks a lot better then FFIV despite them both being on the SNES, FFIX looks a lot better then FFVII despite them both being on the playstation etc.

I'll clarify a bit mroe; as time goes on in a console's life, programers learn better how to code it and what it's capable of and how to squeeze every last bit of processing power out of it they can do. Thus early games often look much worse than later games on the same console.
There are exceptions, though, such as Super Smash Bros. Melee which just rocked the console when it was released and little looked better.

Interesting.

Final Fantasy XIII looks great! I shudder at the future quality of FF XIV when it comes out for PS 3 in 5 years! :)

Hmm, I had a feeling that was it, but I didn't think that it could have such a massive effect. Just goes to show how power on paper isn't everything.

Hmm, I had a feeling that was it, but I didn't think that it could have such a massive effect.

They called it the greatest discovery in human history.
The civilizations of the galaxy call it...
MASS EFFECT

Oh come on at least try to bare some relevance.

Oh come on at least try to bare some relevance.

What would you call it then?

umm... irrelevance?

Fair enough. I will continue my "irrelevance" elsewhere on this board.

I don't know the technical details, or how to explain it in the proper terms; but basically when a system is first made, the first few games do not use the powers of the console to their full potential; whereas when more and more games are completed on that particular console, then the designers get a better understanding on how to make the games even more better looking, or longer.

As for now, I just can't wait to see what games will look like in five to ten years time!