Resident Evil 4 - Letterbox

[the_dude]

Just seen the Gamespot video review, what a game! One thing i'm concerned about is that it's presented in Cinematic Widescreen and if you've got a standard television you'll view the action in letterbox format. Why did they not put a Widescreen and 4:3 option in the game. I know loads of games that have this option!

[Mephistopheles]

I don't understand it either. Their excuse is that it gives the game more atmosphere but I feel it is overkill in this case.

What would have been nice is an option to let people choose for themselves. Thankfully it doesn't greatly tarnish what is still one of the finest Capcom creations ever though.

[Concept]

I think it's likely that a letterbox format is being used simply because Capcom are pushing the Cube so hard with what they've produced in Resident Evil 4. If you look at the standards of the visuals, then you'll see a good third of the screen being absent probably goes a long way to helping make the frame rate steady. The reason there isn't a Widescreen 4:3 option is probably because technically, it wouldn't be a surprise if it wasn't possible.

[dj898]

cinematic my a*s...
like previous poster said I believe Capcom did to overcome the frame rate...
remember what Namco did with Xbox port of Soul Calibur II at 702p...

[hankwangford]

remember what Namco did with Xbox port of Soul Calibur II at 702p...

You have to bear in mind that a 2D fighter processes much less information than something like Resi 4. You only have two character models and limited scenary to worry about versus a mammoth adventure.

Plus the Xbox is more powerful, which helps.

[Adam Stone]

Please excuse the ill placed OT comment im just about to make?

But I think its strange how even though the Xbox is more powerful, it appears to suffer considerably more so then Nintendo?s machine. Games like Fable and Halo 2 in particular, which suffer huge frame rate and freezing problems compared to the smoothness of the Big N?s Metroid Prime (and Echoes) and Resident Evil 4, makes me wonder just HOW much more powerful it is. Or rather? whether it is a question of power at all



As for the letterbox... Beyond Good and Evil had the same thing. Didnt they mention that too was a matter of keeping a solid frame rate?

[Friction]

Adam I understand what you are saying but I suspect the real magic is down to the coding and programming of the people that makes the games!

Taking Team Ninja's efforts on the XBOX is a prime example - Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive (3, Volleyball and Ultimate) are all amazingly good looking, fluid, smooth and jaw dropping titles.

I remember it being said the Saturn was technically more powerful than the original Playstation, but it didn't stop many games looking better on the PS1, and ultimately the machine being better!

If I got anything wrong there please point out what

Cheers!

[Adam Stone]

I agree buddy. That is kinda what i was referring to by saying "Or rather? whether it is a question of power at all"

Its why i think discussion on what consoles are more powerful are... for the most part, and in practise...fairly meaningless.

Not that, THAT sort of discussion was taking place here mind. heh. Just popped into my head after reading Mr hankwangford comment

(and that's not a dig or anything, just the cause of my thoughts) ^_^

[Friction]

Again I agree with you Adam,

I've never been interested in this Console X is more powerful than Console Y rubbish.

The reality of it is nowadays so many of us advocate mutil format gaming there really is no need to bother ourseleves with this trivial pursuit of power grading.



Anyway to be back on topic and to not deraill the thread I think as mentioned the choice of widescreen is mainly due to keeping framerates up - this isn't uncommon - we've seen it with Beyond Good and Evil, Metal Gear Solid The Twin Snakes does it for cutscenes, as does MGS3 and I think if memory serves MGS2 does this also.

I do think it adds to the whole cinematic of the game too. I remember playing Beyond Good & Evil and thinking I would never get on with it in this ratio but I soon began to not notice it and BG&E soon became one of the best games I have played in a long time!

[Adam Stone]

I remember playing Beyond Good & Evil and thinking I would never get on with it in this ratio but I soon began to not notice it

Continuing this rotation agreement, I reflect exactly what you?ve just said about becoming accustomed to BG&E?s widescreen format. I don?t see it being a problem with Resident Rvil 4 either. In fact, I know it isnt through playing the demo.

If anything, I think as you?ve mentioned, it adds to the overall atmosphere and doesn?t take anything away from the overall experience. A no lose situation imo?

Also I think the way the camera works has a slight (if not more important) impact into the consideration to coerce RE4 into widescreen. The camera swifts tightly behind Leon?s shoulder when he aims? its hard to describe, but how the camera focus firmly on the opposing side of Leon (to give the player a greater view to aim, shoot and kill) I don?t think would have worked as well if it WASN?T in widescreen? so for that reason, it is from a gameplay point it view, as well as a technique view.

[Friction]

I've not played Res 4 yet, but my copy arrives Monday so I can comment on the game then.

It's almost as if the game is widescreen to show more - much like a widescreen film does over standard 4:3 Pan & Scan.

[Kotatsu Neko]

I think it's likely that a letterbox format is being used simply because Capcom are pushing the Cube so hard with what they've produced in Resident Evil 4. If you look at the standards of the visuals, then you'll see a good third of the screen being absent probably goes a long way to helping make the frame rate steady. The reason there isn't a Widescreen 4:3 option is probably because technically, it wouldn't be a surprise if it wasn't possible.

I'm not familiar with the Cube technically, but this sounds likely, which is why there is no anamorphic W/S option (which would obviously have to render more pixels).

They could have letterboxed it to save memory on their screen and back buffer too of course, as the GC has the most severe memory problems of any console this gen.