The future of video game visuals is still impressive and creepy

Matt Hawkins Contributing Writer, Video Games

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Remember earlier this summer, when Square Enix released the Agni’s Philosophy tech demo, which flexed their upcoming, next-gen graphics engine? Well here’s a closer look.

Courtesy of All Games Beta are the character models. First the rather pretty on the eye lady…

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8UuN31oEQ4?rel=0&w=640&h=360]

And next, the dude…

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMiHCRyM14E?rel=0&w=640&h=360]

It’s worth noting how these are real time models. Yes, you’ve certainly seen characters with as much detail in cut scenes, but in an actual game environment? Remember, there is a distinct difference.

And yes, we’re not really seeing them being manipulated with a controller in the clips above, but they’re supposed to be real time renders. But yeah, are you impressed? Creeped out?

They somewhat remind me of Gollum in The Hobbit. I don’t know about you but [SPOILERS] when he had his big scene with Bilbo, I couldn’t make heads or tails what riddles he was saying because I couldn’t get over how life-like his animation was.

But that was clearly a non-human character, and didn’t bother me. But the pair from Agni’s Philosophy? That’s a bit different.