DF Retro H2O! Water Rendering: Wave Race 64, Quake, Duke Nukem 3D + Many More!

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  • Опубліковано 24 вер 2024
  • DF Retro returns with a two-part showcase covering the history of water rendering in games, starting from the early 90s to and ending with the last-gen consoles! In this first part, we start with a look at 16-bit 2D raster tricks on Megadrive/Genesis, Super NES, NES and Game Boy before moving into the 3D era!
    Note: One little error - N64 was 1996 in Japan, not 1995.
    Subscribe for more DF Retro: bit.ly/DFSubscribe
    Join the DF Patreon to support work like this and get pristine quality downloads too: www.digitalfou...

КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,2 тис.

  • @dark1x
    @dark1x 6 років тому +65

    Just wanted to give everyone a heads up - the follow-up episode will hit this coming weekend! I’m working on it now! Kicking off with Mario Sunshine and Blue Storm

    • @radornkeldam
      @radornkeldam 2 роки тому +3

      I know I'm 4 years late (actually I already commented back then but it seems you didn't see it), but I'd like to submit a correction to something you said.
      In 13:23 you say that Wave Race 64's passing jetskis don't leave a wake ripple effect in the water. Well, actually, they do. I think the reason you may have missed it may be that the water mesh is relatively coarse and that kind of hides it if you don't pay close attention, particularly if the water isn't really still.
      If you want to see it you need to play championship and get to Drake Lake, complete the first lap so the mist goes away, and immediately turn around and look towards the incoming "traffic" waiting for the CPU racers to come towards you and you'll clearly see the wakes. You'll also notice that each racer leaves a differently intense wake, depending on their body weight, with Mariner being the heaviest and Stewart the lightest.
      The best place to camp in wait for them is just behind the finish line, looking back at the incoming racers clearing the pole maze at the end of the lap.
      Alternatively, you can just look at the captures made by a fellow forum member in a Spanish board back then, when we discussed this video:
      elotrolado (dot) net (slash) hilo_df-retro-evolucion-del-agua-en-los-videojuegos_2294688_s50

    • @Rafayak
      @Rafayak 9 місяців тому

      What is the song at the start??? I need to know

  • @randytyson
    @randytyson 6 років тому +464

    For preservation sake. there was a Wii u miiverse account where all of its posts was dedicated to complimenting the water in videogames. No one knows why the user did it, but was part of what made miiverse great
    From sonic boom to donkey kong, there was water effects to compliment.hope he finds this

    • @James2t3
      @James2t3 6 років тому +46

      RANDY TYSON I scrolled down to the comments to find this reference. Rip miiverse.

    • @gundalfx
      @gundalfx 6 років тому +75

      Have you watched till the end? This reference is actually shown 😉

    • @Silvergun_Raven
      @Silvergun_Raven 6 років тому +4

      Is it still available to see?

    • @James2t3
      @James2t3 6 років тому +24

      Ruben good to see the legend of mariowiiu lives on lol

    • @jorgel1698
      @jorgel1698 6 років тому +10

      In one of the switch posts there's a collection of games with amazing water

  • @r4k00n5
    @r4k00n5 2 роки тому +35

    Can't stop coming back to this, please make a part 3!

  • @frosty6845
    @frosty6845 6 років тому +89

    Wave Race 64 still impresses me if only because the player interacts with the water beyond making ripples.

    • @senorsnipey1595
      @senorsnipey1595 4 роки тому +12

      Id say its still top dog in watersports genre.

    • @adroharv9213
      @adroharv9213 4 роки тому +4

      @@senorsnipey1595 yup easily

    • @akaimizu1
      @akaimizu1 3 роки тому +5

      Definitely. unlike many others, the Water is in itself the track, and one that changes over time, requiring the player to adjust to the wake and tide level. It isn't, what many others do, a relatively static track, that just happens to look like water.

  • @philscomputerlab
    @philscomputerlab 6 років тому +161

    Absolutely brilliant. I can't imagine how much work it was to get all the captured footage. One game I remember for its impressive water is Far Cry from 2004.

    • @retroboy-fh1ji
      @retroboy-fh1ji 6 років тому +4

      PhilsComputerLab the Xbox version was mainly impressive. Fun fact: the games was going to be release on PS2, like The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, but was cancelled because the system can't handle those games, even with the "Emotion Engine CPU" and its VU0 and VU1.

    • @SeriusSim
      @SeriusSim 6 років тому +6

      I bet we're going to see some Farcry/Crysis in the next part :)
      I like that Giants Citizen Kabuto also has been included, it's one of my favorite game from the early 2000's era.

    • @michaelaizen1137
      @michaelaizen1137 5 років тому +1

      For me it would be Ecco the dolphin. We all have our first's.

    • @winlover37
      @winlover37 5 років тому +2

      Far Cry Instincts was such a beautiful game for the Xbox. Even friends of mine were quite impressed with how well it's aged.

    • @gerboog
      @gerboog 3 роки тому +2

      @@retroboy-fh1ji how is this a fun fact? The hardware was about 6 years older then Far Cry.

  • @kaiserrino8774
    @kaiserrino8774 6 років тому +58

    I remember playing MGS 2 for first time and being blown away by the that first stage. Like mentioned in the video, it still looks pretty good in 2018.

    • @mtoad
      @mtoad 6 років тому +4

      It looks excellent in 2018 displayed at the proper resolution on a CRT.

    • @oaedeoi
      @oaedeoi 6 років тому

      im about to play it, too bad there is no ps4 remaster

    • @eponymous7910
      @eponymous7910 5 років тому +1

      Yep. A shame the big shell was so bland in comparison

    • @so-vp2qh
      @so-vp2qh 8 місяців тому

      @@mtoadeven on an LCD to this day it holds up

  • @RandomlyDrumming
    @RandomlyDrumming 6 років тому +146

    One of the best things about DF RETRO series is how it shows the enormous talent of the developers behind games of the earlier eras. It goes on to show how incredibly skilled these people really were as they were completely limited by, from this point of view, very primitive technology. They had to work around hardware limitations and along the way invent new techniques and "hack" the hardware to pull off things it wasn't originally designed for.
    It's relatively easy to be "lazy" today with your code since hardware is so strong that it usually doesn't really matter whether you spend a few more CPU cycles to do something, or whether you spent few dozen megabytes of RAM more. But back in a day, when you were so very limited with CPU, memory (amount and bandwidth), data carriers speed and capacity (floppy, CD), you had to be *very* good at what you do to program and design games with all those things in mind.
    Lastly, the younger generations can learn to appreciate the roots of what they take for granted these days. :)
    cheers!

    • @Daddy137
      @Daddy137 6 років тому +8

      Check out this channel called GameHut, he goes into depth on how he pulled off some clever tricks

    • @RandomlyDrumming
      @RandomlyDrumming 6 років тому +3

      Already subbed to GameHut ;) Really nice insight into what it took to pull off many memorable tricks.

    • @Fr0gg0
      @Fr0gg0 6 років тому +2

      We wouldn't have come this long with todays developers.

    • @evilzinabyssranger5695
      @evilzinabyssranger5695 6 років тому +6

      Just to do a Propper AD: Back in the day, they couldnt do FIXES and PATCHES (sometimes PATCHES are diguised of FREE DLC to lure people).
      It has to be Very good and it has to be done in ONE shot.

    • @RandomlyDrumming
      @RandomlyDrumming 6 років тому

      Yeah, not to mention that part... Once it's on a cartridge, or CD, for that matter, for consoles without HDD - it's done! :)

  • @bananachild1936
    @bananachild1936 6 років тому +24

    Wave Race 64's water physics was so much fun to play around with. I played it with my brother, we kept chasing down the dolphin and ignored the race, laughing around for no reason. Sometimes we'll challenge each other on who can jump the highest by riding the huge waves.
    The water physics felt so much better to mess around with rather than winning the race. Good times.

    • @Rock_Lagoon
      @Rock_Lagoon 6 років тому +3

      Walther Penne You are kidding right?

    • @GameslordXY
      @GameslordXY 2 роки тому

      I played with my mom.

  • @BlazeHedgehog
    @BlazeHedgehog 6 років тому +10

    A game I should have mentioned to John on Twitter on Twitter but didn't think of until seeing this video: Turbo Prop Racing on the PS1, which does something similar to Wave Race 64's water mesh but runs at 60fps.

  • @MetalJesusRocks
    @MetalJesusRocks 6 років тому +368

    This video is making me THIRSTY!! LOL Fascinating video as always!!

    • @evilkinggumby
      @evilkinggumby 6 років тому +5

      Considering most of the shots were water in the ocean, that might be a very 'Salty" comment..lolz

    • @johneygd
      @johneygd 6 років тому

      Yeah indeed, especially since it became just part - of it,DAMNIT!!!

    • @cassiebelmont993
      @cassiebelmont993 6 років тому +1

      MJR is a simple man you praise Splashdown for PS2 he watches and comments on video.

    • @HX422
      @HX422 6 років тому +1

      MetalJesusRocks no, that’s no good. That’s why you can’t comment. This video is making ME thirsty!

    • @anotheractionhero8250
      @anotheractionhero8250 6 років тому +1

      Thats funny, i startet the video and your Baldurs Gate Video came into my mind (and your excitement about the water). Then Baldurs Gate was mentioned in the video and you are in the comments :D By the way, I visit Seattle in September and I will also visit one ore both "pink gorilla" and tha is all your fault (the part with the gorilla).

  • @cbh148
    @cbh148 6 років тому +5

    WaveRace 64 actually does generate some waves behind the jetskis. Go to 2 player mode, and go to Drake Lake, and pass by a player that's sitting still and you'll see the wake causes the jetski to bounce a bit.

    • @radornkeldam
      @radornkeldam 6 років тому +1

      Yes, it's subtle, but it's there.
      I guess they should have made that stand out a little bit more, but I can see problems trying to do it.
      I'm also surprised they didn't catch that given the relevance of WR64 and the attention to detail in these videos.

    • @cbh148
      @cbh148 6 років тому

      I agree. I hate to knock WR64 since it's such a great game, but I can remember even as a kid thinking they dropped the ball on the wake graphics since I couldn't see anything other than the small bit of spray that looked more like white smoke (to the point that I sorta thought it was supposed to be the 2 stroke engine exhaust). I can only assume they wanted to have at least a couple of yards of white textured wake trailing the jetskis (think Jak & Daxter water graphics), but must've been graphically at the limit with all the complex wave modeling.

  • @purplezebrahoover
    @purplezebrahoover 6 років тому +4

    Props for using the TMNT NES water level music at the start. You have my support.

  • @GamingPicks
    @GamingPicks 6 років тому +12

    Excellent video, as always. I also like water effects, some are memorable (ICO's windmill, MGS2 opening...) It's nice to see games like Outcast featured, it also is one of my favorite games of the 90s. Thank you John.

  • @4468
    @4468 6 років тому +11

    I remember when a games water effects was used to judge how good graphics were; every review would mention the water effects especially in the 32-Bit era

  • @Silvergun_Raven
    @Silvergun_Raven 6 років тому +4

    I've always been fascinated with water in video games. Some of my favorites are Super Mario 64, Wave Race 64, Ecco the Dolphin (entire series), Endless Ocean, and the water detail in Onimusha 2 (I still think about it to this day).

  • @SteelSkin667
    @SteelSkin667 6 років тому +14

    During the PS2 days I was fascinated by how different games rendered water and fire differently.

    • @TheTimgta
      @TheTimgta Рік тому

      Remember Morrowinds water

  • @mikekarasi8045
    @mikekarasi8045 6 років тому +46

    Wave Race 64.. I miss your euphoric hyper-reality of dolphins, lush waters, sunsets, umbrella straw margaritas, and amazing sounds in the game. When the lady pronounced the maps it felt like XTC.

    • @MrSergiosampa
      @MrSergiosampa 6 років тому

      Mike Karasi dolphin? Umbrella? This video in only about WATER...

    • @byteblok
      @byteblok 6 років тому +2

      Mike Karasi It was magical wasn’t it?...I still get the warm fuzzies when i play it every now and then.

    • @shapeshifter-theamorphousg3264
      @shapeshifter-theamorphousg3264 2 роки тому

      Welcome to Mariiine.. Fortress!

  • @isturbo1984
    @isturbo1984 6 років тому +3

    An amazing and comprehensive look at the technical aspect of a single property in all of video games: Water. this video was a real treat. You guys should do more. Many topics to explore in video game history. And the consistent water themes as bgm was a nice touch. Can't wait for part 2. Next... do Fire!

  • @jonaskristiansen781
    @jonaskristiansen781 6 років тому +4

    I remember Super Mario Sunshine having some of the most impressive water graphics I had ever seen back when it came out. The water still holds up today in my opinion. Uncharted was the next game to really impress me with the water. What stood out to me especially was when the clothing got wet, only the portion of the clothing under water was affected, while the rest was still dry.

  • @evergaolbird
    @evergaolbird 6 років тому +26

    You left me thirsty for more water DF Retro. Looking forward for Part 2.

  • @MunkeyChips
    @MunkeyChips 6 років тому +8

    Anyone remember the highly detailed water in Ratchet & Clank Going Commando? It only exists as an easter egg demo in the game dev museum because it was too taxing to implement in the full game.

  • @shiru8bit
    @shiru8bit 6 років тому +10

    I wish you would someday do a DF Retro video on 60 fps in early 3D games, like PS1 and Saturn era - how it was achieved, what had to be sacrified etc. Blasto, Reboot, Motorhead, Tobal 1-2, Dead or Alive, Forsaken, Einhander, Kula World, Rascal, and so on, And how come that so old and limited hardware managed to pull more full frame rate games than most of following platforms.

    • @3dmarth
      @3dmarth 6 років тому

      Yes, please!

    • @grongy6122
      @grongy6122 6 років тому

      Какие люди. :)

    • @3dmarth
      @3dmarth 6 років тому +1

      It would be interesting to collect a bunch of comments from devs on how they achieved 60fps (or why they didn't).
      From what I've seen, though, it typically boils down to:
      30fps devs: You need to make a lot of sacrifices to achieve 60fps- too many sacrifices, when you could be using the extra rendering (and development) time to make the graphics so much better.
      60fps devs: 60 is totally achievable, but you need to make it a priority, not tack it on at the end like just another feature.
      (Paraphrasing Naughty Dog, Insomniac, Retro, and I think one other studio.)

    • @shiru8bit
      @shiru8bit 6 років тому +1

      Sorry, your answer makes no sense. Hardware acceleration is not a magic wand, it just a term that means some of computation heavy tasks offloaded to dedicated hardware rather than done in software by the main CPU. This concept used since its inception, and it never was retired since then. GPU in any modern system is your HW accelerator, an insanely powerful one. Having HW acceleration does not guarantee any frame rate in 3D rendering, it only helps to speed up rendering, in trade to various limitations (such as affine mapping in early systems).

  • @FromPlsNerf
    @FromPlsNerf 6 років тому +24

    DF you guys are a national treasure

    • @Poever
      @Poever 6 років тому +5

      FromPlsNerf even though they’re split across two continents

  • @MushroomCloudGaming
    @MushroomCloudGaming 6 років тому +214

    A very in DEPTH video :]

  • @Edmundostudios
    @Edmundostudios 6 років тому +5

    I remember playing Halo 2 and the scene where you command the tank going over the bridge and the water effects blew me away.

  • @jeremybowers3181
    @jeremybowers3181 6 років тому +9

    Just want to say DF retro is my favorite segment on you guys's Channel good on ya John!

  • @philipcooper8297
    @philipcooper8297 6 років тому +143

    When you have a 1070Ti and all you want to do is to play retro games, because DF told you how cool the water in them was.

    • @Xx_m1k3_0X1onG_xX
      @Xx_m1k3_0X1onG_xX 6 років тому +19

      When DF makes you want to buy a beast of a pc but DF also makes you want to play retro games

    • @bigboulder
      @bigboulder 6 років тому +12

      Hey @ least the card wont have problems running all the needed emulators ;-)

    • @Holammer
      @Holammer 6 років тому +15

      Try some Super Mario Sunshine with a 60fps hack at high resolution. That should quench your thirst.

    • @sEaNoYeAh
      @sEaNoYeAh 6 років тому +12

      Ah, the joyful paradox of PC gaming. Since upgrading to a rig that can handle anything I want it to the "new" game I've been really into is 17 year old cult classic RPG Anachronox.
      In all seriousness I do think a lot of older games are simply more interesting, even ones I didn't play at the time. Games were less homogenous then, less risk averse and more freely creative. So many AAA games now share half the gameplay with one another.

    • @Thebossstage1
      @Thebossstage1 6 років тому

      GhostSamurai
      You could argue that its the same with older games too.
      After all, atari flooded the market with mediocre copycat games in the early 80s

  • @dreammfyre
    @dreammfyre 6 років тому +8

    "Why is that 8bit music playing?"
    *shows the TMNT water stage*
    "Ohhhhhh."
    Pretty, pretty, pretty good.

  • @TKsh1
    @TKsh1 6 років тому +57

    Holy shit, Wave Race 64, this game is an classic. Nice video.

    • @cyrfung
      @cyrfung 6 років тому +3

      Never expected it to be featured on the thumbnail.
      It was my favorite back then. The wave physics was so much fun.

    • @eponymous7910
      @eponymous7910 6 років тому +1

      I remember owning jet rider/moto for the playstation not long after wave race was released. The water in that game did not compare favourably!

    • @ghostghost8544
      @ghostghost8544 6 років тому +1

      Classic use to play that game for hours

    • @BritonWells
      @BritonWells 6 років тому

      the music gets me right away

  • @TAGMedia7
    @TAGMedia7 6 років тому +22

    I'm shocked you didn't mention Crash Bandicoot Warped and the water ski stages on PSone. naughty Dog created a Z-Buffer emulator to create the water and wave physics.

  • @Elite-bh6pm
    @Elite-bh6pm 6 років тому +27

    This is a wonderful subject for a video.

    • @jorge69696
      @jorge69696 6 років тому +1

      Seriously. People are even nice in the comments for a change. I think all DF Retro videos are like this.

  • @jackpepperpwb
    @jackpepperpwb 6 років тому +25

    I'm so glad Baldurs Gate: Dark Alliance got a mention, that games water blew my tiny mind as a kid. Hell, it still impresses me now.

    • @enya64
      @enya64 6 років тому +2

      Jack Pepper Agreed. At the start of this video I was saying to myself "He better mention the Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance water on PS2." All time great water effects...

    • @MrALenCar321
      @MrALenCar321 4 роки тому

      Is it available on PC?

    • @jackpepperpwb
      @jackpepperpwb 4 роки тому

      @@MrALenCar321 I think it was a PS2 exclusive unfortunately, you might be able to get it running on PCSX2 though. It's been recently updated and is more reliable than ever.

    • @OMGLYKEWOW
      @OMGLYKEWOW Рік тому

      I played it for the first time just last year, and it caught my attention. I spent a few minutes running around the circular pool shown at 22:54 just to watch the waves

    • @jackpepperpwb
      @jackpepperpwb Рік тому +1

      @@OMGLYKEWOW I did exactly the same thing, just watching the waves collide with each other.

  • @migs8171
    @migs8171 6 років тому +102

    Waveraces water blew me back in the day

    • @fryncyaryorvjink2140
      @fryncyaryorvjink2140 6 років тому +25

      Miggy 1483 what?! It only gave me a handy!

    • @spork8655
      @spork8655 6 років тому +9

      It didn't drag its teeth, did it?

    • @orjanbaglo
      @orjanbaglo 6 років тому +8

      blew you away or like behind the dumpster in high school?

    • @zerounit87
      @zerounit87 6 років тому +3

      The music was awesome too.

    • @migs8171
      @migs8171 6 років тому +7

      Tickled the balls with plenty of eye contact. Glorious

  • @BurningRangers
    @BurningRangers 6 років тому +1

    I appreciate you including Saturn examples in your video. It amazes me how many people forget about Sega's fifth generation box because it was a commercial failure and geneally only think of the PSX and N64 when thinking back to the late 90s. Dreamcast was a sixth generation console even if it came out early and only lasted a few years before Sega bowed out of hardware.

  • @leegsy
    @leegsy 6 років тому +105

    Half Life 2 did good water effects. Still looks okay even today.

    • @seamless8505
      @seamless8505 6 років тому +3

      The first Far Cry game too, which was released that same year.
      It's also still a very good game, I hope John is gonna mention it in part 2.
      Heck, I think it would even deserve an entire episode; John you probably have a busy schedule but if you read this... :)

    • @ThetaReactor
      @ThetaReactor 6 років тому +9

      The Lost Coast DLC was groundbreaking at the time.

    • @MrShambles
      @MrShambles 6 років тому +4

      I think the water in HL2 improved over time with updates and Source Engine upgrades.

    • @washaa
      @washaa 6 років тому +8

      The hl2 tech demo blew my mind. It left me thinking about the game for months. Must have rewatched it over forty times or so. The physics of the floating matrasses and wooden splinters together with that spectacular refraction were leagues ahead of other games. Has there been such an ambitious push in physics simulation in games since?

    • @shapeshifter-theamorphousg3264
      @shapeshifter-theamorphousg3264 2 роки тому +1

      HL2 was so ahead of it's time, on multiple levels.

  • @Floatillyboats
    @Floatillyboats 6 років тому +2

    I remember seeing Waverace 64 for the first time when I got it. It was so amazing and still is for it's time. Another game that had good water a few years later was Starfox Adventures for the Gamecube! And a few years after that was a early game for the PS3 called Lair. It had amazing graphics for it's time!

    • @3dmarth
      @3dmarth 6 років тому

      Starfox Adventures had amazing water for a 60fps game. Between that, the fuzzy fur, the crisp shadows, etc., Rare proved that good graphics don't need to be sacrificed to get smooth performance!
      Although the water did look pretty silly from certain camera angles, when you'd see a wavy, upside-down Fox in it, as it seemed to be copying its reflections right out of the main frame buffer- meaning it was basically taking a screenshot and flipping it upside-down to create the reflection effect.

    • @M1XART
      @M1XART 6 років тому

      Yeah, Starfox Adventures managed to better Wave Race 64's water effects. But to think how many years Wave Race 64 was ahead of time on this aspect is quite unique example on evolution of videogames.

  • @justanotheryoutubechannel
    @justanotheryoutubechannel 2 роки тому +3

    Hydro Thunder’s water is a really good effect, I would never have guessed the water was flat until you pointed it out, the texture of the waves varies in intensity based on the part of the track, and your boat shakes around and jumps like it’s being bounced around by the waves, so I genuinely thought there was some polygons involved too. I think my favourite part of Hydro Thunder’s water though is the reflections, usually the water surface is just semi-transparent showing the trackbed underneath the water, but there are sections in the track where the entire water surface becomes reflective and it just looks incredible, Hydro Thunder has better reflections than some modern games. It feels so different to the harsh waves of some sections, it’s peaceful and tranquil and beautiful.
    *EDIT:* I went back and replayed the game, the water is definitely a lot more than a flat surface, it’s especially visible in Software mode on the PC version, but on most tracks it’s clearly got some 3D waves even in Direct3D mode, the waves actually move your boat and it gets buffeted around by the water. On Ship Graveyard especially, it’s impossible to think there’s no waves there, there’s a section near the end with *really rough* waves, the strongest in the game, and your ship gets thrown about by them a bunch and they look amazing.

  • @NicolasSilvaVasault
    @NicolasSilvaVasault 6 років тому +3

    water in games have always been an addiction for me, so much that encourage me to develop water shader for my own games, uncharted 4 (ps4), mario sunshine (gamecube) and wakeboarding (ps3) are 3 of my favorites

    • @supersmashmaster43
      @supersmashmaster43 6 років тому +1

      Uncharted 4 has some amazing water effects. That part of the game where Nate is limping on the beach during the storm blew me away.

  • @Shezmen88
    @Shezmen88 6 років тому +69

    New DF retro video uh? Instant like. ;)

    • @nexter4202
      @nexter4202 6 років тому +6

      Man... your new Dork Souls animation is fucking amazing

    • @Poever
      @Poever 6 років тому +1

      You a simple man too?

    • @nexter4202
      @nexter4202 6 років тому

      obviously :)

  • @noname9935
    @noname9935 3 роки тому

    So glad you made this video. This brought back memories. I've been a big fan of the evolution of water in games. Ever since waverace 64, I look at the quality of water in games. We've come a long way..

  • @feyt8009
    @feyt8009 6 років тому +4

    Water and reflections is the thing that fascinates me the most in video games, thank you for this amazing video, i'm really hyped for the part 2!

  • @catbutler5282
    @catbutler5282 6 років тому +33

    Great video, although I think Crash Bandicoot 2 and 3 could have done with a mention. If only because Naughty Dog implemented arbitrary software clipping planes to get around the lack of a depth buffer on the system. That allowed them to cut dynamic objects like Crash, enemies and boxes in half, rendering first the underwater part, then the water mesh and finally the upper part of the character.

    • @VexAcer
      @VexAcer 6 років тому +11

      Cat Butler Yeah I'm kinda surprised the water effects from Crash 3 weren't mentioned. It essentially did the 3D water and interactive waves from Wave Race except this time at a stable 30fps instead of 20 and on much weaker hardware.
      Would've interesting to hear about it.

    • @Alexander-ix2jp
      @Alexander-ix2jp 4 роки тому

      @@VexAcer The water effects in Crash 3 dont look as good as the effects seen in wr64. In fact, wv64 looks and behaves much better. +1 for the idea though; would love to see a direct side by side comparison of the two titles.

    • @VexAcer
      @VexAcer 4 роки тому +1

      @@Alexander-ix2jp I guess you could argue WRs water technically being more advanced and detailed. I think the water have more a natural effect in WR.
      I really do dig the way it looks in Crash 3. Still is impressive to see something similar on the system.

    • @sebastiankulche
      @sebastiankulche Рік тому +1

      ​​@@Alexander-ix2jpThats debatable though, as i think the lightning effects (especially in the sunset levels) were way better, plus the waves itself can affect the jetski jumps and sometimes change its speed. All of that in a game that is doing a lot of other impressive things as well, since the water levels are just a part of it.
      Plus we also have to mention the prehistoric levels which makes crash, enemies and other game objects having a reflection on top of being in a body of water. In Rubin words: its impossible with the zbuffer. Its beyond that.

    • @Alexander-ix2jp
      @Alexander-ix2jp Рік тому

      @@sebastiankulche The waves in wv64 were dynamic and did affect the jetski too. In wv64 everything is all about the water refraction and it looks beautiful even to this day, same goes for how things such as sunsets affect the water shading etc. I also don't think anything in Crash is impossible in zbuffer / on the 64. There are ppl here on UA-cam improving things like Mario64 on real hardware to the point that it looks like a Dreamcast game (at 60fps even), or even porting Portal with all its pc based physics onto the 64, with the addition of other effects that the 64 can do for "free" in hardware due to its hardware accelerated vertex shaders etc. The 64 is on an entirely different lvl when compared to the PlayStation hardware. The 64 is much more advanced tbh.

  • @luuketaylor
    @luuketaylor 6 років тому +182

    Somebody alert Rob from PlayStation Access - he's gonna love this!

    • @OwtDaftUK
      @OwtDaftUK 6 років тому +17

      The video also has Metal Gear Solid in it to boot.

    • @ICalverz
      @ICalverz 6 років тому +17

      No lets not. Playstation access is terrible.

    • @TerasXertas
      @TerasXertas 6 років тому +5

      Shit I was gonna make this same comment xD

    • @plutterton
      @plutterton 6 років тому +1

      What’s the joke?

    • @bdre5555
      @bdre5555 6 років тому +5

      Luke Taylor haha yes he sure is! He practically drools over games that have good water effects in their videos

  • @evo7836
    @evo7836 6 років тому

    So glad you guys did a piece on this. Water rendering for me has always been intriguing in seeing the very many different forms, techniques, and implementations that developers have used over the tears.

  • @AgsmaJustAgsma
    @AgsmaJustAgsma 6 років тому +3

    The perfect DF Retro video for the summer.

  • @MrSEA-ok2ll
    @MrSEA-ok2ll 6 років тому +1

    My first memory of entering water was Pitfall 2 on the Atari 2600...the most impressive use of water was games like Flood on the Amiga, but the first Crash Bandicoot's stream sections simply looked amazing even to this day. I also remember the water fall on the original Unreal...I used an 16mb Nvidia TNT with my overclocked Celeron II 300 running at 450mhz...exciting times. The most impressive use of water appeared via DX9 with Half Life 2 on PC...it still holds up to this day.

  • @Spielewelten
    @Spielewelten 6 років тому +27

    Looking at the 16 Bit SNES Aera, you forgot Tales of Phantasia. In the first town the reflections on the water are gorgeous.

    • @dajam9035
      @dajam9035 6 років тому

      Spielewelten It might be in part 2.

    • @oaedeoi
      @oaedeoi 6 років тому

      he goes chronically

    • @Malus1531
      @Malus1531 6 років тому +1

      Mykel Hardin Nope, it's a chronic condition. He just always goes.

  • @zsciaeount
    @zsciaeount 6 років тому

    GREAT idea for a video! DF Retro is one of the best series on UA-cam today. Keep ‘em coming!

  • @TheBrownLamb
    @TheBrownLamb 6 років тому +12

    Man would I love another Wave Race game on the Switch...

  • @Toschez
    @Toschez 6 років тому +1

    Donkey Kong Country 2 was a great evolution from 1 in that it allowed jumping in and out of water, and the representation of the surface was truly among the best of 16 bit era.

  • @RaymondMiah
    @RaymondMiah 6 років тому +16

    makes me miss waverace 😭😭

  • @GreenLantern20X6
    @GreenLantern20X6 6 років тому

    Each episode of DF Retro gets better and better. The b-roll, transitions, and depth of content on this episode are particularly well done. Great job John!

  • @bpcgos
    @bpcgos 6 років тому +13

    What about water and underwater effect in the first MGS on OG Playstation, its trully convincing especially added with its cinematic nature.

    • @mtoad
      @mtoad 6 років тому +4

      The initial underwater personal sub scene looks incredible.

  • @SuperSonicish
    @SuperSonicish 6 років тому

    Made my Sunday to find on starting UA-cam that there is a new DF Retro video! Could watch these all day.

  • @megamanx1291
    @megamanx1291 6 років тому +23

    Who else remembers that user on miiverse that would compliment water in every game he came across?

    • @SeeASquaRE
      @SeeASquaRE 6 років тому +1

      Zeemanhuismerk I never used Miiverse but I am Indeed intrigued by your comment.

    • @frosty6845
      @frosty6845 6 років тому +6

      Zeemanhuismerk he's probably blowing a load in his pants right now

    • @leonro
      @leonro 6 років тому +2

      Do you mean Mario Wii U? Yeah, he was amazing.

    • @BIaziken2
      @BIaziken2 6 років тому +3

      watch until the end

    • @megamanx1291
      @megamanx1291 6 років тому

      「 OKAY 」 A person can comment before finishing the video. I was among the first.

  • @Sanjinator1
    @Sanjinator1 6 років тому

    Water in games has fascinated me since my childhood and has always been a great barometer to determine whether the quality of a video game will be good or bad from initial impressions.
    I know, not a great way to judge a game's overall quality but this approach is yet to let me down.
    First PS1's MediEvil, then Tomb Raider II, Crash Bandicoot 3 to PS2's Soul Reaver 2, PS3's Uncharted & especially TR Underworld's ocean simulation. These games WOWED me when I gazed upon their water works.
    Nowadays not so much, harder to impress; consequence of becoming an adult. This episode of DF Retro was beautiful, truly!

  • @SShambler
    @SShambler 6 років тому +3

    30min just flew by, enjoyed every min of it.

  • @MW_1535
    @MW_1535 6 років тому +1

    This was my favorite DF Retro so far. My teenage mind was blown away by Wave Race. Thanks for the memories!

  • @stijnkulche5932
    @stijnkulche5932 6 років тому +261

    7.8 too much water ~ IGN

    • @konradkirschbauer8494
      @konradkirschbauer8494 6 років тому +1

      Stijn Kulche hauahuhuahauauhauahhauajua omfg

    • @Poever
      @Poever 6 років тому

      Yeah, don’t show Kallie this video

    • @MetalHeart210
      @MetalHeart210 6 років тому +6

      Stijn Kulche I was looking for this comment. I was not disappointed.

    • @narata1541
      @narata1541 6 років тому +5

      Stijn Kulche This joke is so overused, but now it made me laugh. :-D

    • @JimGiant
      @JimGiant 6 років тому +2

      I knew someone would say it.

  • @JimLeonard
    @JimLeonard 6 років тому

    Massive props for denoting which footage is emulation! Very important for historical accuracy and research.

  • @Rolodzeo
    @Rolodzeo 6 років тому +25

    Amazing looking water for a DF Retro video

  • @Noe2iq
    @Noe2iq 3 роки тому

    Excellent video, John, your research and technical analysis are amazing again! And thanks for the shoutout to Trespasser, I implemented the water ripples in that :)

  • @dreammfyre
    @dreammfyre 6 років тому +9

    I'm missing Magic Carpet here. It predates Panzer Dragoon and had very similar looking water effects. One of those early 3D games I remember being blown away by.
    (And it's designed by everyone's favourite sweet talker, Peter Molyneux!)

    • @kurisuchiinathecrocodile333
      @kurisuchiinathecrocodile333 3 роки тому +1

      I'm not as much fan of Peter specifically as of Bullfrog. Populus the Beginning is my fav game of all time, Dungeon Keeper is also neat.

  • @JudoGuy
    @JudoGuy 6 років тому

    I love that in 2018, there's a digital foundry video that starts with 'water is life'. You guys are great, you're easily my fav John. Thanks for all your hard work. Will be checking out your Patreon.

  • @DarkMProductions
    @DarkMProductions 6 років тому +4

    One game I think has truly remarkable water effects is Lair for the PS3. No, it's not a great game, but the technology behind it, while flawed in certain areas, is very impressive. Shame it was Factor 5's last game.

  • @MykeBatez
    @MykeBatez 6 років тому

    Really enjoy all the things you try (&succeed with) in DF Retro. Looking through a specific facet of real-time graphics as it’s evolved is so fascinating. Great job John!

  • @gorana.37
    @gorana.37 6 років тому +4

    What a fantastic subject for a DF video ! Total awesomeness. Grabbing a drink for this!

  • @Magneira
    @Magneira 6 років тому +1

    This is the best gaming channel, period. But you have mentioned the underwater section of Metal Gear Solid 2, the colours, movement and everything else really looks amazing.

  • @robertcop3736
    @robertcop3736 6 років тому +15

    MARIO WiiU getting the shout out he deserves!

  • @peterunger9405
    @peterunger9405 6 років тому

    I was born a little too late to really appreciate most the games on this list.
    But I can’t wait too see your part 2 diving into the PS2 and original Xbox era that I grew up with.
    Keep up the great work DF!

  • @guzz_lightyear
    @guzz_lightyear 6 років тому +22

    love this types of videos!!!, could you please consider doing a video about fire rendering?

    • @dreamcastfan
      @dreamcastfan 6 років тому +6

      Good call, I’d like to nominate the lanterns on the first level of Ninja Gaiden Black as a great example of fire done well. So many games tend to just use some blurry orange alpha transparencies for their explosions and they seldom look right.

  • @PandorasTmrw
    @PandorasTmrw 6 років тому

    Thank you for this video. I have always adored water graphics in video games! It’s amazing to see how all this stuff was done 🤯

  • @edonslow1456
    @edonslow1456 6 років тому +7

    I like the way 8 and 16 bit titles persisted with water levels despite the fact that literally no one enjoyed them.

  • @Slappaccino
    @Slappaccino 3 роки тому

    I absolutely love watery worlds / settings in games. This video is such a nice trip back through some of my favorites.

  • @jelassiamine
    @jelassiamine 6 років тому +5

    Interesting and informative, as expected of John and DF Retro! Hope it's not an excessive request, but do you think it would be possible to include the music selection in the description of future videos? It would be great! :)

  • @Belpowerslave
    @Belpowerslave 6 років тому +2

    Dude, I *cannot* believe you didn't mention the amazing water on PowerSlave for the PSX. I know you can't include everything, but that has to be one of the most amazing renditions of water on the system!

  • @5persondude
    @5persondude 6 років тому +8

    *Me:* Oh boy, a new DF Retro episode! I wonder what John is gonna cover?
    *DF:* Water effects
    *Me:* ...Y E E T !

  • @michaelali1995
    @michaelali1995 6 років тому

    This was amazing. Probably my favourite DF release. I'd love another one likes these, dealing with Physics :D

  • @thegameroom7647
    @thegameroom7647 6 років тому +6

    Ah, you missed a good opportunity with Resident Evil: Code Veronica. It has a pretty nice water section in a boss fight with some good looking ripples caused by movement.
    Oh well.

    • @gc3k
      @gc3k 6 років тому +1

      That's what first came to mind since Dreamcast library didn't really have super impressive water effects

  • @ElsweyrDiego
    @ElsweyrDiego 6 років тому +1

    there is the water on Final Fantasy VII, VIII and IX 's summons, the Leviathan on VIII was wonderfully beautiful for me

  • @mikekarasi8045
    @mikekarasi8045 6 років тому +17

    Wave Race 64 was one of the best visually realized games ever created. It was a racing game which made you feel that those environments existed. If Disney created a human reality it would look like Wave Race 64.

  • @NaruCedSuke
    @NaruCedSuke 6 років тому

    DF Retro one of the best things i can get in a bored Sunday, thank you John!.

  • @sivberg
    @sivberg 6 років тому +6

    oh super mario 64, such summer memories :)

  • @felidiusz
    @felidiusz 6 років тому

    I love the dedication and competency of DF, especially in Retro parts. All this details, intricacies and smallest things you can only know, because you have played all this games, not because you read about it. Huge respect!

  • @Fendera1
    @Fendera1 6 років тому +30

    *Hydrophobia* has hands down one of the best water physics ever made.

    • @no1DdC
      @no1DdC 6 років тому +14

      Too bad the rest of the game is awful.

    • @Atlessa
      @Atlessa 6 років тому

      Disagree. It was actually quite awful once you actually stopped to observe it for a second. Doesn't help that the game in and of itself was pretty darn 'meh' at best.

  • @bemani247
    @bemani247 6 років тому +1

    it had no physics that I remember, but Onimusha (2 especially) on the PS2 looked absolutely stunning!

  • @ipivapan15
    @ipivapan15 6 років тому +45

    Great topic! What about DF Retro for snow?

    • @recht_voor_zijn_raap5506
      @recht_voor_zijn_raap5506 6 років тому +11

      ipivapan And the evolution of weather effects.

    • @sandman8993
      @sandman8993 6 років тому +1

      Snowboard kids will be number one

    • @ZiggyStardust85
      @ZiggyStardust85 6 років тому +4

      What about DF Retro for fire?

    • @oaedeoi
      @oaedeoi 6 років тому +3

      interactive leaves and grass by stepping on it

  • @wetzinalvarado6930
    @wetzinalvarado6930 Рік тому

    one of the things i like the most about 3D graphics is always water and reflective surface, shows how the machines became more and more powerfull to simulate fluids

  • @henshin587
    @henshin587 6 років тому +3

    ghosthunter and onimusha 3 had some great looking water

  • @yusofplayed
    @yusofplayed 2 роки тому

    Man I’m really getting into df retro and had no idea there were so many videos, and I’m even a long time DF fan! Looking forward to watching all of them and hoping there’s a part 3!!!

  • @mrfarkyhars9192
    @mrfarkyhars9192 6 років тому +13

    I long for a new Waverace or 1080 come to think.

  • @oaedeoi
    @oaedeoi 6 років тому

    the 90s and 00s were great decades to get amazed by the visual improvements in games. I was so impressed when i saw games like Donkey Kong Country, Psycho Mantis Office in MGS, GTA 3 on PC and the next-gen Jump in mid. 2000

  • @3Angle_
    @3Angle_ 6 років тому +4

    Wave Race one seems as really good practice assignment. Although I'm trying to figure out pattern for their white color vertexes. Seems kinda random ?

  • @IkesDaddelbox
    @IkesDaddelbox 6 років тому

    Can't wait for part 2. Water is such a hated element in video games, but I always found it fascinating to look at it and to find out all the methods to render it. One of my favourite topics in terms of game design.

  • @tatwo_
    @tatwo_ 6 років тому +19

    Why is video title is H20 and not H2O? Did Gearbox make this title?

  • @davy_K
    @davy_K 6 років тому +1

    Great to see Wetrix get a mention. Excellent game and a real tough challenge.

  • @EvolutionPCGaming
    @EvolutionPCGaming 6 років тому +3

    Hats off to you sir, this video is top notch! I’d love to jump into some game programming now! Very motivating. :)

  • @MetalHorrorGamer
    @MetalHorrorGamer 6 років тому

    In every game I play, I always get memorized by water. I can’t tell you how happy I get when I see beautiful water in a game

  • @SeeASquaRE
    @SeeASquaRE 6 років тому +11

    You know what is better than water- fish moving away from you if you go near them.

    • @pkaulf
      @pkaulf 6 років тому +8

      Next gen fish AI

  • @Marc28031984
    @Marc28031984 6 років тому

    Man.
    The music choice in the background is awesome!
    Great video.