While the big selling point of the recent PlayStation 5 edition of Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade is the INTERmission DLC, starring Yuffie, it is certainly not all that Intergrade has to offer. Final Fantasy 7 Remake was already a great looking game when it launched last year on the PlayStation 4, and somehow in Remake: Intergrade, the game looks even better, as a fan-made comparison shows.
A big draw of the latest generation of consoles is their ability to output games at high graphical fidelity standards like 4K resolution and 60 FPS. In the leap to the PS5, amongst the plethora of additions to FF7 Remake are two new rendering options: a graphics-centered mode that runs at 4K 30FPS, and a performance mode that prioritizes smooth gameplay at 60FPS. This is compared to the base PS4 and PS4 Pro versions that run at standard 1080p and 1620p resolutions, respectively.
Reddit user u/mgoldie12 posted to the Final Fantasy 7 Remake subreddit the following comparison image earlier today. The image contains snapshots of the same scene from both Remake and Intergrade, with the left column being the former and the right being the latter. Immediately, the sharp quality between the two sides jumps out, with the fabric of Cloud's shirt and Aerith's jacket making their PS4 counterparts look almost blurry by comparison. It may not be as noticeable a difference as comparing the graphics of Mass Effect and its Legendary Edition remaster, but it is still striking nonetheless.
PS4 vs PS5 from FFVIIRemake
Another interesting distinction between the two sides is the color palette of each. The PS4 version, when put beside the PS5 version, seems rather dull and filled with grays. Conversely, the PS5 version exudes warmth with deeper, fuller colors. While not listed as a definitive change in the features of Intergrade, it is clear that the game's lighting had been reworked.
The graphical improvements are not all good, however. Indeed, Intergrade's colors are warmer, but as a result, much of the game's shadows are lost. Compare Cloud's face in the two shots: in the left image, it is clear that there is just a portion of his face exposed to light—the area just under his right eye; in the right image, the shadow is still there, but it has been significantly lightened to match the warmer colors of the rest of the scene.
In the replies of the Reddit post, some people believe that the PS4 version still looks better, with the PS5 version just simply running through a filter. As this post continues to grow, and considering that not all Reddit opinions about FF7 are popular, only time will tell what the definitive looking Remake experience really is, whether its the original Remake or Intergrade.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade is out now on the PS5.