Several days ago, Sony and Santa Monica Studio released a story trailer that finally confirmed the release date for the forthcoming action-adventure epic, God of War, with the video's content leading some fans to contest that the latest trailer's visuals indicate a downgrade in graphics. In order to clear the air and refute these claims, the title's principal artist, Raf Grassetti, has stepped forward to explain why certain scenes now look different from moments found in previously released clips.

As seen below in the exchange between Grassetti and the Brazilian gaming and technology site, The Enemy, the latter suggests that a drop in quality has occurred during God of War's development since its reveal at E3 2016, with the outlet arguing that this graphical downgrade is evidenced in the game's latest story trailer. According to Grassetti, that's far from the case, as it looks as if the only things that have changed from previous trailers are the directions of light and fog.

"What has changed is just the direction of light and fog, the content is the same as the E3 trailer, but different context, you will understand when you play. The Jormungandr, Kratos and Atreus continue exactly like the trailer are comparing with other scenes and lights. I’m laughing seeing the comments :)"

Sure, many might be quick to dismiss Grassetti's assertions about there being no graphical devolution due to his biased position as a part of God of War's development team. After all, he obviously wouldn't want the game he's working on to be associated with such negative feedback before it's even out the door. That said, though, with him being an authority on the subject, it's difficult for one to lend credence to certain fans' contentions that the latest trailer's visuals are evidence of a graphics downgrade, especially when one could also argue that specific contents of the clip in question actually appear to be more polished than prior offerings.

All things considered, it's best to simply reserve judgment on the quality of God of War's graphics until the action-adventure game is officially available to the public, for as Grassetti maintains, "we will understand" all of the visual changes made throughout development when we play it. Of course, that's not to say gamers shouldn't be vigilant in regards to potential graphical downgrades, especially after Mass Effect: Andromeda's facial animation fiasco.

God of War is set to release on April 20, 2018 for PlayStation 4.

Source: Raf Grassetti – Twitter (via PSU)