Shadow of the Colossus: Difference between revisions

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==CPU Requirements==
==CPU Requirements==


The game's performance varies significantly depending on the CPU being used to run it. PCSX2 runs better on Intel CPUs than AMD CPUs, and this should be the main factor that decides ''Shadow'''s emulation quality. However, Intel CPUs are much more expensive than AMD ones, yet AMD processors can still offer terrific emulation performance if the clock rate is high enough (and at half-price). Here are my recommendations when deciding what CPU to run the game on. Remember, PCSX2 uses only two cores, so the number of cores in my recommendations are only there because they may be needed for other computer uses.
The game's performance varies significantly depending on the CPU being used to run it. PCSX2 runs better on Intel CPUs than AMD CPUs, and this is the main factor that determines ''Shadow'''s emulation quality. However, Intel CPUs are much more expensive than AMD ones, yet AMD processors can still offer great emulation performance (at half-price) provided that the clock rate is high enough. Here are my recommendations when deciding what CPU to run the game on. Remember, PCSX2 uses only two cores, so the number of cores in my recommendations are only there because they may be needed for other computer uses.


===Intel Processors===
===Intel Processors===
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*An AMD FX Eight-Core Processor with a clock rate of up to 4.0 GHz
*An AMD FX Eight-Core Processor with a clock rate of up to 4.0 GHz


This kind of CPU, coupled with the appropriate VU Cycle Stealing setting will easily achieve up to 30 Frames-Per-Second or slightly higher.
Either of these CPU's, coupled with the appropriate VU Cycle Stealing setting will easily achieve up to 30 Frames-Per-Second or slightly higher.


==Known Issues:==
==Known Issues:==

Revision as of 05:38, 23 June 2013


Shadow of the Colossus

Region NTSC-U:
Serial numbers: SCUS-97472
Release date: October 18, 2005
CRCs: C19A374E
Windows Status: Playable
Linux Status: ?
Mac Status: ?
Region PAL:
Serial numbers: SCES-53326
Release date: February 16, 2006
CRCs: 0F0C4A9C
Windows Status: Playable
Linux Status: ?
Mac Status: ?
Region NTSC-J:
Serial numbers: SCPS-15097
Release date: October 27. 2005
CRCs: 877F3436
Windows Status: Ingame
Linux Status: ?
Mac Status: ?

Developer(s): Team Ico
Genre: Action-Adventure
Wikipedia: Link
Game review links: Link
Game review score: Metacritic: 91/100
Game description: Also known as "Wander to Kyozou" in Japan, Shadow of the Colossus is one of PCSX2's most popular games, but it is one of the most complicated to emulate due to the fact that the original Playstation 2 release often suffered from frame-rate losses. This game is very CPU intensive, more of which is discussed in greater detail below.

Test configuration on Windows:

PCSX2 version: 1.1.0
Graphics by GSDX SSE41: r5622
Sound by SPU2-X: r5559
Pad plugin is Lilypad: r5403
BIOS version: USA v2.20

Comments:

  • Test Config: Works great with r5559 SSE41;
  • DX VERSION = 11;
  • EE Cycles = 2;
  • VU Cycles = 2;
  • MTVU = DISABLE;
  • Rest as default.

Hack comments: Aggressive-CRC, Half-pixel Offset

Test configuration on Linux:

PCSX2 version: untested
Graphics by ZZogl: untested
Sound by SPU2-X: untested


PC specs used to test the game:

CPU: Intel i5-3210M
GPU: Geforce 660M

Comments: Because of not very good CPU & GPU (Notebook), I've had to use some VU & EE improvements. I typed my settings in the comments above. This game is extremely CPU and GPU intensive, it was running between 20 and 30 FPS even on the original Playstation 2. Setting VU Cycle Stealing to 2 or even 3 helps the game tremendously.

  • Offical PCSX2 1.1.0 gameplay video: Link

CPU Requirements

The game's performance varies significantly depending on the CPU being used to run it. PCSX2 runs better on Intel CPUs than AMD CPUs, and this is the main factor that determines Shadow's emulation quality. However, Intel CPUs are much more expensive than AMD ones, yet AMD processors can still offer great emulation performance (at half-price) provided that the clock rate is high enough. Here are my recommendations when deciding what CPU to run the game on. Remember, PCSX2 uses only two cores, so the number of cores in my recommendations are only there because they may be needed for other computer uses.

Intel Processors

Because Intel Processors run better, they are definitely the recommended option if you can afford it. If this is the case, here are my two recommendations:

  • A Quad-Core Processor with a clock rate of up to 3.7 GHz
  • A Dual-Core Processor with a clock rate of up to 4.0 GHz

Either of these two options, coupled with the appropriate VU Cycle Stealing Setting will run the game at the best possible quality, easily achieving between 30 and 60 Frames-Per-Second.

AMD Processors

Since AMD Processors are cheaper and more ideal for Gaming PC's, they may be the ideal choice for many PCSX2 users and PC gamers. If this is the case, I'd strongly recommend either of the following:

  • An AMD FX Quad-Core Processor with a clock rate of up to 4.0 GHz
  • An AMD FX Eight-Core Processor with a clock rate of up to 4.0 GHz

Either of these CPU's, coupled with the appropriate VU Cycle Stealing setting will easily achieve up to 30 Frames-Per-Second or slightly higher.

Known Issues:

Over-bloom

  • Affected Game Versions: All
  • Problem: An emulation error causes the bloom lighting too be high, making it difficult to see much of the screen when out in bright locations.
  • Solution 1: Use 2x, 3x or higher internal resolution in the GSdx plugin settings.
  • Solution 2: Use Software rendering mode for perfect fix.
  • Solution 3: Modified GSdx plugins (r4893 or higher) are available for download and are designed specifically for the game. Download these plugins and unzip the files into the plugin settings for PCSX2. The over-bloom will be significantly reduced if this is used in GSdx.
  • Solution 4: Enable the "Aggressive CRC" hack.

Texture Misalignment

  • Affected Game Versions: All
  • Problem: Raising the internal resolution causes certain textures to become misaligned. This largely consists of the bloom on Shadow Creatures, Pigeons, Wander's Sword, and Mono's Dress to be placed to the upper-left of their proper position.
  • Solution 1: Open up the GSdx plugin settings and search through the configurations until you find the "Half-Pixel Offset" hack. Enabling this hack will re-align the texture.
  • Solution 2: Use Software Rendering mode.
  • Comment: This problem only occurs if the player doesn't use the Native resolution.

Weird Shadows

  • Affected Game Versions: All
  • Problem: All characters in the game, including Agro cast bizarre, outlined shadows.
  • Solution: Use the latest version of PCSX2 (1.0.0)
  • Comment: This problem only exists if the player uses older versions of PCSX2.

Audio/Video Mis-Synchronization

  • Affected Game Versions: Unknown
  • Problem: In this case, scenes within the Shrine of Worship don't emulate at full speed, and as a result, the audio/video during the ending cutscenes (which mostly take place within the Shrine) become unsynchronized due to the video's inability to keep up with the audio.
  • Solution: The CPU speed needs to be at least 3.5 GHz (Intel) or 4 GHz (AMD FX) and VU Cycle stealing must be set appropriately so that the cutscenes can be rendered at full speed, that way they'll keep up with the audio.
  • Comment: This problem only occurs if your CPU is not fast/efficient enough to run the scenes at full speed, even with VU Cycle Stealing set appropriately. It may also occur due to errors on the game Disc/ISO itself, but this is unconfirmed.