The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails, due to be released in English in 2023, is based on Nayuta no Kiseki: Kai, an HD remaster of the original Nayuta no Kiseki released for the Playstation Portable in 2012. (The Japanese version of the remaster was released in June 2021)
In this article, we take a look at the remastered version’s graphics, and how it compares to the originals.
We used the Japanese PS4 version of Nayuta no Kiseki: Kai, and the download PSP version of Nayuta no Kiseki running on a Playstation TV for this comparison.
Also see: Nayuta no Kiseki: Kai – Producer Interview
The original version has significantly higher saturation and contrast, resulting in the remaster looking more subdued as a result. The remaster also does away with the ample dithering and jaggies seen in the original version.
The remaster has significantly higher quality textures with more legible details; given how the details seem to in line with the original’s, it seems that the remaster does not use remade graphics like some remastered games do, but rather the original high quality versions of the textures used in the original version.
The higher fidelity makes it easier to make out the expressions on characters’ faces.
The higher fidelity makes it more apparent when objects in the background are 2D pictures, but makes up for it with much higher detail.
The title cards for new areas is moved downwards, toward the center of the screen in the remaster.
While not quite visible in still pictures, the original version has the god rays in the town more prominent than the remaster.
Character introductions are accompanied by portraits in the remaster, which were not in the original. Text boxes are also moved around to account for this.
Nayuta’s room is a good example of the improved visibility of details in the remaster.
While the original version used the models of characters in letters, the remaster uses portraits.
It was difficult to make out the faces of many NPCs in the original version, but this is not the case in the remaster.
The pixel art portraits of companion characters from the original are replaced with regular art in the remaster.
The remaster adds lighting effects in some parts where there were none in the original.
Noi’s eyes are shown through her hair in the original version, but this is not the case in the remaster.
Creha’s introduction has the camerawork changed to compensate for the addition of her portrait.
Terra’s world map has more visible details in the remaster.
The spring forest is made to look considerably more pink in the remaster’s world map.
Conversely, the pink filter used in the spring forest in the original version is removed in the remaster.
Although the addition of the portraits might be hit-or-miss in some cases, the remaster is generally a huge step forwards in most aspects. Graphic fidelity has been improved massively allowing the player to make out many details that may not have been clear in the original version.
Also see: Nayuta no Kiseki: Kai – Producer Interview
Nayuta no Kiseki: Kai (The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails) – Producer Interview
This article was originally published on 18 Aug 2021
