HardOCP: Assassin's Creed Unity Performance Video Card Review

[tential]

Assassin's Creed Unity's Performance review after Patch 1.4
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2014/12/22/assassins_creed_unity_performance_video_card_review

NVIDIA's PCSS Soft Shadows are used in this game to provide more precise shadows that will look more blurry the farther away and sharper the closer the shadow is. These shadows actually look quite nice, and when it's possible to run with PCSS shadows these do look great. In this game though, PCSS shadows cause a very large performance drain we will show you.

NVIDIA plug-and-play tessellation is also supposedly used in this game to provide tessellation to surfaces such as the ground, and roof tops. The problem is, as of right now the technology is not in the game. There is a note that at game launch tessellation will come later in a patch. Well, four patches later there is still no mention of tessellation. The game has been out six weeks, and where is the tessellation?

Crossfire does NOT WORK. This image is included for SLI performance purposes only.

Relevant for GTX 980 users since we most likely have a lot of them on an enthusiast forum.

SLI is working. The reason why this shows over a 100% performance increase is because the GTX 980 is unusually slower than it should be normally in this game. We think the GTX 980 is being held back on performance for some reason, chalk it up to some game bug, or other unoptimized nonsense, the GTX 980 isn't working as fast as it should be. This is quite normal for all the video cards in this game, we think the full power and full potential isn't being utilized in this game for whatever buggy or unoptimized reason.

The Bottom Line

When we were first introduced to Assassin's Creed Unity, many months ago, we had high hopes for this game being a next generation game that would make us want to buy the latest generation of video card. After its release, we feel completely different about this game. This game has the most performance issues, the most graphical glitches, and the most gameplay breaking bugs we have seen in any game release this year.

Congratulations Ubisoft, you win an award, an award for releasing the most games in a year with the most issues. From Watch Dogs, to Assassin's Creed, to Far Cry 4 and several other Ubisoft game's this fall, Ubisoft leads the industry in botched PC games publisig. Ubisoft currently has a very low reputation among gamers. Assassin's Creed Unity is the first game we'd recommend for a recall. Refund gamers’ money and delay this game a year to release this time next year, when it is complete.

If you want the best performance and image quality in this game, you'll need GTX 970 or 980 SLI. Anything less, and you're going to have a bad time. AMD user's, we feel sorry for the disparity in performance, which other game's do not show. For gamers in general, we are sorry you are having so many issues with this game, you are not alone.

Here's looking forward to the next Assassin's Creed Unity patch. As it is, this game is in no condition for us to be using as a game to evaluate video card performance. Sorry Ubisoft, try again. Surely though, if a game is published by Ubisoft, many PC gamers will not, and should not in our opinion, be pre-purchasing, or even purchasing on launch day.

Discuss

Let me know if I've made any mistakes in the OP, if it's too long/too short, or should include more quotes from the review. Don't know if the PCSS/Tesselation images are things you want in the OP, if not, I can remove them, I found the visual improvements to be interesting and thus included them.

 

[AnandThenMan]

This part:

Assassin's Creed Unity is the first game we'd recommend for a recall. Refund gamers’ money and delay this game a year to release this time next year, when it is complete.

I don't remember reading such a thing on [H] before. This may become one of those games that is never really fixed, or by the time it is no one will care.

 

[tential]

Also interesting to note about the GTX 980:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...79&ignorebbr=1
Is the cheapest GTX 980 currently (well tied anyway with rebate):
Core Clock: 1266 MHz
Boost Clock: 1367 MHz

Hard OCP what I will assume to be a reference model at:
GPU Clock :1127 Mhz
Boost: 1216 Mhz
Actual: 1253 Mhz

 

[Grooveriding]

Unity has been an epic fail on Ubisoft's front and nvidia's driver optimization front.

 

[raghu78]

Unity has been an epic fail on Ubisoft's front and nvidia's driver optimization front.

The blame here lies squarely with Ubisoft's buggy and unoptimized game. Nvidia cannot take the blame for a botched game. All of Ubisoft's games this year - WatchDogs, AC Unity and Farcry 4 are a lesson in how not to ship a game. CF does not work on Farcry 4 and AC Unity even a month after release. Its more like Ubisoft just could not care to bother.

 

[Gikaseixas]

Groover i love your avatar rsrsrsrsrsrsrs

Well Nvidia is not at fault here, Ubisoft is for releasing such a turd. All Nvidia wanted was to offer exclusive features IMO.

 

[RussianSensation]

This part:

I don't remember reading such a thing on [H] before. This may become one of those games that is never really fixed, or by the time it is no one will care.

(1) "We found that we had to set and restart the game about 3 times to get all the graphics options to stick. For some reason, we would set these the first time, and restart, but these would go back to a "custom" setting. We had to set these yet again, and restart and then these stuck the second time. We restarted a third time just to make sure these were really set. So you may have chosen graphics options in the game that aren't set, make sure you reboot a couple of times to make sure these stick."

(2) "There is a VSYNC and refresh rate setting. We found that it defaulted to 30Hz quite often, for no reason. We had to constantly reset it back to 60Hz and make sure VSYNC was off each time."

(3) "Even with four very large patches under its belt, the game still has some major bugs, performance issues and for some people has made the game even worse than it was before. We are seeing reports that the latest patch has actually made performance and graphical and stability issues, worse."

(4) "On launch, SLI did work in this game, but it was buggy with flashing textures. Even now, post 1.4.0 patch we still experienced some flashing skies in the game with SLI. We also noted that when changing graphics settings, and going back into the game sometimes objects would start flashing until we restarted the game."

(5) "For us, in this latest patch 1.4.0, with the latest AMD Catalyst Omega driver, CrossFire appears to be broken here six weeks into the game being out."

(6) "SLI is working. The reason why this shows over a 100% performance increase is because the GTX 980 is unusually slower than it should be normally in this game. We think the GTX 980 is being held back on performance for some reason, chalk it up to some game bug, or other unoptimized nonsense, the GTX 980 isn't working as fast as it should be. This is quite normal for all the video cards in this game, we think the full power and full potential isn't being utilized in this game for whatever buggy or unoptimized reason."

(7) "Here's the thing though, even the GeForce GTX 980 is not playable at these settings. The performance is too low, the stuttering frames too great. The game feels laggy and uncontrollable."

(8) "No video card is capable of any MSAA level at 1440p, or TXAA, both are out of the question. FXAA is your only option for performance and image quality."

This game is so poorly optimized that an R9 280X is nearly 50% faster than the GTX760, which means for NV users not running 780Ti/980/970, the game is basically unplayable on a $200 mid-range NV card!

TXAA doesn't even have a toggle option for lower settings of TXAA which makes it unusable in the game. Another failed TXAA attempt. Funny enough, another GW/Ubisoft title - the Crew - also doesn't have the option to toggle TXAA modes.

(9) "We encountered bugs ourselves, such as flashing textures, and horrible pop-in while playing. As you move through the world we noticed the geometry and textures on NPCs and objects would "pop-in" at close ranges. Normally these kinds of level of detail savings are not as noticeable, with levels changing in the distance. In this game, they happen quite close to the camera and thus are jarring to gameplay. The pop-in is horrible in Assassin's Creed Unity and breaks whatever level of immersion you might have been able to leverage."

Unity has been an epic fail on Ubisoft's front and nvidia's driver optimization front.

Not only that but in the latest GW title - The Crew - Ubisoft locked out brand agnostic GW feature on AMD cards. Surely with NV being a close GW title, NV must have known about this and approved it:

"However, HBAO+ will only work on NVIDIA GPUs in this game. AMD GPUs like the AMD Radeon R9 290X an 290 will not be able to use HBAO+, it doesn't even show up in the graphics settings. This is odd because we know HBAO+ itself is vendor agnostic. Far Cry 4 allows you to run it both AMD and NVIDIA GPUs with no issues. Therefore, the developers have artificially locked out HBAO+ to AMD GPU users, which we do not like at all."
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2014/12/15/crew_performance_video_card_review/#.VJp6_14AA
So far nearly every GW game is a total failure of optimization and next gen graphics: AC Unity, FC3.5, Watch Dogs, The Crew and purposely locking in features from gamers that run perfectly fine on AMD cards is a new low for Ubisoft and NV.

Oh, and the free game Ubisoft gave out for AC Unity buyers are there not because Ubisoft is being nice to gamers and feels bad but was done for legal reasons:

"When users go to download the game they must agree to a document. The document removes the possibility of suing Ubisoft by saying "irrevocably and unconditionally release, waive, and forever discharge and covenant not to sue Ubisoft Entertainment.""
http://www.vgchartz.com/article/252...ty-has-a-catch-you-can-no-longer-sue-ubisoft/

Some of these issues may be forgiven if this was a jaw dropping best looking PC game of all time with advanced AI, physics effects and a great story line. Unfortunately the game falls short in all of these areas too, which makes its bugs and performance issues stand out even more.

"On the whole, it is a decent looking game, but it doesn't really scream "Next Gen" to us." Surely though, if a game is published by Ubisoft, many PC gamers will not, and should not in our opinion, be pre-purchasing, or even purchasing on launch day.

Thank you HardOCP for not eating up corporate AAA PR BS and publicly stating what most of us have said even before this game launched. Also, huge Respect for recommending to not buy any Ubisoft game at launch anymore! :thumbsup:

The blame here lies squarely with Ubisoft's buggy and unoptimized game. Nvidia cannot take the blame for a botched game.

AC Unity aside, NV did work with Ubisoft on the Crew where Ubisoft locked out HBAO+ on AMD cards. You think NV was completely oblivious to this considering HBAO+ is a game code provided by NV via GW? NV's GW+Ubisoft has been a recipe for disaster. The biggest problem is by NV aligning itself with one of the worst PC developers of recent times, the negative connotation that follows Ubisoft games will be fairly or unfairly associated with GW. GW could be great but we don't know until NV keeps pairing it with Ubifail games. Hopefully Witcher 3 shows us that GW itself is not the failure that Ubisoft has made it to be so far.

 

[StrangerGuy]

I can't wait to spend heavy $$$ on GTX980 SLI so I can play a buggy game with so-so visuals at lousy frame rates, as long as I can argue in AMD vs NV flamewars!

Wait, what?

 

[RussianSensation]

I can't wait to spend heavy $$$ on GTX970 SLI so I can play a buggy game with so-so visuals at lousy frame rates, as long as I can argue in AMD vs NV flamewars!

Wait, what?

Fixed.

Hopefully by the time Unity is worth $5, they will fix the bugs and performance issues. However, with Victory slated for next year, who knows how much longer Ubisoft be working on fixing Unity. FC3 stuttering and Watch Dogs issues are still not fixed and probably never will be.

 

[dontsh00tmesanta]

Got my new 970 today have everything max settings and getting 50 to 60fps but thats cuz I have vsync

 

[BFG10K]

While this game certainly has issues, I stress that it's not the game's job to support SLI/CF. A game just calls the API and renders things, and SLI/CF is not part of the OpenGL or Direct3D spec. The fault is with AMD/nVidia if their behind-the-scenes driver tricks don't work.

The developer might optionally choose to alter their rendering to make SLI/CF easier to support but again, it's still AMD/nVidia who need to get it right. They pushing this technology because they want to sell more cards to consumers so it's their problem to support it properly, not Ubi's.

 

[Red Hawk]

Silly HardOCP. Why would anyone try playing the game on less than a 980 or 970? People should just play on consoles if they don't want to invest that much in a PC.

 

[RussianSensation]

While this game certainly has issues, I stress that it's not the game's job to support SLI/CF. A game just calls the API and renders things, and SLI/CF is not part of the OpenGL or Direct3D spec. The fault is with AMD/nVidia if their behind-the-scenes driver tricks don't work.

The developer might optionally choose to alter their rendering to make SLI/CF easier to support but again, it's still AMD/nVidia who need to get it right. They pushing this technology because they want to sell more cards to consumers so it's their problem to support it properly, not Ubi's.

But why are there stuttering in SLI/CF in FC3, SLI shadowing bugs in FC4, broken SLI in Watch Dogs for 6+ months and flashing glitches in AC Unity with SLI? Notice how all of these are Ubisoft games using poorly optimized glitchy Ubisoft game engines? There is only so much AMD and NV can do with SLI/CF when the game engine is broken from the beginning and this seems to be a consistent theme with Ubisoft games in the last 3-4 years.

I really don't understand NV's desire to keep pouring so much $ into Ubisoft's relations when instead they could focus on Blizzard titles that are by far the most played and more popular than anything Ubisoft brings out on the PC.

 

[Red Hawk]

But why are there stuttering in SLI/CF in FC3, SLI shadowing bugs in FC4, broken SLI in Watch Dogs for 6+ months and flashing glitches in AC Unity with SLI? Notice how all of these are Ubisoft games using poorly optimized glitchy Ubisoft game engines? There is only so much AMD and NV can do with SLI/CF when the game engine is broken from the beginning and this seems to be a consistent theme with Ubisoft games in the last 3-4 years.

I really don't understand NV's desire to keep pouring so much $ into Ubisoft's relations when instead they could focus on Blizzard titles that are by far the most played and more popular than anything Ubisoft brings out on the PC.

IIRC, Far Cry 3 and 4 have stuttering issues in single GPU, not just Crossfire/SLI. But ultimately I do think that Crossfire/SLI requires some cooperation between the developer and the GPU maker, the blame can't just be passed off to the GPU maker or the publisher.

 

[Erenhardt]

The blame here lies squarely with Ubisoft's buggy and unoptimized game. Nvidia cannot take the blame for a botched game. All of Ubisoft's games this year - WatchDogs, AC Unity and Farcry 4 are a lesson in how not to ship a game. CF does not work on Farcry 4 and AC Unity even a month after release. Its more like Ubisoft just could not care to bother.

I think it is Nvidia GW libraries that cause lots of problems. Nvidia GameWorks have track record of games with problems (not a single solid release?!)

And since only nvidia have access to those libraries - they are on the crosshair.

 

[Keysplayr]

I think it is Nvidia GW libraries that cause lots of problems. Nvidia GameWorks have track record of games with problems (not a single solid release?!)

And since only nvidia have access to those libraries - they are on the crosshair.

Can you be more specific? Which games and what problems arising exclusively from GameWorks?
You say you have a track record, can we see it please?

 

[Vesku]

Is Nvidia still using the TYIMTBP splash screen, if so I bet there is some tension between Ubisoft and Nvidia about now. "So I'm meant to be playing a buggy beta build released as a AAA game title?"

Wonder if we'll see a BF4 style pledge to make things right in the near future. Or does the free DLC (or game if you already bought the season pass) supersede publicly committing to aggressive bug squashing and performance improvements?

Could the flashing in this game be related to the random stuttering found in other Ubisoft games like FC3 and 4, some core piece of their game engine code?

 

[tential]

Sadly, this review has gotten little attention on other more mainstream gaming sites. On Reddit, this review has only 7 replies no one is really talking about it. On Neogaf, it's not even posted.

I won't say this game isn't playable(needs a patch for SLI and Crossfire obviously to fix the fact that CF doesn't work and that SLI has flashing textures). Even though HardOCP says it's not at certain resolutions/settings, I think they have a higher expectation than some people who may be ok with 30 FPS.

First, this review seems to be unbiased/unpaid for(unlike many gaming oriented reviews). I would have liked to see screenshots from an unbiased source(maybe even 1080p with 4K DSR as well), and there are some settings changes mentioned that make sense (Game is unplayable at certain resolutions with certain settings on at 1440p with a GTX980 SLI(or non Sli) yet they don't drop back downt o 1080p and test there).

But otherwise the HardOCP review covers performance very well, it's a shame this is the last performance patch as this means it's up to Nvidia, AMD, and the PC community to fix the rest of this game and get it to a release playable level.

Edit: I think one of the most important takeaways from this review was that a poorly handled release like ACUnity still manages 30+ FPS at 4K resolution with a GTX 980 Sli. This means great things moving forward for 4k+ FreeSync (or just 4K gaming in general). After the 390x/GTX 980Ti, we'll be much much closer to 4K gaming (it may even be viable with Freesync on all titles with the 390x Crossfire), and come the next generation after that, I think it will be the norm for single card's using FreeSync/Gsync for high end gamers.

 

[DarkKnightDude]

Nvidia should honestly dump Ubisoft as a partner and go with an actual company that doesn't release half broken games, though I'm guessing that's hard nowadays.

 

[tential]

Can you be more specific? Which games and what problems arising exclusively from GameWorks?
You say you have a track record, can we see it please?

I'm just going to say, each game so far that has used GameWorks has been a mess. That's not a good thing for Nvidia and suggests they may need to change some of their operating procedures.
I now associate a title that uses GameWorks as a title that will have issues. Normally it does (gameworks related or not).

This could be related to Ubisoft, or to game works, I don't know, but if I'm Nvidia, I'm changing something. Whether it's fixing how devs interact with Gameworks or whether it's not working with Ubisoft moving forward. Nvidia has a great public image, no reason to ruin it being associated with games that aren't working well at release and require massive amounts of work to fix up.

 

[monstercameron]

dont know why you guys are complaining when itll most likely be $5 in the summer sale or next winter sale.

 

[boozzer]

While this game certainly has issues, I stress that it's not the game's job to support SLI/CF. A game just calls the API and renders things, and SLI/CF is not part of the OpenGL or Direct3D spec. The fault is with AMD/nVidia if their behind-the-scenes driver tricks don't work.

The developer might optionally choose to alter their rendering to make SLI/CF easier to support but again, it's still AMD/nVidia who need to get it right. They pushing this technology because they want to sell more cards to consumers so it's their problem to support it properly, not Ubi's.

you are actually defending ubisoft? seriously? really?

 

[2is]

Makes me glad I picked up both FC4 and AC:Unity via codes that came with SSD purchases vs paying for the games.

 

[Attic]

Too bad. Gameworks appears to be going hand in hand with the problematic games and quality that Ubisoft is releasing, hopefully nVidia gets this to a better dev, changes something within gameworks, or puts pressure on Ubisoft to up the considerations here. PCSS looks great, but who cares if it's wrapped up in a garbage game?

Ubisoft keeps leaving a bad taste in gamers mouths, hopefully the quality of Ubisoft will speak for itself and folks stop buying their games.

Props to [H]ard for calling it like it is.


Users agree with [H] 2.4 out of 10 on Metacritic

 

[S.H.O.D.A.N.]

Well, CDPR is doing a partnership with NVidia. Not sure if it's the whole GameWorks package or just a few features, but if anyone can do it well, it's them.

If it's another disaster, we might actually start asking if there's an issue on NV's part. For now I'm going to assume it's Ubisfot that's responsible for the issues. It's not like that company had a spotless record for PC porting before the partnership came into effect.

That does beg the question though - why pick Ubisoft if you're NVidia? I guess bad publicity is still publicity, and there's going to be a lot of it with a big company?