PC Gamer is putting graphical effects to the test, inviting players to decide which visual flourish is the most egregious offender in modern games. The publication is running a knockout tournament pitting common graphical effects against each other, with the current head-to-head matchup being chromatic aberration versus blood and dirt effects.
This isn't the first time PC Gamer has tackled the subject of polarizing graphical settings. The current tournament features several initial rounds, including depth of field versus vignette, motion blur versus lens flare, and film grain versus bloom. Voting for some matchups remains open.
Chromatic aberration, often seen as a red and blue fringe on high-contrast edges, is exemplified in a screenshot from Bungie's Marathon. The effect is shown applied and then disabled, highlighting the distinct color fringing. Another example pits a blood or dirt effect, potentially serving as a health indicator, against its absence. This demonstration uses footage from Battlefield 6, illustrating how screen-applied damage effects can alter the visual presentation.
The tournament aims to settle the debate, or at least provide a platform for passionate discussion, as players are encouraged to voice their opinions in the comments, with the author anticipating arguments for the practical purposes of certain effects like motion blur.