Man, the next-gen of games is starting to look really pretty indeed. Yes I know we could have had all of this years ago if the PC was the only platform, but it's not, and we're getting it now. So shut up.
In this trailer, we get an in-depth look at some of the different weather, lighting and foliage systems being used in the upcoming Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag game. The first of these is the realistic sea simulation, which has its waves moving dynamically, creating troughs and swells and some truly scary looking giant waves.
Rain has been improved and is now made up of individual particles, each one independently lit, making it look impressively real. On top of that, the water collecting on the ground is absorbed and moved around by the wind thanks to the new dynamic ripple shader and thanks to a new reflection engine, it even makes minute mirrors in ground puddles.
Foliage and lighting have been improved, meaning the grass and bushes in AC IV aren't just 2D sprites displayed in a cross formation, they're individual models, each one reacting to wind, rain and light in unique ways. The new engine can also handle a lot more foliage, so expect to get a little lost if there's chest high greenery.
You can even use it to sneak up on people but see where you are at the same time, as it moves with you.
Watch the trailer for all the graphical updates below.
Assassin's Creed IV is coming November 1st to PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4 and Wii U.