I'll start with the more subtle improvements, and then move on to the obvious ones. It may not be very noticeable in screenshots or promotional advertising, but the colour palette of the game has been slightly altered. Some of the brighter, more vivid shades and textures have been toned down a little, in an attempt to make the apperance more natural. As I say, the change is very subtle, but effective nonetheless. Also subject to a small makeover is the sky.
Clouds appear more realistic, as opposed to the previous look which felt more artificial.
Of all the proposed improvements in LS98 the feature receiving the most attention up to the release date has been the new water graphics. In hindsight, the water was probably the weakest part of the original, retaining an unnatural blue colour which didn't match the leap in other areas. This has been addressed and completely overhauled. The water shade is now much darker, with quite dramatic reflections from the suurrounding environment, such as trees and buildings. Not only do the larger ponds and lakes appear almost perfectly realistic, but so do the creeks and streams running between the trees.