The reworked lighting model lets normals / bump maps show better in shadows instead of flatten out. Plus, the extra environmental reflection and a bit of specular allowed to show up in the shadows helps enhance the shadows. Light doesn't cut off completely in shadows. There's still light rays bouncing from outside the shadow into it that hit things. So, lighting and reflections are reduced in shadows, but still exist. Also note the grass under the vehicle is darkened by the ambient occlusion under the vehicle. Original FUEL didn't do this. It's a minor detail, but one you don't notice when it works correctly, but sticks out like a sore thumb when it's not.
The reworked lighting model lets normals / bump maps show better in shadows instead of flatten out. Plus, the extra environmental reflection and a bit of specular allowed to show up in the shadows helps enhance the shadows. Light doesn't cut off completely in shadows. There's still light rays bouncing from outside the shadow into it that hit things. So, lighting and reflections are reduced in shadows, but still exist. Also note the grass under the vehicle is darkened by the ambient occlusion under the vehicle. Original FUEL didn't do this. It's a minor detail, but one you don't notice when it works correctly, but sticks out like a sore thumb when it's not.