Only a year ago, literally none of the engines could do a bow and arrow properly (at least none I was aware of). This is a big leap forward.
Also swords that are straight and connect to their hilts.
You're right, the technical progress has been amazing. Models also went from a few millions tokens to 12 billions tokens, so the compute power needed also increased, but so did the computers so...
Another avenue of progress is adherence to complex prompt. Here are some result coming from creating a composition with AuraFlow then using image-to-image to redraw it with Flux or SD3.5 (depending, I try both because they don't have all the same concept covered).
Prompt:
High above the clouds, the Skyward Citadel floats majestically, anchored to the earth by colossal chains stretching down into a verdant forest below. The castle, built from pristine white stone, glows with a faint, magical luminescence. Standing on a cliff’s edge, a group of adventurers gaze upward, their faces a mix of awe and determination. The setting sun casts a golden hue across the scene, illuminating the misty waterfalls cascading into a crystal-clear lake beneath. Birds with brilliant plumage fly around the citadel, adding to the enchanting atmosphere.
In the heart of an enchanted forest, where the flora emits a soft, otherworldly glow, an intense duel unfolds. An elven ranger, clad in green and brown leather armor that blends seamlessly with the surrounding foliage, stands with her bow drawn. Her piercing green eyes focus on her opponent, a shadowy figure cloaked in darkness. The figure, barely more than a silhouette with burning red eyes, wields a sword crackling with dark energy. The air around them is filled with luminous fireflies, casting a surreal light on the scene. The forest itself seems alive, with ancient trees twisted in fantastical shapes and vibrant flowers blooming in impossible colors. As their weapons clash, sparks fly, illuminating the forest in bursts of light. The ground beneath them is carpeted with soft moss.
Atop a lofty mountain peak, above the clouds, a celestial conclave convenes under a star-studded sky. The ground beneath is an ethereal platform, seemingly made of solidified starlight. Around a radiant orb of pure energy, celestial beings of all shapes and sizes gather. Angels with expansive, shimmering wings stand solemnly, their armor gleaming like polished silver. Beside them, star-touched wizards, draped in robes that sparkle with cosmic patterns, consult ancient scrolls. Ethereal faeries flit about, leaving trails of glittering light in their wake. At the center of this gathering, a majestic celestial being, possibly an archangel or deity, addresses the assembly with a commanding presence. Below, the world sprawls out in a breathtaking vista, with vast oceans, sprawling forests, and shining cities visible in the distance. The sky above is alive with vibrant constellations, swirling nebulae, and distant galaxies.
(some prompts are psychedelic, I typed the main idea then let an LLM elaborate on it).
Other results (ghost ambush during ruin exploration, struggle of earth and sky titan...)
All with the same prompt following... Where will we be in two years?