The new 3D graphical engine for DarkOrbit Reloaded has just recently been announced and launched for the game, seeing a complete overhaul of the games models and upgraded them to new 3D versions. Previously the game tried to emulate a 3D environment by putting lots of shading and light effects on their structures and ship models as well as a clever use of a panning galactic background as players flew around the otherwise flat 2D maps, with planets and objects “behind” the ship giving a feeling of more depth. Well that depth has now been physically added with the various new models for structures and ships as well as combining it with a zoomable camera angle that takes players into a near third person perspective.
Whilst the game still only operates on its same XY axis, and 3D only comes in terms of the visuals and not full 3D movement, it definitely does add a richer element in part; the ship models in particular really do look great, but when things start getting bigger we start to see more shortcomings. The structures really lack a level of detail with the textures that the 2D rendered artwork boasted, whilst the 2D may have been a little less technologically advanced, what it did it did very well (albeit we always had a bit of an issue with the pixelated ships).
Lack of textures and weak models aren’t only our issue, the new 3D update definitely has the community divided and the majority (at least the vocal ones) seem to share the same sentiment as us with others saying they look “basic” and “cartoony”, and we can see what they mean. Whilst the ship models for us are generally good from what we’ve been able to see, there are some real weak spots and the Boss Lordakium model really takes the cake… literally… it looks like a giant Danish pastry.
A few criticisms about the 3D effects and how they impact PVP have also been raised, primarily some players having issues locking in sudden PVP, combined with the fact that when your camera angle is too close it’s quite easy for players to get the drop on you and be close to you before you notice them (which would never happen in 2D). One of the main reasons for this is that whilst the camera angle zooms closer to your ship, you don’t actually get the chance to rotate the camera around your ship, apart from when in the battle station area (which honestly is completely pointless and we think it’s only so players can see the structure models from different angles).
Whilst there has been criticism there has certainly been a fair share of praise as well, plenty of people commending the special effects upgrades in regards to things such as explosions, fireworks, EMP lightning charges, ship thrusters and more; the little details have really made the visuals more spectacular. The 3D graphics engine is also reportedly supposed to ease graphical performance and players should be suffering from les s lag issues that they may have been before (and if the forums are anything to go by then this is most definitely the case).
Whilst the new 3D is a fine implementation, personally we’re not sure how much it was needed when for us there’s more stuff in the game that we’d sooner see addressed. Regardless, if the new 3D isn’t your thing and you don’t like the look, or are getting issues, players can easily go into their settings and switch back to 2D, with players being put into 3D by default if the system requirements are met.
Feel free to activate the INFO button below in case you’re interested in finding out more about DarkOrbit Reloaded.
The graphic update surely increased the fun and enjoyability of the game, but there are still a lot of things to do for the games before i can really give a final review.