Infinity Engine vs 3D environment

Arctodus

I made a poll to know the preference of people around here. So, do you prefer IE pre-rendered backgrounds to 3D environment ?

I for one much prefer IE aesthetic to 3D environment. Maybe that's because I studied history of art in college, but I think pre-rendered background are much more beautiful than 3D environment, because they kind of remind me of the work of past masters. I just can't seem to care much about 3D environments.

It might be because I'm an older gamer who's use to simpler aesthetic (I like the Wizardry series, for example), but I think it's also because I like how pre-rendered represent a universe. The style appeals to me.

So, what's your personal preference ?

Kamigoroshi

My favourite style of exploring involves a lot of jumping, climbing and swimming. A 3D world environment simply allows more freedom of movement.

The biggest plus side of an 3D environment however is that people can generally reskin all meshes with custom landscape textures on the fly. Thanks to that even old games like Morrowind can look like modern triple A titles.

semiticgoddess

Games should be 3D if the mechanics or the aesthetics require it. For a game like Skyrim or Ocarina of Time, exploring is the whole point, and putting the game in three dimensions helps immersion. And there are lots of game mechanics that only work in three dimensions (Super Mario Galaxy is a good example).

But if 3D isn't necessary for the game to work, then it can actually make things worse. Adjusting the camera is a distracting chore, and it's easier to overlook important things in three dimensional environments. Putting things on a 2D scroller or staging the game on an isometric map keeps things simple and user-friendly.

Of course, the camera isn't a problem when the game is first person, in which case the camera is always facing where you want to go.

SomeSort

Technology is really cool, but IWD might be the single most beautiful game I've ever played. Lovingly, painstakingly hand-drawn backgrounds FTW.