2.5D graphics

[curly_nuts]

I think the problem with the graphics is not so much the lack of detail, or the characters or art style, but that it's built within a 2.5D environment. Because you can see more into the level in terms of depth, the lack of detail and accents makes some levels look dull and lifeless. It's kinda like the big open areas in Super Mario when it went 3D. The flat plane wasn't very exciting to look at, and when compared to the 2d Marios, it looked like empty space.

The 2D castlevanias, although less detailed, provided a lot more opportunity for detail without being cluttered. Sewers, forests, castle hallways all looked ominous and dreadful and that was from only one perspective with crude graphics. This game looks almost boring in comparison.

Finally, having a highly detailed 2D character constrained in such an environment only compounds the problem. If you look at the images, the main character is usually standing in the middle of a relatively open environment. This was wholey unnecessary. The same effect could have been accomplished had they kept the characters on a 2D plane and used ample parallax scrolling. In fact, if the team focused more on the art design rather than polygon crafting, the 3D effect would, in my opinion, have been more profound.

A good example of a game with great parallax can be found in Mark of the Ninja. Never once does the player feel constrained within the 2d plane, but the game world still feels alive because of well crafted parallax planes moving behind the player.

Conversely, 2.5D can look phenomenal if the right detail is added and the camera is used to good effect. Street Fighter IV and V are good examples of this. Although all the actions takes place in a 2D space, you never feel hemmed in and the graphical effect isn't jarring. I believe that the reason is that the 3D space is filled with so much detail and life that one never feels stuck in a open space. Compared with Bloodstained's drab and vacant hallways and platforms, SFIV and V are teeming with life and energy. Also, the camera is never fixed on one point or person, but subtley swings, zooms and pans in ways that makes the environment come alive.

It's probably too late for any changes in this regard. It's unfortunate, because I think this could have been one of the best looking games to come out. I hope it all works out okay, but looking at those pics and videos doesn't give me much hope.

[whoami]

Street Fighter games are polished as hell and have the brightest minds capcom may gather in this biz. Every stage is full of details, vivid, lively - what a scenery. Compared to a maximum funded game, that is Street Fighter - iga wont stand a chance.
If they had the funding, i'm sure they would do everything possible to meet sotn level at least (maybe a higher sprite count, more variety in animation - nothing more to add).

It' not the camera. It's post processing render, shading, lighting and coloring that lack a steamlined base.
Dullness is beeing compensated by 2d sprites...cobwebs, bushes, stones, tainted steam, less geometrical perfection (without the need to raise polygon count that much). That's what i'd do.

Choice for 2.5 was ressources. They are well aware of 2D luv, as they grew up with 2D themself.

Let's hope, gameplay compensates for those annoyances, still - i'm happy to have the masters in this.
(* artstyle could fix a lot, but is a chore to maintain with low budged - i know there are indie masters, who show this industry what is possible, with the right mindset...)

[El Fuerte]

I disagree. If done right 2.5D can look just as good (ex Street Fighter 4, Mortal Kombat X etc)

The game looks great now after the graphic update/polish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAeAJDX9DZ8

[James Cutter]

The 2.5D makes the game look like a Nintendo DS game. Doesnt look so pretty imo