Loading ...Almost a year ago we wrote an article analyzing the Evolution of Water Effects in Games and gave the award to Halo 3.
Just to clarify, the award was given to Halo 3 at the time because it had the most physically-feeling real water we had ever seen in a game. Some readers pointed out that Crysis’s water was prettier or Uncharted’s water actually got clothes wet and some other things… but none of them came close to the incredible level of physical modelling that the Halo 3 water had.
This evening we got our Resistence 2 Beta Key and loaded it up. I’m pretty sure the EULA doesn’t let us talk about the game at all yet, but jesus… the water is just as beautifully modelled as Halo 3’s was. Shooting bullets into it leaves little splish-splash ripples all over the place and tossing a grenade in sends it rolling out in a big splash.
I think Halo 3 might still hold the title because it also had:
- Immaculate sound effects for the water
- Brilliant shading to the water for depth
Right now the R2 water is clear and distorting like real water, but just a bit too “clean”. I also didn’t hear any amazing sound sampling to really make me feel wet though.
But like I said, this is a beta and the water is already awesome.
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November 20th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
I think Halo 3 had the best water when it came out, but after playing Gears of War 2, I have to say the Surface Fluid Dymnamics won me over. The physics were just better and react faster than Halo 3 water does, it reminded me of Fear’s water but better. The water in Gears 2 just moves better than Halo’s water, and if you dont belive me play gears of war 2 on the act where you fight(SPLOILER) the sea monster.. But halo 3 still has better grenade splashes tho, gears 2 grenade splash looks like the splashes from Stranglehold.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Alex,
Very good points, I couldn’t tell if the water dynamics were scripted though, because if you shoot the water or blow something up in it, it doesn’t really react (shooting gets little splashes, not really an accurate reaction to the force applied to it).
All in All, it did look brilliant, especially in the level you are referring to.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Oh I almost forgot I havent heard water sounds from gears of war 2 when you shoot the water or throw a grenade, so I guess it just looks good and moves/reacts well.