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Round-Up: Gaming in 3D Vision
We've been using a PC with Nvidia's 3D Vision system for a few months now, so we're ready to take a step back and see how it's affected the way we play games in 3D. It's a hard job, but somebody's got to do it ...
Florent Alzieu
Updated: May 10, 2010
Updated: May 10, 2010
The scores we've given here aren't for the overall quality of the games in question. Instead, they're based on the quality of the graphics and the extra impact that playing in 3D brings. For instance, we loved playing Mass Effect 2 in 2D, but it only gets one star here because the conversion to 3D is an absolute disaster. Similarly, the 3D version of Dragon Age isn't different enough from the standard version to deserve a high rating.
We've tested all these games thoroughly and have completed most of them—this isn't just based on a five-minute preview!
Our test computer has an Nvidia GTX295.
We should also let you know that we don't activate 3D Vision systematically. Although it helps you get deeper into the action, you can still have a great time gaming without it, especially if your eyes are getting tired or if you feel a headache coming on.
We'll keep this article up to date as we test more titles.
We've tested all these games thoroughly and have completed most of them—this isn't just based on a five-minute preview!
Our test computer has an Nvidia GTX295.
We should also let you know that we don't activate 3D Vision systematically. Although it helps you get deeper into the action, you can still have a great time gaming without it, especially if your eyes are getting tired or if you feel a headache coming on.
We'll keep this article up to date as we test more titles.
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Mafia 2 This game looks great in 3D Vision. After a while, you even forget that you're playing in a new 3D world. In a way, that's a good sign, but it perhaps also underlines the fact that 3D graphics don't revolutionise the gaming experience, especially since no objects really stick out from the screen. In fact, the 3D effect relies more on creating a sense of depth than having objects bursting out in your face. Note that you should avoid setting the depth of field too high, otherwise you may start seeing doubles of certain objects. You're better off keeping it at a moderate level. |
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Batman Arkham Asylum After we'd seen the quality of the 3D work here we wished every game could be this good. Flying through the city in 3D, leaping from one skyscraper to another is a great experience. The only problem we had was that the 3D glasses would occasionally get disconnected. It's unlikely that the game was at fault, and to fix the problem we just had to turn the infra-red transmitter off and back on again. |
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Metro 2033 The 3D effect in this game is actually exemplary: we didn't take the glasses off for a second! Depth is recreated very well and is enhanced by some really nice effects, such as dust floating through the air or smoke hovering around. The only bug we noticed was a poor interpretation of the door in the last level (at the beginning of the dream/hallucination). Also, we lost our laser viewfinder in level D6 where you have to shoot the amoeba. However, that's not enough to make it lose a star. |
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Just Cause 2 As this is one of the Nvidia 3D Vision Ready titles, we were expecting it to be perfect. However, we were disappointed. The menu and the map of the island are flat. The icons symbolising parcels or zones of interest end up weirdly overlapping with the character, especially at short range. Animated video noise in the video sequences is supposed to create an old film-reel effect, but it really isn't pleasant to watch. The pixels stay on the surface and create a kind of distracting top layer over the video. Apart from these few minor details, the overall result is quite good. |
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Bioshock 2 Things didn't start well here, because we couldn't see any depth in the onscreen target, which looks very odd. But once we'd corrected this bug by updating the drivers, the results were amazing. Seeing things in perspective really adds something to the game. Seeing a Protector (or a grenade, for that matter), hurtling towards you is particularly impressive. There were a couple of problems with the way 3D is managed throughout the game, though. If your glasses aren't turned on when you start, you can't activate them partway through. Even if you deactivate 3D temporarily while playing, you have to start all over again to get it back. |
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Prototype Like Batman, this is a game that is especially good in 3D. Flying from one building to another or jumping onto a moving helicopter is exactly the kind of thing that looks great in 3D. That doesn't mean there are no problems, though: the sight on the helicopter doesn't work properly, for instance, and targets stay in the foreground when they should move back. Details like this have cost this title a star. |
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Dead Space This isn't the most recent game, and there is already talk of a new version. However, we're still convinced that it's earned a place in this round-up. We originally gave it five stars, but some readers suggested we test it again; and when we did, we were inclined to agree with them. Although some things work well, including 3D menus, weapons sights with real depth of field and a genuine sense of immersion in the game, the bugs in displaying shadows and the misplacement of several objects mean this game doesn't quite deserve five stars. |
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Assassin's Creed 2 3D works quite well in this game, but it doesn't really change much. Gameplay is slow, and you follow the character from a distance. Apart from aerial views of the town, seeing the game in 3D doesn't add much really. All of the menus are in 2D, and although some elements do look like they're in 3D, it's actually just an optical illusion. It's incredibly obvious if you slide the glasses off for a second. All of the video scenes in between parts of the game are completely flat too. |
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Mount and Blade Warband Some major problems make this game impossible to play in 3D. The sight for jet-based weapons remains in the foreground. On the main map, several features (including the compass and the pointer) aren't integrated into the depth of the scene. The only vaguely interesting way of playing is using contact weapons on the battlefield. As a result, it doesn't get a very high score. |
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Dragon Age Origins Playing in 3D adds almost nothing to this game. You're a long way from the characters and adding depth of field does nothing to get you involved with the action. But it's probably the way the game works rather than the quality of the 3D that leaves it with such a low score. |
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Mass Effect 2 Here, problems abound. The viewfinder has no kind of depth, some objects appear in the foreground when they should be further back etc. In this game, 3D really doesn't work ... unless you want to give yourself a headache. |
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Starcraft 2 (UPDATE 23/09/10, this review was updated after Blizzard launched its special 3D patch) The 3D effects are limited to the main menu and missions. Scenes of action or daily life in the vessel, for example, remain flat. In the game, the central area features some objects that are rendered with an impression of depth, while others remain flat. It's pretty much impossible to play in 3D Vision under these conditions. Our harsh final score reflects two things: the almost entire lack of interest of playing in 3D, plus the 3D rendering issues encountered. |
