14 DAY TRIAL // Reality Pump are currently working on Two Worlds II and they have prepared a few new treats to tease us with. Apparently, the developers have worked a lot on the aesthetics of the title and they even created a brand-new revolutionary game engine especially for it. Right now, GRACE, as the engine has been called, is currently being used for Two Worlds II and Two Worlds II alone, but that may change in the future. As long as it proves to be a quality product, the engine could power more of Reality Pump's games in the future and maybe even be recognized by other developers as well.
Right now, the company has only offered details regarding the swamp environment and the application of the GRACE engine in it. The new engine promises a breathtaking experience and a deep sense of immersion. The surrounding terrain will supposedly be genuinely depicted, as the marshy ground will hinder the character’s movements, his feet sinking in the ground. Dynamic sounds will accompany the player through his trek across the swamp, as the characteristic and scary sounds of the marsh will immerse him in the treacherous environment that the game presents.
The swamp in Two Worlds II isn't a deserted patch of mud and even though it has been twisted by the harsh living conditions, the area isn't entirely uncivilized. The inhabitants of the marsh have constructed wooden paths and stakes meant to ease the passing through, but that doesn't mean it's safer than the rest of the swamp. As the only proper logistic path, these roads are plagued with crossing tolls and people to enforce them. It's up to the player whether he would rather risk his life through reeds and murky waters or leave his possessions on the wooden paths.
The new screenshots look really good and the fact that the team developed a new engine shows the company is willing to commit to the project. But the first installment in the series was a pretty bad game, with a lot of bugs, simplistic gameplay and a weak storyline. The HDR effect present in the screenshots along with the sharp graphics do make the title glisten, but that may not be enough to distract gamers from the unfinished game the first release proved to be and the bad reputation it gave the studio.
