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Polygon Parallax: More Models

Hello StarcraftWire forumers, users and all other readers; I have now created a sequel to last month's Polygon Parallax article that I wrote (much to Leord's never-ending and laudable delight, naturally). This is more of the same at a very basic level, I'll try not to repeat myself too often and will skip the theoretical stage that I like to meander into as I usually go as it would only be a hollow echo of what was previously said in the earlier work. It's by no means a full-blown Kalos' Chronicle.


However, new screenshots and images have been released, further content has been unveiled, and there is more to cover, not to mention there was a positive demand for more of the same, and thus I have written the following as my second and likely last contribution to the StarCraft 2 Alpha Guide article series.


Dispensing with the introduction in my usual disjointed style, as follows are the side by side images, newest to the right hand side, and my commentary and observations underneath each one.



Zealot

My favorite image of the batch first; and the one where the contrast could not be stated any louder than than this picture of a two Zealot models, the one on the left being the cast-off that is now relegated to the dustbin. Notice the additional fine details on the exposed skin, the bald head of the Zealot and his now-exposed feet. They look years apart in terms of the detail that can be seen. I could spend entire paragraphs talking about the twin psionic energy blades mounted on the forearms, the scale of improvement is simply massive; I suspect that the newer equivalent is actually aided actively by use of the pixel shaders, though that cannot be verified for certain with a single screenshot. The pure blue and balanced light of the old model is replaced by a seemingly random array of pure light, creating the effect that it is in fact shimmering with a slight smoky haze hanging around each blade permanently, as if a tool used for cauterization. Put into one sentence, the two models are miles apart in quality, yet still embody that we recognise as the traditional Starcraft I zealot.



Drone

The comparison shots by Blizzard were only released very recently, on the 18th of Feburary, but when I saw this one I knew I had to include it, and thus we have the Drone. The evolution of the detail is very powerful here. From the improved pincers (Hmm, Lobster :D) to the reinvigorated spine, the whole unit looks as if it stepped forward a decade in terms of technology. I'm fairly certain the original graphics must have been a placeholder only; the poor quality such as the complete absence of any real facial feature details and the 2D fins that were clearly drawn on to the flat surfaces of the 'wings' on either side were indeed dire in comparison with what we have just been given as substitute. The art style is darker and less "cartoony", more of the gritty look that many of the units of Starcraft II have been picking up these last few months, the new drone looks meaner and more zerg-like than ever before. I really appreciate the effort that was put in with this model, the 2D ridges really were inferior and something I would have expected seven or eight years ago, not now, so this redesign has eliminated that outdated pet hate of mine from the game, well done Blizz!


More comparisons of models on Page 2.

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