Graphics/Technology

Not just Quake 2

As we mentioned earlier, SoF uses a highly modified version of the Quake 2 engine. At first glance, the models are very reminiscent of your old favorites. However, seeing the game in motion and taking a closer look, you'll realize how hard Raven worked on the engine. This is definitely not a Quake 2 rehash!

There's serious blow-back with the weapons

Point blank with the shotty gets messy

GHOULish

The primary change is the addition of Raven's GHOUL rendering system. GHOUL adds a whole level of detail to each player model that is simply head and shoulders above anything else out there. Check out the list of features that GHOUL allows for:

• 26 "Gore Zones" On Each Enemy And Player Model
• Bolt-On Models And Attachments
• Multiple Skin Support
• Accurate/Improved Lighting
• Animations Greater Than 10hz
• New Networking Model
• Per-Poly Physics/Collision Detection
• Lights Inside Ghoul Models

See what we mean?

Notice there's no hole yet....

Locational damage

Notice the whopping 26 different "gore zones" on each character model. This means that the area you shoot is the one that will appear to get damaged on the enemy. Shoot a guy in the thigh, and a bloody hole appears there. Fire a shotgun into an enemy's abdomen and he'll be clutching at his entrails. Blow off a guy's arm or leg with a shotgun or .44 magnum, and you'll see a bloody stump where their limb used to extend. This is all made possible by the multiple gore zones, damage texturing, and texture replacement in SoF.

...now there is

One nuke down...

Correct damage texturing is only half of the story. What completes the immersion is the game's animation. It's one thing to proclaim locational based damage, but it's another thing entirely for the guys you shoot to ACT like they're taking hits in the correct places. Thankfully, Raven took this into account. Tons of possible death and damage animations are included in the game. In fact, Soldier of Fortune features professional motion capture from House of Moves - over 200 different animations are used for the models. Fire a 9mm round into a guy's foot and he'll jump on one leg, clutching his foot in pain. If he stays alive, he'll limp around (ditto for leg shots). Get a head shot with a sniper rifle, and you'll be treated to a believable splash of blood as the body drops lifelessly like a rock. You can even shoot an enemy in the groin and watch them grab at their crotch and writhe in pain. Is this game detailed or what? Those are just a couple examples of how enemies will react to your assault.