The Luclin models offer higher resolution textures and higher polygon-count meshes. That's great for still images like screen shots.
But that is literally all they have going for them. Why do I never see anybody mention how terribly they're animated? They run - and I hate to use such a stupid phrase - quite literally like they have a stick in their ass. They run like their joints aren't meant for full ranges of motion. They attack like they are swatting a misbehaving child on the wrist. They swing swords like they are weightless.
Does nobody else notice this? What good are more polygons and high res textures if they are being applied to stiff, unnatural stick figures? Am I taking crazy pills?
Not to mention the art direction of the Luclin models doesn't fit the world of Norrath. The Tolkien/AD&D inspired world of Norrath. Haflings with pink hair? Elves with neon green hair? These things don't belong. They don't fit. It doesn't help that the higher polygon models stand out like a sore thumb against the backdrop of low polygon environments with muddy textures. Worse still, some NPCs are forced to display as old models even if you have new models enabled. You're a Luclin halfling talking to an old-world halfling NPC. You don't even look like the same species.
The models on their own merit, outside the scope of EQ, are fine. Especially for a game from 2001. But they fit in the world of EverQuest about as cohesively as laser guns would. Lasers are great, but not in a high fantasy setting.
I'm probably the only person that cares about cohesion. I guess I am taking crazy pills.
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