The 1994 horror game Ecstatica, notable for its unique use of ellipsoids in 3D graphics, has been re-released for PC and is available on Steam and GOG. This re-release offers players a chance to experience a distinct visual style that stands apart from the polygonal 3D that became dominant in the industry.
Ecstatica's engine renders characters, objects, and environments using ellipsoids, creating a rounded, distinct aesthetic. This approach contrasts with the widespread adoption of polygons for 3D visuals, although Ecstatica's engine could render polygons for simpler objects like doors and crosses. The game's visuals have been described as "terrifying bubble-wrap reality" and compared to the unsettling organic shapes of xenomorph eggs.
Developed by Andrew Spencer Studios, Ecstatica places players in the role of an unfortunate wanderer who has entered a monster-filled village. The game is an early example of fixed-perspective survival horror, predating the original Resident Evil by two years. It features puzzle-driven gameplay and elements of "absurd British humour," according to its store pages.
The re-release is handled by SNEG Games, a company founded by former GOG staffers with the aim of republishing and restoring forgotten PC games. The updated version includes controller support and three graphics modes that can be changed on the fly: one for the original DOS version, one for the 1997 Windows 95 re-release, and a "real-time high resolution render."
Ecstatica's developers reportedly disbanded after releasing Ecstatica 2. Their subsequent project, Urban Decay, also intended to use ellipsoids but transitioned to a more conventional polygonal look before its cancellation. The developers of Ecstatica were noted for their distinct visual direction, exploring an alternative path in 3D graphics development.