Modder ‘softsoundd’ has just released the first version of his RTX Remix Mod for the first Mirror’s Edge game. This mod will add real-time Path Tracing effects to this classic game. So, let’s take a closer look at it.
The RTX Remix mod adds pixel shader sampler semantic classification to better distinguish material textures from engine auxiliary buffers (such as shadow, post-process, UI, and scene textures). This helps reduce incorrect diffuse/albedo selections.
It also introduces additional material semantic hints, including normal, specular, roughness, opacity, and mask map categories, to improve slot-0 material scoring and texture selection. Moreover, it strengthens UE3 vertex shader CTAB parsing and adds extra vertex factory hint extraction (such as decal, lightmap, wind, and view-to-local patterns).
On top of that, it updates packed UV heuristics for UE3 vertex factory styles (like terrain and decals) to reduce false penalties and improve UV promotion behavior.
Mirror’s Edge is one of the best examples of pre-baked lighting. Even to this date, the game looks lovely. However, there are areas in which the game can look quite dated. And that’s where this RTX Remix Mod comes in.
To showcase the mod, the modder shared the following video. At around 6:04, we get some comparison scenes between the original and the modded versions.
As you will see, reflections look way better with the RTX Remix Path Tracing Mod. The same can be said about all shadows. Even small objects and animals, like the pigeons, can now cast shadows. This wasn’t possible in the original version. Dynamic objects, characters, and animals can also look better. I mean, look at this.
Sadly, though, there are some areas in which the original version feels better in my eyes. The first comparison in the video is perhaps the best example. The artistic choices in the original are not realistic. This is not how lighting and reflections work in real life. But, aesthetically, it looks better to me.
It’s also worth noting that this is the first version of this RTX Remix Path Tracing Mod. Future versions may fix and improve things in which the mod look underwhelming. So, make sure to keep that in mind. This is a mod from a single person. It’s not a path-traced remake or remaster from a big studio.
In my opinion, this is a good start for this RTX Remix Mod. In numerous scenes, Path Tracing can greatly improve the game’s graphics. Yes, you can easily cherry-pick scenes in which the original may feel better. But then again, you can cherry-pick scenes in which the Path Tracing Mod leaves the original version in the dust. So, let’s hope that the modder will keep working on it so that he can further improve it.
Those interested can go ahead and download the mod from this link.
If you are into RTX Remix Mods, you can find similar ones for a lot of other titles. For instance, you can find such mods for Black Mesa, Star Wars Republic Commando, Need for Speed Carbon, NFS: Underground, and Manhunt. You can also find more for BioShock, Morrowind, NFS: Underground 2, Star Wars Jedi Outcast, Max Payne, and Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines.
In January 2024, we shared several RTX Remix Mods that are in the works. As such, you can take a look at screenshots and videos for Tomb Raider 2, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Manhunt, and Garfield Kart RTX Remix. Then, in February 2024, we shared videos for Need for Speed: Most Wanted, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, and Midnight Club 2. Be sure to also check out some early RTX Remix videos and screenshots for Fallout: New Vegas, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell, and COD 2.
And that’s not all. Modders have released demos for their Path Tracing Mods for Deus Ex, Tomb Raider, and Call of Duty 4. Do note that the COD4 Mod is a “proof of concept” demo, and it does not look that great. Let’s also not forget the RTX Remix for COD: WoW. And then we have the RTX Remix Mods for Painkiller and Left 4 Dead 2. Unreal Tournament 2004 and Unreal Gold have also gotten the path-traced treatment. Half-Life fans can also play the game with Full Ray Tracing/Path Tracing. Lastly, you can download these amazing Path Tracing Mods for Doom, Doom 2, Quake, and Serious Sam. These last ones are among the best Path Tracing Mods you can find.
Stay tuned for more!
John is the founder and Editor in Chief at DSOGaming. He is a PC gaming fan and highly supports the modding and indie communities. Before creating DSOGaming, John worked on numerous gaming websites. While he is a die-hard PC gamer, his gaming roots can be found on consoles. John loved – and still does – the 16-bit consoles, and considers SNES to be one of the best consoles. Still, the PC platform won him over consoles. That was mainly due to 3DFX and its iconic dedicated 3D accelerator graphics card, Voodoo 2. John has also written a higher degree thesis on the “The Evolution of PC graphics cards.”
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