The 2.5D view (experimental)

The Ember Depths' experimental 2.5D view: what it is, who gets it, how to turn the camera, how to switch back to classic 2D, and the known issues.

The world stands up. Dungeon walls and town buildings are real 3D, torches, lamps and lava light the rooms around them, and the camera can turn. Everything else is the game you know: the same heroes, monsters, loot, menus, co-op and saves, in a world with depth.

It's experimental: we're still polishing it, and it will keep changing from patch to patch. If you'd rather play the way you always have, classic 2D is one switch away (Settings → Graphics → View → 2.5D view (experimental)).

Today's art in a 3D world

What you're seeing is the game you know, carried into 3D: the same sprites, now standing in real rooms with real light. Next we're working on higher-detail art made for this view: characters, monsters, bosses and effects are planned to be upgraded over the coming updates.

Who gets it

Computers with a capable graphics card start in 2.5D.
Phones and tablets stay in classic 2D by default, since 2.5D is heavier in big fights. Turn it on any time to try it.
If 2.5D can't start on your device, or runs below about 25 frames a second for 20 seconds of play even at the lowest graphics setting, the game switches you to classic 2D at a safe moment (the next floor, or back in town; never in the middle of a fight) and tells you so.
Your own choice always wins: once you pick a view in Settings, the game never changes it for you.

Turning the camera

	Turn the camera	Straighten it
Mouse	Middle-drag, or Alt + drag. Right-drag too: a right click still casts your skill	Middle click
Touch	Two fingers on the world	A quick two-finger tap
Controller	Right stick (it aims a skill instead while you hold that skill's button)	—

Up is always up on your screen: the walk keys, the joystick and aimed skills turn with the camera. Walls between you and the camera fade out of the way.

Switching back to classic 2D

Settings → Graphics → View → 2.5D view (experimental): switch it off.
The game restarts and puts you back where you were: in town you land back in town, in a dungeon you pick up at the start of the floor you're on, and in a party you rejoin your party.
The first time you play after this update, a short notice offers the same switch. In a dungeon it waits until you're back in town, so your run carries on as it is.
You can switch again any time, both ways. The choice is kept per device: your phone and your computer can differ.

Known issues

Big fights can still stutter on phones and older computers. Settings → Graphics → View → Graphics quality: Low helps, or switch to classic 2D.
Characters, monsters and effects are today's flat art, so from a low angle they can look thin. Straighten the camera (a middle click or a two-finger tap) for the classic angle.
Entering town or a new floor can take a few seconds while the lights warm up behind the loading card.
A pillar or a tall prop can hide a small foe for a moment when the camera is turned.

Tell us

Something look wrong, or run slowly? Menu → Tell Quillon (F8 on a keyboard). A screenshot helps. Your letters decide what we polish first.