classic Unreal intro screenshot

Unreal 1998 Fan Remake in Unreal Engine 4 showcased with Ray Tracing effects


Back in 2018, we informed you about a fan remake of the first Unreal game in Unreal Engine 4. DKG-Prog has been working on this project since then and has shared some new screenshots showing some RTX ray tracing effects that were implemented thanks to Unreal Engine 4.

Now the good news here is that contrary to the 2018 screenshots, these latest ones look great. DKG-Prog has improved the environments, has added a Skaarj model, and has improved the spaceship (something we criticized in our previous article).

The latest version of this Unreal remake in Unreal Engine 4 features improved Global Illumination rendering, with three selectable quality presets (including two-bounce GI), time of day options that radically change the appearance of some levels, new weapon models & textures, new dynamic environments, better physically based atmospheric scattering, real-time reflectivity of the player and weapon model on water and glass surfaces, player model shadows, improved ray tracing denoising technology, new enhanced effects with new sprites and particle animations, dynamic lighting for items such as blinking lights, signs, switches, elevators and moving objects, as well as caustics approximation to improve water lighting effects.

Unfortunately, there is no ETA on when this project will get finished. Not only that, but we don’t know whether DKG-Prog will make it available to the public. Also, we don’t know whether he plans to simply remake some levels from Unreal in Unreal Engine 4 or whether he plans to add any gameplay/shooting mechanics to it.

These Ray Tracing screenshots make me wish for an official Unreal Remaster with RTX effects. Seriously, imagine if NVIDIA and Epic Games worked together in order to improve the original Unreal with some Ray Tracing effects, similar to what NVIDIA did with id Software for Quake 2. Do it NVIDIA and Epic Games. Just, DO IT.

UPDATE:

Screenshots removed per creator’s request.