Do I need to install this on Steam or GOG?
No, Steam and GOG versions come installed with Advent Revising v2.0 Full as of 2021. You will only need to download the patch for physical copies or other distributors.
I have Advent Revising v1.0 installed. Do I need v2.0?
Advent Revising v2.0 features significant changes over v1.0 in almost every way. Every cutscene has been completely re-edited, the Xbox-exclusive videos are much higher quality, and the audio has been reworked for much better lip-syncing. This version has undergone a far more comprehensive editing process involving compositing, masking, and even handpainting, while still remaining true to the original game.
How do I upgrade to v2.0?
Simply download the pack of your choosing and install it over your Advent Rising installation. It is recommended that you choose a pack similar or higher to the one you downloaded previously. If you downloaded v1.0 Lite previously, download either the v2.0 Lite pack or the v2.0 Full pack.
Will there be problems if I pick a smaller v2.0 pack than the v1.0 pack?
Potentially, but only with some subtitles desynchronizing. There will be no problems if you update to a similar or higher v2.0 pack, such as going from v1.0 Lite to either v2.0 Lite or v2.0 Full.
What are the differences between these packs?
Each pack (beginning with Essentials and ending with Full) contains more improved cutscenes than the previous pack. The Essentials pack includes only the restored Xbox-exclusive cutscenes and cutscenes that presented problems for players, such as poor playback and egregious audio desync. The Lite pack takes the Essentials and adds 29 more cutscenes that feature notable visual edits, fixing a number of glitches or errors during the developers' recording of the original scenes. The Full pack takes the Lite pack and adds another 33 cutscenes that largely fix lip-syncing issues and audio problems. These cutscenes contain similar but more subtle visual edits to the Lite pack.
What are the Xbox-exclusive cutscenes?
They are mostly mood-setting cutscenes showing an overview of the next level and providing more context and atmosphere to the story. These were originally filmed to hide loading times between a few levels, but the comparatively short loading times on PC made them unnecessary in the game's final release.
I just want the config files. Will they work without the patch?
Yes, the config files simply change three .ini files under Advent Rising's System folder. Nothing will be affected by forgoing the rest of the Advent Revising patch.
I don't want the config files. Will the patch work without them?
Yes, the config files are completely optional and try to minimize common problems encountered with the game, such as the camera spinning. If you are content with your current settings for game resolution, letterboxing, and controller support, the config files will not be necessary for you.
I don't want to change any cutscenes, but can I get just better subtitles?
Yes, there is another pack called Only Subtitles. This contains no restored Xbox cutscenes, no edited cutscenes, and no extra files — only improved subtitles for the original game. These subtitles were timed using the original cutscenes.
Can I still download Advent Revising v1.0?
Yes, those packs are available here. Advent Revising v2.0 improves upon almost everything in v1.0, so these legacy versions are no longer recommended.
Can I lose anything important by installing Advent Revising?
No, Advent Revising only replaces video files and .ini files, not the entire installation. Your personal game settings such as controls and resolution will only be overwritten if you install the optional config files that provide 16:9 resolution and Xbox One controller support. These settings can be changed manually in Advent Rising's System folder through the files named, "default.ini", "Mydefault.ini", and "MyDefUser.ini". If you are worried about losing anything, make a backup of your Advent Rising installation.
Will I lose my saves?
No, Advent Revising only replaces video files and .ini files, not the entire installation. Your saves are stored under Advent Rising's System folder inside of the Saves directory, and will be completely unaffected by the patch. If you are worried about losing anything, make a backup of your Advent Rising installation.
How does this patch work?
Advent Revising replaces files installed with the game, accessible in the Movies and System folders of the Advent Rising directory. The game simply calls on these cutscenes via their filename, allowing you to add, replace, or remove the movie files as you see fit. The Xbox-exclusive cutscenes were reintroduced this way because the game still looks for the movie files despite their deletion.
Will this fix the game crashing?
No, Advent Revising does not edit any files that could affect the gameplay — it only edits video and .ini files. Nonetheless, some edits will actually improve performance because of corrected playback issues.
Will this cause the game to crash more?
No, Advent Revising does not edit any files that could affect the gameplay negatively — it only edits video and .ini files. Some edits will actually improve performance because of corrected playback issues.
Why "partial" Xbox One controller support?
Advent Rising cannot accept XInput which means the Xbox One's triggers do not work. This can be corrected with third-party tools but not simple .ini edits, adding to the complications of offering the patch to a general audience. Partial Xbox One support means the patch simplifies the process for users by disabling the triggers and binding fire control to the bumpers instead. Additionally, it changes the D-Pad so that Up now activates Alt-Fire and Down throws grenades. Hold the grenade button to cycle between grenade types.
Does Advent Revising support Xbox 360 controllers as well?
Yes, it should, but it is currently untested.
Why is the camera spinning?
This is a problem native to Advent Rising when you have a controller plugged in. Advent Revising tries to address this with the optional config files. Download the Advent Revising config files to correct this problem. If you have installed Advent Revising and are having this problem, you likely accessed the controller options in game, which overwrites the patch files with the original game files. To fix this, replace the files with the Advent Revising config files. Alternatively, go to Advent Rising's System folder, open "MyDefUser.ini" in a text editor, and add a semi-colon (;) in front of "JoyV=..." so it reads ";JoyV=".
How do I unbind the cheat keys?
Go to your Advent Rising directory and navigate to the System folder. Look for "MyDefUser.ini" and open it in a text editor. To disable a key, simply place a semi-colon (;) in front of the line (for example, ";V=teleport"). Alternatively, delete the text following the equals sign (=), or replace it with your preferred binding.
The game crashed during a cutscene. Is this because of the patch?
Probably not. The only way to make the game crash during a cutscene because of the patch is to press F8 (skip level), which was not intended to be used during cutscenes anyway. If your game crashed as you were docking at the Luriam space station, this is a common occurrence with the original game, and simply reloading your save will place you past that cutscene.
I can't progress in the game. I keep getting sent backward to levels I've already played.
The game saves before every loading screen (the spinning Advent logo), so you might be reloading your save incorrectly. When you select your save file, do not pick "Level select" from the menu — just pick "Play". This will automatically set you to your furthest point.
The menu seems stretched/squished. Why is that?
This is because of edits made to correct the letterboxing effect, and it is a trade-off. In order to remove the letterboxing, the game stretches its display vertically. The menus function on the assumption that the game is letterboxed. You can switch back by going to Advent Rising's System folder, opening "default.ini" in a text editor, and changing "Widescreen=true" to "Widescreen=false". Note that this will bring back the letterboxing, which will be more severe now while running the game in a 16:9 resolution instead of a 4:3 resolution.
Why do the subtitles seem desynced?
This is a problem on newer versions of Windows. To fix this, enable compatibility mode for Advent Rising. If your install is through the physical game or GOG, navigate to "advent.exe" in Advent Rising's System folder, right-click, select properties, and go to the compatibility tab. Select "Run this program in compatibility mode for" and choose Windows 7 or Windows Vista.
I enabled compatibility mode and now it says, "Can't find Steam."
Since your install is through Steam, you may need to create a shortcut to the game that enables compatibility mode. Select "advent.exe" from Advent Rising's System folder, right-click, and select "Create shortcut." Then select the shortcut created, right-click, select properties, and go to the compatibility tab. Select "Run this program in compatibility mode for" and choose Windows 7 or Windows Vista.