[Admiral Zaarin]

I think it will be smart if they combine 3D characters and pre-rendered HD 2D environment. For example such a technique was implemented in Alone In The Dark 4. It's an old game but the graphics were quite impressive back then. Anyway such a technique allows for much more detailed backgrounds than today's average "full-3D" engine.

With a real-time rendering you don't expect full-3D Feeco depot with the same quality and scene depth as seen in AE. Furthermore Abe's Oddysee is not a highly-anticipated blockbuster and I highly doubt they've licenced some superior game engine that is capable of dynamic AO-level backgrounds.