Is it Time for the Return of 2D?

Hey Poor Player's Kevin Chapman asks the question many of us have been wondering for years now: is it Time for the Return of 2D?

[derkasan]

I'd say so. I'm really looking forward to Sonic Mania.

[Timesplitter14]

2D has returned like 8 years ago. Basically ever since indie games became a big thing with Braid. Or maybe even before that, with Cave Story

Now we have Binding of Isaac, Shovel Knight, Fez, Spelunky, FTL, Hyper Light Drifter, Undertale, Broforce, Axiom Verge, Towerfall, Crypt of the Necrodancer, Super Meat Boy, Ori and the Blind Forest, Castle Crashers, Terraria, Don't Starve, Lone Survivor, Factorio, Darkest Dungeon, etc.... all great games

[ServerBOT]

Agreed, just a narrow minded piece.

[NewMonday]

already played like 2 great 2D games this summer in Shadow of the Beast and Assault Suit Leynos, Inside upcoming, Cuphead looks amazing.

and check out Owlboy

[ElementX]

I don't think 2D left, especially tagging pc in the submission

[mark_parch]

ori and the blind forest proves 2d platformers can still be sucessful

[Hoffmann]

Almost all fighting games in 2016 are 2d gameplay based, the same goes for the most platformers anyway.

[dead_pixels]

I agree, but author isn't debating the success or number indie games or smaller studio developed 2D releases though, but rather asking if the Big 3 should put a focus on 2D, sprite-based games. I do think he should have maybe phrased his headline a bit differently.

[GrimDragon]

2d platformers haven't gone anywhere. It's just that only a handful are really well done. Like ori, and shadow complex. With today's tech we should be seeing some incredible 2d games. I'd love a new metroid or castlevania.

[Timesplitter14]

since when is Shadow Complex 2D? Just because the movement is restricted to a plane doesn't make it a 2D game

[Timesplitter14]

I don't think "2.5D" is a term that should exist. It's either 2D or 3D. The gameplay doesn't affect this.

What about Starcraft 2? Is that 2.5D too just because you can't jump? Is SF5 not 3D? Makes no sense

[GrimDragon]

So what is it if not 2D? And please don't say 2.5

[Timesplitter14]

@GrimDragon
Well it's 3D, obviously
Look; 3D models: https://cdn2.unrealengine.c...

[GrimDragon]

Lol you funny.

Shadow Complex is presented in 2.5D format; the game world is fully three-dimensional, but the player can only move in two dimensions, simulating the environment of a classic side-scrolling video game. Enemies can, however, move in any direction, and auto-aim is utilized to allow the player to fire at nearby enemies or objects both inside and outside of the 2D plane.
And it is a platformer. The whole 2.5 gimmick does not create for this game a genre all its own. It is basically a 2D platformer with a few tricks.

[Timesplitter14]

3D models = 3D game
2D sprites = 2D game

Gameplay has absolutely nothing to do with "2D" or "3D". Shadow Complex isn't 2D nor is it 2.5D. It's just straight up 3D

Is SF5 a 2D game? No.
Is Dota 2 a 2D game? No.
is Shadow Complex a 2D game? No.
Just because movement is restricted to a plane doesn't make a game 2D

[NotoriousWhiz]

I completely disagree. 2D/3D is determined by gameplay, not graphics.

[ShaunCameron]

Or the last 2 Rayman games.

[LucasRuinedChildhood]

2D never left, and quite frankly, I think most people would rather see more big 3D indie games like Rocket League, Minecraft and Outlast. Most indie games were 2D for close to a decade, and still are. That should be enough.

[Aenea]

Nah, there are plenty of 2D Indies lately, and indeed Sonic is coming too, I think we're good!

[BrianOBlivion]

The return!?
90% of indie games being released right now are 2D. We don't need more 2D -we need LESS.

[LucasRuinedChildhood]

Yes! This is my point exactly. We need to see the indie gaming spirit applied to more 3D games, not 2D. It feels like we're finally entering a period where indies are becoming capable and it's viable for them to make 3D games (although, the vast majority still don't), and then,"time for the return of 2D". WTF? How many 2D games do these guys need? I had a quick look at the PS Store's latest releases, and at least 5-6 games are 2D.

[NotoriousWhiz]

I enjoy good 2d / retro themed games, but I realize that I'm in the minority.