2D or 3D?
2D or 3D?
Got the idea to ask after playing RayForce and RayStorm.
I've seen a lot of 3d shmups coming out here lately, both indie and commercial. I personally think it's kinda cool to see the 3d computer generated graphics in a shmup, but shmups to me have always been the giant middle finger to the gaming business claiming "Losers, what the hell does realistic graphics have to do with a game being good?" (Notice that FPS are unusually popular these days...) Shmups also hold that old, awesome retro feel that nothing else can seem to imitate. Personally, I think 2d is better for a shmup, it makes it easier to play for some reason. 3d can look good, but to much 3d and the game becomes a pretty picture, hanging on your wall to do nothing but spark up meaningless conversation.
Before someone tries to drop a bomb, I will admit that the 3d did work EXTREMELY well for Ikaruga. I still feel that Ikaruga is the most beautiful game I've ever played. *sheds a tear of happiness*
I've seen a lot of 3d shmups coming out here lately, both indie and commercial. I personally think it's kinda cool to see the 3d computer generated graphics in a shmup, but shmups to me have always been the giant middle finger to the gaming business claiming "Losers, what the hell does realistic graphics have to do with a game being good?" (Notice that FPS are unusually popular these days...) Shmups also hold that old, awesome retro feel that nothing else can seem to imitate. Personally, I think 2d is better for a shmup, it makes it easier to play for some reason. 3d can look good, but to much 3d and the game becomes a pretty picture, hanging on your wall to do nothing but spark up meaningless conversation.
Before someone tries to drop a bomb, I will admit that the 3d did work EXTREMELY well for Ikaruga. I still feel that Ikaruga is the most beautiful game I've ever played. *sheds a tear of happiness*
When the bullets shoot bullets, you know you have a problem.


Re: 2D or 3D?
2D FTW! 

Re: 2D or 3D?
Meh. You know what I mean...DEL wrote:As for what you call 3D, someone once put things into perspective; "A real 3D game is a Holographic game. The rest is Pseudo 3D. ie. The illusion of 3Dimensions on a 2D screen."
Think about it....with a FPS for example, you're playing on a flat 2D monitor or television. The 3D is an illusion of depth.
So 2D works well on 2D screens. No problems with depth perception.
When the bullets shoot bullets, you know you have a problem.


Re: 2D or 3D?
2D or die!
Unfortunately no one besides Cave and us is making them anymore
Unfortunately no one besides Cave and us is making them anymore

Ikaruga is as much 2D as Doom is. In both games you only move on a 2D plane, but the presentation is 3D.DEL wrote:And there's me thinking that Ikaruga was a 2D gamewill admit that the 3d did work EXTREMELY well for Ikaruga![]()
The future is 2D
Re: 2D or 3D?
Hey developers, is 3D easier or cheaper to make? Or did everyone move to 3D because they had to maintain that look, that style, to survive in a modern marketplace?
I think shmups work especially well in 2D because you don't have to animate a lot of sprites (usually..) Just lots of bullet trajectories.
I think shmups work especially well in 2D because you don't have to animate a lot of sprites (usually..) Just lots of bullet trajectories.
Re: 2D or 3D?
The Ray- games have a lock on system that lets you fire missiles into the background like Souky, right? If so, then there's actually 3D gameplay (sort of) in those games, as opposed to something like Ikaruga, which has polygonal graphics, but 2D gameplay. So your question is a bit confusing, but either way, I prefer 2D. The most impressive graphics I've seen in a shmup are in DDP, with games like Batrider, Progear, and even the indie shmup Hydorah looking awesome as well. Polygonal graphics look cool in some shmups, but can't hold a candle to sprites.
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apple arcade
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Re: 2D or 3D?
I voted 2D.
Didn't even read the OP post.
Didn't even read the OP post.
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The Finer Points of Insanity Blogspot
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The Finer Points of Insanity Blogspot
...I want to make some babies
Re: 2D or 3D?
2D all the way
Gotta love that parallax scrolling.
Gotta love that parallax scrolling.
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E. Randy Dupre
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Re: 2D or 3D?
Can't help feeling that this is a bit like going onto a nudist beach and asking people if they prefer nudism or swimsuits.
Re: 2D or 3D?
2D or Death.
Re: 2D or 3D?
Every game enthusiast who isn't being needlessly pedantic refers to games that use "3D" graphics engines to produce the illusion of depth as 3D games. Ikaruga is a 3D game, because it uses 3D graphics. Of course, the gameplay is in the style of 2D vertical-scrolling shooters.DEL wrote:And there's me thinking that Ikaruga was a 2D gamewill admit that the 3d did work EXTREMELY well for Ikaruga![]()
As for what you call 3D, someone once put things into perspective; "A real 3D game is a Holographic game. The rest is Pseudo 3D. ie. The illusion of 3Dimensions on a 2D screen."
Think about it....with a FPS for example, you're playing on a flat 2D monitor or television. The 3D is an illusion of depth.
"As for what he calls 3D" is what everyone else but you calls 3D.
Re: 2D or 3D?
3D ain't 3D unless you got the glasses (or a 3DS).Kingbuzzo wrote:I chose 3D because 3D very and the best
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Re: 2D or 3D?
The question may be more clear if ask "polygon or sprite?" 

Re: 2D or 3D?
3D graphics and 2D gameplay is referred to by pedants and non-pedants alike as 2.5D.captpain wrote:Every game enthusiast who isn't being needlessly pedantic refers to games that use "3D" graphics engines to produce the illusion of depth as 3D games. Ikaruga is a 3D game, because it uses 3D graphics. Of course, the gameplay is in the style of 2D vertical-scrolling shooters.
"As for what he calls 3D" is what everyone else but you calls 3D.
Words cannot describe just how much more efficient 3D is to work with, especially when it comes to itteration and animation. There is no contest.ZacharyB wrote:Hey developers, is 3D easier or cheaper to make?
Re: 2D or 3D?
I was torn between DOOM and Quake, but I ended up going with 3D because of Levelord.
When did y'all start calling "3D graphics, 2D gameplay" "2.5D?" There were some games from back in the day (Pandemonium etc) that qualify, but I don't know of them being called that at the time.
Of course DOOM has been called 2.5D (in light of Quake etc. being "True Lo-Rez 3D!!!") and that use has been around most of this decade. Reclaiming the honor of egoshooters, yeah!
this, but it also seems fair to me to describe a big downside to 3D: collision (especially in twitch shmups games)Taylor wrote:Words cannot describe just how much more efficient 3D is to work with, especially when it comes to itteration and animation. There is no contest.
When did y'all start calling "3D graphics, 2D gameplay" "2.5D?" There were some games from back in the day (Pandemonium etc) that qualify, but I don't know of them being called that at the time.
Of course DOOM has been called 2.5D (in light of Quake etc. being "True Lo-Rez 3D!!!") and that use has been around most of this decade. Reclaiming the honor of egoshooters, yeah!
Re: 2D or 3D?
I voted 3D.
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evil_ash_xero
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Re: 2D or 3D?
I went with 2D. There's some very beautiful 3D shmups(not many though), but 2D has more detail and is easier to pull off with a small budget. So, there are way more good looking 2D games.
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Re: 2D or 3D?
Yeah. Even in games like DOOM, which are intuitively '3D'.Taylor wrote: 3D graphics and 2D gameplay is referred to by pedants and non-pedants alike as 2.5D.
Re: 2D or 3D?
good execution... 
All things being equal - a 3d route often requires a greater comprehensive solution whilst offering greater flexibility. A 2d route often offers greater control, whilst taking away flexibility.
Whilst things are never equal in the 'real' world, many creators often find limitations can help focus their intent and efforts.
The existence of the 2.5d term, is a very interesting linguistic tool to describe an co-creation of 2d and 3d aesthetic abstraction combined with an understanding of play as a set, or sets, of common rules.

All things being equal - a 3d route often requires a greater comprehensive solution whilst offering greater flexibility. A 2d route often offers greater control, whilst taking away flexibility.
Whilst things are never equal in the 'real' world, many creators often find limitations can help focus their intent and efforts.
The existence of the 2.5d term, is a very interesting linguistic tool to describe an co-creation of 2d and 3d aesthetic abstraction combined with an understanding of play as a set, or sets, of common rules.
Re: 2D or 3D?
Do I like 2D or 3D? 2D.
Google Translate tells me that Unlimited Mode "is for people who like festivals."
Re: 2D or 3D?
I'm not an artsy type of guy but I far prefer the 2D artwork to 3d polygons etc. 3D stuff can look awesome but nothing beats the 2D charm 

Re: 2D or 3D?
Where is the option for any?
When it comes to shmups it doesn't matter. As long as the game is done well and plays good then I'm cool.
However though for 2D style fighters I preffer full 2D none of that 2.5D crap.
When it comes to shmups it doesn't matter. As long as the game is done well and plays good then I'm cool.
However though for 2D style fighters I preffer full 2D none of that 2.5D crap.
Re: 2D or 3D?
I cannot believe there are actually people who voted for 3D and 2.5D
Re: 2D or 3D?
Considering I actually draw pixel art and work with 2D graphics I'm going to say 2D. BUT, I do like the prerendered stuff in Cave games when done right. So I vote 2D.