Isometric Games

[MOSQUITO FIGHTER]

it seems like everytime I play an isometric game it's impossible to tell what the hell is going to hit me. I can't remember enjoying any isometric games ever. Anyone else have the same disdain for isometric games? Or am I way off point here?

[ACSeraph]

Agreed I can't even stand the isometric view in the original Persona. It just feels so unnatural to move. And something that actually requires precision like Viewpoint? Forget it.

[BryanM]

Isometric games are divine. Good old Landstalker. Final Fantasy Tactics. Diablo and Diablo 2. Good times.

Always had a great fondness for Paper Boy's aesthetic. Never understood why no Grand Theft Auto clones were ever made in the format.

[ACSeraph]

^Diablo 2 gets a pass from me because the point and click movement translates well to the isometric view.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance works a treat, especially co-op. So does The Red Star (but it feels more like a sidescroller). Then there's Silent Bomber, 3D Ys games and so forth. Devil Dice/Bombastic... Can't resist listing. Kororinpa.

[guigui]

Diablo, Fallout.

Isometric = mouse control or nothing.

[Jonst]

Not so much these days but back in the 80's they were fantastic! I have a special place in my heart for the last ninja 1 & 2 on c64,I played them to death back then.

[KennyMan666]

When they control well I have no problems with them, Dark Savior is great.

Then there's shit like Royal Edoma Engine were the view is isometric but the controls are not so it becomes impossible to dodge anything.

[Marc]

Head Over Heels, still looks and plays beautifully.

[BryanM]

^Diablo 2 gets a pass from me because the point and click movement translates well to the isometric view.

That game can work with a controller, too! It's called Auto Aim.

Which makes spells like Meteor less fun, but still.

[Ruldra]

Never had a problem with them. Viewpoint sucks but it's not because of the, uh, viewpoint.

I can mention a bunch of great isometric games. Rock & Roll Racing for starters.

[trap15]

Yeah, I don't have much a problem with the isometric angle. Viewpoint just sucks though (aside from the rockin' tunes)

[neorocker]

I really like Isolated Warrior on NES (aka Max Warrior) and Zen Intergalactic Ninja

[Herr Schatten]

Never had a problem with them. Viewpoint sucks but it's not because of the, uh, viewpoint.

Exactly.

I really liked Cadaver back in the day. The Bitmap Brothers' games were hit and miss, but Cadaver was one of the good ones. I also have fond memories of playing the Amiga version of The Immortal., but I have a sneaking suspicion that it's really not as good as I remember it.

[Skykid]

I seem to remember being hella confused controlling Equinox, but its atmosphere and music had me hooked for quite some time.

[Ruldra]

Oh yeah, there is one game where the isometric view completely ruins it for me: Zaxxon. Too often I think I'm at the correct altitude and try to go through the wall only to crash in it.

I also have fond memories of playing the Amiga version of The Immortal., but I have a sneaking suspicion that it's really not as good as I remember it.

Played the Genesis version not too long ago and it's still awesome.

[boagman]

Cannot believe the uninformed hate on Viewpoint, my favorite game, ever. To those who claim it's impossible to navigate through, or figure out what's going to hit you: just like anything else, once you get a feel for things, it feels absolutely right.

Isometric games, when done well, are awesome.

[jepjepjep]

I like Viewpoint a lot too. I'm curious to hear what you guys don't like about it.

[Ganelon]

I think most folks don't enjoy isometric perspectives for most genres. Just imagine your favorite vert or horiz shooter looking like Viewpoint. Would you still think that the game is equally good?

I'm fine with non-platform-jumping RPGs with isometric views but still prefer overhead views.

[Austin]

Viewpoint rocks!

Fixed that for ya.

I played Snake Rattle 'n Roll on the NES last week. Fun game, but it becomes challenging to make your jumps properly. Same can be said for other isometric titles that incorporate platforming, like Solstice, Equinox, Landstalker, etc.

[boagman]

Not only is Viewpoint fantastic, but seriously: Marble Madness (the original arcade game by Atari, thank you) is marvelous. Isometric games *can* suffer from the same flaws just as any other genre does...but when done *right*, they're a marvelous thing. While Marble Madness might not be an exact match for the OP's topic, I think it's close enough, and makes the point well enough.

[Obiwanshinobi]

While Marble Madness might not be an exact match for the OP's topic, I think it's close enough, and makes the point well enough.

You should play Kororinpa.
Another absolutely amazing action game with - at least sometimes - isometric view is Mashed: Fully Loaded. Also, everybody needs to play Gauntlet Dark Legacy with the Robotron-style controls (make no mistake, it's still Gauntlet with all benefit of the inventory, but what a multiplayer game).

[Lloyd Mangram]

Isometric naysayers, behold the isometric glory of Monument Valley:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC1jHHF_Wjo

[BrianC]

Some isometric games I like:
Zaxxon
Q*Bert
Final Fantasy Tactics
Sonic 3D Blast
Marble Madness
Desert Falcon

I also like what I have played of Boktai and Solstice.

[Ed Oscuro]

It's pretty obvious why Zaxxon and Viewpoint cause problems - it's because it's harder to judge movement that way. Zaxxon seems like a fun time because at least its gimmick revolves around that aspect of figuring out the movement.

Something like Persona probably feels unnatural to move...because it is; you're no longer mapping to the cardinal directions on the D-pad.

I never had a problem with your isometric action game like on the MSX or the PC (Crusader: No Remorse), though. Plenty of hardware for nice tricks to make things visible (i.e. transparent walls) and mouse control to point where you want to go.

Isometric naysayers, behold the isometric glory of Monument Valley:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC1jHHF_Wjo

Oh look, another game that can't afford colors or angles! Not feeling particularly moved here.

[Lloyd Mangram]

Oh look, another game that can't afford colors or angles! Not feeling particularly moved here.

Even after donning my special Ed Oscuro glasses, I'm having trouble seeing no colors or angles in that vid.

[Ed Oscuro]

Get your eyes checked, man. The character is a cartoon sketch - okay, cute enough stuff for a one-man show, but not really the kind of thing that is going to make me go "wow! They heyday of isometric games surely wasn't Diablo 2 and Crusader: No Remorse." Naaah. If those games don't convert you, Low-Detail Duncecap Kid isn't going to do it.

I totally dig those glasses though! And yes, on the internet, I can truly be free without being called out for bringing bones into the house.

[Lloyd Mangram]

Get your eyes checked, man.

OK, I shall consult an optometrist and explain that I can see colors and angles in that vid and Ed says I shouldn't because the character is a cartoon sketch and he likes Diablo 2 and Crusader: No Remorse better.

Maybe they'll prescribe me some new special Ed glasses.

[stryc9]

Yep, there are some classic isometric games out there, and they're every bit as good as those traditional ones. There's just not a whole lot of them.

Seconding Desert Falcon (2600 version), Marble Madness (arcade and MD), Landstalker, and Viewpoint for sure. And Crystal Castles, both arcade and 2600.

[Marc]

Never had a problem with them. Viewpoint sucks but it's not because of the, uh, viewpoint.

I can mention a bunch of great isometric games. Rock & Roll Racing for starters.

Goddamn yes, one of the finest head to head games of all time.