Your thoughts...

[Dopples]

I wanna know what this community thinks is better in a game, 2-D or 3-D? And I don't mean just Tales games, I mean in general, any game. I'm an amatur game maker, and I'm starting to learn Ruby-RGSS coding so I can use RPG Maker XP to it's fullest.


Anyways, I wanna know of what you think of the two types?

[Cyllya]

Errr.... depends on the game? Whether or not you need the third dimension depends on what gameplay features you have. Unless you're really going to make use of that third dimension, it rarely matters. (But if you are going to use 3D, try to make most town/dungeon views more from above than the side, or you have stupid issues with depth perception.)

Just graphically, it's dependant on the needs of the game. 3D lets you use cinematic camera angles, but you could use FMVs if you want cinematics in your 2D game. If you're going to have a lot of different characters (or same character wearing different clothes, etc) doing the same motions, 3D is advantageous since you can apply the same animation to several character models, saving you a LOT of graphics work. You probably also want 3D models if you have a lot of asymetrical character designs. But I think 3D takes more programming work? Just make sure the characters are at the right angle compared to the backdrop if you're doing 2D. (And don't use 2D sprites in a 3D game unless you're using BIG sprites, or it looks really stupid. In fact, if you're not careful, it looks stupid regardless.)

[Dopples]

Well, I mean for a traditional top-down RPG. And I understand that, but I mean on a cosmetic view. Like, the 3D part wasn't a part of the gameplay, yet it was graphically pleasing. And I understand what you mean by 3D being easier to animate, but spriting is generally the same, as long as you use a technique called "Frakenspriting" by editting the clothes or such for the frames and saving it as a seperate file.

[Goshi]

For RPGs 3D works better for cut scenes since allows for more animation.

There is however a few exceptions to this rule though like FF7's Lego Blocks in which I would take 2D any day. Only if the 2D is done well though like in Mother 3 or Phantom Brave.