2D Graphics are STILL Awesome! We Need To Use Them More!

In todays age of impressive 3D visuals we always want a game that looks the best in 3D. Last generations games look less impressiveby todays standards and this trend will continue. However this is because the games themselves are in 3D. In the 8-Bit & 16 bit generation games were mostly 2D using hand drawn sprites. This type of animation created a very special feeling and gave everything a little more flair.

This graphics of those two era's have aged perfectly. Because it is a very simple yet effectiveSty1e of graphics that favors a special look over realism these 2D sprite visuals reached their zenith and became the best they could be. Hand Drawn graphics look great and create a special feel that 3D games don't have. Just to be fair 3D graphics also have their own unique experiance that 2D doesn't deliver. What is sad is how it seems we have forgotten about 2D graphics entirely.3D graphics don't age too well when a new generation of games come out. 2D graphics always look good or at least age better.

While not 3D they have a special charm that holds up just as well today. When it comes to side scrolling platformers, top down RPG's, and Side Scrolling Shoot Em Ups 2D using hand drawn graphics look the best.So why must devolpers use 3D so often? It doesn't look right to use 3D in these types of games! It looks better if they use sprites! When they remake a Cla$$ic 16 bit game with 3D graphics it looks TERRIBLE! REMAKE THEM IN HD 2D like STREET FIGHTER HD!

Some games like Resident Evil or Metal Gear Solid could NEVER be made in 2D. However certain games like Castlevania or the orginal side scrolling Super Mario Brothers look better in 2D. The remakes of the SNES Final Fantasies and the new 3D versions of side scrolling games like Castlevania do not have the same charm. When your only moving in two directions there is no need for 3D graphics. Only when your moving in 3D should a game have 3D graphics. Anything else just looks terrible. Imagine how Super Metroid would have looked with 3D graphics. Terrible! 3D isn't always better.

Examples of why I am right include but are not limited to:

Super Mario All Stars:

Super Metroid:

Legend Of Zelda A Link To The Past:

Guilty Gear:

Street Fighter:

Metal Slug:

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island:

Muramasa The Demon Blade:

Final Fantasy 6:

Wario Ware Shake It!:

I Think I've Made My Point.

They should be used more. Muramasa looks Beautiful. More impressive than any 3D graphics to me.

I'm too shallow to like 2D graphics.

I would like to see more games that used the hi-res sprites seen in games like KoF12, BlazBlue,Odin Sphere and Demon Blade on the PS3 and 360 IMO.

I agree that 2D graphics look as sexy as me (Wtf rofl). But the games that they are used in don't appeal to me. Except metal slug. That game pwns. Pwns hard. Dude, it just pwns.

I prefer the fact that 2D graphics are more stylized; 3D is so often ugly that it's not even worth it sometimes. KoF XII is promising to be the most beautiful game ever, at least in the arcades.

I prefer the fact that 2D graphics are more stylized; 3D is so often ugly that it's not even worth it sometimes. KoF XII is promising to be the most beautiful game ever, at least in the arcades.

Lxthr

[QUOTE="Lxthr"]

I prefer the fact that 2D graphics are more stylized; 3D is so often ugly that it's not even worth it sometimes. KoF XII is promising to be the most beautiful game ever, at least in the arcades.

ASK_Story

I think 2D graphics are awesome, id love to see a new metroid on the DS in 2D

I think 2D graphics are awesome, id love to see a new metroid on the DS in 2D

flippin_flames

I'd like to see a new 2D Metroid, though, as long as it's of better quality than Fusion.

[QUOTE="flippin_flames"]

I think 2D graphics are awesome, id love to see a new metroid on the DS in 2D

Lxthr

I'd like to see a new 2D Metroid, though, as long as it's of better quality than Fusion.

Idk, it could take advantage of both screens. but now that i think about it a wii version would look amazing

Idk, it could take advantage of both screens. but now that i think about it a wii version would look amazing

flippin_flames

[QUOTE="flippin_flames"]

Idk, it could take advantage of both screens. but now that i think about it a wii version would look amazing

Lxthr

seems like you dont like the DS that much

seems like you dont like the DS that much

flippin_flames

I agree 100% There is so much that can be done with 2D graphics because they no longer need to be pixelated and "old school" looking. I would much rather play a beautiful HD 2D game than some of the crap that is out.

Street Fighter vs Xmen. Best 2-D game EVAR!!!

In todays age of impressive 3D visuals we always want a game that looks the best in 3D. Last generations games look less impressiveby todays standards and this trend will continue. However this is because the games themselves are in 3D. In the 8-Bit & 16 bit generation games were mostly 2D using hand drawn sprites. This type of animation created a very special feeling and gave everything a little more flair.

This graphics of those two era's have aged perfectly. Because it is a very simple yet effectiveSty1e of graphics that favors a special look over realism these 2D sprite visuals reached their zenith and became the best they could be. Hand Drawn graphics look great and create a special feel that 3D games don't have. Just to be fair 3D graphics also have their own unique experiance that 2D doesn't deliver. What is sad is how it seems we have forgotten about 2D graphics entirely.3D graphics don't age too well when a new generation of games come out. 2D graphics always look good or at least age better.

While not 3D they have a special charm that holds up just as well today. When it comes to side scrolling platformers, top down RPG's, and Side Scrolling Shoot Em Ups 2D using hand drawn graphics look the best.So why must devolpers use 3D so often? It doesn't look right to use 3D in these types of games! It looks better if they use sprites! When they remake a Cla$$ic 16 bit game with 3D graphics it looks TERRIBLE! REMAKE THEM IN HD 2D like STREET FIGHTER HD!

Some games like Resident Evil or Metal Gear Solid could NEVER be made in 2D. However certain games like Castlevania or the orginal side scrolling Super Mario Brothers look better in 2D. The remakes of the SNES Final Fantasies and the new 3D versions of side scrolling games like Castlevania do not have the same charm. When your only moving in two directions there is no need for 3D graphics. Only when your moving in 3D should a game have 3D graphics. Anything else just looks terrible. Imagine how Super Metroid would have looked with 3D graphics. Terrible! 3D isn't always better.

Examples of why I am right include but are not limited to:

Super Mario All Stars:

I Think I've Made My Point.

IndigoSunrise

I don't get this 2D kick some people are on. I've enjoyed countless 2D games during my 31 years of gaming and still enjoy them to this day (I'm a big Loco Roco fan) but from an artistic perspective, polygons are better. Artists sculpting their visions in 3D is a lot better than them merely drawing a flat picture.

Contrary to what you have claimed, I enjoy older polygonal games such as Colony Wars, Fear Effect (which like Alone in the dark, put polygonal characters on prerendered backgrounds) and Vagrant Story to this day and I'm willing to bet a lot of people do (the ebay prices of some older games are insane). Admittedly, most of them look a little bit better on my PS3 than they did on the PS2 (upscaling and smoothing work on some games better than others) but the difference isn't radical.

Anyway, as the following sceenshots illustrate, nowadays all creative visions can be faithfully brought to life via polygons. Bear in mind, if a team has a limited budget or the system they are working on doesn't have much in the way of processing power, a pretty 2D game is better than an ugly 3D one, but all things being equal...

Dude, you understand you didn't post any early 2D games, right? Like I don't think I will ever look at Gears of War and say, "Wow, this game looks terrible!" But I sure do that when I play my Atari. Post some screenshots from Adventure or even the mounds of NES garbage and tell me that 2D is great!

Of course, I still love me my 2D games, but I don't look at Street Fighter 4 and wish it looked more like HD Remix (which looks awesome by the way).

What is sad is how it seems we have forgotten about 2D graphics entirely.3D graphics don't age too well when a new generation of games come out. 2D graphics always look good or at least age better. IndigoSunrise

That's not entirely true. Games like Okami, REMake, Ninja Gaiden, Splinter Cell, and Tekken still hold up to this day. Whereas there have been 2D based games that have aged horribly - Starcraft, Gradius, Contra, Super Metroid, to name a few. It can alsowork the other way around.

Dude, you understand you didn't post any early 2D games, right? Like I don't think I will ever look at Gears of War and say, "Wow, this game looks terrible!" But I sure do that when I play my Atari. Post some screenshots from Adventure or even the mounds of NES garbage and tell me that 2D is great!

Of course, I still love me my 2D games, but I don't look at Street Fighter 4 and wish it looked more like HD Remix (which looks awesome by the way).

AtomicTangerine

When I played MGS for the first time, I thought it was the best looking game I've ever played.

I played it again this year and I gave myself a big slap across the face for thinking that. 10-20 years from now when every game looks photorealistic and not gamey (like Gears, Uncharted, MGS4 etc.), I'm sure we'll look back at Gears and slap ourselves across the face. :P

CarnageHeart

This post rocks!

^I know right? Anyone who thinks that a last gen or previous era game looks better than any of those current titles is WRONG. :P

3D art dates fast. Even the best looking realistic 3D of this gen is going to look like junk in ten years. The best looking 2D still looks amazing decades later.

3D art dates fast. Even the best looking realistic 3D of this gen is going to look like junk in ten years. The best looking 2D still looks amazing decades later.

dchan01

That's only because 3-D is much more rampant and commonplace than 2-D. If it was the other way around and that 2D was the dominant style being used, 3-D would age better.

The moreyou see of something, the more its taken for granted.

To creat 2d graphic this gen that can compare with the visual fidelity of most 3d titles can be very expensive for devlopers. Although I do agree it can look buetiful, i cant see it happeninhg more than it already does, which is really enough. Even games like Kof 12 trace their 2d sprites from 3d models, as to create entirly hand drawn matierial would be very difficult in HD. Its ver unlikely that genres like platformers or RTS's using 2d graphics will be seen much from this point on, as far as Im concerd 2d sprites should be kept to 2d fighters that want the make a stylystic statment.

[QUOTE="dchan01"]

3D art dates fast. Even the best looking realistic 3D of this gen is going to look like junk in ten years. The best looking 2D still looks amazing decades later.

BladesOfAthena

That's only because 3-D is much more rampant and commonplace than 2-D. If it was the other way around and that 2D was the dominant style being used, 3-D would age better.

The moreyou see of something, the more its taken for granted.

[QUOTE="BladesOfAthena"]

[QUOTE="dchan01"]

3D art dates fast. Even the best looking realistic 3D of this gen is going to look like junk in ten years. The best looking 2D still looks amazing decades later.

Lxthr

That's only because 3-D is much more rampant and commonplace than 2-D. If it was the other way around and that 2D was the dominant style being used, 3-D would age better.

The moreyou see of something, the more its taken for granted.

Really? 2D is more stylistic? How so? There are just as many variations of 3D as there in 2D, if not more.

And your assertion that a game will age faster the more it tries to simulate real life is completely absurd. Games like Splinter Cell, Silent Hill 3, REMake, and MGS3 are still widely considered to be gorgeous even to this day.

Lastly, not all 3-D games try to simulate real life (see Kingdom Hearts, Katamari Damacy, Zelda: Wind Waker, Ratchet and Clank).

[QUOTE="BladesOfAthena"]

[QUOTE="dchan01"]

3D art dates fast. Even the best looking realistic 3D of this gen is going to look like junk in ten years. The best looking 2D still looks amazing decades later.

Lxthr

That's only because 3-D is much more rampant and commonplace than 2-D. If it was the other way around and that 2D was the dominant style being used, 3-D would age better.

The moreyou see of something, the more its taken for granted.

Blades, I don't think its a matter of 3D being taken for granted, its a matter of developers constantly improvingthe art.By way of contrast,2D games were last the focus of the console development community four generations ago.

Lxthr, your claim that flat paintings hold up better over time than 3D sculptures is patently ridiculous.

[QUOTE="Lxthr"]

[QUOTE="BladesOfAthena"]

That's only because 3-D is much more rampant and commonplace than 2-D. If it was the other way around and that 2D was the dominant style being used, 3-D would age better.

The moreyou see of something, the more its taken for granted.

CarnageHeart

Blades, I don't think its a matter of 3D being taken for granted, its a matter of developers constantly improvingthe art.By way of contrast,2D games were last the focus of the console development community four generations ago.

Lxthr, your claim that flat paintings hold up better over time than 3D sculptures is patently ridiculous.

Lxthr's point has some grounds. I do agree that 2D games do age better than some 3D games. 20 years from now, I'll still be impressed with Odin Sphere or Street Fighter III Third Strike. I can't say that too much with some past 3D games. For example, I'm playing RE4 and FFXII again and they look terrible compared to today's standards. They really didn't age too well. But a 2D SRPG like Shining Tears and Disgaea still look great because of the hand drawn graphics.

But Carnage, your stance on 3D is also true. I whole-heartedly agree. Because games are getting so realistic now I feel that there can only be a slight improvement from here on out. Graphics will be so advanced that it can reach a certain peak and stagnate a bit. How much more real can you get than Crysis or Modern Warfare? Will there really be a difference between Killzone 2 or Killzone 3 on the PS4? I'm sure it will improve, but the point is, even 10-20 years from now, current gen games will still look impressive. But I still wonder if we will look back years from now and look at Gears of War 2 and say, "That looks terrible!" Right now, I can't imagine that.

Also, because of technology developers are finding ways to make 3D polygons just as good as 2D sprites. Tales of Vesperia looks almost like a playable anime and Street Fighter IV's art style is some of the best stylistic 3D renderings a game ever produced. We have facial expressions, muscle compression, veins popping out, etc. seen in SFIV that we never seen done so expressively before. But unlike 2D, you can switch the camera angle around like the Ultra moves and finishing actions of the characters to give a more dynamic experience. You can't do that with 2D. That's what technology brings.

Anyway, maybe I've said more than I should but I agree with both points.

Good 2D games are timeless but I think 3D games have reached this area of timelessness. It can only get better. And just imagine if a developer uses today's technology to make a next-gen 2D game! We're already seeing it with King of Fighters XII and BlazBlue. It's pretty awesome when you think about it.

Early 3-D was pretty horrible ie. PS1 and N64 so naturally that didn't age well at all but 3-D in this day and age is infinitely better so I imagine that it will age just fine. I love 2-D design very much and certainly wouldn't mind seeing it some more on the consoles we have now. The King of Fighters XII looks absolutely gorgeous.

[QUOTE="CarnageHeart"]

[QUOTE="Lxthr"]No. 2D ages better because it is inherently more stylistic. The closer you attempt to simulate real life (in the case of 3D games, the dimensions), the worse a game will age.

ASK_Story

Blades, I don't think its a matter of 3D being taken for granted, its a matter of developers constantly improvingthe art.By way of contrast,2D games were last the focus of the console development community four generations ago.

Lxthr, your claim that flat paintings hold up better over time than 3D sculptures is patently ridiculous.

Lxthr's point has some grounds. I do agree that 2D games do age better than some 3D games. 20 years from now, I'll still be impressed with Odin Sphere or Street Fighter III Third Strike. I can't say that too much with some past 3D games. For example, I'm playing RE4 and FFXII again and they look terrible compared to today's standards. They really didn't age too well. But a 2D SRPG like Shining Tears and Disgaea still look great because of the hand drawn graphics.

But Carnage, your stance on 3D is also true. I whole-heartedly agree. Because games are getting so realistic now I feel that there can only be a slight improvement from here on out. Graphics will be so advanced that it can reach a certain peak and stagnate a bit. How much more real can you get than Crysis or Modern Warfare? Will there really be a difference between Killzone 2 or Killzone 3 on the PS4? I'm sure it will improve, but the point is, even 10-20 years from now, current gen games will still look impressive. But I still wonder if we will look back years from now and look at Gears of War 2 and say, "That looks terrible!" Right now, I can't imagine that.

Also, because of technology developers are finding ways to make 3D polygons just as good as 2D sprites. Tales of Vesperia looks almost like a playable anime and Street Fighter IV's art style is some of the best stylistic 3D renderings a game ever produced. We have facial expressions, muscle compression, veins popping out, etc. seen in SFIV that we never seen done so expressively before. But unlike 2D, you can switch the camera angle around like the Ultra moves and finishing actions of the characters to give a more dynamic experience. You can't do that with 2D. That's what technology brings.

Anyway, maybe I've said more than I should but I agree with both points.

Good 2D games are timeless but I think 3D games have reached this area of timelessness. It can only get better. And just imagine if a developer uses today's technology to make a next-gen 2D game! We're already seeing it with King of Fighters XII and BlazBlue. It's pretty awesome when you think about it.

I wish they would make more 2D game i love them to death.

I am saving a copy of this post to use ten years from now. Trust me, as a 3D animator, realistic 3D has a LONG way to go before it will age well. (especially in the lighting department)dchan01

I'd say that's a good thing cuz that means 3D is constantly improving and being refreshed while 2D lies dormant in stagnation. :p