Major developers it seems, are at a crossroads. Are the ideas lacking? One can see this with so many sequels that have been or will be released. Crysis 3, Max Payne 3, Halo 4, Call of Duty 5 or is it 6? Final Fantasy XXVIIV or something, NHL, John Madden, NBA, MLB 2K this and that. Sure some may be good but many really seem to be rehashes of their earlier content. I find one thing lacking. 2-D. Remember that? While not a new idea or concept in any sense, it is refreshing that many in the field are going back to their roots.
What is 2-D? Roughly, and according to the all-mighty Wiki, 2-D (Two-Dimensional) graphics are images based on two dimensional objects. These could be text, geometric models, or even digital imagery to some extent. 2-D was originally developed for drawing and printing for things like typography, advertising, or cartography. 2-D "graphics" have been around since the early 1950's. Much of the technology behind it derived from vector based graphic devices.
Bet you didn't know what a Nonagon was. Now you do!
(source lastwordresources.co.uk)
2-D has been around for a long time in the video game industry. Some of my favorite games are in this format. Blaster Master, Gunstar Heroes, Rygar, Blackthorne, Flashback, Forgotten Worlds, M.U.S.H.A, Axelay, Contra 1, 2, & 3, Metal Slug (all 10 or so), Golden Axe 1 & 2, Thunder Force, R-Type, Nosferatu, Gradius 1,2, & 3, Streets of Rage 1,2, & 3, Ghosts N' Goblins, Castlevania 1,2, & 3 are just a few of the great and memorable 2-D games of old.
Sometimes you need to go to the foundation to find out the problem or even an idea. This is why many of the indie developers are having success with their games. You can be just as creative using a 2-D format as you can in a 3-D format. Indie developers are going back to where the fun was at. Simple and effective gameplay. There's nothing wrong with that. Don't be intimidated by all the high tech, motion capture, 3-D CGI this or that. Sometimes the best ideas are the ones with the most originality.
Super Metroid for the Super Nintendo. Landing on planet Zebes in a storm. The sound of rain and thunder, a glint of lighting as you ran towards your destination.
And what a destination it was:
Before the age of codes, aimbots, or hacks, Super Metroid could take weeks to get through.
Act Raiser by Enix, Super Nintendo
One of the first console games to incorporate a "Sim City" type mechanic with action! A great story,
superb graphics and sounds. The sequel is even better.
Gunstar Heroes by Treasure, Sega Genesis
A brilliant 2-D action game with 2-player support. Complex enemy and character
animations set this one apart from many 2-D action side-scrollers.
Gradius by Konami, multiple consoles
Who can forget the first time they faced the Easter Island heads shooting "Cheerios". The creepy music
and atmosphere of the Gradius series still withstands the test the time.
If you didn't smash your controller from this stage, you were surely a shooter god.
Metal Slug series, by SNK Playmore, Agetec, Ignition Entertainment, MEGA Enterprises, multiple consoles
There are about 10 Metal Slug games in the series. Every one of them is a masterpiece and achievement
in 2-D gaming. They really don't make them like this anymore.
~DAGGER
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