There are many 2D games that have fans all around the world. These projects are popular due to numerous reasons, including system requirements and exciting plot or gameplay. This article will review the most popular two-dimensional games and tell you more about the gameplay, genre, and what made the game so well-known.
What Are 2D Graphics
Two-dimensional image is the one that was created with the help of x-axis and y-axis. You cannot rotate objects around and see them from different angles. Nevertheless, artists manage to create highly detailed characters with some unique features that players will pay attention to. Despite the image being “flat”, there are multiple genres and styles that will make graphics look differently. For instance, pixel art and top view can look differently, but at the same time both of those styles provide a two-dimensional image.
What Are the Pros of 2D Games?
There are a few reasons why 2D applications are popular and often more accessible than 3D projects:
- System requirements. Such apps do not require a strong PC or mobile device. You can run them even if you do not have a lot of free disk space or RAM.
- Quality image. 2D game art usually have nicely drawn assets and sprites. Often the graphics are colorful and bright. Characters are often highlighted or outlined. You can notice sprites you can interact with by the differences in color scheme.
- Diversity of game genres. Two-dimensional image allows artists to be creative and apply it to different genres. For instance, you can find adventures, platformers, fighting, and even 2D horror. Surely, the style of the product will look different, there will be different assets, since any art modeling studio creates objects from scratch. But the diversity of techniques, styles, and genres allow us to create unique and beautiful scenes.
Cuphead
This is the very first game we will discuss. It is fairly new, and was made in 2017 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, macOS, Windows, and Mac OS platforms. The plot of the game is straightforward. Cuphead and his brother Mugman made a deal with the devil and lost their souls. However, the devil says he will spare you if the player catches souls of all the other debtors. The length of the game is approximately 10 hours. However, if you want to complete it for 100%, it will take you approximately 30 hours to beat it.
Gameplay Features
Cuphead is a platformer run-and-gun game, where you will have to fight through the hordes of different creatures and beasts. The graphics style is cartoonish and is similar to the old movies that people could see during the so-called golden era of American animation.
In addition to that, Cuphead is not that easy to finish. You will have to play the same level for many times before you learn how to dodge attacks of your enemies and find out the best ways and moves to beat the creatures.
Terraria
Terraria is a famous 2D survival project that was created in 2011. You can download it for Windows Phone, Android, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, iOS, Wii U, PlayStation 4, macOS, Linux, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5. Back in the days it was one of the main competitors of Minecraft.
The app has no plot. It is a sandbox that allows you to explore the world, build houses, find creatures, and interact with other NPCs. You can also play the game with your friends via multiplayer.
Gameplay Features
Terraria is a platformer, where you will have to move your player left or right. The world is not that large, but it often offers multiple caves that go down deeply. Each cave has different loot that you can equip as well as the hostile creatures that can hurt you.
Each time you create a new world, its generation is random. However, the NPCs are often the same, and if you build your house, they may come there and leave with you. During the nighttime, the number of monsters rises. You can see them trying to get into your house from all the possible directions and kill you. Your mission is to hide and stay alive. Or you might as well kill the enemies.
Stardew Valley
It is a farmer simulator project released in 2016 for Windows, PS4, Xbox One, Android, iOS, and other platforms. The game does not offer a detailed plot. Here players need to take care of their farm and develop relationships with other NPCs. You can play Stardew Valley with three more friends.
Gameplay Features
Stardew Valley begins with cleaning up the farm. There is a built-in calendar that requires you to plant seeds that are harvestable at the particular time. Besides harvesting, players can go fishing and mining.
There is also a relationship aspect available. So you can talk to NPCs, interact with them, make mariage, and have children. The gameplay and music of Stardew Valley is calm and relaxing, making it a great option to kill some time and have fun.