Is it possible to get high-quality graphics in 2D?

Question

I am considering using 2D and 3D for a game leaning against 2D, but most of the 2D games that I see look like they are drawn, and the graphics really don't look good. Is it possible to create smooth graphics in 2D?

I was thinking about animation, for example:

• Rays coming out of the hands / eyes of a player attacking an adversary.
• Fire exiting the dragon's mouth.
• Light coming from a player or ball that glows
• Fireballs created during fights

Are these things possible in 2D without such an "amateur" / "drawn" / DOS kind of playing them?

Answer 1

All of my Physle games are 2D, and although the spot may not be my exact goal, they all have particle effects and high resolution textures. An illustrator of vector art, which usually does the trick.

Answer 2

Take a look at World Of Goo for an example of how good 2D games are. http://2dboy.com/games.php

Yes, you can make very nice, smooth 2D graphics.

Answer 3

you mix "quality" with "realism."

if you draw in 2D, you are as limited as Raphael, Cezanne, Monet, etc. They really have good 2D stuff.

if you go in 3D, you get perspectives and shadows for free, so you don’t have to do them manually. but the "quality" of the result can be just as amateur if you do not care.

Answer 4

For StarCraft, they built 3D models of everything, and then turned them into sprites so that they can use high-quality 3D artwork at the speed of 2D rendering.

Answer 5

It is possible. If you have an XBox 360, take a look at Geometry Wars Evolved 2. And many iPhone games also have vibrant 2D graphics.

Answer 6

One of the main reasons that 2D graphics don't look as good as regular low-budget games. And there is a reason why most low-budget games do something in 2D: it's much easier to make a decent game in 2D than 3D.

Performing graphics in 3D requires that you really create a three-dimensional model of your character, which is much more laborious and requires the search for rarer / more specific skills than if you just captured your random friend with some artistic abilities to make your art for you ( possibly for free). Not to mention how long it takes to program a 3D engine.

As others have said, there is no reason 2D cannot look as good as 3D. Go with 2D and do your project, rather than try the 3D graphics of SuperawesomeWTFBBQ and you will never be able to actually complete the project with time requirements.

Answer 7

I don’t understand why not. All my DVDs access the 2D screen and they don’t look manually :-)

Answer 8

Many of the old games that I love run in 2D and they look slippery. For example, Megaman X, Command and Conquer Tiberium Sun, Street Fighter. You can always do what you mentioned in 2D, but you may need more work for a particular effect than in 3D and vice versa. This is just a matter of compromise. Choose the right tool for the right job :)

Answer 9

Street Fighter II?

Seriously, the graphics in the application are as good as drawn.

Answer 10

Hand-drawn is not bad at all, just look at Braid , which looks amazing when it actually plays (screenshots just don't justify it)