2D peaked, but when?

R

Rade K

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We are all at the point now where we know that 2D graphics have peaked. We've seen some great things accomplished with the art, including attempts to simulate 3D effects.

Here is the question(s); When, in your opinion, did the art of 2D videogame immagery reach it's apex? We all can accept that it likely happened in the 1990s. Which game best eptimoizes the art of 2D? Which company? Which system? WHat year?

The first game that comes to mind in my opinion is Street Fighter 2. I could go on and bore you as to why it's so cool, but we all know. Adding to that, we can see all the other games that were produced on the CPS1 and identify that hardware as truly important.

The newest game that comes to mind is Castlevania SOTN.

I don't feel like typing anything more: your thoughts?
 
samuraiX

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well... some of the times I was most impressed was more recently. In Guilty Gear series and Radiant Silvergun/ Ikaruga. Those are what I consider to be the best of the best. Though I know little of all the import shooters I just base this on the games I have played and the "wow" factor that I felt while playing them. I can see Rade's points with SF and Castlevania but I would not choose those as the peak points. But, just my opinion.
 
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Rade K

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...

oops.
 
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Buro Destruct

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I would have to say 2-D graphics themselves reached another peak with Viewtiful Joe.

I would also say that 1997-1999 was the true pinnacle of 2-D graphics (not gaming, thats different), citing Street Fighter III (in all its forms) and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night as the strongest supports of this opinion.
 
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Kiel

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Hmmm...thats a good question. The frist things that came into my mind were Super Metroid and Castlevania SOTN.
 
FormlessOne

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Buro Destruct said:
I would have to say 2-D graphics themselves reached another peak with Viewtiful Joe.

I would also say that 1997-199 was the true pinnacle of 2-D graphics (not gaming, thats different), citing Street Fighter III (in all its forms) and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night as the strongest supports of this opinion.
Click to expand...

I agree with you there. SFIII is 2D at it's best, also I think that the GG series is pretty nice as well.
 
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i was thinking about this in the night the other day. how good can the 2d get? how slick can the animation be? how many frames can a one game have? i dont think we seen the epitome of 2d yet.

most beautiful 2d game for me is hard to imagine. i like 3rd strike. i also like princess crown. many of the games in this thread have 3d enchancements. ikaruga IS 3d i think. the only 2d is the sprite ship maybe some enemies. most fighters today have 3d backgrounds or particle effect. its getting very hard to see a truly 100% hand drawn 2d game these days. so sad.
 
beelzebubble

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yeah id say 98-99. that was when i was first in japan... 2d fighters were so big back then.. those were the days.
 
Loopz

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I know everyone trots out SFIII as the pinnacle of 2D excellence, but I think the Vampire series also deserves honorable mention. Vampire Hunter was truly a class act.
 
galfordo

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I'd say that SFIII and MOTW are great of examples of 2D in top form. I don't think that people have done all there is to do with 2D, though.

I'd say that 2D games peaked in the late 90's and early 00's. There has been sort of a slump over the last couple of years, but there also seems to have been a pretty decent revival in the whole retro thing - and lately there have been tons of great ports on the bawkz. Some of these may get people thinking about 2D games again, who knows.
 
shirt

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Metal Slug 1. Animation still tops most of today's crap.
 
Mushiki

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Street Fighter III - Third Strike / Guilty Gear XX #Reload


Mark of the Wolves cannot compete with those game technically.
 
SouthtownKid

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Rade Kuruc said:
The first game that comes to mind in my opinion is Street Fighter 2. I could go on and bore you as to why it's so cool, but we all know. Adding to that, we can see all the other games that were produced on the CPS1 and identify that hardware as truly important.

The newest game that comes to mind is Castlevania SOTN.
Click to expand...
The thing about that Castlevania SotN is I'm not sure if it qualifies as purely 2D, since it has some 3D elements in some of the backgrounds (like the clock tower when you climb the stairs to Dracula's room), so it might be considered 2.5D. Great paralax in that game, though.

SF2 deserves big credit for simulating 3D with pure 2D in the floors of the backgrounds, well before the invasion of polygons. To a lesser extent, Samurai Shodown 3 also impressed with this (not that they weren't as good, but that it was some time later).

I don't know about "peak" though. Even though 2D is out of favor, I can't help thinking we'll still see more at some point. Maybe when enough time has passed and nostalgia kicks in. In a way, that's what SotN felt like to me when it was released.
 
Curt

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I've got say after Steet Fighter II, championsip edition... I say that just because of it's insane popularity...

I think if you were to look at this graphed on a chart in terms of 2D arcade popularity... that would probably be the peak, and everything would be waning after that the chart would go down to its current state....

Just think about how many SF2 machines there are out there.... TONS...
 
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DevilRedeemed

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SEGA SATURN.

it was the last system to champion 2D and a standard bearer of the style (funny how today 2D is a genre). I have played both Dreamcast and Saturn to death and there is no comparison. The Saturn was tailor made for high quality 2D gaming.
All the Capcom and SNK conversions of their arcade fighting games where the highest point for me.

Arcade-wise, Last Blade/II, Garou Mark of the Wolves, and Red Earth.

Radiant Silvergun is a bit overdone and Street Fighter 3 is not interesting enough.
 
galfordo

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Zeekade Zarathos said:
Dragon's Lair
Click to expand...

:buttrock: :buttrock: :buttrock: :buttrock:

Man, I fucking loved that game when I was like 7 (wut a noob), and still kinda dig it for the animation and nostalgic value. Controlling (well, sort of) a cartoon seemed soooo cool back then.
 
roker

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Between 96-98

Metal Slug 1
Last Blade 1
Street Fighter III (all versions)
 
Spike Spiegel

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Street Fighter 3 (the first one... had the best BGs)
AOF3
Last Blade 1
Pulstar (?)
MOTW

Pure 2D wow. I'm not talking about 3D games on a 2D plane... that's cheating. ;)

Spike
 
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