Why 2D will never die

News
By published

Flat gameplay shines on, even on next-gen machines

LittleBigPlanet (PS3)

From what we've seen of PS3's quirky, physics-heavy platformer, LittleBigPlanet looks like a perfect example of 2D gameplay within a 3D environment. Indeed, the 3D is highly advanced (just check out the video below), yet depth is restricted to a few virtual feet of space, due to the apparently fixed camera. The characters can move into the screen to meet the next moving ledge, but they are restricted by walls to keep the action a simple, traditional left-to-right adventure. The full game may see sections that move away from this formula, but its inclusion just demonstrates how pure the 2D experience is, even when it's dressed up in daddy's clothes.

Justin Towell
Justin Towell

Justin was a GamesRadar staffer for 10 years but is now a freelancer, musician and videographer. He's big on retro, Sega and racing games (especially retro Sega racing games) and currently also writes for Play Magazine, Traxion.gg, PC Gamer and TopTenReviews, as well as running his own YouTube channel. Having learned to love all platforms equally after Sega left the hardware industry (sniff), his favourite games include Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams, Zelda BotW, Sea of Thieves, Sega Rally Championship and Treasure Island Dizzy.