Isometric Indie Games By Alex Mikulonok Content Manager at RetroStyle Games | Jun 6, 2024 Ask a Question Isometric indie games aren’t representors of the passing gaming genre. In return, they allow players to see multiple sides of the game’s environment simultaneously, giving a sense of depth without needing full 3D rendering. So, the gaming community often needs to pay more attention to indie games, especially isometric indie games. This mesmerizing result is possible due to one interesting method: creating a three-dimensional visual effect on a two-dimensional plane by using a fixed angle, typically around 30 degrees, for the game’s viewpoint. Actually, this method defines what is an isometric game. It is an independent video game that utilizes an isometric perspective in its design. Sounds simple, right? However, everything isn’t so easy. We’ll tell you more about indie isometric games and their hidden rocks, and finally explain, why everyone should play this kind of game at least once. History and Evolution You may think that the isometric video games genre is kinda new to the gaming community. However, it’s not like that at all. The use of the isometric perspective in video games dates back to the early 1980s. This period saw the advent of the isometric view as a way to provide a pseudo-3D experience on the limited hardware of the time. Early notable examples include Zaxxon (1982), an arcade shooter by Sega, and Knight Lore (1984), an isometric adventure game.During the late 80s and 90s, isometric games gained significant popularity, particularly in the strategy and role-playing game genres. From this period, isometric titles became a very important part of the gaming world, so there are too many details to talk about. Long story short, check our table of isometric indie games’ significance and evolution. You’ll find a lot of interesting details there ;) TitleEra/YearDeveloperSignificance ZaxxonEarly Beginnings - 1982SegaOne of the first games to use an isometric perspective in an arcade shoote Knight LoreEarly Beginnings - 1984Ultimate Play the GameIntroduced isometric view to adventure games SimCityRise in popularity - 1989MaxisPopularized isometric view in city-building games SyndicateRise in popularity - 1993Bullfrog ProductionsTactical game utilizing isometric view for strategic gameplay Baldur's GateRise in popularity - 1998BioWareIconic RPG using isometric perspective for rich narrative and gameplay BraidTransition to indie development - 2008Jonathan BlowSparked indie game resurgence, inspiring innovation BastionTransition to indie development - 2011SuperGiant GamesLandmark indie game with an isometric perspective, strong narrative, and art FTL: Faster Than LightTransition to indie development - 2012Subset GamesBlended perspectives, showing the flexibility of isometric elements TransistorTransition to indie development - 2014SuperGiant GamesContinued exploration of isometric view with strategic gameplay Hyper Light DrifterModern developments - 2016Heart MachinePixel-art isometric game with stunning visuals and challenging gameplay HadesModern developments - 2020SuperGiant GamesAcclaimed indie game blending isometric roguelike elements and narrative Characteristics of Isometric Indie Games If you ask us about the best features to optimize your 2D and 3D isometric games, we will answer: “Visual style, gameplay mechanics, narrative and storytelling, unique technical and developmental aspects such as isometric assets, and of course nostalgic appeal’. Let's look at the main isometric games' characteristics step by step. Let’s look at the main isometric games’ characteristics step by step. Visual Style Isometric games always employ an isometric viewpoint, which provides a pseudo-3D effect by displaying a three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional plane at a fixed angle. This is the main isometric game feature. Of course, isometric game developers took a lot from RPG game design and art, so isometric indie games often feature unique and highly stylized artwork, including pixel art, hand-drawn visuals, and detailed environments. Gameplay Mechanics If you’ve played at least three different isometric indie games, you would notice that these kinds of games often incorporate strategic gameplay, requiring players to think critically and plan their actions. So, there are many isometric indie games in the genres of tactics, puzzles, and resource management. We really like this kind of game ’cause it opens possibilities for exploration, uncovering new areas, solving puzzles, and discovering hidden secrets within the game world. Narrative and Storytelling Isometric indie games often focus on deep storytelling, with complex characters and engaging narratives. This perspective enhances the storytelling by providing a broader view of the world and its context. Also, the detailed environments and unique art styles contribute to unforgettable and fascinating world-building, helping to draw players into the game’s narrative and setting. That explains why best-looking isometric games always have an amazing plot. Technical and Developmental Aspects The isometric perspective allows game developers to create stunning games without the extensive resources required for full 3D development. As this is an attractive option for indie developers, indie game budget breakdown becomes more rational and expedient. Also, indie developers often use isometric games as a platform for innovation, experimenting with new gameplay mechanics and artistic styles that would be impossible while working with larger, more commercially driven projects. Nostalgic Appeal As a retro games-inspired company, we can’t miss the fact that many isometric indie games draw inspiration from classic games of the 80s and 90s, boosting players’ nostalgia while blending old-school charm with modern design sensibilities. The strategic nature of isometric games provides a timeless appeal that resonates with players across different generations, and we definitely like this. The Best Isometric Indie Games Isometric indie games have carved out a significant niche in the gaming industry, offering unique perspectives, innovative gameplay, and unforgettable game design and art styles. So, we want to share with you a list of iconic titles and hidden gems, including recent entries that have made a mark in the genre. Hope you’re ready to dive into this small unique adventure of the best isometric indie games. 1Ocean KeeperThe isometric indie game Ocean Keeper is a perfect title for those who are seeking amazing underwater adventures. In this action-packed isometric game, developed by our studio, you will have a chance to find a mysterious artifact and enjoy an unforgettable gaming experience in a marine ocean world. Find our new game on Steam! 2HadesA roguelike dungeon crawler that combines fast-paced combat with an interesting unique story rooted in Greek mythology. It features deep character development, dynamic combat, rich storytelling, and replayability.3Disco ElysiumA groundbreaking role-playing game that focuses on storytelling depth and character development. Players take on the role of a detective with a unique skill system to solve a murder mystery. While playing this game, you’ll enjoy complex dialogues, unique art style, and surprising plot twists.4TransistorA sci-fi action RPG with a beautiful isometric view, combining strategic planning with real-time combat. You’ll definitely like the rich narrative, stunning visuals, strategic combat, and engaging story with the unforgettable beautiful art of this video game.5Compass of Destiny: IstanbulOne of the hidden gems of isometric video games, Compass of Destiny: Istanbul is an isometric action-adventure game set in a richly detailed version of historical Istanbul. It combines exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving with a unique cultural backdrop.6Pillars of Eternity II: DeadfireMaybe you know this game due to its predecessor, the highly acclaimed RPG, and Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is its sequel. This game expands on the original with a rich, complex story, and deep RPG mechanics. With a combination of detailed world and deep character customization, this game is definitely one of the best among isometric indie video games.7Death's DoorAn action-adventure game where players control a crow reaping souls in a beautifully crafted isometric world. It combines exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving with Engaging combat, a unique art style, and an intriguing world.8TunicOne more action-adventure game, Tunic is a story about a small fox in a big world. The game is known for its beautiful isometric visuals and challenging gameplay reminiscent of classic Zelda titles. We like this game a lot for its charming art, challenging puzzles, and exploration.9The AscentA cyberpunk-themed action RPG set in a dystopian future where players explore a detailed isometric world filled with action and RPG elements. You can find there an amazing cyberpunk setting, cooperative gameplay, and detailed environments you’ll never forget.10Hyper Light DrifterOne more hidden gem, Hyper Light Drifter is a critically acclaimed action-adventure game with vibrant pixel art and challenging gameplay, drawing inspiration from 8-bit and 16-bit classics. Inspired by a retro aesthetic, this game surprises us with stunning pixel art, an atmospheric world, and challenging gameplay. Development and Design As you may already understand, the development and design of isometric indie games are quite different from other video games. For example, it involves a unique set of isometric sprite sheets, unique principles and techniques, and efficient use of resources. However, let’s talk in detail about the development and design characteristics of isometric indie games.Indie developers almost always prioritize creativity and innovation over commercial constraints, resulting in unique and original gameplay experiences. It’s because indie studios have the freedom to experiment with unconventional game mechanics, plots, and visual styles, often leading to groundbreaking designs.Many isometric indie games are developed by small teams or even solo developers, which requires efficient project management and resource allocation. However, developers can use cost-effective methods such as pixel art, hand-drawn graphics, and modular assets to create visually stunning games without the need for large budgets. Indie developers often engage with the gaming community during development, using platforms like Kickstarter, Early Access, and social media to gather feedback and improve the game. Direct communication with players helps indie developers create isometric games that resonate with their audience and address their preferences and concerns.Talking about isometric game design, many isometric games incorporate strategy, requiring players to think critically and plan their actions, whether in combat, puzzle-solving, or resource management. So, the design encourages exploration, with hidden areas, secrets, and interactive elements that reward curiosity and thorough investigation.And of course, isometric indie games have distinctive UI/UX design! The user interface is designed to be intuitive and unobtrusive, ensuring players can easily navigate and interact with the game world. Also, controls are optimized for responsiveness and precision, which is very important for both exploration and combat in isometric indie games.Indie developers always come up with something new and innovative while working on their isometric games, so the development process is unique and interesting for every new game. If you want to make sure about this fact, check the news about Ocean Keeper, our new isometric game. You’ll probably be surprised a little bit ;) Art and Animation of isometric indie games Art and animation are very important elements that define the unique charm of isometric indie games. As we’ve already mentioned in this article, isometric games almost always have visually unique styles, made possible through collaborations with specialized studios. A 3D animation studio can create detailed models and animations, adding astonishing realism to the game world.VFX animation outsourcing plays a significant role in adding dynamic special effects, such as explosions, magic spells, and weather changes, and making an isometric indie game look much better. By outsourcing VFX animation, indie developers can incorporate high-quality special effects without straining their limited resources and change to better the visual impact and engagement level of the game. On the other hand, a 2D animation company is professional in creating hand-drawn animations and illustrations, creating a unique visual style for the isometric indie game. Indie developers often use 2D animation outsourcing services for character movements, environmental details, and atmospheric cutscenes, that will definitely resonate with players. Tools and Technologies If you’re working on or thinking about isometric indie game creation but don’t know what tools to use, don’t worry! Now we want to share with you a list of user-friendly game engines, the most useful tools, and of course innovative technologies! Unity The Unity engine is a well-known game creation engine. The engines support cross-platform gaming. It now progressively expands support for a wide range of devices, including desktop, mobile, console, and virtual reality platforms.Unity has quickly become the first choice for developers looking to create games for iOS and Android.Because of its minimal features, this is the most popular engine for isometric indie game creation. It provides developers with a complete set of tools for creating 2D and 3D modeling services for games. Goddot Goddot is another cross-platform game creation tool popular among indie game developers. It is free and has been featured as one of the best engines for 2D games in the open-source category. Goddot is also one of the best 3D game engines for Android games.Players can build both 3D and 2D games for use on PCs, the web, and mobile devices. Aside from games, developers can use it to construct non-gaming apps. Goddot also supports other programming languages for game development. It also features built-in languages such as C++ and C#. Aside from that, the engine supports binding with other languages. However, because it is the default gaming language, it officially supports the C++ and C languages. Cocos2d-x This programmer has offered consumers a cross-platform game solution that is open-source, stable, and simple to configure. The engine supports three programming languages: C++, Lua, and JavaScript. Bend compatibility includes smartphones such as iOS, Android, and others, as well as desktop operating systems such as Windows, Mac, and others, as well as web browsers such as Chrome, Safari, IE, and other HTML5 browsers. Cross-platform development will never be a barrier for creators. If you want to know what engine will perfectly match your isometric game project, we’re ready to give you more information. Check our article about the best game engine for isometric games and discover what tool is the most convenient for you. Conclusion Isometric indie games are a very important part of the gaming community cause it’s a timeless and innovative genre. Isometric indie games offer players a unique perspective that blends the simplicity of 2D with the depth of 3D environments. This technique has a rich history, dating back to the early 1980s, and has evolved significantly to include modern classics such as Hades and Disco Elysium. Your project can also be so innovative and interesting, and we're ready to help you with that due to our professionalism and expertise, and of course a range of specialized tools and technologies! CONTACT US We’re sure that you will create an amazing indie game with outstanding visual style, unforgettable strategic gameplay mechanics, and deep story, which will make your game a compelling choice for gamers seeking innovative and nostalgic experiences. And remember: we’re always ready to help you. Submit Rating Average rating 4.4 / 5. Vote count: 48 No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post. We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! Let us improve this post! Tell us how we can improve this post? Submit Feedback ❤️ 👽 😎 🎮 👻 Get the Latest News in GameDev industry 😎