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The gaming world has greatly evolved over the years; however, the charm of 2D animated video games is everlasting. Games like these are created by hiring a team of professional 2D video animation services. While the games from this genre might not look modern, they promise artistic visuals and stunning styles.
In 2D animated video games, you will easily find hand-drawn characters in addition to artwork made using pixels, and the enthusiasts of this gaming category and the gaming community still love to enjoy the top-performing games.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the best-known gaming titles based on 2D animation. We will also highlight their unique perspectives, artistic approaches, and exceptional gameplay mechanics.
1. Hollow Knight: A Dark and Beautiful World
Hollow Knight is an action-packed, adventurous 2D side-scrolling video game designed and developed by Team Cherry in the Metroidvania style. The game was initially released for Microsoft Windows, and later, the team Jump Shark Studios ported it to popular gaming consoles like PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
The game offers an immersive experience to its players thanks to its stunningly created dark underground world. This world is combined with exclusive soundtracks that perfectly match the game and give the player an experience that feels like they are in a gaming world.
As the player takes on the role of small knight, they will get to explore the interconnected and massive regions of Hallownest, battling fierce enemies using various combat techniques and movements and uncovering the mysteries of the fallen kingdom as they battle aggressive enemies.
Gameplay Mechanics
- Although the game is designed and developed based on 2D animations, the overall gameplay is highly responsive and fluid, helping players navigate the complex environment without any complexities.
- As players progress, they unlock fresh abilities that enhance their combat skills and exploration techniques.
- The game also features boss battles, which add a challenging aspect. You must have unique strategies to eliminate each boss.
2. Cuphead: A Tribute to Classic Animation
Cuphead is an indie video game developed by StudioMDHR and designed for multiple gaming platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and Microsoft Windows. As the game begins to gain popularity and reach a wider audience, the developers are actually inspired by the 1930s cartoons and their rubber hose-styled animations, the ones used by Walt Disney cartoons.
Within the game, you will find precisely hand-drawn visuals combined with a bright soundtrack that takes players back in time. For those who aren’t aware, the storyline and gameplay consist of either one or two players following Cuphead and his brother Mugman as they fight through various levels to beat the boss and repay their debt to The Devil.
Animation Process
- The game features hand-drawn animations with watercolor backgrounds and original jazz recordings.
- Jake Clark contributed the animation work, which was developed using the Unity game engine and consists of over fifty thousand hand-drawn frames turned into a proper animation.
- The game runs at 60 fps, and the animation runs at 24 fps.
- Each frame is carefully created with care as it captures the true essence of the classic cartoons.
- Surprisingly, the developer planned to surpass the Guinness World Record for the total number of characters to thirty in an animated video game, which was previously 25.
3. Ori and the Blind Forest: A Heartfelt Journey
Ori and the Blind Forest is a story-based 2D animated video game featuring stunning visuals and the story of a young orphan who is meant for heroics. Moon Studios designed and developed the game for limited platforms, including Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
The game features hand-painted graphics coupled with fluid animated character performance, aiming to bring the gaming world to life. The whole storyline explores a deep emotional story about love, sacrifice, and the hope within us all.
The game is powered by the Unity Engine, where the player controls Ori, who is the last Spirit Guardian, as they discover the mysteries of a forest while evading Kuro, the dark owl. You will have to find your way through a beautifully created environment while the battle continues with Kuro and complete the in-game puzzles to help Ori save the forest.
Gameplay and Mechanics
- The gameplay mechanics are characterized by the elements and puzzle-solving strategies as the player works their way through the proper utilization of Ori’s abilities to overcome obstacles, which will help unlock new areas.
- If you look at the game overall, the emotional narrative combined with the breathtaking visuals creates a memorable gaming experience.
4. Darkest Dungeon: A Gothic Challenge
Darkest Dungeon is a hardcore, RPG, and 2D animated video game based on a side-scrolling style. The player must deal with a large number of threats over five hundred feet below the Earth’s surface. The game truly focuses on the heroes’ humanity and psychological vulnerability.
The video game is designed and developed by Red Hook Games and published by Red Hook Studios. It has various editions and downloadable content, each with compatibility with different platforms. However, the one amazing aspect of the game is that the complete game, including the interface and subtitles, is translated into multiple languages.
Strategic Gameplay
- The Darkest Dungeon has a strategic gameplay mechanism with proper resource management. The players must carefully select the members within the game as they continue managing their stress levels while exploring deeper into the dungeons.
- Another aspect of the game is permadeath, which completely changes the dynamics as the tension increases, and the heroes fall after every battle.
The Growth of 2D Animation Techniques
Hand-Drawn vs. Pixel Art
There are two different types of animation and artwork, hand-drawn and pixel art, and both have been defining aspects of 2D animated video games. Surprisingly, games designed using either have gained popularity among gamers.
For instance, hand-drawn games like The Blind Forest and Cuphead offer fluid graphics, while pixel art games like Hyper Light Drifter and Celeste evoke a sense of simplicity.
Although both the design and graphic styles have benefits, developers continue to experiment with both styles and techniques to offer the players unique visual experiences.
The Role of Technology
Technology plays a significant role in developing and progressing 2D animated video games. Certain tools, like Adobe Animate and Toon Boom Harmony, have made it easier for developers to create mind-blowingly amazing animations. Furthermore, the rise of independently developed games has enabled developers to experiment with a variety of artistic styles, which is exactly what has helped develop a diverse range of 2D games in the market.
The Impact of 2D Animation Video Games on the Industry
Inspiring New Generations
The success of 2D animation video games has inspired a new generation of developers to explore this art form. Indie studios are increasingly embracing 2D animation, creating innovative titles that push the boundaries of gameplay and storytelling. This resurgence has led to a vibrant community of artists and developers dedicated to preserving and evolving the 2D animation style.
Reviving Classic Genres
Modern 2D animation video games pay homage to classic genres like platformers and Metroidvanias. Developers are breathing new life into beloved genres by reimagining these styles with contemporary gameplay mechanics and visuals. This revival appeals to nostalgic players and introduces new audiences to the charm of 2D gaming.
Concluding Thoughts
To conclude, the 2D animation video games have continued to fascinate gamers for the past several years, thanks to the imaginative beauty of the designs combined with engaging gameplay.
The games range from the haunting scenes of Hollow Knight to the sentimental magic of Cuphead. These 2D animated games continue to showcase the true power of animation as a medium of storytelling.
Developers continue to adapt to the technology and how it has helped them be more creative, which is exactly what has been helping the industry and its future in developing 2D animated video games.
