The future of 3D isometric games + game engines?

shevy123456

This is semi-off topic and semi-on topic.

If we look at games such as Baldur's Gate 1 and 2, Planescape Torment (released in 1999) and so on then most of them are fairly old; computers were significantly less powerful than today.

Now, if we look at modern games, they are often built around a 3D engine for the ego-perspective (that is, self, the main actor is shown). Sometimes there are variations, but most games kind of fall into that category today. Another example is Assassin's Creed (though this one is actually now also quite old).

I also remember the 1990s era; games were simpler, often more creative too. Granted, they were nowhere as visually appealing as today, but we lost some creativity here.

There are a few exceptions to the "modern games are in ego-perspective". For instance one is the Little Nightmares franchise. While I myself don't really play modern games, and would not play Little Nightmares, I had some fun watching run-throughs and play-throughs. Visually it is really great; and gameplay-wise ... they remind me of the old adventures game like Monkey Island and others from Sierra, although of course visually better. And ... dumbed down I think. Many puzzles are trivial to solve for even young folks, and I think this is deliberate, to not add the frustration level. Anyway.

My question is ...

Do these game styles such as BG1 / BG2 with an isometric engine have any future? Of course not every new game is an ego-shooter; see the civilization franchise which still has a more strategy-feel to it. But is there any future for those 3D-isometric engine type of games? I am not saying the whole game has to be isometric; in the old wings command game or some of the king's quest game (I think), there was a game within the game; in one game there was a card game you could play, which was a bit similar to oldschool Magic the gathering (though you had to build up a tower instead).

Mathsorcerer

In the aftermath of the Amazon show, a lot of players were seeking out the old Fallout and Fallout 2 games. Many of them do find the interface a bit clunky (and it can be, I admit) but those games are exceedingly challenging when you are on the early part of their learning curve.

WarChiefZeke

I think we are living in an isometric renaissance, myself. In the past several years we've had the Pillars of Eternity games, Encased (which nobody seems to have heard of), Tyranny, and the highly successful Baldurs Gate 3*.

Isometric is less dead today than it was in the 2010's.

Yeah, you can argue BG3 isn't true isometric since you can change the camera to different angles, but it's clearly the feel it is going for.