3-Dimensional Gameplay
From GameOntology
3-dimensional movement means that the player can control the movement of game entities along 3 orthogonal axis. Usually, this means left/right, up/down and forwards/backwards. Movement does not necessarily have to be allowed along more than one axis simultaneously.
It is important to note that due to the obvious restrictions of flat (2-dimensional) displays, what the player sees on screen is a 2-dimensional representation of a 3-dimensional gameworld.
Examples
Strong Examples
Zelda:Ocarina of Time
Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a prime example of three dimensional game. Not only does it look really amazing, it also allows the player to move more freely, with a great map cardinality. It enhances the gaming experience 10 fold. In this game you are allowed to move in all direction in a 3 dimensional plain. There are camera angles to further emphasize the 3d feature. Characters look more life like as well as objects seen in the game.
Oblivion
Not only the character movement is three dimensional in this game, allowing for game cardinality for any direction, but also the terrain itself acts as an integral and important part within the larger concept of a three dimensional playing field. Mountains, valleys and swim-able rivers are all set within a three dimensional world containing both perspective (vanishing point oriented to players sight), and sprite and terrain shading (oriented to actual light source). These specific naturalistic examples of three dimensional properties enables the game Oblivion to be both successful at providing the necessary immersion of the 3d cardinality and also allow the game to be an extremely strong example of 3 dimensional gameplay overall.
Dark Messiah
Dark Messiah features a fully 3D environment littered with detailed landscapes, destructible terrain, and thoughtfully placed landmarks and obstacles. Utilizing a strong game physics engine, a modified Source engine, Dark Messiah offers a whole new degree of versatility in game play.
Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64 allows the player to control a character in three dimensions (when jumping). The camera is also movable so that the player can always have Mario in the position that he wants. The player can also jump, swim, and even slide across the surfaces of the environment. Mario's full motion in the game is what makes this game a strong example of 3-Dimensional Gameplay.
Halo 2
In Halo 2 the player can control every aspect of the game which truly make it a 3-Dimensional game. The player can rotate in all directions and walk in all directions. Also, the player can jump in the air and even go underground. The ability for the player to move in every direction enables the game to be considered 3-D.
Final Fantasy XI
In Final Fantasy XI a player can move around in any direction of the game. They can explore anything from underground caves, to sandy beaches, to snowy mountains. Most of all players can ride chocobos which can go in any direction just like the player. The availability of how many ways players can maneuver across Vana'diel is what makes Final Fantasy XI a strong example of 3-D gameplay.
NBA 2K series
The basketball simulation series allows players controlling the ball handler to move anywhere on the court. The ball handler can pass, dunk, steal, block, etc in any specified direction. There are multiple camera angles which can be rotated from behind or on the side of the players to enhance the 3-D aspect of the game.
Counter Stike: Source
In Counter Strike: Source, it is a simulation of counter terrorist versus terrorist. You can move around in any direction of the game. It can be played through PC or the XBox. In this game, yu have the ability to buy weapons, and work as a team with others to wipe out the opposing team. The rendering in Counter Strike: Source is better than the original Counter Strike because the weapons are more realistic and so are the players. That is why Counter Strike: Source is such a strong game.
Marathon Infinity
The player can move in any direction in a three dimensional environment even though the character and obeject graphics are sprite based 2D graphics.
Weak Examples
Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door
In paper mario there is 3D rendering and obviously 3D graphics but the character tends to stay on a 2D plane. Mario can go through warp pipes to change his z-level but the movement is up/down left/right once through the pipe. Though you can obviously see the difference between z-planes and thus avoid objects by changing the third dimension. 2D gameplay through most of the game but 3D in parts.
Gears of War
In Gears of War for the XBox 360, there is a 3D gameworld, but the player is generally restricted to 2D movements. There is no jump button, so the player is not allowed to freely move up/down, GoW has a dive button instead, which allows the player to jump over certain types of cover. Since up/down movement is generally restricted, GoW is a weak example of 3D gameplay.
Starfox Super Nintendo
The game takes place in a moving 3D environment. Within narrow constraints, the player can move up, down, left, and right, as well as change speed. However, the ability to turn and completely change direction does not exist. Gameplay takes place on a set course and your cardinality of movement is limited within that course.
Resident Evil 4
The game world is fully 3D but the player is limited by human constraints: he can only move up or down if there is something like a ladder or rope to climb up, and down only if there is something to climb down or jump down from. Most of the time the player is moving in 2 dimensions along the ground.
Paperboy
Paperboy which originally came out for the NES system was a 2D game with a pseudo-3D viewpoint. This game gave you the ability to go up and down the screen as he was pedaling. The object was to try to avoid the obstacles in his way. This game did not give you full range of motion so in fact it is a poor example of a 3-Dimensional game
Grim Fandango
In Grim Fandango, characters and objects are fully three dimensional but the player moves on a two dimensional plane with a still camera view. There is depth and side to side movement as well but there is no jumping movement. With these limitations, Grim Fandango is a weak example of 3D gameplay.
Street Fighter 2
In Street Fighter 2 players must stay on a 2D plane. Since the characters and backgrounds are all in 2D, and since you can only fight from left to right, it makes Street Fighter 2 a very weaks example for 3D gameplay.
The Sims 2
While the gameworld is 3D, and the player may move the camera in 3 dimensional directions, the player can only more the characters themselves around a 2D plane.
Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike
3rd srike is basically Street Fighter 2 but more rendered. Some functions of the game has been changed; such as having the ability to parry (cancel an attack), and you have to choose your special in the beginning of the fight. You can only move left, right, up, and down. This is a weak game for the 3D, but the rendering is much better than the previous ones.
Rainbowsix: Vegas
In Rainbowsix: Vegas, the player have most of controls in 3D maps. However, there is limit of controls in 3D game and that is a jump control. Player is only allowed to move on the ground. Although player may have an action key to use a fast-rope to move to lower level or climb ladders to move to above level, player is not allowed to jumb in the game.
The House of the Dead
The House of the Dead seems to have 3D game play since it is made with 3D graphics. However, The House of the Dead is just a clicking game. Player is only allowed to shoot. Instead of player controlling to move around the map, the camera automatically moves the player. Since the player is limited to shoot the target, this game is a weak exammple for 3D gameplay.
Myst
The game is modeled and rendered in 3D. Clicking on different parts of the screen change the direction in which you are looking or moves you to a different spot. This can be considered three dimensional movement or a web of two dimensional areas.
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth
In this game, while on the world map, the character can move up and down, and change their altitude, giving them 3 dimensions of movement. However, this is just on the world map, as the entire rest of the game (aside from the battles) is only capable of movement in 2 dimensions.
Skies of Arcadia
The game allows the player to move Vyse around in a 3-dimensional environment, yet limits your ability to move up and down on the vertical axis (unless you are climbing a rope or walking up an incline). There is no jump button in the game so you are really unable to move in full 3-dimensions.
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