Top-down view
One of the types of camera in video games is top-down view. It is very similar to isometric view but differs slightly. In top-down view, developers do not strive to make the world three-dimensional and deep. Everything is depicted either in two-dimensional space or they create a pseudo "volume" from several rows of two-dimensional spaces. For example, a character can go behind a "flat" house. Sometimes the camera is completely vertical, and the player looks at the flat world from above, as in the first game of the GTA series. Scaling in such games is used very rarely. This method can be used in quests, role-playing games, hack and slash, beat 'em up, strategy games, and many others.
Years
Platforms
Statuses
Best Games in the Top-down view genre of 2012 (Game released)
Game released: Android, bada, iPad, iOS, Mac, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, PC, Windows Phone, Xbox 360 → 31 May 2011
Players:
7.3/10
Steam:
98/100
Metacritic:
85/100
A colorful strategy game in the tower defense genre, where an ordinary country house is under siege by an army of funny but extremely persistent zombies. The only...
Game released: PC, Mac, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Linux, PlayStation 4 → 23 October 2012
Players:
8.9/10
Steam:
96/100
Metacritic:
86/100
Hotline Miami is a brutal and bloody top-down action game. You have to step into the shoes of a serial killer who kills hundreds of various bandits and simply not...
Game released: PC, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Mac, Linux → 6 July 2012
Players:
9.4/10
Steam:
95/100
Metacritic:
83/100
An indie adventure game created using the RPG Maker engine. The game tells the story of two young doctors, Eva and Neil, who give people another chance to live...
Arcade, Action, Shooter, Racing, Isometric, Top-down view, Futurism (Future), Post-apocalyptic, Indie, Sports game
Game released: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 → 17 February 2010
Players:
6.7/10
Steam:
85/100
Metacritic:
64/100
Zombie Driver is a whirlwind racing action game with a top-down view in the dangerous world of the zombie apocalypse. You have to travel around a city inhabited by...
Simulation, Action, In real time, Business / Management, Top-down view, Futurism (Future), Turn-based, Indie, Roguelike, Strategy, Space
Game released: PC, Mac, Linux, iOS → 14 September 2012
Players:
8.7/10
Steam:
95/100
Metacritic:
86/100
FTL: Faster Than Light is a unique management simulator with role-playing elements in a sci-fi setting. The cruiser Kestrel was lucky to find out secret information...
Game released: Android, iPhone, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, Mac → 10 February 2012
Steam:
73/100
Metacritic:
82/100
Pinball Arcade is a modern arcade pinball simulator with a top-down view. You will find many themed tables with beautiful visuals and many interactive elements on...
Role-playing game, In real time, Top-down view, Anime / Manga, Fantasy / Medieval, Turn-based, Tactics, Strategy, Japanese role-playing game
Game released: SNES, PlayStation, WonderSwan Color, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Wii, iOS, Android, PSP, PC → 23 November 1991
Players:
7.1/10
Steam:
83/100
Metacritic:
85/100
Final Fantasy IV is a tactical turn-based strategy role-playing game with anime and fantasy RPG elements. Expect fully voiced dramatic cutscenes, deep, emotionally...
Role-playing game, Top-down view, Anime / Manga, Fantasy / Medieval, Turn-based, Japanese role-playing game, Exploration
Game released: NES, WonderSwan Color, PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, PSP, Wii, PlayStation 3, Windows Phone, iOS, Android, PC → 12 July 1990
Players:
9.5/10
Steam:
95/100
Metacritic:
71/100
Final Fantasy is a Japanese-style top-down fantasy RPG with turn-based combat. The game's story focuses on four heroes whose parents were killed during the invasion...
Game released: Android, BREW, iPad, iPhone, J2ME, Mac, Nintendo DSi, PlayStation 3, PSP, PC → 4 August 2011
Players:
5.5/10
Steam:
80/100
Metacritic:
81/100
A tower defense strategy game in which the player protects the field from waves of ground and air enemies. The defense relies on placing and upgrading towers...
Game released: iPad, iPhone, Mac, Nintendo DS, PC, Xbox 360, Zeebo, PlayStation 3 → 8 March 2012
Players:
7.5/10
Steam:
94/100
Metacritic:
77/100
This overhead puzzle-action game sends a fearless frog to an island ruled by evil spirits and tiki bosses. To stop the advancing stream of balls, the hero fires...
Game released: Android, DOS, iPad, iPhone, Mac, PlayStation, SEGA Saturn, PC, iOS → 27 July 2012
Players:
10/10
Steam:
78/100
Metacritic:
74/100
A real-time strategy war game in which robotic armies fight for territory and resources. Battles unfold across open environments, and the player must capture ground...
Arcade, Role-playing game, Action, Top-down view, Puzzle, Anime / Manga, Fantasy / Medieval, Adventure
Game released: Genesis, Wii, PC, Mac, Linux → 1995
Players:
8.2/10
Steam:
100/100
This top-down action-adventure with role-playing elements follows Prince Ali, who uncovers a gold armlet once belonging to a powerful sorcerer. When Ali puts it on...
Role-playing game, Online, Action, Shooter, MMO, Top-down view, Fantasy / Medieval, Free game, Roguelike, Indie
Game released: Browser, Mac, PC → 20 June 2011
Players:
9/10
Steam:
80/100
Realm of the Mad God is a free-to-play top-down multiplayer shooter in a fantasy setting. You have to team up with dozens of players and fight for the Kingdom of...
Role-playing game, Third-person view, Top-down view, Anime / Manga, Fantasy / Medieval, Turn-based, Japanese role-playing game
Game released: NES, Nintendo DS, Wii, PSP, iOS, Android, Ouya, PC → 27 April 1990
Players:
8/10
Steam:
79/100
Final Fantasy III is a fantasy anime-style role-playing game with a third-person perspective. The four main characters were completely redesigned and new scenarios...
Third-person view, Top-down view, Futurism (Future), Anime / Manga, Turn-based, Japanese role-playing game, Role-playing game, Science fiction
Game released: Genesis, Wii, PC, Mac, Linux → 1994
Steam:
100/100
In 2284, the planet Motavia is attacked by evil creatures, and they are opposed by warriors from the hunters' guild. The story follows Chaz Ashley, who has just...
Role-playing game, Top-down view, Fantasy / Medieval, Turn-based, Japanese role-playing game, Comedy
Game released: PC, Xbox 360, iOS, Android, Mac → 13 July 2011
Players:
7.4/10
Steam:
92/100
This turn-based parody RPG takes place in a fantasy world where Cthulhu must become a true hero after a mysterious sorcerer seals his powers. Lifting the curse...
