- Primary Subject: Video Game Demakes and 3D-to-2D Conversions
- Key Update: An editorial exploration proposes that "demaking" modern 3D video games into 2D titles could unlock greater creative freedom, expand worlds, and enhance character expression.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: January 20, 2026
- Quick Answer: Video game demakes involve transforming modern 3D games into 2D titles, which can reduce technical limitations and allow developers to add deeper features and expansive worlds.
Throughout time, we have seen the natural evolution of video games. During their early stages, every single one was in 2D, meaning you only had the x and y axes to worry about when playing. Then technology advanced, and they eventually moved on from the second dimension to the third.
That leap was an incredible sight to witness, but then things took an even more impressive turn when the concept of remakes emerged. This is when older games were reworked to fit the modern era, and in certain cases, it turned a 2D title into a 3D one.
This resulted in some unforgettable creations, for better or worse, with Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening as good examples. Fascinating as the concept of remakes is, I have always considered the potential if it went the opposite approach.
What I mean by that is instead of reworking an old 2D game into 3D, the reverse happens. This is what I would call a demake, and as interesting as it sounds, some people might be against this idea. This is likely because devolving means taking away what makes something so great, and replacing it with things that can be considered outdated.
While I will say that is true in a small sense, demaking a 3D game actually has the potential to create masterpieces. How can that be, given that it's regressing a game back to something older? Well, for one, demaking a game from 3D to 2D allows developers to put in more than they originally did.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that when games transitioned from the second to the third dimension, the move introduced some new limitations. For one, since there's a lot more to work on regarding models, animations, etc., that would mean a lot more space is needed.
Aside from that, implementing new and innovative ideas can prove difficult, as the new plane needs to be considered and some won't work with it or the already established components. This means it's very likely that many developers had many interesting gameplay content they wanted to add but couldn't due to the 3D-related restrictions.
So, one of the best options they have to allow them to do everything that they originally wanted to is to go the demaking path. Because 2D games only have two axes and have flat sprites for everything from characters to backgrounds, that greatly reduces the amount of storage needed to cram everything in.
And because there are only up, down, left, and right when it comes to directions to move about, there will likely be far fewer issues in ensuring everything works without one thing jeopardizing the other. So, imagine if a game as big as Crimson Desert were given the demake treatment.
Yes, you end up losing things like free movement and immersive views, but what you gain in return is so much more. Some examples I can think of are the world becoming even larger than it already is, new features like a proper dating system that deepens gameplay, and additional types of animals and NPCs. There's a lot more I'm sure, but those alone can promise an even grander adventure than the one we already have.
It's possible that even with all that, some of you might be hesitant about the idea of demaking 3D games, as you may think that regressing to something more flat won't look as good or won't capture the magic the original had. While that is perfectly understandable, I would say that going 2D can actually be better for the overall appearance and feel department.
By going back to something simpler, it's possible to create expressive animations that likely would have looked very uncanny in 3D. That means character models can make gestures or faces that would seem cartoonish or outlandish, but since it's in 2D, it makes sense and even works in their favor.
The same can also be said for different environments. Since developers won't be working on 3D models for in-game assets, there are more opportunities for creativity. They can add more colors to an object, add more details to make it stand out further, apply partial outlines to give it more depth, and more.
All of this can give a game and its different content more personality and identity, which is what's lacking in most 3D titles today. It is what's possible if demakes became a thing, and there's a good chance that, in time, it will happen.
If it does, we can look forward to seeing more masterpieces, as I'm very confident many 3D games would do just as well or even better if they were given the opportunity to go 2D. For now, we'll have to wait until demaking games becomes a thing, which I hope isn't too far into the future.
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