# 2D game perspectives reference

> Explore the different camera perspectives available to 2D games.

Decide what game perspective or viewpoint you want your game to have. The following table describes the main types of 2D game perspective:

| **Game perspective**                    | **Description**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| --------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Top-down                                | A 2D game that provides an overhead or bird’s-eye view of the action.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| Side-on                                 | A 2D game where the character moves left or right (or up and down) and the screen scrolls with them. The perspective is from the side.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| Isometric and 2.5D (three-quarter view) | 2D games with isometric view simulate 3D geometry and a depth axis, but use an orthographic Camera instead of a perspective Camera. This gives the player a bird’s-eye view of the action. For information on orthographic and perspective Cameras, see [Cameras](/engine/6000.6/manual/cameras/overview.md).2.5D (also known as three-quarter view) games are 2D games that use 3D geometry for the environment and characters, but restrict the gameplay to two dimensions. The 3D effect has a visual rather than functional purpose. |

Many sections of this guide are relevant for all game perspectives. For top-down and side-on perspectives, the [Tilemap](/engine/6000.6/manual/unity2d/2d-game-development/2d-game-creation-wokflow.md) and [9-slicing](/engine/6000.6/manual/unity2d/2d-game-development/2d-game-creation-wokflow.md) tools are especially useful for designing your levels. For isometric, three-quarter view or 2.5D perspectives, the [Isometric Tilemaps](/engine/6000.6/manual/unity2d/2d-game-development/2d-game-creation-wokflow.md) tool is especially useful.

## Examples


**A top-down 2D game demo made with Unity:**
![](/api/media?file=/engine/6000.6/media/images/quickstart-top-down-2d.png)


**A 2D side-on game demo made with Unity:**
![](/api/media?file=/engine/6000.6/media/images/quickstart-side-scroller-2d.png)


**An isometric 2D game demo made with Unity:**
![](/api/media?file=/engine/6000.6/media/images/quickstart-isometric-2d.png)