Learn iPhone and iPad cocos2d Game Development

Chapter 11. Isometric Tilemaps

With isometric tilemaps you can get the best of both worlds—using 2-dimensional graphics to achieve a 3-dimensional look. This is the reason isometric tilemap games are so widely popular. They allow you to create believable game worlds that seem to have spatial depth with relatively simple graphics and tools. Not to mention that 2D graphics require far less powerful devices than real 3D computer graphics.

Figure 11-1 shows an example screenshot of the isometric tilemap game we'll build in this chapter. You'll control a ninja character who sneaks around in this world, avoiding collisions with walls and mountains. The ninja will also be able to hide behind certain objects, like trees and cacti.

Figure 11.1. An isometric ...