2D Games you didn't know were made with Unreal Engine

[@MoshiMoshiDoppio]

I remember being told that it was impossible to make 2D games with Unreal Engine, however that didn’t stop me from trying. I didn’t make anything nearly as good as these games, but it goes to show it can be done

[@chidigfx3dgeneralist164]

can you please share any tutorial to follow?

[@MoshiMoshiDoppio]

@@chidigfx3dgeneralist164 I can’t think of a whole lot I remember using but one that helped me a lot was “Paper 2D #5 - Top Down Character full process” by LowKeyGameDev

[@RockyMulletGamedev]

Hey ! Thank you for the shout out ! 😃 That was unexpected 😆I was just casually watching your video and then 4:57 came as a surprise hahaha Thanks again 🙏

[@CobraCode]

Makes me really happy to hear that :D I've had an eye on your channel since I found your top down videos.

[@LifeCodeGame]

Amazing! Unreal Engine is so versatile and can be used to create such a variety of games. Keep up the great work!

[@goblinphreak2132]

I always heard people claiming "if making 2d, use unity" but that's not because unity is better or that unreal can't do 2d, its because AT THE TIME (many many years ago) Unity had the better licensing deal. But now Unreal has a great license deal, aka full access to the engine, make the game you want, and they wont take a penny up to 1 million dollars in sales, after that they take their %. WHICH IS HUGE when you think about small devs with 5 or less employees. Then with said profits, not only can you pay your employees (if you have any) you could then buy a real license for unreal engine which would then allow your next game to profit more. as far as "engine wars" and "which will be the last man standing" not a single engine on the market gets close to unreal engine 5. i feel bad for game dev studios that have their own "engine" because no matter how much they upgrade it, they will NEVER catch up to unreal engine. which makes me sad for bethseda. i remember they were asked about switching engines but they said the world building tools they used in their engine was too unique to let go.... except if you buy a legit license from Unreal, they will literally add into the engine ANY tool you would want to use. in this, they could import all the tools they like to have in their old engine into unreal engine 5.... which then makes the engine better, and also means future support is possible for them. seriously unreal engine won the engine wars..... lumin, nanite, all these things that other engines DO NOT HAVE. "derp this engine has ray tracing" yeah, but that's gpu based ray tracing. lumin works on the CPU which is huge (yes you can also toggle lumin to work on gpu's, but default its a cpu workload).

[@jephrennaicker4584]

This is really good too know , looking forward to more videos like theses, cause I never knew, and like the idea of you reaching out to other Dev team to see what they did, to making a successful game

[@loop3454]

Just found your channel and am gona be here for a long time, keep the good work up 👍

[@freedomgamesplanet2186]

I believe that one day Unreal will be able to compete with Unity and Godot in 2D, even if it is focused on 3D, the passion of the community and developers for 2D is making this dream closer and closer to happening

[@CobraCode]

Get my 12 hour course on how to make 2D games with Unreal Engine: tinyurl.com/Ultimate2D I hope you can use some of these games as an inspiration or refence for your own game dev projects! Let me know if there are any noteworthy games I missed!

[@megamanx2961]

mr Cobra Code do you have a video on how to get the screen back on in unreal engine 5 you the like where the displays where the camera is at

[@megamanx2961]

mr Cobra Code do you have a video on how to get the screen back on in unreal engine 5 you the like where the displays where the camera is at

[@remy1934]

Awesome ! This channel is the reason I'll make my next game with UE5 🙌 Keep it up, your content is awesome, thanks 😁

[@ricksanford3381]

The FF Pixel Remasters would be absolutely wonderful using the techniques in Octopath Traveller. I mean, I'm going to buy them when they're available on the Switch, but dang, can you imagine...

[@brandonjacksoon]

Thanks for your PaperZ video! Liked and subscribed!

[@CobraCode]

Thank you :D

[@strangemodul3]

Awesome video, thank you for it! It's honestly great seeing the 2d stuff made in this engine, and how the devs used the engine's features to make it look even better.

[@ProxyDoug]

2:30 Where can I watch more of this behind the scenes footage?

[@CobraCode]

Go to the otk channel and scroll all the way down to the first couple of videos they uploaded! www.youtube.com/@liucanlin/videos

[@ProxyDoug]

@@CobraCode Thank you

[@viscid09]

This video is pure gold 🙌🏻 thanks for sharing 😊

[@aldgardmusic]

So many titles I didn't know used Unreal Engine. I am actually making an old school point and click game with Unreal Engine, and it's a lot of fun! No fancy effects or advanced new tools, just low graphic pixel art with nostalgia. It's quite an interesting feeling to make something small with a big engine 😅 Anyhow, I know C# and JavaScript but no C++. To create with Blueprints makes it very easy to progress fast, which then makes it very fun!

[@Unknown-bz2pl]

thx man u realy did open my eyes, i was so confused between diff engines now everything is clear, thank u

[@dolphano2951]

Ender lilies: Quietus of the Knights is another 2D Metroidvania game made using UE4 and the art, soundtrack, and gameplay make for a very memorable experience! Totally recommend checking it out!

[@CobraCode]

Oh wow, I didn't know Ender lilies was made with UE4! Thanks for the info! It's been on my steam wish list for a while now, but haven't gotten to it yet.

[@dolphano2951]

​@@CobraCode Ey that's awesome how you knew about the game, and no problem for the info! When I saw the logo appear while launching the game for the first time I was also in shock since I didn't know Unreal Engine can do much besides 3D haha. Thank you for the video it was really interesting! I've always been interested in the 2D/3D mix of art so this gives me many references to look at.

[@Darlian]

Octopath traverler is a MASTERPIECE!

[@XeonX__ASMR__METAL-experiments]

0:24 Tell me the name of the game please! Thank You! ..... Ok it's The Vagrant. Thankd!❤

[@XeonX__ASMR__METAL-experiments]

2:08 You came here because of this game❤ The Vagrant

[@EhurtAfy]

Yeah, crazy how Unreal is so diverse but so many realistic games like Ark: Survival Evolved, The Isle, Conan Exiles, Atlas, all kind of have the same graphics and annoying lighting behavior. Lots of bloom, sun rays, etc. that just don't feel good on my eyes. Then I play a CryEngine game like Far Cry 5 and it looks and feels much better. It's not news to me that Unreal is used for many kinds of games, but this is a nice showcase 👍

[@richf2082]

what is the game that you keep showing ? the one at 4:37

[@CobraCode]

It's just a prototype for a beat em up I'm working on. Just used footage of it to fill the gaps where I wasn't talking about any game in particular! You can watch the devlog series about it here: kzbin.info/aero/PLEHVxFO1I6ekLhtfC-iyZRbYbq_tlgpK_

[@raverecage]

With unreal if you go with the flow i.e. 3d its super easy to use but if you try 2d, you will feel the resistance because its not designed for that extensively. With Unity, its easy to do both 2d and 3d BUT(big but) trying to match the render pipeline of unreal is stupidly difficult like mixing different render methods, graphics instance management... hence not so much AAA 3d games.

[@DanielNistrean]

There is another problem, if a indie dev makes a game in UE5 and is not working hard on post processing, his game will have the generic Unreal look and it will be hard to compete against AAA.

[@mugen8studios]

im doing your course and loving it!

[@CobraCode]

Thank you so much :D

[@brandonjacksoon]

I will add 2 awesome looking games in your list ;) F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch is also was made in Unreal. Mandragora is absolutely amazing looking game is made in Unreal Engine.

[@CobraCode]

Hey thanks for telling me about these games. I haven't heard about Mandragora before, but checking out the trailer made me put it on my wishlist straight away! These games are made with UE and are 2D games in a gameplay sense, however they do use 3D models. In this video I wanted to highlight games that are made with 2D sprites!

[@DailyPaily]

More analysis ! talk about the "unreal look" feeling in modern games.

[@michaelsparkson]

Almost all of those are 3D games using Paper 2D models.

[@Minimalistyko]

are there any GOOD tutorials on Udemy or something? about 2D or 2.5D games? I LOVE the "Octopath Traveler" style. It looks amazing and the game from 6:14 looks great as an "Octopath traveler" (this is my personal opinion, I really like this atmosphere). I would love to try to create something similar

[@CobraCode]

Thanks, that's a beat 'em up prototype I'm working on! I actually released a 12 hour course on making 2D and 2D/3D hybrid games on Udemy about 2 months ago. Everybody who took it seems to be really happy with it, so I'm pretty sure you'll also learn a lot from it. Here's a discount link: www.udemy.com/course/unreal-2d-course/?couponCode=C2BEE43AA558BF506E73

[@NostalgikGamez]

I wish unreal had support for c#. I'd rush over there in a heart beat

[@CobraCode]

Yeah the learning curve is definitely a lot steeper with C++ and the dev experience in general using it is not the greatest. Things have been getting a lot better over the last year or so though with live coding and Visual Studio 2022.

[@ImAboveTheLaw]

Can you link the site You used to find those game jam projects? Never heard of it before.

[@CobraCode]

Sure! itch.io/games/made-with-unreal-engine/tag-2d It's a pretty nice site for indie games and even free game assets.

[@dranixlegend4768]

Where can I find thé Chris wilsonvideo please ?

[@CobraCode]

Here you go kzbin.info/www/bejne/in3FiYGPgJlsaJosi=VeLzayZmAQxwPEG-

[@chillbro2275]

Fantastic man! Thank you!

[@anispinner]

Thanks for reminding me to subscribe.

[@sm5574]

Pure 2D in Unreal is possible but broken or incomplete in many important ways. When people say 2D in Unreal is impossible, that's what they're referring to, not placing 2D sprites in a 3D world.

[@audioLME]

I don't like this type of graphics, the old 2D is better in my opinion as it doesn't create tons of shit in your screen and keeps the purpose of the artstyle and the game design in general quite clear.

[@gamerboi_27]

This may be a controversial opinion, but although it "can" be done, it doesn't mean it "should". I'm sorry, but the HD-2D games look awkward to me style wise. It's like sticking cardboard cutouts into a 3D world and it looks odd to me. The only one that really makes sense is Born of Bread and some of the indie games featured. But I loved Fortune Street (mario-dragon quest crossover Monopoly), thanks for that Square Enix. I think I prefer to keep my 2D projects in Gamemaker 2, and perhaps take a stylized 2.5D or 3D approach to Unreal Engine (once I venture into that territory). Currently I'm working on a 2.5D game in GMS2, but I'm very attracted to the possibilities of Unreal. The lighting, particles, and stuff you can do with 3D is so expansive- I wouldn't even know where to begin in my studies. But it's a feat I want to tackle after a project or 2 in a primarily 2D game engine.

[@CobraCode]

Yeah it definitely isn't for everyone, however there are more people than you'd think that just really love Unreal and don't know it's even possible to make 2D games with it. I actually got a 2D game running on Steam deck at 380 FPS (Another great example is Ender Lilies which runs at 280FPS+). So it's definitely a valid option that just not enough people know about. When it comes to the HD-2D style it seems very divisive and people either love it or hate it. I personally quite like it, but there are many people who don't.

[@gamerboi_27]

@@CobraCode Thanks for providing that example. Ender Lilies looks gorgeous. The dark color palette and tone is very much eye candy. Hmm I’m flexible with my opinions and the more I think about it, the more I want to try out Unreal.

[@CobraCode]

@@gamerboi_27 Thanks for the followup! I'll actually release a followup to this video introducing another 13 games today! it's gonna go live in about 11 hours and might give you some more reference.

[@rizwanzaman1793]

Hey man, can I contact you regarding making 2d games in unreal engine 5? I am an artist with little experience in coding.

[@CobraCode]

Hey, thanks for reaching out. But I'm already tied up in too many projects and also can't give 1 on 1 consultation if that's what you're asking for. Sorry!

[@rizwanzaman1793]

@@CobraCode thanks man! All the best on your projects. I'll look into communities when I run into problems.

[@jephrennaicker4584]

Hi there you have links with some of your art work?

[@DanielNistrean]

Mixing 2D with 3D is easier in UE5. If you're gonna do strictly 2D, Unity has many more features for 2D.

[@TuffleG]

Fun fact tho you can't use HD 2d in your advertisement for games cuz of square Enix which I don't agree with hd 2d is to general and uses words that nobody should have any kind of ownership over

[@Vik1919]

I'd call it 2.3D then since it's a mix between 2D and 2.5D.

[@OfficialSteamKTrader]

nice video! tnx!

[@innerguardianXIII]

The only thing that confuses me is, you'd think it would be easier to make 2D games in UE. Using flat surfaces. Little to no camera movement. Simpler rigging/movement.

[@droe2799]

What is the game in the intro with the character with a cloak?

[@CobraCode]

You mean right at the beginning in the desert? That isn't an actual game but a demo project from epic games called 'Valley of the Ancients'!

[@droe2799]

@@CobraCode the game right after you search up 2d games that use unreal where it shows two guys chasing a guy in a brown hood?

[@CobraCode]

@@droe2799 It's called 'The Siege and the Sandfox' and also featured in the section from 1:24 onward!

[@vgmaster9]

I think they really should create a more updated sprite look rather than just staying SNES style just for nostalgia's sake. There are games from the PS2 era and beyond that have a more modern style of sprites.

[@DanielNistrean]

But why use Unreal Engine for 2D when Unity is more optimized for 2D?

[@CobraCode]

It may be better optimized for 2D, but there are many reasons why you might prefer Unreal Engine overall. These might not apply to you and most people might be better off using Unity, however for me and many others UE is the appropriate choice. UE has a much better licensing deal and you don't have to pay epic games anything until your game makes 1 million USD while unity already takes a cut once you make 100.000 USD and there are also other convoluted subscription models you need to be aware of. If you make a 2D game with UE you'll stand out MUCH more than just being ANOTHER person that makes a 2D unity game. This might get you more publicity and there are actually many 2D projects that got an epic mega grant supporting their development. You could also take it one step further and make a 2D/3D hybrid like many games shown in this video and actually make use of all the awesome features UE has to offer. The blueprint system and material nodes in UE are also much more advanced than what Unity has to offer, so it makes it much easier for non-programmers to get on board and contribute to projects. Another reason is that Epic Games is a successful company that makes games themselves, while Unity is downsizing all the time, cancelling projects and pretty much just guessing the direction of the industry (and mostly being wrong about it since they keep on adding features just to remove them again months later). Epic Games has the funds and know-how to actually make UE succeed in the long run. Of course there are things that unity excels at like: - Being better optimized for 2D (like you mentioned) - Having a bigger community and better documentation - Being more suited for mobile ... and probably more So it's really up to the individual to decide what they value. Of course you could learn both engines and use the appropriate one for each project and picking up another engine isn't that hard if you have strong fundamentals. But actually MASTERING two engines at the same time and constantly staying up to date with changes is pretty much impossible in the long run.

[@nyn2k259]

Nice video bro, I want to start making a game but a card building deck game with rpg turn based elements. Any tips tutorials etc? or/& even a 2d turn based rpg game like child of light. It would be a big help thanks.

[@CobraCode]

Thanks! AFAIK there aren't really any tutorials covering that out there yet. I am currently planning out a Udemy course which will also have a section about making an HD-2D turn based rpg slice, so that might be helpful. It'll still be at least 6 months though until the release 😅

[@MrKlimcio]

Well, I actually wanted to try Unreal Engine to make 2D games. But I decided to drop the idea, because I'm afraid of two things - Unreal raising the requirements of the final product, me unable to launch Unreal Engine on my laptop :D

[@RadioRelax87]

My best is: Dust: An Elysian Tale. You should try it.

[@CobraCode]

Hey, do you have any source stating it's made with Unreal Engine? The wiki page says it was made with Microsoft XNA, so I'm not quite sure

[@RadioRelax87]

@@CobraCode Me too... Wiki tells nothing about it...

[@SacredCASHcow]

octopath just looks like golden sun to me. it's not THAT new but damn it looks good!

[@l_t_m_f]

cool!!

[@SharrenDabs]

That’s unreal I’ve never heard of any of those games.

[@Jaspergachlife]

What's version

[@tfdesign4072]

Please makea tutorial on how to make Octopath traveller!!!!

[@dankmemes3524]

4:36 What is the name of the game?

[@CobraCode]

Just a prototype I'm working on. You can check out the devlog playlist here: kzbin.info/aero/PLEHVxFO1I6ekLhtfC-iyZRbYbq_tlgpK_

[@blu8762]

ofc you can make 2d games with unreal but is it easy tho ? lol

[@CobraCode]

I would say it is. Visual scripting in Unity is dying and it's non existent in Godot. Unreal allows you to make a FULLY FLEDGED game even if you're not a programmer, and if you are a programmer it still allows you to work much faster. When it comes to 2D features, then yeah it's quite lacking when it comes to tile maps, bone based animations and layered sprites. However there are 3rd party solutions for those things and if you don't need them and just need 2D characters, there aren't any issues.

[@Abelhawk]

A lot of those are 2.5D...

[@kalebbarbee6269]

What's the first 3d game you show in the first 2 seconds of the video? Lol

[@CobraCode]

It's valley of the ancients. It's a sample project of Unreal Engine.

[@RaidenKaiser]

That vagrant game looks good

[@Manas-co8wl]

I didn't know Octopath Traveler was made with Unreal, though the lighting does seem a lot similar come to think of it. Still not "2D" though..

[@CobraCode]

The official description by epic games is 2D/3D hybrid, however sadly that doesn't sound good as a video title

[@brockly7916]

some if not most of them are cool... I already tried Octopath... but got bored of it... I was expecting character creation... and other things.. other the than the gameplay is very reminiscent of ff turn based...

[@DATECStudio]

You forgot about a great 2D game named "HUE"

[@mikestaph]

Well now I know they're, thanks, you ruined the mistery

[@andr0zzsenpai]

Jokes on you, I knew because when you open the game you can see the unreal logo lmao

[@Fleshlight_Reviewer]

Octopath traveler says its made in unreeal when u open it

[@CobraCode]

Many people have only seen trailers though and heard about the game, but not really booted it up themselves which is why they may not know about it

[@akabara0000]

YESSSSSIIRR

[@tuantrananh4015]

Best engine

[@HotHeadCringe]

that's unreal.

[@hotworlds]

Reddit: Wrong answers only the website.

[@denisroadmen9715]

hmm, so that's why it had choppy optimization

[@PixelGod240]

I just wish these newer games would take 240p res on crt in mind… they all look pretty bad compared to retro games like ps1 game

[@IIIQZAIII]

Not bad.... BUT all 2D games made it with Unreal can be UpgradeD with Lights...... No one have so GOOD lights

[@IIIQZAIII]

The only problem Unreal has is that 2D games are too heavy for mobile phones

[@UZPvNUCaaQdF]

All of those Square Enix games are 3d games

[@mik3lang3lo]

2.5D games

[@Darkyahweh]

no if only it could be done in godot.

[@はるさめ-j5s]

FLASH player 2023...

[@brianbergmusic5288]

Most of these look like Doom-WADs on crack!

[@stefanfueger3487]

"2D Games you didn't know were made with Unreal Engine" unless people are informed and then annoyed by these abysmal videos in their recommendations.

[@amrir49]

these not 3D, it's 2.5D

[@gamingbytetv665]

Live a live is not exclusive to the switch whatsoever, in fact it never was.

[@CobraCode]

Hey, yeah you're right! Sorry about mixing that up.

[@gamingbytetv665]

@@CobraCode It's okay, didnt mean that to sound so passive aggressive hehe only just read it back to myself and realised.

[@CobraCode]

@@gamingbytetv665 No problem :)

[@1Chitus]

Ender lilies: Quietus of the Knights is another 2D Metroidvania game made using UE4 and the art, soundtrack, and gameplay make for a very memorable experience! Totally recommend checking it out!