What is the best way to make 2D game look 3D

Has anyone here done it.

For one there is use of shadows.

For another, there is something like what this guy did - gmc.yoyogames.com/index.php

Is there a better way?

Any pitfalls that needs to be looked out for and would you recommend it for a devs first game?

Thanks :)

I would definitely NOT recommend trying to make a 3D looking game in a 2D engine.

EDIT: Just looked at the link you put there. That isn't the programming making it look 3D. If you want to do it like, you need to be able to do graphics to look 3D (Although personally I dislike that example with the way it looks.)

simply render 3d models and make it 2D game, it would look like Diablo 2

EncryptedCow

Searched a bit more in here and I think I'm trying to do something like this scirra.com/tutorials/290/3d-sprites

But, my game needs to have a bit of comic style art.. so I need to check out if sketchup can do that.. else I'd just have to draw them on paper and again redo them on tablet.

If you have a better solution.. please share :)

Joannesalfa: Did you mean using a 3d modelling software.

I don't have skills/time yet to use any 3d modeling software. Also, I'd think for the current game using a 3d software would be a overkill.

I kinda like how this looks.

This can be done with isometric sprite drawings right?

<img src="http://tctechcrunch2011.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/screen-shot-2012-11-21-at-2-03-57-pm.png" border="0" />

Yes that is isometric. Although programming it can be a tad difficult, it is possible. If you look in the arcade under example games there is an isometric thingy someone made

EncryptedCow

Searched a bit more in here and I think I'm trying to do something like this scirra.com/tutorials/290/3d-sprites

But, my game needs to have a bit of comic style art.. so I need to check out if sketchup can do that.. else I'd just have to draw them on paper and again redo them on tablet.

If you have a better solution.. please share :)

Joannesalfa: Did you mean using a 3d modelling software.

I don't have skills/time yet to use any 3d modeling software. Also, I'd think for the current game using a 3d software would be a overkill.

If you have time to learn 3d modelling using Blender and Sculptris http://www.pixologic.com/sculptris/ then generate a sprite with differentes realistic angles, if you can master 3d modelling

You either do perspective models, shadows, or 3D rendering of items. Otherwise I'd suggest you take a 3D engine and make it 2D or look for 2.5D games for other solutions