What is 2.5D?

2.5D is a type of visual representation that simulates three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional plane. It achieves this effect through techniques like isometric projection, perspective tricks, and layering. Unlike true 3D, 2.5D lacks genuine depth information, and objects are typically rendered as flat sprites or textures. It's commonly used in video games, particularly in strategy and role-playing genres, where a top-down or angled view is desired for gameplay reasons. It's also found in architectural visualizations and some graphical user interfaces where a sense of depth enhances the visual appeal without the computational cost of full 3D rendering.