3D or 2D Thread

I have run into trouble. I want to make an RPG, however, I'm finding my lack of knowledge towards 3D programming is producing very unsatisfactory results. At the same time, I really want the game to be in 3D. So my question is this: should the game be in 3D, and possibly never come out (or run the risk of it never coming out) or should I just program it as a 2D game? If you need information on the game, its in this link:
Moddb.com

Will the game still work without that third dimension? If the answer to that is "yes", then toss out one of your dimensions and make it 2D.

Not really any point in trying to run laps with your leg in a cast. If need be, you can just put away your RPG for the time being and learn and practice 3D programming until your skills allow you to produce results that you find satisfactory.

Fair enough, but what are some good 2D engines I could use?

rpg?2D?you should try out rpg maker then

Unity has a rpg plugin , and torque also has a rpg able section within it and udk3 has some nice tutorials for basic fps... however each have steep learning curves... udk and unity have awesome coverage in how to videos.
Easier ones for 2d are things like rpg maker , Open RPG Maker ,game maker or perhaps eclipse if you want a mild mmo 2d...
2d you could also do flash games using free editors like game salad & sploder or buy flash

Note you could just chose to do this as a map in a game editor that suits your rpg using the objects of that game.

If you choose to do udk3 id recommend you watch 3dbuzz tutorials for it as they are quite detailed and amazingly helpful.(I think they also do unity tutorials)

Thanks, I tried using RPG maker, but it wouldn't load on my computer for some reason. I will have to look into those other options and let you know.

3D games are harder to produce assets for than 2D games. If you can't make satisfactory 3D assets you should probably do 2D.

I would recommend sticking to 2D. It takes a lot of work to make a 3D game that looks like anything more than a bad N64 game, but a 2D game can look incredible with much less work needed on the programing end, and is more realistic for a single person team. If it's not required for gameplay, I think your time would be much better spent designing and polishing the game, than fighting an uphill battle of trying to make a game while learning to code 3D at the same time.

Best of luck whatever you decide:)

Thanks TheNate
... does anyone here know of a program besides RPG maker I can use? Despite my best efforts, the thing won't launch.

YoYo GameMaker

Though I don't understand what your issues with 3d are or what type of game you are trying to make.

The issue with 3d is, whenever I try to run a 3d editor, my computer crashes, and I'm not good at 3d.
I'll try using game maker and see what I can do.
...actually, I should do a test project first.

For an RPG stick with 2d. Don't go into 3d unless you understand the concepts, requirements and limitations, there's a lot that can break in 3d. Whereas with 2d you can fake most things which is really helpful.