How do I approach a top-down/isometric platformer?

How do I...?
1

Something i’ve been planning for a while, an a recent release called ‘Warm Monkey’ on steam has pushed me to move forward with it.

It’s a slightly vague question, but with a top-down movement game, how can the sprite ‘climb up’ objects/buildings… then fall or jump off in different directions?

Presumably a combination of Z-ordering and hidden overlays triggering different climbing states?

Or are these actually 2d platformers, but you can actually walk between levels?

Sorry for the ramble, if you have a moment to look for that game it will explain more than any words. Great game BTW.

Thanks in advance for any input.

2

You can make an actual isometric game or fake it by making a 3D game with a locked camera angle

3

Here’s a link to an old post that covers jumping in isometric. See if it helps.

4

Thank you for your replies… perhaps isometric is a bit misleading… I believe Warm Monkey is strictly 2D Top-down but somehow they manipulate where ‘ground zero’ is set, allowing you to climb trees and jump off them, reaching the ground each time.
It’s hard to explain, but a very neat effect.