When we first started designing the game, our vision was for everything to be fully 2D. The very first map reflected that idea: it was flat, simple, and quite different from the final version you see today. But as we kept working on it, we realized the overall look and feel of the game did not stand out enough from other titles. The world felt familiar rather than unique. Here are an example from the old 2D style and an alternate version of the map.
To break away from that, we experimented with combining a 3D environment with 2D characters. The result surprised us in a good way. We felt the depth of a 3D world while still keeping the charm of 2D alive through the characters. The new ambiance instantly felt richer and more immersive, and as players ourselves, we looked at it and thought, "This is a place I would want to explore in a game." Below you can see the concept art we drew for the 3D environment alongside an in-game screenshot. Do you like how it turned out? 
