What do you call a 2D game where its view is directly from above looking down?
Does the art style have a similar name? (Ie isometric is a art style, but not the art style name I am after.)
When I use "top down", people do not seem to understand what I mean.
It sounds like you're describing a top down or overhead perspective; similarly, isometric is a perspective that can be used by various styles.
The projection may also be a consideration and might be the source of some confusion. For example consider the following screenshots.
Hotline Miami:
Ape Out:
Both games use an overhead view. Hotline Miami has a parallel projection and uses pixel art. Ape out has a perspective projection and uses low res 3D modelled art.
Since some combination tend to be found together often, sometimes terms get used confused. If you're having trouble communicating what you mean to your artist verbally, include some examples.
Top down would be the right way to describe it but you could give examples like Diablo 2 or ragnarok online to get them to understand better.
