If you’re asking for what people would prefer to play when all’s said and done, personally, I prefer at least a top down perspective for the kind of gameplay it sounds like would go well with the story and idea you’ve mentioned.

But, yes. It’s a bit more work. Entirely different level design, besides the extra animation assets for the new directions. So if you are asking for a better starting point to learn, it might be better to make it a side-scrolling style game.