Art & Graphics
Many video games have promotional art, which I have always found fascinating. Throughout this site, you'll find promotional art from various video games because I happen to like them. But this section isn't just dedicated to these masterpieces; promotional art is hardly the sole domain of video games. Compared to other mediums of media entertainment (movies, television, plays, concerts, etc.), though, the varying artistic styles and level of graphical representation are very much a video game domain. Other mediums might have these as well, but video games are the only medium where they are this thorough and varied for each individual game. As well, their evolution in the twenty or so years they have been mainstream has been phenomenal.
Although the lion's share of games does nothing to make it look unique from others, it is those that do make the extra effort that catches my eye. Screw what critics say, because I really believe that video games are a suitable medium for art. In order to be a good video game, developers must make a world that can draw the gamer in and play with their emotions. A world that almost seems tangible needs to be present for this to happen, and it must compel the gamer to stay and look around. Graphical power, as so commonly advertised by the X-Box 360 and Playstation 3, goes a long ways towards this, but a vivid and distinguishable art style is perhaps even more important. For instance, if you have an environment in a video game, there are only so many polygons you can stick in there before it comes down to how it was designed. Look to the right: that is not a picture realistic in any way. Yet this picture is powerful and captivating, drawing you in with its sharp contrasts and subtle touches. It comes from the game Okami which, although it is run on the weaker hardware of the Playstation 2 and the Wii, really creates a world you can lose yourself in with its brilliant art design.
Of course, I have nothing against games that combine graphical superiority with great art. However, as I have said, I feel that good art goes a long ways towards the presentation of the game. While good art is timeless, graphical superiority will fade over time as gaming systems become more and more powerful. Here, I shall provide a few examples of games that will be beautiful and memorable no matter what improvements the future brings.
It looks like the stories of children come to life! The animation is smooth and fluid, the outlines are crisp, and the designs are definitely endearing. I dare you, no, double dare you, to say this is not art. It also employs multiple layers to give it a pseudo 3-D appearance, and it provides a vivid palette to really brighten your day. Admit it: you almost feel fuzzy-wuzzy just watching the bouncing blob, don't you?
Pure is a highly-rated racing series, and its visual style is one of the contributing factors. It is seems almost alien, almost flawless in its smooth curves. It is a cold beauty, expecting you to mere come along for the ride in this surreal world. There is definitely a theme of curves here, and the speed distortions really bring out this theme. Who needs an environment that seems realistic when you have such eyecandy?
Killer7 is a creepy and surreal game, thanks to its crazy premise, unsettling soundtrack, and liberal use of cell-shading. It uses this cell-shading to its full advantage, taking away finer details and making things more uni-colored. In its place, you have visuals that never seem quite right. In fact, there are many times that you can't help but think that the visuals are wrong and unnatural. This is not due to ugliness, but due to the fine balance between what looks realistic and what does not. Killer7 definitely straddles this in its attempts to throw your brain into a loop, and I think it succeeds quite well.
The character Alucard is animated fluidly, with after-images really emphasizing the flow of motion. He is not the only pretty thing in this game, though; look at the elaborate gothic designs all around him! The architecture is impossible yet strangely appropriate, with its dark and somber designs and a good amount of detail. Just enough detail, in fact, to make you want to pause the video and look closer, I would imagine. Although the background is static, it is also finely detailed, and it is amazing how great it looks when it does move. The Castlevania series has always been about killing Dracula, and you can practically taste that with every little thing you see in this game.
Earthworm Jim is a class for the SNES, designed to be as ridiculous as its title. The movements are erratic and quirky and the character is a freakin' worm in a muscled bodysuit, yet it all seems to make perfect sense in its insanity. The moving background is a nice touch, but the great amount of detail for a SNES game really makes it stand out amongst its peers back in the day. For a worm, Earthworm Jim certainly shows a wide range of emotions, which is something that modern games seem to lack from time to time. I really would be surprised if there was another game that looked like this one.
Muramasa: The Demon Blade is the spiritual successor to Odin Sphere, and, boy, does it show. It uses multiple layers effectively and the loving use of muted yet bright colors go a long way towards making you believe it is a Japanese painting come to life. The flashes of calligraphy don't hurt the cause, and neither due the over-emphasized lines of attack. The bright flashes that occur are masterfully done in a manner that does not detract from the theme it is trying to set. No, wait, it is not trying: it is setting the theme. The slight pauses that occur when enemies are hit really set the feeling that you are actually attacking them. I need not say anything about the character, enemy, and background designs; no mortal could have possibly imagined these divine creations.