Art Style
Ongoing coverage on Art Style.
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I thought I was over 2.5D, but make it look like Marvel vs. Capcom plus Berserk and I'm back, baby
Dungeon Lurker is an upcoming hack 'n slash roguelike that stands out with its unique art style, blending large, animated comic book-inspired sprites with dark fantasy themes reminiscent of Berserk and Dark Souls. Despite being a roguelike, it will feature over 30 unique levels instead of procedural generation, and will include secrets hidden within its game manual. The game is slated for an early 2027 release on Steam.
‘We don't use AI in the project; everything is handcrafted’: Rayman Legends Retold artists on the…
Ubisoft has announced Rayman Legends Retold, a remake of the beloved platformer featuring a new 3D art style. Artists Desislava Tanova and Alice Pisoni emphasized that the game's visuals are entirely handcrafted, with no AI used in development. The team focused on translating the original's charm into a detailed 3D environment while maintaining visual clarity for gameplay.
Review: Yoshi and the Mysterious Book
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is a charming 2D platformer from developer Good-Feel that reimagines the genre with a focus on exploration and discovery. The game features a stunning hand-drawn art style, inspired by classic picture books, and introduces unique gameplay mechanics for each creature encountered. While lacking traditional linear progression and difficulty, its casual approach and engaging discoveries make it an accessible and delightful experience for all ages.
Review: Yoshi And The Mysterious Book (Switch 2) - Charming Enough, But Ultimately Lacklustre
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book offers a charming art style and approachable platforming, but ultimately falls short of previous entries like Yoshi's Woolly World and Crafted World. While the game's unique book-themed setting and creature-discovery mechanics are interesting, the repetitive structure and lack of significant challenge make it a lackluster experience, particularly in handheld mode on the Nintendo Switch.
Morning Postmortems/Retrospectives
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that the art style overhaul for the original Borderlands cost approximately $50 million and delayed development by a year. He believes this change was crucial to the game's eventual success.
Take-Two CEO says "Borderlands wouldn't have been a hit" without $50 million art style change gamble
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick revealed that a significant $50 million change to Borderlands' art style, implemented just two months before its original release, was crucial to the game's eventual success. Gearbox Software proposed the shift from a muted aesthetic to its now-iconic hand-inked look, a decision Zelnick supported despite the immense cost and risk, believing it was essential for differentiation.
Take-Two Boss Says Borderlands' Last-Minute Art Style Change Cost $50 Million, but Without It the Game Would Have Flopped
Take-Two Interactive's CEO revealed that a last-minute art style change for Borderlands cost an additional $50 million and a year of development. Despite the increased costs, the change was deemed necessary for the game's eventual success.
Borderlands' last-minute art style change cost the company $50 million, Take-Two CEO says: "Borderlands…
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick revealed that a last-minute change to Borderlands' cel-shaded art style during development cost the company $50 million and delayed its release by over a year. Zelnick believes this decision was crucial for the game's eventual success and the creation of the franchise, noting that few other publishers would have made such a risky investment.
Infinite monkey butts: Scriptorium's comedic take on Pentiment's inky art style is a medieval riot
Scriptorium offers a comedic and absurd take on the art style of Pentiment, allowing players creative freedom to illustrate bizarre requests. The game's design prioritizes player expression and joy over strict adherence to client demands, making the artistic process a riotous experience.
"It ended up being pretty much co-development" - how 80s anime, a legendary Gundam director and It Takes Two talent combined for the Switch 2's next hit Orbitals
Orbitals, a Nintendo Switch exclusive developed by Shapefarm in collaboration with Studio Massket, aims to capture the authentic aesthetic of 80s anime. Directed by Hazelight veteran Jakob Lundgren and featuring art direction from Tôru Yoshida, the co-op adventure focuses on puzzle-solving gameplay inspired by classic anime and the works of Akira Toriyama.
20 Years Later, Okami Still Offers A Distinct Take On Zelda's Formula
Twenty years after its release, Okami continues to stand out for its unique blend of action-adventure gameplay and distinct Japanese folklore-inspired art style. While structurally similar to The Legend of Zelda series with its dungeon-based progression and ability acquisition, Okami's Celestial Brush mechanic and commitment to its artistic vision set it apart. The game's director, Hideki Kamiya, aimed to capture the beauty of the Japanese countryside, resulting in an experience that remains visually striking and thematically rich.
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This article discusses the enduring appeal and artistic merit of black-and-white video games, noting their historical context in the evolution of game aesthetics. It touches upon how certain titles leverage monochrome visuals for unique stylistic impact.
Review: Mouse: P.I. for Hire (PS5) - Elite Art with FPS Action to Match
MOUSE: P.I. for Hire for PlayStation 5 features a striking 1930s rubber hose animation art style combined with fast-paced first-person shooter action. Developed by Fumi Games, the game casts players as a private detective in Mouseburg, engaging in shootouts against gangsters and corrupt cops. While the unique visuals and combat are highlights, the game suffers from repetition and overstays its welcome.
Round Up: Reviews Make MOUSE: P.I. For Hire's Art the Star of the Show
Reviews for the upcoming PlayStation 5 and PC game MOUSE: P.I. for Hire have been released, with the PC version currently holding a Metacritic score of 80. Critics widely praise the game's unique 1930s rubber hose art style, though some have noted criticisms regarding its first-person shooter gameplay and story.
Nintendo needs to bring back Animal Crossing’s weirdness
This opinion piece argues that the next Animal Crossing game should return to the series' roots by reintroducing the 'weirdness' and unique character interactions found in the original GameCube title. While Animal Crossing: New Horizons achieved massive success on the Nintendo Switch with its extensive customization, it has lost the distinct personality and emotional depth that made earlier entries special. The author suggests that incorporating more unpredictable villager behavior and a less uniform art style could revitalize the franchise.
Marathon Review – Not for the Faint of Heart — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
Bungie's Marathon is a challenging extraction shooter that offers satisfying gunplay and impressive map design, but features a steep learning curve for new players. Despite its high-risk, high-reward gameplay loop and striking art style, the game is best suited for those already familiar with the genre, offering a polished experience that demands significant player investment.
Somehow a movie that gave me nightmares as a kid has been turned into the delightful Metroidvania palate cleanser I…
The new Metroidvania game, Little Nemo: Guardians of Slumberland, offers a delightful and accessible experience reminiscent of classic platformers, contrasting with the darker themes of its animated movie inspiration. Despite a modest Kickstarter campaign, the game features a beautiful art style and joyful soundtrack, providing a refreshing change of pace from more punishing titles like Hollow Knight.
Replaced Interview – Inspirations for Art Style, Ranged and Melee Combat, Exploration, and More
Sad Cat Studios' Yura Zhdanovich and Igor Gritsay discuss the inspirations behind the art style for their upcoming game, Replaced, citing titles like Octopath Traveler and Limbo. They also delve into the game's core themes of humanity and AI, the balance between combat and exploration, and the cinematic approach to its action platformer gameplay. The game is targeting Xbox Series X/S and PC, with an average playtime of around 8 hours.
Lost & Found Brings Back That Cozy Childhood Gaming Magic
Lost & Found is a new indie adventure game that aims to recapture the feeling of childhood gaming magic by having players help townsfolk find lost belongings. The game has garnered significant attention for its unique hybrid art style, which blends 2D, 3D, and pixel art. While details on release date and platforms are still pending, the announcement has resonated with players seeking cozy, community-focused experiences.
Review: The Perfect Pencil (Nintendo Switch)
The Perfect Pencil is a 2D Metroidvania for Nintendo Switch featuring a striking hand-drawn art style and a dark, symbolic story about inner struggles. Players control John, who explores surreal environments and battles unsettling creatures using a giant pencil, with a unique analysis ability to uncover lore. Despite frustrating save points, the game offers a memorable and atmospheric experience with creative enemy designs.
