Top 10 Tuesday: Best Art in Videogames - IGN (original) (raw)
Who has the best looking approach to visual design in a game? Let's find out.
Welcome to IGN's weekly countdown of the exceptional, fascinating, educational and absurd -- something we like to call "Top 10 Tuesday." Every week we'll feature the top ten games, characters, fashion statements or whatever else we can think of that in some way relates to gaming and its history. And just because it's called Top 10 Tuesday doesn't mean it's always going to be a list of the best; occasionally the list will contain the 10 worst of the worst in various categories because we like to razz on stuff just as much as we praise it. From counting down the best consoles ever to revealing the worst use of fish heads in a videogame, this is where it's at.
We can write thousands of previews that talk about how new technology makes games look better, but technology is only one ingredient in the recipe. The artistic designs in these games are what distinguish them from lesser accomplished titles, and make them memorable as well. So here's a run down of what the top ten best uses of art are in a videogame - argue them at your leisure.
10. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Link and his nautical adventure kick-off our list with a daring sense of videogame art.This sequel to Ocarina of Time did more that advance the series. By using cel shaded graphics, The Wind Waker illustrated the Legend of Zelda like it's never been seen before. The cartoon-esque approach was simple, but complex in some respects. And the creatures in this world were as fascinating to watch as they were to fight.
9. Prince of Persia: Sands of Time
Lighting plays an important role in POP, helping to make the environment gorgeous and intimidating at the same time. Desolate halls and gaping vistas abound, all of which are expertly wrapped in a silky Middle Eastern theme. There were moments while playing this when I wanted to just walk the Prince around and take it all in as if I were a guest in a museum.
8. Panzer Dragoon Orta
Here's a rail shooter that came with a highly stylized look that enriched the entire experience. Everything from the Dragoon itself, to the structures he flew through, were completely original and stunning to look at. The game dripped with rich colors and dizzying lighting effect that did the Xbox great justice.
7. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Here's a game that made sidescrolling beautiful - subtle patterns were honestly elegant at times. Exceptional attention to detail took a flat gothic theme, and turned it into something awesome. Once the player upgraded Alucard, various corners of the "castle" opened up for exploration, and players couldn't resist gobbling up all the scenery.
There's no doubting that ICO left an indelible mark on the people who played it. Part of the reason for that is its amazing artistic approach. It isn't so much about the polygons, as much as it is about the way the resources are used. The game has great presence as light pours into the haunted castle you run around in, licking the corners of the screen, and dancing through soul-chilling mist.
Okami plays like a moving painting. Thankfully, the game dodges the trappings of shallow gimmickry and leads the player through a dream-like landscape fit for a Neil Gaiman fairytale. And no cooler hero was ever imagined quite like Ameratsu, the sun god turned white wolf you play as in the game. She leaves a stream of blossoming foliage in the wake of her run!
It could've been a traditional Resident Evil game, but instead RE4 took the road less traveled. For the first time, players were invited to look directly over the shoulder of their zombie-slaying hero which allowed them to enjoy the environment in a fresh fashion. The dilapidated and rustic look help set the horrific tone of the events, yet managed to look almost pretty in its unrelenting attention to detail.
3. Half Life 2
Beyond the technology, HL2 has a clear visual direction that has stood head and shoulders above its peers. Although many Sci-fi games often end-up looking like low budget Sci-fi Channel original movies, HL2 made intelligent visual choices that were absolutely intoxicating: the cold-blooded striders, and the menacing citadel are just a few examples of the amazing artistic elements HL2 has to offer.
In its minimalist approach, Shadow's art immerses the player in a vast and haunting world. Interestingly enough, this game was crafted by the same team that brought us ICO. The artistic talent here is irrefutable. Instead of showing us predictable creatures made of scales and other clichés, the creatures in Shadow are more often made of stone with faces that look more like masks built by some ancient civilization.
Akihiko Yoshida's character designs here have an unprecedented amount of refined details, and the development team did an amazing job getting the PS2 to illustrate all of them. The architecture and cultural ambiance here seems to borrow from best of European and Mediterranean designs. Considering the amount of gorgeous and intricate detail packed into Final Fantasy XII, this game takes the crown.
