Video games have come a long way since their inception in the 1970s, and so has the art style of these beloved titles. From 8-bit graphics to hyperrealistic 3D models, video game art styles have evolved drastically over time. While there are many iconic video game visuals that stand out from one another, here are 10 of the most memorable ones. There are examples of popular video games that use specific art styles. It may be partial since some games may use multiple art styles
1) Pixel Art
For its retro aesthetic charm, one of the earliest forms of digital artwork is still popular today. This classic style was popular in early console titles like Super Mario Bros., It features its blocky shapes and bright colors, which make it instantly appealing even today! The Legend Of Zelda, and Sonic The Hedgehog. Games like Minecraft use this simple yet effective form to great effect.
2) Cel Shading
This technique uses thick black outlines around characters or objects in order to give them an exaggerated cartoon look. Examples of this technique in anime or manga type games are Okami or The Legend Of Zelda: Wind Waker. Cel-shaded art is commonly associated with anime, but the art of Hades (developed by Supergiant Games) proves that it can be used for non-anime characters too, thanks to the incredible art direction of Jen Zee.
3) Claymation
This unique visual style was popularized by classic adventure titles like Grim Fandango and Broken Sword where everything looks as if it were made from clay figures instead of traditional 3D models.
Since it is a labor-intensive process, Claymation has been largely replaced by more modern techniques such as 3D animation. It requires the modeling and sculpting of characters out of clay, and then painstakingly animating them frame-by-frame. This process is time-consuming and requires a lot of skill and craftsmanship. Therefore, it is difficult for it to compete with more advanced techniques. Additionally, the cost and time in creating the animation can be prohibitive. Because of these drawbacks, some people call it the “lost art” of video games.
4) Low Polygon Graphics
A more simplistic approach than cel shading but equally striking. Low polygon graphics feature sharp edges with little detail that can be seen in older first person shooters such as Doom (1993). The art style focuses on simple shapes and colors rather than intricate details and lifelike realism. This minimalist style of art often utilizes basic geometry to create a unique aesthetic. This type of graphic is more abstract and stylized, which creates a unique artistic aesthetic that appeals to a variety of gamers.
5) Pre-rendered Backgrounds
are graphics that are created in advance and used as a backdrop for a game. Due to hardware limitations, the video game style was widely used during the early generations of consoles; prerendered backgrounds gave developers more control over environments. In the meantime, it provides a higher level graphical quality than what could be achieved at real-time speeds through polygons alone (examples include Resident Evil 2 & Final Fantasy VII).
6) Comic Book Style Artwork
Seen mostly within fighting games such as Street Fighter II Turbo & Mortal Kombat II , comic book inspired visuals gave players an extra layer immersion when playing against opponents thanks to its bright colors & dynamic camera angles .
Video games often use comic book-style artwork because it is a visually striking and eye-catching way to present a story. By using comic book-style artwork, video game developers can create visually dynamic and immersive worlds, as well as create characters with distinct personalities and backstories. Comic book-style artwork is also capable of conveying a lot of information to the player in a short amount of time, making it a great way to establish the world and the characters in it quickly. Additionally, it allows developers to create unique visuals that stand out from other games and make their games more memorable.
7) Isometric Projection
Popularized by RPGs like Ultima IV , this projection allowed for multi-dimensional exploration without having any depth perception issues due to being viewed from top down perspective .
Isometric projection is unique in video game art because it allows for a 3D-like representation without actually needing 3D models. This makes it a great choice for games with limited resources. Isometric projection also allows for interesting perspectives and angles that would be impossible to achieve with a more traditional 3D approach. Furthermore, the use of isometric projection can create a sense of depth and scale that can add an extra layer of immersion to the game’s experience.
8) Painterly Textures
Painterly textures help to create a more realistic and immersive experience for the player. This style of texture is popular in games that focus on realism or historical accuracy, such as Grand Theft Auto V. With the help of digital software such as Photoshop , it allows artists to apply brush strokes and color gradients to their work. Painterly textures allow the artist to add depth, realism, and immersion to their work.
The use of painterly textures can be seen across many different types of video games. From first person shooters like Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 all the way through open world RPGs like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (where players explore an expansive fantasy landscape), in both cases, these games rely heavily on photorealistic visuals.
9) Anime Inspired Visuals
Highly stylized character designs and vivid color palette choices make up some truly stunning visuals found primarily within JRPG.
Anime digital art often features vibrant colors, detailed character designs, and expressive facial expressions. They also often feature dynamically changing settings and environments that create a sense of movement and make the artwork come alive through exaggerated camera angles as well as smooth and fluid animations. This style of art is also popular in fantasy art, video games, comics, and manga as it can often evoke a dream-like atmosphere.
10) Vector Graphics
These vector based graphics were popular in arcade classics like Asteroids or Tempest. Due its low memory requirements, it allows faster loading times than traditional bitmap images.
Vector graphics are a powerful tool for creating iconic video game art. With its ability to scale up and down without losing quality, it can be used to create stunning visuals for video games. Compared with traditional bitmap images, it offers a number of advantages in terms of scalability and flexibility. Vector graphics are also easier to manipulate and animate, making them ideal for creating high-quality video game art.
