Graphics

[jamesc]

Which looks better to you, stylistic graphics or realistic? I like stylistic graphics. So much so to the point that I like okami's graphics more than mgs4. I admit that mgs4 has better lighting, shadow and particle effects, but I find it more fun to look at okamis graphics. What about you all?

 

[spazzattack]

I believe that stylized graphics are easier to convey emotions and ideas, better than realistic. I would prefer however, if playing say a FPS to have more realistic graphics, but in an action platformer, stylized would win every time. (See "World of Goo", "Alien Hominid"). The Final Fantasy genre has really nailed down a comfortable mesh between realism and style.

 

[raemiel]

Stylistic graphics all the way because it usually means a lot of thought has gone into creating the game's world and there is a reason why everything looks like it does. That said, I don't have anything against realistic looking graphics as they suit the games they suit. Can you imagine COD4 with something other then real-looking graphics? It wouldn't be right at all.

 

[Fanboy]

I really don't care about graphics styles so long as it doesn't seem foreign to the type of game I'm playing. One of the reasons I can't play WoW is the graphics seem way too cartoony to be taken seriously.

 

[spazzattack]

I really don't care about graphics styles so long as it doesn't seem foreign to the type of game I'm playing. One of the reasons I can't play WoW is the graphics seem way too cartoony to be taken seriously.

You probably don't want to take WoW too seriously anyway. It is a game, not a life...

 

[Fanboy]

I really don't care about graphics styles so long as it doesn't seem foreign to the type of game I'm playing. One of the reasons I can't play WoW is the graphics seem way too cartoony to be taken seriously.

You probably don't want to take WoW too seriously anyway. It is a game, not a life...

Not really what I meant, but sure.

 

[Zrahni]

Realistic Crysis: Warhead no game comes close to that, maybe Far Cry 2 but it only has beautiful grass.

Stylistics PoP trilogy, Warcraft 3, WoW.

 

[DYin01]

Depends on the game, really.

 

[OurGloriousLeader]

I bought XIII recently for £1, after my xbox went on the blitz. I was very impressed, in a way I haven't been with other shooters like CoD4 or Halo. BioShock is a good example of both realism and style, I would say.

 

[Shellsh0cker]

I definitely agree that it depends on the game. "Arty" or "wacky fun" games like Braid or Katamari Damacy clearly fit their graphics and vice versa. Action, on the other hand, should stick primarily with realism. Horror especially needs realistic graphics; if it wasn't so real, it wouldn't be scary. Overall it depends on the tone of the game and the way the game presents itself.

 

[MurderousToaster]

I prefer a style that looks good, enjoyably good, but not over-the-top. Like with the post about WoW's graphics (even though this doesn't apply to WoW) sometimes overly-cartoony graphics turn off a more 'hardcore' fanbase.

 

[Erana]

I usually prefer stylized graphics, so that they can better fulfill the creator's intention.
However, Portal is gorgeous.
In its own way, however, it is stylized. Simple white walls, simple white deathtraps...

 

[Anarchemitis]

wireframes

They kinda are better when they're all fleshed out and rendered, because when you create models, it's all wireframe; basic construction and math, not art.

 

[Darth Marsden]

Stylistic. It's hard to tell one realistic shooter from another, but stylistic games make you remember them. And some stylistic games can be the most memorable ones you play.

 

[jamesc]

Nobody has acually accused me of this, so just to clarify, I dont dislike realistic graphics, In fact I like them better in the right context, but I would generally rather have stylistic than real. But, as with anything like this, it depends on the game.

 

[Sylocat]

Stylistic. Games are not supposed to be realistic. Fiction was invented to help people escape from the tired drudgery of reality, not to digitally remind us how ugly the world is.

 

[Baby Tea]

Well, just to be a sheep and say what everyone else has been saying: IT depends on the game. Certain genres scream for realism, while others would look better with stylized graphics.

Horror especially needs realistic graphics; if it wasn't so real, it wouldn't be scary.

I think horror could be done stylized and still be scary. Or at LEAST freaky. Take Fable 2 as an example: OK, There is a Demon door spoiler here, so if you don't want to hear about it then...you know. Don't read. And I consider Fable 2 fairly stylized. Not to the 'Okami' extent, obviously, but stylized nonetheless.

In one demon door you enter, you are presented with this beautiful snowy path in which to walk down with light snow falling gently around you. At the end said path is a quaint little cottage, windows glowing with warm light within. The door is open and inviting, showing off a fireplace and food filled table inside. As soon as you step into the house, there is a flash of light, the world is suddenly a dark gray hue, the house is now a broken down, old husk of what you just saw, and the house is littered with skeletons. Man that freaked me right out. I was like 'Aww! Nice house! La la la-OH CRAP!'

It could work in other games.

 

[Xvito]

I like realistic graphics more, but stylish graphics are okay...

 

[Milkatron]

I definitely agree that it depends on the game. "Arty" or "wacky fun" games like Braid or Katamari Damacy clearly fit their graphics and vice versa. Action, on the other hand, should stick primarily with realism. Horror especially needs realistic graphics; if it wasn't so real, it wouldn't be scary. Overall it depends on the tone of the game and the way the game presents itself.

Horror does NOT need realistic graphics. Silent Hill is possibly the most horrifying game I've ever played, and the graphics left a lot to be desired. It may help (I've never played either Condemned) but it's certainly not a necessity.

 

[Daimes2000]

I really don't care about graphics styles so long as it doesn't seem foreign to the type of game I'm playing. One of the reasons I can't play WoW is the graphics seem way too cartoony to be taken seriously.

That's exactly where i think WoW did very good in. It produced graphics that really fit well together, it's like a world made of one piece; nothing looks out-of-place. I can only emphasise on Blizzard's greatness in art direction.

A little more on topic, i really like both ways, or say conceptions on game graphics, they have both pros and cons. In the end it needs to fit to the style of the gameplay and storytelling.