Graphics

[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.

You clearly don't know the notions of realistic and stylized.

It left a lot to desire because they couldn't do it better at that time.

Do you think the developers of silent hill (god bless them) would make a horror movie with the Okami style? If yes then please throw yourself into the nearest well.

No, I think they should go back to the poorer graphics style because it WORKED! The graphics made me personally worry a little, and added to the atmosphere. To make a Silent Hill with Okami graphics would only have disastrous results.

Maybe I just missed the good old days.

 

[Altorin]

zelda is a prime example that says "Both Can Work"

Windwaker was LAUGHED at mercilessly when it was first leaked, because pictures did not do it justice.

Those of us who actually sat down and played it, most of us found the graphic style to be charming, and it seemed to fit wonderfully with the game.

Then Twilight Princess, I haven't played, but it seems to be doing really well, and it's graphics are a lot more realistic.

maybe I'm just talking out my ass though

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

Style. Games need style.

 

[Shellsh0cker]

zelda is a prime example that says "Both Can Work"

Windwaker was LAUGHED at mercilessly when it was first leaked, because pictures did not do it justice.

Those of us who actually sat down and played it, most of us found the graphic style to be charming, and it seemed to fit wonderfully with the game.

Then Twilight Princess, I haven't played, but it seems to be doing really well, and it's graphics are a lot more realistic.

maybe I'm just talking out my ass though

The two games presented themselves differently. Granted, the graphics were the primary medium through which that was done, but little quirky bits like the Chu Chus in Wind Waker helped enhance the effect and make the graphics seem "right" for the game. I think that's a fairly rare example, though. Most games would only make sense one way; a game like Gears of War is definitely going to go for realism, while I would hardly expect a wacky game like Katamari Damacy (sorry to be reusing examples) to have anything resembling a realistic graphics scheme.

 

[smallharmlesskitten]

Claymation

 

[TheIceface]

It really depends on the game.

Sometimes, there are some games that you wouldn't expect to be good with a graphics choice turn out to be excellent.

Team Fortress 2, for example, I probably wouldn't play the game as much if it wasn't a cartoony, funny, overly gory game.

Battlefield: The new one, is also trying for the cartoony thing. I'm not sure about it though. I'm fine with spies and medics running around shooting fat Russian guys with boxing gloves and sandwiches, but a WW2 shooter? I dunno.... I guess I've never found WW2 to be funny enough to warrent a comical cartoony game.

 

[EnzoHonda]

With stylized graphics, I have to like the style. I can appreciate the style of Okami, but it just didn't do it for me. However, the anime/cyberpunk style presented in some of the Shin Megami Tensei games more than makes up for the lack of awesomeness in the graphics department. And the charm that TF2's style brings is absolutely incredible. I can't imagine it looking like anything else.

Also, from a design standpoint, stylized visuals offer more risk but also more reward. Realistic graphics are the safe route.

 

[Dommyboy]

Mostly if not always depends on the type of game. Realistic graphics for realistic shooters are great and realistic graphics for some RPG's. I am not sure if I am the only person or so but I don't really mind WoW's graphics, they remind me of the good ol' days of WarCraft 3 with the large jagged edges and poorly shaped buildings.

 

[The Wooster]

Depends. Some developers thing 'stylised' is a synonym for 'shitty' JRPGS and their stodgy ass
anime inspired" graphics are generally the worst. For every Eternal Sonata there's a billion Tales of Vesperia.

 

[skakashijutsu]

other as long as they've had enough effort put into them to look like a job well done.

 

[Eiseman]

Let's make one thing clear, beforehand.

As far as I can tell, the best visuals in any game, realistic or not, come from whoever shells out the most dough in order to make them the best. See Crytek for realistic graphics, and Square-Enix for stylized graphics. You would be hard-pressed to find any developer who can top their visual presentation. After all, they spend embarrassing amounts of money to stay up there.

There's also this to consider. Haven't you all noticed that the most visually impressive games for just about every console generation have been, for the most part, made soon before a console generation is retired? You know, when the technology is at its absolute cheapest, and developers can spend that money elsewhere? Like, say, improved graphics and art design? Not a coincidence. The best graphics have almost always had the most capital backing it up.

With that said, I suppose I'd have a preference towards "stylized" graphics over realistic. It just feels superior on the art design perspective, I guess. I know I'll take Final Fantasy over FarCry any day of the week.