Jimquisition: The Best Looking Game of This Generation
- Thread starter Jimothy Sterling
- Start date
I do agree with Jim's argument regarding how cartoonish graphics are often timeless compared to the nitty gritty stuff we often see today.
However, I disagree that Viva Piñata is the best example of this type of graphics this generation.
In terms of timelessness? I would argue that the original Valkyria Chronicles is MUCH more graphically capable than Viva Piñata.
While Viva is colourful simply because its primarily marketed as a children's game, Valkyria Chronicles goes a step further and tries to stand out of the crowd; its watercolour cell-shading is GORGEOUS, and I think the more subtle colouring is much more beautiful than the "LOOK I HAVE SO MANY COLOURS" of Viva, which in some cases is so bright its actually a bit sickening.
Not only that, but its soundtrack is also more mature and well done than Viva's, and overall its just a much more well-thought out presentation. Its bold enough to stand out from all the Call of Duty's and whatnot of this generation, but also subtle enough not to appear silly.
However, I disagree that Viva Piñata is the best example of this type of graphics this generation.
In terms of timelessness? I would argue that the original Valkyria Chronicles is MUCH more graphically capable than Viva Piñata.
While Viva is colourful simply because its primarily marketed as a children's game, Valkyria Chronicles goes a step further and tries to stand out of the crowd; its watercolour cell-shading is GORGEOUS, and I think the more subtle colouring is much more beautiful than the "LOOK I HAVE SO MANY COLOURS" of Viva, which in some cases is so bright its actually a bit sickening.
Not only that, but its soundtrack is also more mature and well done than Viva's, and overall its just a much more well-thought out presentation. Its bold enough to stand out from all the Call of Duty's and whatnot of this generation, but also subtle enough not to appear silly.
Ah, the old aesthetic versus graphical quality argument. You can be the greatest painter alive, with the most distinguished and vibrant color palette, but it won't matter if the subject of the painting isn't appealing in some way.
Jim, although I agree to some degree with your points, you are focusing entirely on colour, quite a lot of modern shooters are grimy and bad but you didn't even mention Crysis, the game famed for being outstanding looking, you were just pushing the stereotypical hate-buttons that commonly represent any bad game. Cod has never been said to look good, it doesn't, battlefield looks gorgeous, gears looks gorgeous, viva is just bright, if you want true colourful good looking games go play some arcade titles.Jimothy Sterling said:
Isn't that basically the same thing as "Dividing by zero?" As in literally impossible.Jimothy Sterling said:
Captcha: Harp On
Something that people seem to be doing to Jim for some reason.
"Simpsons did it!"Jimothy Sterling said:
Personally, I like to see different peoples takes on similar subjects. I watch EC every week, and was actually pleased to see Jim take on similar subject matter. Not just because Jim is farking BOSS, but intelligent discourse is always a welcome thing.
To the video... spot on!
One of the big reasons why Torchlight 2 is much more compelling experience to me than Diablo 3 is the art style. You can have a dark atmosphere with out having to choose from a 4 color pallet of various stages of dog shit decay.
Keep up the good work Jim!
South park did it.Jimothy Sterling said:
Anyhow thanks for calling the game a candy colored murder simulator. Ill spend 20 minutes tempting a rabbit to my garden then a snake will come in and eat it. As all my other pinatas come to feed on the brightly colored innards pouring from the dead husk of my rabbit children cheer in the background and I weep.
This is why the 4h kids were so weird in school. They didn't just know about the birds and the bees before anyone else they were making animals practice it for fun or profit. Then if everything went well they raised the child and ate it.
Was just about to point this out, good call.trollpwner said:
Aesthetics are more important to how visually appealing a game is than actual graphical quality.
I totally hated this about this generation. Where are the freaking colours? It made me think that games from SVGA generation like Curse of Monkey Island looked so much better...
I can't choose one, but I like both Rayman Origins and Trine 2 this gen. I just hope this fad of brown and greys goes away for good next gen.
I can't choose one, but I like both Rayman Origins and Trine 2 this gen. I just hope this fad of brown and greys goes away for good next gen.
I take it you haven't played "Valkyria Chronicles" for the PS3?
Cell shaded, pretty good game play, mediocre voice acting.
While it's not as 'bright' as VP, it's got some damn fine 'not just black on red on grey' graphics and looks AMAZING on my HDTV.
Cell shaded, pretty good game play, mediocre voice acting.
While it's not as 'bright' as VP, it's got some damn fine 'not just black on red on grey' graphics and looks AMAZING on my HDTV.
Agreed, Jim! Realistic games might be impressive during their current generation, but 10 years after, they will look like garbage. I remember seeing Def Jam on my friend's PS2 many years ago and saying "Holy shit, this looks amazing! It's so REAL!", nowadays? It's incredibly meh...
However, when I look today at Sonic 2, it still looks amazing. And no, it's not nostalgia, I really find this game to be ageless. If I play it today, 15 years after I first played it(I believe...), I still enjoy its graphics.
Unfortunatelly, I can't say the same about some other incredible games, like FF VII for instance(death threats in 3,2,1...). Don't get me wrong, FF VII is and AMAZING game, it really is and I have enjoyed it a lot! But to be honest, I find it REALLY hard to overlook the graphics today. =/ And believe me, I'm one of those guys who say "graphics aren't really important, gameplay is what it's about", and I stand by that! I really enjoy games like VVVVVV or Minecraft, but the question is that those games followed a specific ART STYLE which will not look dated eventually, whereas FF VII strived for something a little more realistic and "mechanical".
I guess the keywords here are "art style". Games that pick a style and don't worry too much about being realistic usually age better, while games that try to emulate the real world will eventually look dated. That occurs mainly because the hardware available during their generation has a limited computational capacity which will be considered ridiculous when the next generation comes around, just take a look at Moore's Law, it will make sense.
However, when I look today at Sonic 2, it still looks amazing. And no, it's not nostalgia, I really find this game to be ageless. If I play it today, 15 years after I first played it(I believe...), I still enjoy its graphics.
Unfortunatelly, I can't say the same about some other incredible games, like FF VII for instance(death threats in 3,2,1...). Don't get me wrong, FF VII is and AMAZING game, it really is and I have enjoyed it a lot! But to be honest, I find it REALLY hard to overlook the graphics today. =/ And believe me, I'm one of those guys who say "graphics aren't really important, gameplay is what it's about", and I stand by that! I really enjoy games like VVVVVV or Minecraft, but the question is that those games followed a specific ART STYLE which will not look dated eventually, whereas FF VII strived for something a little more realistic and "mechanical".
I guess the keywords here are "art style". Games that pick a style and don't worry too much about being realistic usually age better, while games that try to emulate the real world will eventually look dated. That occurs mainly because the hardware available during their generation has a limited computational capacity which will be considered ridiculous when the next generation comes around, just take a look at Moore's Law, it will make sense.
Dude, I just got some little piñata crabs in my desert garden! They walk around and jump in glee and make little non-crab noises, then another piñata (or Professor Pester's punk ass) rolls up and eats them.
Good times.
More to the point, I've noticed this myself that the bright and vibrant games tend to look better overall. Viva Piñata: gorgeous. Sonic Generations: gorgeous. The current-gen Soul Calibur games: gorgeous. Say what you will about the games themselves, you'll notice a common trait between them: they're all gorgeous.
Oh, and no mention of JET SET RADIO/FUTURE?! No VIEWTIFUL JOE?! Blasphemy!
Good times.
More to the point, I've noticed this myself that the bright and vibrant games tend to look better overall. Viva Piñata: gorgeous. Sonic Generations: gorgeous. The current-gen Soul Calibur games: gorgeous. Say what you will about the games themselves, you'll notice a common trait between them: they're all gorgeous.
Oh, and no mention of JET SET RADIO/FUTURE?! No VIEWTIFUL JOE?! Blasphemy!
I agree with this.Daystar Clarion said:No love for Okami in your last gen section?
Stylised graphics will always age better than titles going for photo-realism.
That's why Journey will still look awesome in 10 year, and MGS 4 won't
Also, you made me really want to play Wind Waker again... in fact, there were some amazingly good looking games on the Cube last gen, like Viewtiful Joe (wich was made by Clover Studios before Okami), F-Zero GX is still a looker, heck, it looks and runs way better than most Wii games, especially if you play it in 480p and widescreen.
In fact, despite it's bad reputation amongst most Escapees, the Wii has some amazingly good looking games and I know I'll get quoted by this.
Also, Rayman Origins was an amazingly good looking game too.
It's sad that grey, brown and black were the colors of this generation, despite being the "HD gen".