Question of the Day, May 2, 2010
- Thread starter The Escapist Staff
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Although it's technically more of a "demo [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demoscene]" than a game, I still feel that Linger In The Shadows was incredibally artistic, in the aspects of code, visuals, interactivity, and interpretation.
This video doesn't do it justice, but I suggest trying it out. It was put together by several demo groups within the "scene", and was my first exposure to the demoscene phenomenon.
If you're wondering where the "gameplay" aspect is, you control certain things using the sixaxis, like the camera or the robots eyes or whatnot. It also gives you the ability to manipulate time.
This video doesn't do it justice, but I suggest trying it out. It was put together by several demo groups within the "scene", and was my first exposure to the demoscene phenomenon.
If you're wondering where the "gameplay" aspect is, you control certain things using the sixaxis, like the camera or the robots eyes or whatnot. It also gives you the ability to manipulate time.
I would nominate the free-to-play web-game "Today I Die" (google it, I don't think I'm allowed links here). Like many others, I could argue for "Shadow of the Colossus", "Flower", "Ico" and even to a certain extent "Bioshock" (though I actually think the art of Bioshock is too divorced from the actual game), and of the nominees we can vote on here "the Longest Journey" is the one that touched me the most.
However, "Today I Die" is the first instance I've come across of a successful "game as poem". It actually brought a tear to my eye, and I immediately showed it to my girlfriend who had the same response. It's only 10 minutes of your life, but it is undoubtedly art in a way that could only be expressed as a game.
Edit: Hell, I'll post a link anyway, you guys really need to try this:
http://www.ludomancy.com/games/today.php
However, "Today I Die" is the first instance I've come across of a successful "game as poem". It actually brought a tear to my eye, and I immediately showed it to my girlfriend who had the same response. It's only 10 minutes of your life, but it is undoubtedly art in a way that could only be expressed as a game.
Edit: Hell, I'll post a link anyway, you guys really need to try this:
http://www.ludomancy.com/games/today.php
I don't think it's right to say "arty" game. That just limits the art in the video game medium to indie games. However because it's difficult to define art, I think it's more right to say that video games are an artistic process like cinema, sculpture or music. A game I consider to be artistic is Gears of War 2 - I mean just look at the amount of effort the money spent on creative directors, visual engineers, composers, FX specialists, script writers and actors. Whether or not you think it's art, you cannot deny the artistic process and intention.
From the poll, I have to say The Longest Journey. April Ryan is one of my favourite strong female characters in gaming, and the game (and Dreamfall) are, along with the Chzo Mythos, solely esponsible for getting me interested again in point-and-click adventure games. And as far as art goes, the landscapes and artwork that went into those games was immense (I'm lucky enough to also have the limited edition concept art book for Dreamfall 
).
That said, from options not on the poll, you cannot get any more artsy and awesome than any of Tale of Tales' games. The Path is the most 'artsy' game I've seen in a very very long time. And it plays great too.
).That said, from options not on the poll, you cannot get any more artsy and awesome than any of Tale of Tales' games. The Path is the most 'artsy' game I've seen in a very very long time. And it plays great too
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When I think "Arty Game" I think of Shadow of the Collosus, but out of those I pick Portal because it takes the FPS and does something different with it. It's funny, smart, and new.
I can't pick just one, there's so many. Every Day The Same Dream, Cloud, Flower, Passage, World Of Goo, Braid. I'd recommend them all.
I'd probably go with anything by Team Ico, Psychonauts, thatgamecompany's works, Okami or Katamari Damacy.
I think Okami is the best "art" game out there. The design of the game combined with the use of painting as a means to using abilities really brings out the art aspect of the game. Not only are you looking at art playing this game, but in some ways, you can feel as if you're creating it.
