Why do I hate Brink's art style?

[Dirty Hipsters]

Ever since I heard of Brink I've been really interested in it. The idea of a multiplayer FPS with freerunning elements just sounds too cool to pass up. The problem is, every time I look at gameplay footage of this game I'm completely disgusted with the art direction, and I don't know why.

I'm fairly sure that it's not the cartoony style that's bothering me, since I love Team Fortress 2 and Borderlands (and this seems like a cross between the two), and I definitely don't think this game would look better with a more realistic style like call of duty. I really can't explain what it is about the art that I don't like, but something about it bugs me to no end.

At this point I almost don't even want to buy the game because I don't want to look at it, but the concept just seems too good to pass up, and I really want to support this new IP. What's a man to do?!

 

[Phlakes]

Because it's weird.

No, really, those people are goofy looking. It's like they're in a completely separate uncanny valley, for stylized people that are too close to looking real but just too damn weird.

 

[SilentCom]

Cause the people are distorted to have a stylized body look

My guess is this. Especially how elongated their faces are...

 

[Vern5]

Because the goofy stylization will help the game age gracefully and you, as a rotting organic creature, find that thought inherently disgusting?

Well, maybe not that. Honestly, they art style reminds me of a gritty TF2, which is both good and bad. TF2 uses a lot of solid, bright colors so that each character model looks solid and your eyes wont snag on irritating details. Brink's models have grit and small pieces on each model so your eyes will snag, which is when you will notice the weird dimensions of each character.

 

[AceAngel]

It's shaders and textures vs. model style. Do you by any chance like Pixar movies? Specifically Rat? If you do, then Brink will grow on, if not, then...erm...sorry?

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

Cause the people are distorted to have a stylized body look

My guess is this. Especially how elongated their faces are...

Looking back at the trailers again, this might be a big part of it for me.

I think that might be a huge relief for me though, since when I'm playing I won't really have much time to pay attention to what their faces look like. I guess I just shouldn't play a sniper class and then I'll be fine.

 

[SilentCom]

Or if you do play as a sniper, it gives you an extra motivation to shoot them in the face
----(x_x)--->