Praiseworthy graphics in video games
I’ve been thinking a bit about graphics in video games. Specifically, good games whose graphics reinforce their awesomeness.
Obviously, the entirety of this post is based on my opinions (putting it here so I don’t have to say ‘in my opnion’ each line).
I’m not talking about good games where the graphics also happen to be good (such as what some people think of the Elder Scrolls games, or the Devil May Cry series, or Red Dead Redemption, or many of the Final Fantasy games).
I’m not talking about a separate rant of mine: Games whose only real saving grace is the graphics: Such as my own opinion of most of the more recent Final Fantasy Games, Red Dead Redemption, or Elder Scrolls. I often rant ‘They only talk about the graphics so they’re hiding how crappy the gameplay itself is!’
I’m talking specifically about games that are good on their own merits, but their graphics really elevate them. Where the graphics are just right. Not yet another good component, nor an attempt to disguise a bad game. I mean those rare few elements where talking about the graphics is deserved, it adds something rather than hides something. Where we say “Man-those graphics were exactly what this needed!” It’s a short list. In random order:
Limbo (XBLA): Wow. This game is incredibly creepy. The gameplay itself works fine, but the way the game is rendered amps the eerie factor a good deal. The black-and-white, the vague out-of-focus, the shadows. It took an already decent game and made it even more unsettling:
Out of This World/Another World (SNES): Like the above, but even more so. This was a cult classic game. It was an extremely action/puzzle platformer. Like Limbo, it was also quite scary at moments (especially given that I first played it when I was only around 9 years old or so). The graphics give it an extra edge. The alien world is hauntingly and beautifully rendered. The rotoscoping gives it a more realistic, more urgent demeanor. And the various frightening, often startling, ways to die appear all the creepier for the result. It’s the previous generation’s version of Limbo.
Donkey Kong Country (SNES): This is by itself, a great platformer. But the graphics really help it shine. They pushed the SNES’ capabilities to the limit. The way the levels and characters are rendered, gives it a lush feeling that really does make you feel like you’re exploring these areas. Again, I don’t normally gush over a game’s graphics, but this just seems to add something that heightens the wonder and joy of it.
Braid (XBLA): I didn’t enjoy the game as much as most people did, but even I have to admit there’s genius behind it. The idea of having the entirety of the game look like a painting is fairly unique.
Hexen 2 (PC): This is from Id Software, makers of Doom. It’s in the hexen/heretic game series, often described as ‘Doom with spells instead of guns.’ I quite enjoyed it. Hexen 2 uses the (original) Quake engine, I believe. Hexen popularized ‘hub’ style play, rather than linear progression. What I appreciate about Hexen 2 is that they put some decent effort into making each world look pretty distinct from the others, unlike Doom. There’s a generic medieval English world, a Mesoamerican one, an Egyptian theme, and a Graeco-Roman style. They did a good job of making each world look (and even play) differently. It’s a good variety, given that it’s a pretty long game.
Assassin’s Creed (Xbox 360): Sentimental favorite: It’s the very first game I played on my new Xbox 360. It's amusing: As I was assembling the 360, I was talking to my ex about gameplay vs. graphics. She'd said she only liked 'pretty' games. I was explaining about how gameplay is more important. My statement went something like this: "I see what you're saying, but graphics aren't nearly as important as the gameplay. The graphics are something you need to look past and focus on the game itself. Graphics can be pretty, but in the end holy CRAP I can see the individual leaves casting shadows on my character's cloak. This is awesome!" I lost that argument quite happily :). So, it's a bit of a sentimental favorite.
What do you all think? What are some games whose graphics aren't the only saving grace, aren't just sort of good, but are a key component to an already great game?
Obviously, the entirety of this post is based on my opinions (putting it here so I don’t have to say ‘in my opnion’ each line).
I’m not talking about good games where the graphics also happen to be good (such as what some people think of the Elder Scrolls games, or the Devil May Cry series, or Red Dead Redemption, or many of the Final Fantasy games).
I’m not talking about a separate rant of mine: Games whose only real saving grace is the graphics: Such as my own opinion of most of the more recent Final Fantasy Games, Red Dead Redemption, or Elder Scrolls. I often rant ‘They only talk about the graphics so they’re hiding how crappy the gameplay itself is!’
I’m talking specifically about games that are good on their own merits, but their graphics really elevate them. Where the graphics are just right. Not yet another good component, nor an attempt to disguise a bad game. I mean those rare few elements where talking about the graphics is deserved, it adds something rather than hides something. Where we say “Man-those graphics were exactly what this needed!” It’s a short list. In random order:
Limbo (XBLA): Wow. This game is incredibly creepy. The gameplay itself works fine, but the way the game is rendered amps the eerie factor a good deal. The black-and-white, the vague out-of-focus, the shadows. It took an already decent game and made it even more unsettling:
Out of This World/Another World (SNES): Like the above, but even more so. This was a cult classic game. It was an extremely action/puzzle platformer. Like Limbo, it was also quite scary at moments (especially given that I first played it when I was only around 9 years old or so). The graphics give it an extra edge. The alien world is hauntingly and beautifully rendered. The rotoscoping gives it a more realistic, more urgent demeanor. And the various frightening, often startling, ways to die appear all the creepier for the result. It’s the previous generation’s version of Limbo.
Donkey Kong Country (SNES): This is by itself, a great platformer. But the graphics really help it shine. They pushed the SNES’ capabilities to the limit. The way the levels and characters are rendered, gives it a lush feeling that really does make you feel like you’re exploring these areas. Again, I don’t normally gush over a game’s graphics, but this just seems to add something that heightens the wonder and joy of it.
Braid (XBLA): I didn’t enjoy the game as much as most people did, but even I have to admit there’s genius behind it. The idea of having the entirety of the game look like a painting is fairly unique.
Hexen 2 (PC): This is from Id Software, makers of Doom. It’s in the hexen/heretic game series, often described as ‘Doom with spells instead of guns.’ I quite enjoyed it. Hexen 2 uses the (original) Quake engine, I believe. Hexen popularized ‘hub’ style play, rather than linear progression. What I appreciate about Hexen 2 is that they put some decent effort into making each world look pretty distinct from the others, unlike Doom. There’s a generic medieval English world, a Mesoamerican one, an Egyptian theme, and a Graeco-Roman style. They did a good job of making each world look (and even play) differently. It’s a good variety, given that it’s a pretty long game.
Assassin’s Creed (Xbox 360): Sentimental favorite: It’s the very first game I played on my new Xbox 360. It's amusing: As I was assembling the 360, I was talking to my ex about gameplay vs. graphics. She'd said she only liked 'pretty' games. I was explaining about how gameplay is more important. My statement went something like this: "I see what you're saying, but graphics aren't nearly as important as the gameplay. The graphics are something you need to look past and focus on the game itself. Graphics can be pretty, but in the end holy CRAP I can see the individual leaves casting shadows on my character's cloak. This is awesome!" I lost that argument quite happily :). So, it's a bit of a sentimental favorite.
What do you all think? What are some games whose graphics aren't the only saving grace, aren't just sort of good, but are a key component to an already great game?