Board 8 > I rank series by their visual design [ranking]

(+) Yeah! (+)

Oh Rakugaki Showtime looks fun.

As for Danganronpa, it's definitely distinct, even if the way the character art looks can look a bit stiff at times.

hi sorry been a weird/not great day, but i am here to deliver some writeups

-

52. Mario Party (N64)
@-hotdogturtle--
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiAUjFYKB90&t=18s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uORccXbKtA&t=18s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKeteG-j3JA&t=45s
https://mario.wiki.gallery/images/7/77/MushroomMix-Up.png
https://mario.wiki.gallery/images/3/3d/Shell_Shocked.png
https://mario.wiki.gallery/images/3/33/MP3_Rockin_Raceway.png
https://mario.wiki.gallery/images/6/60/Mario_Party_2_Horror_Land.png

It takes a certain perspective to appreciate fifth generation graphics like this. Jagged polygons, low resolution frame rates, and a lack of detail mar the overall presentation.

...or do they? I find the N64 Mario Party design positively charming. Imagine what Nintendo was able to do with so little. In the first games intro, there is no change in anyones facial expressions, and yet a basic story is conveyed with charm. Mario Party 2 and 3 are more detailed, particularly 2, with its colorful stageplay theming. (I absolutely lost it at Peachs grand solution to just name it Peach Land.) The screenshots are also charming and colorful. The design of the Millennium Star is...not the strongest Nintendo has ever come up with.

Its tough to judge these games designs objectively. From a technical standpoint they dont hold up to more realistic and gorgeous modern graphics, but what truly matters is if they convey what they intend to convey. The Mario Party series is all about goofy fun (some might say all Mario games are about this), and the design is great at bringing that across. The appeal of such retro graphics, which embody a certain late 90s aesthetic, still lingers.

51. DeepBlueInk's Drawfee animations
@MargaretAnnMid
https://youtu.be/Obms-x-J6uA

Drawfee <3 Great channel, but Ive never delved into their fan content before. My experience with fan animations of things like podcasts or Lets Plays or what have you is mostly that I love seeing the animators interpretations of funny moments or the hosts/creators themselves. I used to be really into some fandoms and would watch a lot of fan content, and it was always neat to see the different takes on sometimes very similar starting material.

Drawfee has a lot to work with, given the sheer amount of topics and riffing the four hosts do with each other. This animation, by DeepBlueInk, portrays the hosts personalities pretty interestingly, with Nathan just sort of giggling the whole time and Jacob nervously laughing. It took me a little while to get used to the Big Head Mode in the animation; I dont think its entirely my favorite, but it does work pretty well in establishing a consistent style. My favorite part is when the video shows Julia googling Blender; the difference in lighting and facial expression is solid. I also love the incorporation of other art styles, like the posters and browser windows. Thats one of my favorite things animations like this do.

50. One Piece
@changmas
https://i.imgur.com/5oDArkh.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/LAfxMjT.jpeg
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/onepiece/images/3/39/Chapter_872.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/1200?cb=20171022010022
https://i.imgur.com/NHxEPt4.jpeg
https://preview.redd.it/o7co7oh4hcr71.png?width=2493&format=png&auto=webp&s=9daa6d343cfe88b8e60c7876e1b1e1decd28a21f

I wasnt sure what to expect from this nomination. One Piece has a reputation, at least that Ive encountered, of having a weird and somewhat off-putting art style. But these big, colorful images were nice! Every character is pretty much bursting with joy and laughter (Luffy has the same manic, gigantic grin in every picture lol). I feel like these must take place in between arcs or something, or maybe theyre just bonus pages, like the one that might be after 1000 chapters. Either way, theyre fun!

Whats interesting to me is theyre all different compositionally. In one, the Straw Hats are riding on a choo-choo train in the sky; in another, theyre stretching out and interacting with parrots; in yet another, theyre celebrating all the gold theyve attained. Character personalities are somewhat consistent. Luffy as I said is super excitable all the time, while the black-haired lady is always cool and collected. They all also seem to have stuff to do in every picture, whether its serving tea, hoisting up a treasure chest, or relaxing with some bird friends. One thing thats clear, even in these presumably non-canon images, is that these pirates care for each other.

So yeah, not quite what I was expecting. Next time give me some canon art with weird designs! ;)

49. Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light (Concept Art)
@Fluttershy_Pony
https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Final_Fantasy:_The_4_Heroes_of_Light_concept_art?file=FF_T4HoL_book.png
https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Final_Fantasy:_The_4_Heroes_of_Light_concept_art?file=Pirate_CoveArtwork.png
https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Final_Fantasy:_The_4_Heroes_of_Light_concept_art?file=T4HoLEquipment.jpg
https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Final_Fantasy:_The_4_Heroes_of_Light_concept_art?file=T4HoLMonster.jpg
https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Final_Fantasy:_The_4_Heroes_of_Light_concept_art?file=Adventurer-and-Fox.png

Final Fantasy spinoff games go through lots of interesting artstyles, from hyper realistic like Stranger of Paradise to cute and chibi like Theatrhythm. The 4 Heroes of Light definitely sides with the cute and chibi angle. I generally like art like this, so long as it isnt over the top, and this concept art is cute without being cloying. The characters play around in storybooks, try on pretty skirts, and fight evil hawk monsters, all while retaining a sort of innocence.

One thing Im not as into is that the characters all sort of look the same, particularly the boys, who both have silver hair. I get that their hair is styled differently, but I dont know, it wouldnt have hurt to see some more distinctive designs.

My favorite of the images is probably image 5, with one of the characters snoozing, their hat concealing their face. Its so chill and laidback; it sets the tone of relaxation, of having a good time, even in the face of adversity. Pretty neat!

rwlh posted...

50. One Piece
@changmas
https://i.imgur.com/5oDArkh.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/LAfxMjT.jpeg
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/onepiece/images/3/39/Chapter_872.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/1200?cb=20171022010022
https://i.imgur.com/NHxEPt4.jpeg
https://preview.redd.it/o7co7oh4hcr71.png?width=2493&format=png&auto=webp&s=9daa6d343cfe88b8e60c7876e1b1e1decd28a21f

I wasnt sure what to expect from this nomination. One Piece has a reputation, at least that Ive encountered, of having a weird and somewhat off-putting art style. But these big, colorful images were nice! Every character is pretty much bursting with joy and laughter (Luffy has the same manic, gigantic grin in every picture lol). I feel like these must take place in between arcs or something, or maybe theyre just bonus pages, like the one that might be after 1000 chapters. Either way, theyre fun!

Whats interesting to me is theyre all different compositionally. In one, the Straw Hats are riding on a choo-choo train in the sky; in another, theyre stretching out and interacting with parrots; in yet another, theyre celebrating all the gold theyve attained. Character personalities are somewhat consistent. Luffy as I said is super excitable all the time, while the black-haired lady is always cool and collected. They all also seem to have stuff to do in every picture, whether its serving tea, hoisting up a treasure chest, or relaxing with some bird friends. One thing thats clear, even in these presumably non-canon images, is that these pirates care for each other.

So yeah, not quite what I was expecting. Next time give me some canon art with weird designs! ;)

i decided to avoid anything canon that could be construed as spoilers and just went with chapter cover art which is as representative of the style as anything else

rwlh posted...

51. DeepBlueInk's Drawfee animations

I'm Merwobiba!

I feel like this one is a better representation of just what DeepBlueInk is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpXK0Gjah-U

changmas posted...

i decided to avoid anything canon that could be construed as spoilers and just went with chapter cover art which is as representative of the style as anything else

Oh, that hadn't occurred to me. I appreciate that!

azuarc posted...

I feel like this one is a better representation of just what DeepBlueInk is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpXK0Gjah-U

This is also great but I think I like the original nomination more. This one honestly doesn't need to even be animated - apart from the "frustrated blush" on Jacob's face (which is terrific), it's all pretty straightforward.

Here, have another writeup.

-

48. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable
@Bitto
https://imgur.com/a/C73C400
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1HGhFV3riY

All I knew about the artstyle of Jojo going in was that the faces are really off-putting. So imagine my disappointment when this anime clip had pretty normal character design! The highlight is Tamami, the swindler whos a completely different height from everyone else and walks like a drunk duck. There are some stylized things in the clip, like the blood streams from Tamamis mouth after he gets his tooth knocked out, and the glowing guilt boxes; I also, bizarrely, liked the animation of the ripped yen, which screamed despair to me.

Josuke and Okuyasu have such interesting designs. In addition to having plenty of symbols on their clothes, Josuke has a wicked pompadour and Okuyasu has markings on his face that look like the outline of a mask. Theres a lot of personality to this show. Im very intrigued!

47. Metal Gear Solid
@Mega_Mana

This nominator did not provide any videos or images. *wags finger* This makes this nomination difficult, because it can be interpreted in many ways. Is this the whole MGS series? Just the first game? If so, is it the melty official art, or the in-game sprites? Or maybe even the codecs? This is why I asked for references...! *harrumph*

I will interpret the nomination as the melty official art from the first game. For reference:
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/metalgear/images/5/5b/SnakeSubArt.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20080312231008
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/metalgear/images/6/6a/Psycho_Mantis.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/250?cb=20060802225149
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/metalgear/images/1/12/Sniper_Wolf.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20060802225327

Fortunately, I like the official art. Its less melty than I remember I think Im thinking of the Game Boy games? Either way, the art is mostly static portraits, very formal-looking, like the characters are posing. You dont get a real sense of who they are or what their purpose is...which, you could argue, is the point, since theyre all pawns in a massive conspiracy. And you could even argue that its another step removed, since theyre all being played literally by you, the player.

Relevant:
https://www.theonion.com/video-game-character-wondering-why-heartless-god-always-1819566102

Anyway, its fine, its all fine. The character designs in MGS1 are very on point, so even this fairly basic display is enough to get that across. Snakes sneaking suit is so emblematic of his character, as is Psycho Mantiss gas mask and Sniper Wolfs sniper rifle. The art lets us see these things and associate them with the cast. Sometimes thats all you can ask for.

azuarc posted...

That video makes me want to just cue up a Game Design Doc video to play "BAD DESIGN!" In fact, it might have even been in one.

but it's so cool https://youtu.be/-Qp7x6D0Qcg

Here, have another writeup.

-

46. Warioware series
@paulg235
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvu37S3xcaU
https://fs-prod-cdn.nintendo-europe.com/media/images/06_screenshots/games_5/wii_7/wii_wariowaresmoothmoves/Wii_WarioWareSmoothMoves_03.jpg
https://gonintendo.com/system/file_uploads/uploads/000/047/501/medium/DiWujUXW4AErtyP.jpg
https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UjtWqw61GkIwKwRejT_KVTLjPAI=/0x0:1920x1080/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:1920x1080):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22661137/warioware_acnh.jpg

Its sort of hard to judge this nomination as a whole. Part of what makes the video so charming is its deliberate lo-fi nature, with compressed audio and crispy graphics. The images are much sharper and more modern (well, not the first one, with the person drinking, but the other two).

So it behooves me to look for commonalities and judge based on that. The WarioWare series as a whole has this aesthetic of weird and frenetic, where anything goes. The video gives us lots of low-polygon microgames that arent super varied in appearance, but thats where the pictures come in. The dude drinking the water looks deliciously off-model and almost grotesque, but in a charming way. But I especially love the Animal Crossing image, with Dribble and Spitz disrupting the animation style and looking very pleased with themselves.

I imagine its hard to pick a selection that encapsulates what makes this series standout visual design, but you did a decent job! WarioWare sort of defies categorization, haha.

Here, have another writeup.

-

45. WWE (Boom Comics)
@Fluttershy_Pony
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/1/5/AAXIRqAADygj.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/1/6/AAXIRqAADygk.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/1/7/AAXIRqAADygl.jpg

Comics take themselves too seriously sometimes. Its good sometimes to laugh and have fun. (Remember that time Charles Barkley fought Godzilla?) So what better crossover to make comics goofy than professional wrestling? The WWE also straddles the line between silly and serious. Theyre a perfect fit for each other.

Although honestly, the only one of these images that could be considered goofy is the third, with a giant-sized wrestler fighting a giant-sized bear. The other two are pretty serious, but I trust in the good people at World Wrestling Entertainment to not be too serious. Im guessing image 1 is Jake The Snake Roberts? He looks really cool there, not gonna lie. Really, all of these images are excellently drawn, showing the wrestlers as figures of power who could destroy mankind if they wanted to. Aint that the truth?

UF8 posted...

but it's so cool https://youtu.be/-Qp7x6D0Qcg

Not arguing that. You'd need to see the videos I'm referencing to understand.

https://youtu.be/5mjQl3En6zQ?t=849

rwlh posted...

Im guessing image 1 is Jake The Snake Roberts? He looks really cool there, not gonna lie.

Indeed it is! And I'm counting the fact that you didn't completely despise the nomination as a personal victory.

44. Warhammer 40K
@Anagram
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/4/2/AACpsLAADyg-.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/4/3/AACpsLAADyg_.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/4/6/AACpsLAADyhC.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/4/7/AACpsLAADyhD.jpg

These pictures have strong my action figures can beat up your action figures vibes. Take image 2, Battlesector. We have a Space Marine fighting a Space Velociraptor. Now, one might take the side of the Marine, given the size of the gun (it even has a tiny skull with wings on it! How cute). However, Im leaning toward the Velociraptor. It looks agile, plus it can probably tear a hole in the Marines armor with its very pointy claws. Is this what Warhammer is? Having imaginary battles with action figures? Could Donkey Kong upset the balance of power in this fight? (If DK shoots them, its gonna hurt.)

I really like the design of the orc(?) in image 3. Green, muscular, and armed to the teeth. Whats happening with its mouth? Is that a bandana or does it have no jaw?

I like that these are all basically still shots in the middle of a fight, like the warriors all decided to pause melodramatically. (Comics do this too and I always find it distracting. You all just decided at once to stop and pose for an entire splash page?). These are generally fine. I like the designs and general layout. Theres also a nice mix of character types. Pretty fun!

rwlh posted...

44. Warhammer 40K
These pictures have strong my action figures can beat up your action figures vibes. Is this what Warhammer is? Having imaginary battles with action figures?

Yes, that is literally what Warhammer is, lol.

nailed it

Honestly I thought Warhammer had a whole universe built around it with novels and such. Is that all supplementary material?

Yes

Today I learned something.

Here, have another writeup.

-

43. Fullmetal Alchemist
@Mega_Mana

This nominator did not provide any videos or images. *wags finger* As such, I will be judging this series by a cursory Google Image search.

Fortunately for you, I am a little familiar with FMA (though not much). Things I found that I liked from the image search (and also from memory):

• the character designs are fun, particularly Eds, who is super pouty
• the way Ed and Al are juxtaposed next to each other is striking; Al is this hulking slab of metal and the composition is super effective
• the setting, which I think is steampunky, I remember being captivating

I dont know why but this image cracks me up, I just want to pinch his cheeks
https://www.looper.com/img/gallery/heres-how-you-can-watch-every-episode-of-fullmetal-alchemist-brotherhood/l-intro-1613507565.jpg

So its all basically good stuff. I didnt look up any videos or anything but the color covers and portraits from the manga are very solid in terms of design and structure.

Also, 40K was (unironically) responsible for gifting the world with the term grimdark.

In the grim darkness of the far future there is only war -tagline to the 2nd edition, 1993

42. Planet DOB
@Place
https://youtu.be/7Y0WaxAOnzg

Woah this is like LSD Dream emulator and Katamari Damacy's love child -a YouTube comment

I like to think that this 5-minute promotional video is actually the first 5 minutes you see when you boot up the game.

Planet DOB has a storied history of being essentially a vanity project for a Japanese band who decided to randomly make a bizarre PSX game. This trailer makes it seem almost like a proto-WarioWare, in addition to the similarities in the quote above (never mind that Im pretty sure this game predates both of those). The actual visual design is trippy. I had absolutely no idea what was going on at any point in time, even the parts that looked like they logistically followed each other. My take: our hero is a space alien who gets caught in a net and captured on Earth where his memories are harvested out to penis men. I will assume this is the correct interpretation even when proven otherwise.

This is one of those games thats constantly doing things. Even when you think its still, like five more things happen. Id find it exhausting to play, but its nice to look at and especially to listen to.

If that's a promotional video, then I'd assume that it's just a bunch of gameplay clips spliced together for demonstration, and the actual game doesn't switch between different actions in 5-10 second intervals like that.

As far as design, it probably says something about me that I'd consider this a normal looking video game and would lament that modern games have increasingly moved away from looking like this in favor of less distinctive designs.

Oh I like Planet DOB visuals a lot huh. (probably more than it deserves?) That is an aesthetic that just doesn't seem to exist anymore.

-hotdogturtle-- posted...

If that's a promotional video, then I'd assume that it's just a bunch of gameplay clips spliced together for demonstration, and the actual game doesn't switch between different actions in 5-10 second intervals like that.

I assumed as much. It's just funnier to me to think of it that way. Like you boot up the game and that's the first 5 minutes you experience.

41. Enderal: Forgotten Stories
@Simoun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itm_AG9YbeQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chn3GAHyLeY

First off, independent of the visual design, I really appreciate the composition of these videos. Theyre so chill. They really take their time in showing off the world.

Enderal isnt as flashy as some of the other game nominees, but thats okay because thats not what its going for. Its going for an understated charm, something that youll notice when playing but it wont be a distraction. (So I gather.) Although I do think theres plenty to stop and gawk at; I was particularly a fan of the snowy climate. Also I love those purple glowing crystals!

This Skyrim mod experiments with dynamic lighting, though I did think it was a bit too dark in the first section of the first video. The second part, in Arks Lower City, uses shadows more effectively. Lower City is probably pound for pound my favorite aspect of this nomination: rich in character, with implied lore everywhere.

Fun nomination! Really glad you picked it.

40. The Witness
@Chaeix
https://image.api.playstation.com/vulcan/img/rnd/202010/0113/odtNAKyNgLbrNsRpjwJ0kOQS.png
https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/The-Witness.png?fit=1280%2C720&strip=all
https://store-images.s-microsoft.com/image/apps.63174.63375690896272889.656d8032-d309-4bcf-a394-d2ca7e27f954.2739cd18-0cf3-4ef7-9b1b-0016406ae92c

Coloooooooor~ I want it I need it give it to me~

Holy wow these pictures are gorgeous. But not in the traditional sense. Theres something uncanny about them. Particularly the first image. The land sort of tapers off and gives way to an empty blue void. I know rendering out of bounds areas in games is often a challenge, but The Witness takes that and...I guess runs with it? It makes the whole thing seem surreal, like its out of a dream. I find it very effective. Adding to that is the dreamlike quality of the trees. Its hard to notice at first, but on the closeup in image 3, theres almost like a bit of a blurring effect. It feels almost like a Van Gogh painting.

The overall effect is honestly pretty spooky! I have to assume thats the intent and that it isnt me reading something into the design that isnt there. But even if thats true, I like designs that can make me feel strong things, and The Witness certainly evoked something strong.

39. Q*Bert (Saturday Supercade)
@Fluttershy_Pony
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os-YIVjAQpw
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/8/7/2/AAXIRqAADyKA.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/8/7/3/AAXIRqAADyKB.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/8/7/4/AAXIRqAADyKC.jpg

I love how unabashedly this intro is screaming, Do you remember this game? This is a cartoon based on the game that you love. Also Q*Bert is your favorite and you will watch this show for the next 22 minutes. I just want to point that out.

The animation style is fairly indistinguishable from other low-budget Saturday morning cartoons. But I love that! Theres something so charming about a show that wears it on its sleeve like this one does, reused animation frames and all.

What makes Q*Bert stand out are these little costume reels Fluttershy posted, with Q*Bert and his friends cosplaying as popular musicians of the era. Coily is also dressed as a banana split for some reason. How does that even work?

This is not, like, high art or anything. But thats okay. I have a soft spot for this style and era of animation. In another persons ranking topic, this might be bottom tier. For me, you chose wisely.

38. Manhattan Transfer Design Portfolio
@Place
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y_He2x17_0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPJKLMdSoxs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5FcI3NIYbA

Of all the nominations I received, this one stands alone for being the only one thats not for a work of fiction: these short clips are all essentially advertisements that aired on various TV channels in the late 90s and early 00s. Some of them really stretch the boundaries of this topic due to being live action to some extent, but eh, theyre visual enough.

Its interesting ranking this alongside the other noms. How do I judge a bumper of Busta Rhymes with his dreads extending into computer terminals alongside something like Okami, or Resident Evil? (hi Capcom) Ill say that the bumpers are very unique and captivating, and even charming. The series of ads for upcoming films in the third video is cute (The following entertainment experience has been designated: HORROR. Caution: The killer about to call you is already inside your house.) and varied enough that I wondered what was going to happen next.

The ads all have this early 00s aesthetic thats unmistakeable to that era, highly influenced by Apple products. Lots of floating circles and menus. Sometimes people use the interface like a touch screen. Theres static and glitching. At one point the screen turns into binary. I greatly enjoyed the ad for the new Volkswagon Beetle, showing people passing by and staring with glee, from the perspective of the car door (unknown to us at the time). It shows the expansiveness of design, and what it can do when you think outside the box.

That's it for today, because we're at the halfway point! I thought it would be good to do a check in and see who's still got some skin in the game.

Here is everything remaining, sorted by nominator.

azuarc (4!)
Astalon: Tears of the Earth
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
It Takes Two
Potionomics

Bitto (2)
Return of the Obra Dinn
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse

changmas (3)
A Pup Named Scooby Doo!
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Legends of Runeterra

DragonGargoyle (3)
Chaotic (TCG)
Gargoyle's Quest
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Johnbobb (4!)
Code Monkeys
God of War
Journey
Kirby's Epic Yarn

MargaretAnnMid (1)
Vampire Hunter D

paulg235 (1)
Cuphead

Place (2)
Mind Game
World of Tomorrow

pyresword (2)
Hollow Knight
Katanagatari

Raka_Putra (2)
Hitman
Paprika

redrocket (2)
The Dark Crystal (1982/Age of Resistance)
Voltron

Simoun (2)
Mystery Skulls Animated
Root the Boardgame

Snake5555555555 (4!)
Outlast
Punisher Max
Resident Evil
Silent Hill

tazzyboyishere (3)
Berserk
Bloodborne
Okami

UF8 (2)
Hulaing Babies
Virtual Cat's Neko Katsudou (Cat Activity) series

I didn't really pay attention to individual nominators when going through things, so it's interesting seeing it laid out like this. It's still anybody's game! (Unless you've been eliminated. Then it is sadly no longer your game. But I hope you're still following along!)

Feel free to post any predictions!

Still perfect!

lol I'm already out.

I am still perfect but also I only submitted 2 things >.>

Still perfect! I definitely didn't expect Code Monkey in the top half but I'm here for it

I'm fortunate enough to have everything still left (though usually when this happens they drop like flies right after,) but of the other nominations, I'm pulling for Okami.

I didn't expect Obra Dinn to get in the top half, but that's a pleasant surprise. I'm happy with the write-ups my noms got.

One of the really neat things about JoJo's animation is the color changing. In the manga, there's no real canon color palette, even for characters. The anime, of course, needed to do this but at times of high tension, they switch around the color palette. I like it a lot. I also like the weird coloring of the setting in Part 4, especially the sky. JoJo can have some pretty wild designs, but I think I generally like Part 4's artstyle the most (though, it probably has the least interesting costuming design. I never like uniforms as a costume, even when personalized like Josuke and Okuyasu).

I'll post my thoughts on the other noms in a pastebin later. It's been busy the last few days.

let us RESUME

-

37. Gargoyle's Quest
@DragonGargoyle
https://imgur.com/a/9vlqrwh

Im kind of surprised at how cute the official art is for this game. Firebrand watching the street in Hellsville actually elicited an aww from me. I guess I shouldnt be surprised: its got that sort of dumpy, clay-like art you see in a lot of older NES games, like Mega Man or Metroid. Its endearing. That translates well to a cute little sprite in the actual game. I like the first image, where all the bosses (presumably) gang up on Firebrand and hes like BITCH COME AT ME BRO. It sets up the expectation that this game might be spooky, but not scary.

...although the character in image 5 is serious nightmare fuel. Why does his stomach have a mouth aaaaahhhh

36. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
DragonGargoyle (I don't have the heart to ping you twice in a row)
https://youtu.be/Y20LfKqdJOM?t=956
https://imgur.com/a/NwilSbU

Twilight Princess is widely considered one of the darker Zelda games. Looking at this media, its easy to understand why. The depiction of Twilight, realms given up to some shadowy force, is rendered fairly effectively. Twilight regions are full of these glitchy squares, with Link and Midna teleporting almost like data. The color scheme of tan and black is muted and probably a little too samey, but it serves its purpose of being dreary.

You did a good job with picking a variety of still images to supplement the video. Some fun character design in image 5 with a spicy Goron and in image 2 with Horrible Bird Kargarok, whose wings resemble wires. The Shadow Beasts in image 3 are also fun design, with arms full of rune-like symbols. Despite the breadth of images, the design is consistent; everything is identifiably from the same source.

Is Twilight Princess my favorite Zelda visually? No, that probably belongs to Wind Waker. But I think Twilight Princess took some creative visual risks, and for that Im very appreciative.

Twilight Princess is the ugliest 1st party Nintendo game that they've ever made.

I liked it! Like I said in my writeup, some of it is a little samey, but there are some cool aspects to it, like the digital effects and the color scheming. I certainly wouldn't call it ugly, but I know that's pretty (no pun intended) subjective.

I love the visuals of Twilight Princess. I don't know if it's necessarily the design itself as much just like the color palette or something, but the game just has this really eerie ambiance to it especially during the Twilight segments and it just felt really cool to play through.

I've never legit played TP, but from what I've seen of it, it was less the literal character models and stuff and more the effects surrounding it that made it interesting.

35. Resident Evil
@Snake5555555555
https://imgur.com/a/ZURoQlw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8LhE2_ybXs

I appreciate you not giving me anything too spooky here. As of this writeup I havent yet looked at your Silent Hill nomination, so I hope that also stands there! [edit: nope lol]

This video and most of these pictures are a tour of the Spencer Mansion, where (I presume) most of the action of the first Resident Evil takes place. Whats interesting about this virtual tour is it reveals that the mansion itself isnt decaying or anything, as I expected. It seems fairly well-maintained. The menace comes from the lighting and, as the tour descends into the lower levels, the decorating. (What mansion needs torches along the walls?) The doors, a big part of the games suspense, are suitably ominous; some of them are big and ornate. What horrors hide behind them?

The first picture is actually completely different: three people sitting jovially around a dimly lit table, with plates of what appear to be entrails before them. This is the sort of over the top style I assumed Resident Evil was known for. It works pretty well, again largely due to the lighting and composition. The horror is more overt here, contrasting nicely with the spooky ambiance of the mansion. If I were into horror in general and I wasnt familiar with this series, you would be doing a good advertising job for it!

34. A Series of Unfortunate Events
@changmas
https://i.imgur.com/FLq03ll.jpg?1

Okay so putting all thirteen (!!) of these book covers into one image is already a stretch, but Im willing to overlook that. But theyre not even in order! It goes 12, 7, 4, 2, 8, etc., in no discernible pattern. Again, not a dealbreaker, but it is mildly annoying lol

A Series of Unfortunate Events is a wildly successful childrens book series by Lemony Snicket. The book covers, at least these American editions, are great at conveying that sense of doom and despair the books embody. In book 1 we see the orphaned Beaudelaire kids about to enter a shadowy home with a sinister-looking man on the other end (its curious that we see this POV from over Olafs shoulder and not the kids). The other covers offer similarly glum portents. In book 7s cover, the kids are attacked by birds as they attempt to climb a precariously high rope ladder. Book 9 is a rampaging lion, ready to maul. Book 10 is a baby on the precipice of an icy cliff. It culminates in book 13, where the bedraggled, waterlogged orphans come across what appears to be a dead body.

Its been said that a book cover is a great teaser for the tone of a book. These covers are shocking and impactful, full of danger and mystery. No wonder the books were such a hit!

rwlh posted...

Okay so putting all thirteen (!!) of these book covers into one image is already a stretch, but Im willing to overlook that. But theyre not even in order! It goes 12, 7, 4, 2, 8, etc., in no discernible pattern. Again, not a dealbreaker, but it is mildly annoying lol

yeahhh i definitely cheated a bit here, although I did only submit the one image ! i felt like submitting 5 individual book covers wasn't enough though!

i do think the book covers do a fantastic job at conveying the contents and themes of the novels and especially a sense of oddity with the shapes of faces and bodies

They don't call it A Series of Unfortunate Events for nothing. The picture contained 1 series!

Yup, I deliberately went for RE's "softer" side when it comes to visual design / aesthetic, which is nevertheless a huge part of RE's horror and why they work so well as atmospheric pieces. The places being so well-maintained make you realize just how recently tragedy has struck. These huge, looming Gothic foyers now stand beautifully erected to greet exactly no one except the next poor soul that stumbles into its purview. I'm super glad you mentioned the lighting and doors, and also that the first pic wasn't too extreme for you, as I definitely wanted to capture RE's more vicious side as well.

lol it's fine. Just ribbing you.

Snake5555555555 posted...

Yup, I deliberately went for RE's "softer" side when it comes to visual design / aesthetic, which is nevertheless a huge part of RE's horror and why they work so well as atmospheric pieces. The places being so well-maintained make you realize just how recently tragedy has struck. These huge, looming Gothic foyers now stand beautifully erected to greet exactly no one except the next poor soul that stumbles into its purview. I'm super glad you mentioned the lighting and doors, and also that the first pic wasn't too extreme for you, as I definitely wanted to capture RE's more vicious side as well.

I appreciated that! It was cool to see the "softer side," as you put it.

Starting today off with another writeup.

-

33. It Takes Two
@azuarc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5DmoxfR52M

It Takes Two exudes a level of fun and exploration common to a lot of Nintendo games, despite not being made by Nintendo. It offers a variety of environments, each one seemingly full of adventure. The various aesthetics displayed in the IGN review enhance the gameplay through increasing the sense of fun. Some areas were dimly lit and full of shadow, suggesting a more careful exploration; others, like the snowball fight, were big and bold and expansive.

This is a tricky nomination. Unlike many of the other game noms, I feel like Im unable to appreciate the full power of It Takes Twos visual design unless I play the game. Looking from the outside in, it seems lively and strong and vibrant, a world worth diving into. I especially appreciated the sense of play the aesthetic exudes at basically all times, which reflects the story of a married couple trying to rekindle the spark. Above all else, it seems like fun. That much I can safely glean.