Visual Styles in Video Games

Visual style is the atmosphere and the feel of the game. The way the game is presented, not the genre but the style. It’s easy to get genre and style confused. Although they seem similar, they are actually quite different. Genre is the type of game, for example; RPG, MMO, strategy. The style of a game is more atmospheric.

FIFA 13; EA Sports

·        Upbeat, Fast

·        Teamwork

·        Simulation

·        Light

·        Competitive

Grand Theft Auto IV; Rockstar Games

·        Dark, Gloomy

·        Fast paced

·        Gritty, Violence

·        Angry

·        Rough, Worn

League of Legends; Riot Games

·       Atmospheric

·       Dark, Mysterious

·       Teamwork

·       Competitive

·       Rewarding

Halo 3; Bungie

·        Mysterious, Dark

·        Fast Paced

·        Quick Thinking

·        Strategic

·        Weapons, Moderate Violence  

Brutal Legend; Double Fine Productions

·        Strange, Random

·        Mindboggling

·        Fast, Gory

·        Atmospheric

·        Bright Lighting

Strife; S2 Games

·        Fast Paced

·        Energetic

·        Dark, Mysterious

·        Strategic

·        Teamwork

The style of the game can depend on the genre but it’s important not to confuse the two. As an example you could look at FIFA compared to GTA. FIFA is a sport game, whereas GTA is more stimulation violence. FIFA is more light and cheery, as GTA is violent and dark.

The visual style of a game is impacted by the genre, a game such as Mario is quite versatile. Being a franchise there is multiple Mario games. Some, like Mario Kart is more light and fast paced, whereas Super Mario Bros is more dark, mysterious and gripping.

Mysterious;

·        Strife

·        League of Legends

·        Halo

·        Assassins Creed

·        Super Mario Bros

Dark and Gloomy;

·        Grand Theft Auto

·        Strife

·        Halo

·        Super Mario Bros

·        Assassins Creed

Fast Paced;

·        Brutal Legend

·        Grand Theft Auto

·        FIFA

·        Halo

·        Strife

Upbeat;

·        FIFA

·        Mario Kart

·        Legend of Zelda

·        Sonic The Hedgehog

·        Pacman

Competitive;

·        League of Legends

·        FIFA

·        Strife

·        Wii Sports

·        Forza Motorsport

Rough;

·        Grand Theft Auto IV

·        Tekken

·        Brutal Legend

·        Assassins Creed

·        Halo

Cheery;

·        Mario Kart

·        Sonic The Hedgehog

·        Wii Sports

·        Just Dance

·        Boom Blox

Atmospheric;

·        Legend of Zelda

·        Brutal Legend

·        Halo

·        Call of Duty

·        Assassins Creed

Anger and Violence;

·        Brutal Legend

·        Halo

·        Tekken

·        Grand Theft Auto

·        Assassins Creed

Teamwork;

·        League of Legends

·        Strife

·        Wii Sports

·        Boom Blox

·        FIFA
 

Most games will have multiple styles, however they all tend to complement each other in the right ways. Some games may have a light, cheery feel to it in some places and a dark, mysterious vibe in another part. Each visual style will fit the story, then complement one another.

Lets take league of Legends for an example. Each character has their own personality and style. Vi, a metal fisted, pink haired warrior. She shows violence but also humor. Another example could be Garen, a very serious and strong soldier. Each character is different, this impacts the style of the game. Playing as Vi is more fun and adventurous, whereas playing as Garen is much more serious and challenging. So some styles can be influenced by the character you are playing within a game.

Further more, Tekken is a very dark and deep game. It is a fighting game, hence why it's quite a dark game. This further explains my theory of a games style complimenting it's genre. You don't see many fighter games where it is all cheerful and happy, unless it's a bunch of girls having a pillow fight. My point is, genre is a very different thing to style but not so different at the same time.

To  add on, Angry birds is a puzzle/strategy game. However it is quite fun, addictive too. The aim of the game is to throw the 'Angry Birds' at the structure that the 'pigs' are hiding in. The pigs have stole the birds eggs, which is why they are angry.
The style of this game is quite upbeat and energetic, with a eerie edge to it.

Even though games are different genres, games can be of the same style.
For example, The Legend of Zelda is a action/adventure game with an upbeat style. FIFA also has an upbeat feel to the game, but it's genre is sports. Two completely different games both have the same style, but very different genres.