Art style in video games potentially has a huge impact, not just to the game, but also to the gaming experience, especially when it comes to the visuals. 

When discussing art style in video games, it means a broad range of important components, such as digital art, paintings, lighting, colours, photography, characters, landscapes, environments, etc., which give the game its look. 

The two most fundamental art styles used in gaming today are 2D and 3D, and the difference between graphics and art style is that graphics are the pixels and quality of the images. The two are designed to complement each other.

Let’s dive straight in and take a closer look at why art style matters in the design of a game. 

Why is art style important in game design? 

When designing a computer-generated game, whether it’s a high-end, more graphically demanding triple-A video game, a basic Indie game, a feature-rich online slot machine, or a cutting-edge live dealer game show like the ones you can find at today’s best live casinos, one the most important issues all game developers must consider is the art style. 

Art styles used in gaming can also refer to animations, cover art, concept art, shaders, user interfaces, and compositions, depending on the game. The art style used in a game can be the difference between enjoying and completely detesting a game. 

Getting the right kind of art style can enhance the gamer’s viewing experience and overall gameplay experience. If a player enjoys a certain art style, they are more likely to return to that game in the future. 

A unique art style that’s appealing to a broad audience can make a game stand out from the crowd and make it more appealing to play. 

Therefore, from a business perspective, art style is crucial in game design, and it must be carefully selected when creating something new that will hopefully go on to be a success. 

Which games feature the best art styles?

Here are the names of some of the best online games with excellent art styles. It includes a broad range of gaming content, from PC and console video games to online slot machines that can be played from any modern smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. 

Popular games with impressive art styles are the following hit titles, some of which you must be at least 18 years old to play:

• No Man’s Sky: Interceptor
• Cuphead
• Jurassic Park Gold: Link & Win
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
• Thunderstruck – Stormchaser: Multichase
• Rich Wilde and the Tome of Madness
• Wild Wild Riches: Luck of the Irish Megaways
• Red Dead Redemption 2
• Forza Horizon 5
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider
• Lara Croft: Temples and Tombs
• Elden Ring
• Journey
• LIMBO
• Persona 5 Royal

Other games with impressive art styles are BioShock: Infinite, Overwatch, Far Cry 6, Cyberpunk 2077, Gonzo’s Quest Megaways, The Goonies Return, Robocop: Cash Collect, Ancient Fortunes Poseidon WowPot Megaways, and Katmandu Gold. 

That’s not forgetting Deal or No Deal Megaways, Rick and Morty Megaways, Planet of the Apes, and Jumanji, to name a few. 

Final thoughts

The next time you play any of these games, take a minute to look closer at the art styles used. It may give you a much better appreciation of the game. 

Don’t forget that to play some of the games mentioned above, you must be at least 18 years old, so always check that you’re old enough before playing. 

For example, to play online slots and other classic casino games on a licensed and regulated iGaming site, the legal minimum age in most countries is 18. However, in some parts of the world, it’s 19 or 21.