Game Style Creation: Enhancing Player Experience Through Graphics

CEO & Founder at RetroStyle Games | Jun 2, 2023

In the diverse and ever-evolving world of gaming, game style plays a crucial role in captivating players and creating memorable experiences. From visual aesthetics to gameplay mechanics, well-crafted game art and design can make your game stand out in a crowded market.

In this blog post, we will delve into different video game art styles and provide you with valuable tips on how to create a game style that leaves a lasting impression. Hope this video game art style guide will be useful for you.

Defining Game Style

Game style refers to the overall artistic and visual presentation, as well as the gameplay elements and mechanics that define a particular game. It encompasses the combination of aesthetics, themes, genres, and design choices that create a unique experience for players. Game style plays a crucial role in shaping the player’s perception, emotional engagement, and overall enjoyment of the game.

It has a significant impact on the player experience. It sets the tone, atmosphere, and mood of the game, creating a cohesive and immersive world for players to explore. The style can evoke specific emotions, such as excitement, fear, or nostalgia, which can enhance the player’s engagement and connection to the game.

Moreover, game style helps in establishing the game’s identity and differentiating it from other titles in the market. It contributes to the overall branding and marketing of the game, attracting the target audience and setting expectations for the gameplay experience.

There are some key elements of best art style games we can mention:

1
Visual Aesthetics
The visual style of a game includes elements such as art direction, graphics, color palette, lighting, and visual effects. It determines the overall look and feel of the game world and characters, ranging from realistic and detailed to stylized or abstract.
2
Gameplay Mechanics
Game style encompasses the mechanics, rules, and interactions that define how players engage with the game. This includes aspects such as controls, movement, combat, puzzles, progression systems, and player choices. The chosen game style should align with the intended gameplay experience and complement the mechanics.
3
Audio Design
Sound effects, music, and voice acting contribute to the overall game style. The audio elements can enhance immersion, create a specific atmosphere, and evoke emotional responses in players.
4
Narrative and Themes
The narrative style and themes explored in a game contribute to its overall style. Whether it’s a linear story-driven game, an open-world sandbox, or a multiplayer Tower Defense, the narrative structure and themes shape the player’s engagement and emotional investment in the game.

Defining game style aesthetics refers to the visual and sensory elements that create the game’s artistic identity. It encompasses aspects such as realistic, cartoonish, pixel art, cel-shading, minimalist, or retro visuals. Aesthetics can also include the overall tone, atmosphere, and art direction, which contribute to the game’s unique style.

On the other side, themes encompass the overarching ideas, concepts, and motifs that the game explores. It can be related to genres like fantasy, sci-fi, horror, historical, or contemporary settings. Themes can also include specific topics, such as love, war, exploration, survival, or mystery. The chosen themes influence the narrative, characters, and gameplay elements, creating a cohesive and immersive experience.

How to Choose the Right Style for Your Genre

When choosing the right art styles in video games, it’s important to consider the genre and intended experience you want to create. While there are no hard and fast rules, certain game styles tend to work better for specific genres.

Game genre	Different game genres have established conventions and player expectations regarding gameplay mechanics, visual aesthetics, and overall style.
Mechanics and gameplay	Assess the mechanics and gameplay features of your game. Some game styles lend themselves better to certain mechanics.
Art Style	The game style should align with the desired artistic direction and create a cohesive and visually appealing experience.
Target Audience	Tailor your game style to appeal to your target audience, taking into account factors such as age, interests, and gaming platforms.

Remember that choosing the right game style is a creative decision that should align with your vision for the game and the experience you want to create. While considering genre conventions and player expectations is important, don’t be afraid to innovate and take risks to make your game stand out.

Ultimately, the right game style will enhance the overall gameplay experience, based on types of 3D games and resonate with your target audience. Below we will give examples of game styles that are popular and tell a little more about each.

Importance of Game Style in Game Development

Game style is a critical factor in game development that can significantly impact the success of a game. Here are two key aspects that highlight the importance of game style: its impact on the game’s success and its relationship with game mechanics.

A distinct and visually appealing game style can attract players and generate interest in your game. It serves as a marketing tool, enticing potential players to explore what your game has to offer. A unique and well-executed style can create a strong first impression, leading to increased downloads, sales, and positive word-of-mouth.

The gaming industry is highly competitive, with numerous titles vying for players’ attention. An effective game style sets your game apart from the competition, helping it stand out in a crowded market. A unique and memorable style can create a brand identity, making your game recognizable and increasing its chances of success.

Whether it’s a beautifully rendered fantasy realm, a gritty post-apocalyptic future setting, or a charming cartoonish world, the visual and thematic elements of the style can elicit emotional responses. Emotional engagement enhances player enjoyment, deepens their connection to the game, and encourages long-term player loyalty.

Also, unique graphics in video games and visual elements within the game style can enhance or reinforce the gameplay mechanics. For example, if your game features stealth gameplay, a dark and shadowy visual style can effectively communicate the need for stealth and create tension. Visual cues and feedback through the game style can provide players with essential information, guiding their decision-making and enhancing their understanding of the mechanics.

And of course, the game style is enhancing the player experience through graphics in the gameplay experience by aligning with the mechanics. For instance, a fast-paced action game with intense combat mechanics may benefit from a dynamic and visually impactful style that complements the high-energy gameplay. The style can enhance player engagement, making them feel more connected to the mechanics and the game world as a whole.

Ways Style Impacts Game Mechanics

Game style can indeed have a significant impact on gameplay mechanics. And the relationship between game style and game mechanics is closely intertwined. The game style provides the framework and context within which the mechanics operate, while the mechanics implement and deliver the gameplay experience associated with the chosen 2D game art styles and game models. Game mechanics serve as the building blocks that bring the game style to life, allowing players to interact with the game world and experience the intended gameplay.

It’s important to carefully consider the relationship between game style and mechanics during game design. The chosen style should align with the desired gameplay experience, and the mechanics should support and enhance the style.

The cohesive integration of game style and mechanics creates a coherent and immersive gameplay experience, where the mechanics feel natural and intuitive within the context of the chosen style.

Analysis of Unique Graphics Styles in Video Games

Graphics play a significant role in shaping the player experience in video games. They contribute to the visual immersion, atmosphere, and overall aesthetic appeal of the game. Enhancing the player experience through graphics involves creating visually stunning and captivating 2D characters in a 3D environment, characters, and effects that engage and immerse players in the game world. Here are some key aspects and benefits of focusing on graphics to enhance the player experience:

High-quality graphics can transport players into rich and detailed virtual worlds, creating immersive experiences with a sense of immersion and realism. Detailed environments, realistic lighting, and attention to small visual details like game icon design can make players feel more connected to the game world, enhancing their overall experience and making it more engaging.

And also graphics contribute to setting the tone, atmosphere, and mood of a game. By carefully crafting the visual style, color palette, and art direction, developers can evoke specific emotions and create memorable experiences. Whether it’s a dark and foreboding horror game or a vibrant and whimsical adventure, the graphics and UI UX design for games play a crucial role in establishing the desired atmosphere.

Types of Game Styles

Each art style in video games has its own unique characteristics, gameplay mechanics, and player expectations.

Understanding the different styles can help game developers choose the right style for their game and deliver an engaging and immersive player experience. Video game graphics differ depending also on the genre of the game, on the released era and on the selected setting.

RETRO GAME STYLE

Retro game style refers to a design aesthetic that draws inspiration from older video games, typically from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras of gaming. It embraces the nostalgic charm, pixelated graphics, and simple gameplay mechanics reminiscent of classic video game style. Retro games often evoke a sense of nostalgia and appeal to both older players who grew up with these games and newer players interested in experiencing the charm of the past.

The retro game style and especially retro style horror games have seen a resurgence in recent years, with many indie developers creating games that pay homage to the classics while adding their unique twists. It offers a distinct aesthetic and gameplay experience that appeals to gamers seeking nostalgia, simplicity, and a break from the complexity of modern gaming.

COMPARISON OF REALISTIC VS. CARTOONY GRAPHICS

Realistic graphics prioritize intricate details, such as realistic textures, fine shadows, and subtle reflections. The goal is to create visuals that closely resemble real-world objects, characters, and environments. This can enhance the player’s emotional connection to the game world and create a more immersive and believable experience.

Cartoony graphics, also known as stylized or exaggerated graphics, employ a more exaggerated and whimsical art style. This style simplifies shapes, uses vibrant colors, and emphasizes caricature-like features. They can exaggerate emotions, movements, and interactions, adding a lighthearted and expressive element to the game experience.

A separate side of game art is fantasy realism, which combines cartoonishness and realism. Where the look and feel is similar to that of the interface, but can be implemented in original colors or fantasy elements. So there are no winners or losers in the confrontation between realistic vs cartoony graphics.

COMPARISON OF LOW POLY VS. HAND-PAINTED

Low poly is a game art style that uses a minimalistic approach, focusing on creating objects and environments with a low polygon count. This style gained popularity in the early days of 3D gaming art styles and has since become a recognizable aesthetic.

On the other hand, Hand-painted art is a technique that involves creating game assets using traditional painting methods or digital tools that mimic traditional painting. This style often aims for a more artistic and visually detailed presentation.

2D/3D Game Art Styles:
6 Game Graphics You Will Need in 2024

Sounds confusing, doesn’t it? We’ve put together a clearer infographic for you on the different styles of game art.

We would like to add that our team offers flexible solutions for both 2D game art and 3D game art.

2D Game Art Styles That Never Go Out of Trend

There are many game styles that have been popular for decades. They can change, expand, and get better with new technologies like AI art styles, but there are factors that define and make them stand out from the rest. Let’s look at the main ones.

2D PIXEL ART GAME STYLE

Pixel 2D game art styles offer a unique and nostalgic visual experience. Its retro charm, limited color palette, and detailed constraints create visually appealing and recognizable game worlds. Whether aiming for a retro-inspired game or seeking an art style that evokes nostalgia, 2D pixel game art can be a compelling choice.

Pixel art is well-suited for creating animations and isometric sprites sheets. By arranging a series of pixel art frames, developers can bring characters and objects to life. The limited frame count and pixel-based animation add to the retro feel and can evoke nostalgia for older games.

VECTOR ART GAME STYLE

Vector art game style refers to a visual aesthetic that utilizes vector graphics to create game assets, characters and environments. Unlike raster-based graphics, which use pixels, vector art is composed of mathematical equations that define shapes and lines. 2D vector game art style is known for its clean lines, smooth curves, and scalability.

It often employs a simplified and minimalist design approach. It focuses on essential shapes and forms, reducing complex details to create easily recognizable and iconic visuals. This simplicity enhances readability and allows players to quickly understand the game’s mechanics and elements.

CEL-SHADING ART STYLE

Cel-shading art style, also known as toon shading or cartoon shading, is a distinctive visual style used in games to emulate the appearance of traditional hand-drawn animation. It aims to recreate the look of cel animation by applying flat colors and bold outlines to objects and characters, resulting in a stylized and animated aesthetic.

Unlike realistic rendering, 2D cel art for mobile games is needed to minimize the use of complex shading and lighting effects. Instead, it uses a few simplified shades to distinguish and give objects a flatter, more illustrative look. This technique enhances the appearance of two-dimensionality and emphasizes the hand-drawn aesthetic.

FLAT ART GAME STYLE

Flat art game style, also known as flat design, is a visual aesthetic characterized by its simplicity, minimalism, and two-dimensional appearance. It focuses on clean lines, solid colors, and geometric shapes, resulting in a visually pleasing and contemporary look. This style has gained popularity in recent years, particularly in mobile games and indie game development.

Flat 2d game art style provides visual consistency and cohesiveness throughout the game. The use of consistent shapes, colors, and typography helps create a unified and easily recognizable visual identity. This can be beneficial for mobile games or games targeting lower-end devices.

MONOCHROMATIC ART

Monochromatic art in games refers to the use of a single color or shades of a single color palette to create visuals and convey the game’s artistic style. It involves limiting the color palette to create a cohesive and focused aesthetic throughout the game.

The limited color palette can evoke feelings of mystery, melancholy, or intensity, depending on the chosen color and its variations. The use of light and shadows becomes crucial in creating a sense of depth and highlighting important elements in the center of the game world.

DOODLE ART

Doodle art in games refers to the incorporation of hand-drawn, sketch-like visuals and designs into the game’s artwork and aesthetics. It involves using the form of simple lines, squiggles, and doodles to create characters, environments, and other elements within the game.

The imperfect and doodle-like lines, along with the use of vibrant colors, create a distinct and unique aesthetic that stands out from more polished and realistic art styles.

Creating a Winning Game Style: Strategies from our Team

When it comes to creating 2D video game art styles that stand out and resonate with players, our team has developed some effective strategies. Based on our experience, here are some game art and level design tips to help you craft a winning game style:

1
Define the vision of the video game
Start by defining the vision of your video game drawing ideas and direction for your game style. Determine the genre, atmosphere, and overall experience you want players to have. This will guide your decisions throughout the development process.
2
Analyze competitors' games
Analyze successful games in your target genre to understand what works and what sets them apart.
3
Create concept art
Create prototypes or concept art to test different styles and gather feedback. Iterate and refine until you find the right balance and aesthetic.
4
Choose an art style
Choose a specific art style that aligns with your game’s vision and target audience. Consider factors such as the genre, theme, and platform. Whether it’s realistic, cartoonish, pixel art, or any other style, it should complement the overall experience and support the gameplay.
5
Ensure everything aligh harmoniously
Ensure that the art assets, environmental elements, and gameplay mechanics align harmoniously. Create a balance between visual aesthetics and functional gameplay, keeping player engagement at the forefront.

By following these strategies and steps, based on our experience, you can expect to create the best game art styles and a compelling and winning game style that captivates players and makes your game stand out in the market. Remember, the game style ideas and realization is an essential element in shaping the player’s experience and leaving a lasting impression.

SANDBOX GAME STYLE

Sandbox games are a genre of video games that emphasize open-ended gameplay and player freedom within a virtual world. In sandbox games, players are given a vast and interactive environment where they can explore, create, and interact with the game world in various ways.

Minecraft is one of the most successful sandbox games. It offers players an expansive world to explore, mine resources, build structures, and engage in creative endeavors. Minecraft’s open-ended nature and limitless possibilities for building and crafting have made it immensely popular.

REAL-TIME STRATEGY (RTS)

Real-time strategy (RTS) is a genre of video games that focuses on strategic planning, resource management, and tactical decision-making in real-time and there are a lot of types of RTS game styles. In RTS games, players control armies, build bases, gather resources, and engage in battles with the objective of outmaneuvering and defeating opponents.

Star Wars RTS games are one example of successful RTS games. It is a popular RTS game set in the Star Wars universe. It allows players to command either the Rebel Alliance or the Galactic Empire and engage in ground and space battles across iconic Star Wars locations.

These games provide players with the opportunity to experience the iconic Star Wars universe through strategic gameplay. Their developers show us how to make RTS style games and these game genres incorporate the game style requirements of RTS games, including real-time decision-making, base building, resource management, and strategic warfare.

MULTIPLAYER ONLINE BATTLE ARENA

Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) is a popular genre of competitive online video games. In MOBA games, two teams of players typically compete against each other with the objective of destroying the opposing team’s base while defending their own. These games combine elements of real-time strategy, role-playing, and action genres to create intense team-based gameplay.

TFT MOBA games (for example Pokémon MOBA) feature intricate maps with distinct lanes, neutral areas, and key objectives. The map layout should encourage strategic movement, provide opportunities for ambushes and flanking, and create a balanced battlefield for team engagements.

Pokémon Unite is a recent addition to the MOBA genre developed by Tencent’s TiMi Studios in collaboration with The Pokémon Company. It features teams of Pokémon battling in arenas, capturing objectives, and evolving their abilities during matches.

Both TFT and Pokémon MOBA offer fresh twists on the traditional MOBA gameplay, showcasing the genre’s adaptability and ability to explore new mechanics and concepts within competitive team-based gameplay.

ROLE-PLAYING GAME STYLE

Did you know what does RPG game stand for? Let’s try to explain everything. Role-playing (RPG, ARPG, and more) are a genre of video games where players assume the roles of characters within a fictional world. These games typically involve immersive storytelling, character development, and strategic decision-making.

Players often embark on quests, engage in combat, and interact with non-player characters to progress through the game’s narrative. There are several sub-genres and variations exist within the RPG genre, including:

Western RPGs
Japanese RPGs (JRPGs)
Action RPGs

If you want to know how to make an RPG game you need to develop a detailed backstory and lore for your game world, including its history, cultures, and mythology. This will provide a strong foundation for immersive storytelling.

Through trial and error, we found that the process of choosing a visual style that complements the game’s tone and setting. Whether it’s realistic, stylized, or a unique art style, ensure that it enhances the immersion and captures the essence of your RPG world.

PUZZLERS AND PARTY GAMES

Puzzle games are a genre of video games that focus on challenging players to solve puzzles or brain teasers. These games typically require logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and often involve manipulating objects, arranging patterns, or deciphering clues to progress through levels or stages. Puzzle games can vary in complexity, from simple puzzles that can be solved quickly to complex and intricate challenges that require careful planning and strategizing.

Puzzle games should offer a wide range of levels that progressively increase in difficulty to keep players engaged and motivated. The difficulty curve should be well-paced, allowing players to learn and gradually develop their skills without becoming too frustrated or disengaged.

Whether it’s a minimalist design, colorful and whimsical visuals, or a thematic aesthetic, the chosen style should enhance the game’s atmosphere and engage players visually. Consistency in the art style across puzzles and levels helps maintain the overall game style. It should encourage players to come back for more, offering new experiences with each playthrough.

GAME STYLE FOR ACTION-ADVENTURE

Action-adventure, including the subgenre of platformer games, are a popular genre that combines elements of both action and adventure. They typically feature a mix of combat, exploration, puzzle-solving, and a strong emphasis on storytelling. Action-adventure games offer a wide range of gameplay experiences, from fast-paced combat sequences to intricate exploration of vast environments. The genre often incorporates elements of other genres, such as platforming, role-playing, and open-world exploration.

These games usually involve a protagonist who embarks on a quest or mission, facing various challenges and enemies along the way. The narrative elements play a significant role in action-adventure games, with compelling stories, character development, and immersive worlds that players can explore. The gameplay mechanics and style vary greatly within the genre, allowing for diverse experiences and catering to different player preferences.

Action-adventure games can span various genres, including fantasy, science fiction, historical, or contemporary settings. The chosen style should complement the narrative and create a cohesive and engaging world for players to explore. The art style should align with the setting and theme, capturing the desired tone and atmosphere. It can range from realistic and detailed graphics to stylized or even cartoonish aesthetics, depending on the intended audience and the desired mood of the game.

SURVIVAL AND HORROR GAME STYLE

Survival and horror games are immersive and intense genres of video games that aim to evoke fear, suspense, and a sense of vulnerability in players. These games often place players in dangerous or unsettling situations, requiring them to survive against various threats, such as monsters, zombies, or supernatural entities.

Survival games focus on resource management, exploration, and overcoming environmental challenges. Horror games, on the other hand, prioritize atmospheric elements, psychological terror, and jump scares to evoke fear and unease in players.

These games often feature dark and foreboding environments, creepy sound effects, and haunting narratives. They may involve solving puzzles, uncovering mysteries, or escaping from relentless pursuers. The goal is to keep players on edge and immersed in a spine-chilling atmosphere.

Survival games often place a strong emphasis on resource management. Many survival games also incorporate crafting and building mechanics. And they often employ permadeath mechanics or high-stakes gameplay elements.

GAME STYLE FOR PLATFORMERS

Platformer games are a popular genre of video games that revolve around navigating a character through a series of platforms and obstacles. The primary objective is to overcome challenges, such as jumping over gaps, avoiding hazards, and reaching the end of each level. Various types of platformer games (for example Ratchet and Clank or even Mario) often require precise timing, coordination, and problem-solving skills. They can feature various themes, art styles, and gameplay mechanics, providing a wide range of experiences within the genre.

Think about platformer level design, theme, setting, and the best video game art styles to use in your game. It can be a fantasy world, a futuristic sci-fi environment, a whimsical cartoonish universe, or any other concept that aligns with your vision. The chosen style should enhance the gameplay mechanics and engage your target audience. And here are three game style characteristics commonly found in platformer games online:

Precise and acrobatic movement
Level-based progression
Exploration and hidden secrets

These characteristics contribute to the distinct gameplay style and challenges that platformer games offer, creating engaging and often nostalgic experiences for players.

SIMULATION AND SPORTS

Simulation and sports video games that aim to replicate real-world activities, environments, or systems. They provide players with an immersive and realistic experience by simulating aspects such as driving vehicles, managing cities, running businesses, or participating in professional sports. Simulation games often prioritize accuracy, authenticity, and the opportunity for players to make decisions and experience the consequences within the simulated environment.

Simulation games strive to recreate real-world settings, objects, and characters. Realistic graphics, clothing, detailed environments, and authentic sound design contribute to the immersive experience. Attention to detail, accurate physics, and consistent art style in the game is crucial for establishing the game’s authenticity.

SHOOTERS GAME STYLE REQUIREMENTS

Shooter games are a popular genre of video games art styles that primarily focus on combat and weapon-based gameplay. Players take control of a character, often referred to as a “shooter,” and engage in combat against enemies using firearms or other projectile-based weapons. Shooter games can offer a variety of perspectives, including first-person shooter (FPS) and third-person shooter (TPS), each providing a unique gameplay experience.

FPS games provide a perspective where the player views the game world through the eyes of the character they control. On the other side TPS games provide a perspective view where the player views the character they control from a third-person camera angle, usually positioned behind or over the character’s shoulder.

While both FPS and TPS games involve shooting and combat, the perspective difference brings variations in gameplay. Levels should provide strategic opportunities, cover positions, and verticality to allow players to employ every moment in their tactics and engage in intense firefights. Well-designed environments can enhance immersion and the tactical depth of gameplay.

These shooters (FPS and TPS) have achieved widespread popularity and critical acclaim due to their engaging gameplay, well-designed mechanics, immersive worlds, and strong communities of players. And here are some greatest shooters of all time based on our team choice:

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (FPS)
Destiny 2 (FPS/TPS hybrid)
Overwatch (FPS/TPS hybrid)
Call of Duty series (FPS)
Halo Game Art Style (FPS)

Based on our experience, it’s important to note that shooter games can have various subgenres and may incorporate elements from other genres, such as open-world exploration, role-playing mechanics, or narrative-driven experiences.

MASSIVE MULTIPLAYER PLATFORMER

Massive Multiplayer Platformer games combine the elements of traditional platformer games with a massive multiplayer online (MMO) framework. In these games, players navigate through a platform-based environment while simultaneously interacting and collaborating with a large number of other players in a shared online world. This genre offers a unique blend of cooperative and competitive gameplay, allowing players to tackle challenging platforming levels together, engage in player-versus-player (PvP) combat, or participate in various social activities.

Determine the artistic direction that aligns with your game’s vision. It could be futuristic, fantasy-based, post-apocalyptic, or any other theme that fits your game world. The chosen direction should complement the platforming gameplay and contribute to the overall game experience.

By carefully considering the visual style, artistic direction, social interaction features, progression systems, and the balance between competition and cooperation, you can choose a game style that suits your Massive Multiplayer Platformer game. This will help create an immersive and captivating experience that keeps players engaged in the shared online world while enjoying the challenges of platforming gameplay.

Defining Game Style

Visual Aesthetics

Gameplay Mechanics

Audio Design

Narrative and Themes