As much as it pains me to say it, Dragon Age still doesn't have a great look that makes it stand out from the crowd. Going into the third game, it's kinda sad that something like this hasn't been nailed down. But nonetheless, I wouldn't complain if the art style changed yet again for the sake of it actually being good this time.
Thoughts?
Art style change (again)
Débuté par
EpicBoot2daFace
, sept. 18 2012 06:15
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#2
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 06:17
Corto81
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Change please.
DA2 was awful.
DA:Origins, while not beautiful or original, had that dark, gritty, realistic feeling. I liked it.
DA2 was like a comic for 8-year olds.
DA2 was awful.
DA:Origins, while not beautiful or original, had that dark, gritty, realistic feeling. I liked it.
DA2 was like a comic for 8-year olds.
#3
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 06:18
Maria Caliban
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The concept art we've seen looked very DA 2ish. I suspect we'll see a similar style only 'darker' and 'grittier.'
Right, because art style and subject matter are the same thing. This is totally a page from a children's book:Corto81 wrote...
DA2 was like a comic for 8-year olds.
Modifié par Maria Caliban, 18 septembre 2012 - 06:20 .
#4
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 06:22
Rockpopple
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The artstyle of DA2 was, for the most part, an improvement on the generic look of Origins. In a design sense, generic can kill. Visual distinctiveness is an important element of a big game.
That being said, that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement, especially using the new engine. I'm sure things will end up looking vastly different than Origins and DA2. I'm looking forward to it.
That being said, that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement, especially using the new engine. I'm sure things will end up looking vastly different than Origins and DA2. I'm looking forward to it.
#5
Guest_FemaleMageFan_*
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 06:24
Guest_FemaleMageFan_*
Guest_FemaleMageFan_*
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Both where horrible
#6
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 06:25
MorningBird
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I liked the general aesthetics of DA2 in terms of character design and... motif? I think that's the word I'm looking for...
However, the city environments were looking a little barren (reffing to the exteriors, I thought the interiors were fine.)
If I had to pinpoint what was off to me: lack of clutter.
I could understand wanting to keep the streets open in DA2 to account for combat (if that was the reason, I have no idea), but the restricting camera kind of made the move pointless, imo. Personally, I couldn't make proper use of the open area, only being able to scroll out so far.
Even then, livening the city walls up with your usual fodder (barrels, market stalls, drapery, plants, you name it) would do WONDERS for the overall look of the city environments without posing too much of a hindrance to combat.
However, the city environments were looking a little barren (reffing to the exteriors, I thought the interiors were fine.)
If I had to pinpoint what was off to me: lack of clutter.
I could understand wanting to keep the streets open in DA2 to account for combat (if that was the reason, I have no idea), but the restricting camera kind of made the move pointless, imo. Personally, I couldn't make proper use of the open area, only being able to scroll out so far.
Even then, livening the city walls up with your usual fodder (barrels, market stalls, drapery, plants, you name it) would do WONDERS for the overall look of the city environments without posing too much of a hindrance to combat.
Modifié par MorningBird, 18 septembre 2012 - 06:26 .
#7
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 06:28
Anaeme
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DA2 was an unmitigated disaster in my opinion
Bioware keeps trying to dress it up nicely...but you cannot baptize a heathen
The game was just plain bad.
They should hearken back to DAO and start improving from there
Pretend DA2 never existed
Bioware keeps trying to dress it up nicely...but you cannot baptize a heathen
The game was just plain bad.
They should hearken back to DAO and start improving from there
Pretend DA2 never existed
#8
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 06:35
formaristarry
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Corto81 wrote...
Change please.
DA2 was awful.
DA:Origins, while not beautiful or original, had that dark, gritty, realistic feeling. I liked it.
DA2 was like a comic for 8-year olds.
THIS.
DAO was more in tone with the writing and mature themes of the story.
DA2 was like someone slapped Spyro and a horror novel together.
#9
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 06:37
FINE HERE
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Corto81 wrote...
Change please.
DA2 was awful.
DA:Origins, while not beautiful or original, had that dark, gritty, realistic feeling. I liked it.
DA2 was like a comic for 8-year olds.
I agree.
Everything was way too clean and shiny in DA2, and it looked weird. Smooth faces, even with blood and stubble? Bland and boring backgrounds? Plus the bodytypes... (Hawke's mom could work at the brothel...)
And the elves... *shudder* I have nightmares about the elves... That bad posture... Those foreheads... What is in those foreheads?!
I did find the Kossith(Qunari people?) design to be interesting, though...
#10
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 07:00
Lurklen
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Well with the engine change the art style is bound to be a little different. I think if I had my druthers things would look a little less cartoony. There were a lot of very simple colors used and a lack of detail that bothered me, mostly in the backgrounds. The characters were good, though I think many of the textures had a sort of shiny animated feel to them that made it feel like I was playing a very violent saturday morning cartoon. This isn't a problem exactly but I think it doesn't always match the tone the Devs are going for; it didn't feel right to me at least.
Though I don't think they should try for absolute photorealisim either, that would be going too far in the other direction.
Though I don't think they should try for absolute photorealisim either, that would be going too far in the other direction.
#11
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 07:03
hobbit of the shire
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I didn't mind DAO too much and the animations were okay. Artwork had nice realism. DA2 I did not like, from the narrated cutscenes, to the art, to the really awkward animations. Make DA3 with realism or make it fantastical. But not cartoonish or comic book-like. Forget about the bloodspatter.
#12
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 07:03
King Cousland
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Those who disliked DA: O's aesthetics tend to describe it as "generic", which (as Allan Schumacher pointed out in another thread) has become synonymous with "poor", at least among fans. If, by contrast, they liked DA II's style, they generally describe it as "distinctive", which I think we should bear in mind is not synonymous with "good".
Personally, I disliked both art styles, though Origins touched closer to DA II in terms of what I'm looking for. If you're making a game with a dark atmosphere and themes, you should focus on having a matching art style which stays away from the the indistinct (and, yes perhaps generic) style of Origins, but also avoids the overly-bright, smooth and cartoonish style of DA II like the plague.
The transition to a new engine presents a perfect opportunity to showcase what BioWare can do given enough time and sufficient resources, so it'd make sense to change the art style to a more realistic one and finally establish Dragon Age as a visual competitor to RPGs like Skyrim and The Witcher.
Personally, I disliked both art styles, though Origins touched closer to DA II in terms of what I'm looking for. If you're making a game with a dark atmosphere and themes, you should focus on having a matching art style which stays away from the the indistinct (and, yes perhaps generic) style of Origins, but also avoids the overly-bright, smooth and cartoonish style of DA II like the plague.
The transition to a new engine presents a perfect opportunity to showcase what BioWare can do given enough time and sufficient resources, so it'd make sense to change the art style to a more realistic one and finally establish Dragon Age as a visual competitor to RPGs like Skyrim and The Witcher.
#13
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 07:59
Whitestrake
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I quite preferred DA2's art style to Origins. The first game was drab, & bland. I keep seeing the argument that Origin's art style fit the "dark-fantasy/mature themes/elements of horror" better, but I guess I don't see where the cross-over is between plain, & dark/mature.
The second game was much more stylized, yes. And that isn't always a good thing, but it fit the world more closely. In Mark of the Assassin, all of the Orlesians you saw, looked more or less like Orlesians were described, in the core game the Qunari had obvious stylistic leanings, the the Dalish had their own look, the Tevinters were obviously Tevinter, & the Dwarves (style of dress at least, because you don't see much else) was pretty specific. As opposed to Origins, where the Orlesians looked like Fereldans, & you could tell something was of Qunari make because it looked Fereldan but with some spikes near the hilt, and the Dalish looked Fereldan bit with pointier ears & more exposed skin, the Tevinter's were just dressed like everyone else(though they did have uniformly unfortunate facial hair), & the Dwarves, while more stylistically disparate than everyone else still looked pretty similar to the rest of Fereldan.
DA2's art style is not only better in my opinion, but more diverse, & more yes, distinct.
And while distinct does not always mean uniformly good, it never means bad.
If two things are both tacky, but only one of them is interesting, or daring while the other is bland, & old hat, I'll go for the one at least trying something new.
The second game was much more stylized, yes. And that isn't always a good thing, but it fit the world more closely. In Mark of the Assassin, all of the Orlesians you saw, looked more or less like Orlesians were described, in the core game the Qunari had obvious stylistic leanings, the the Dalish had their own look, the Tevinters were obviously Tevinter, & the Dwarves (style of dress at least, because you don't see much else) was pretty specific. As opposed to Origins, where the Orlesians looked like Fereldans, & you could tell something was of Qunari make because it looked Fereldan but with some spikes near the hilt, and the Dalish looked Fereldan bit with pointier ears & more exposed skin, the Tevinter's were just dressed like everyone else(though they did have uniformly unfortunate facial hair), & the Dwarves, while more stylistically disparate than everyone else still looked pretty similar to the rest of Fereldan.
DA2's art style is not only better in my opinion, but more diverse, & more yes, distinct.
And while distinct does not always mean uniformly good, it never means bad.
If two things are both tacky, but only one of them is interesting, or daring while the other is bland, & old hat, I'll go for the one at least trying something new.
Modifié par Renard the Bard, 18 septembre 2012 - 08:01 .
#14
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 08:20
Klidi
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I much prefer DAO style. DA2 world and people look as if they were made of plastic. The first time I saw characters with that shiny, polished thing on their faces - that IS NOT a skin - I thought that I turned on to low details, by mistake. Unfortunatelly I soon found out that it's not the fault of my computer, that it's supposed to bye stylized. 
#15
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 08:31
Yrkoon
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I don't know. I can't look at DA2's Darkspawn (for example) and conclude that they were monsters ripped out of a mature comic book, can you?Maria Caliban wrote...
Right, because art style and subject matter are the same thing.Corto81 wrote...
DA2 was like a comic for 8-year olds.
They were clownish.
But you do bring up a good point, and the main reason why I disliked DA2's artstyle. It didn't fit the subject matter. We had these light, sterile environments, and then we had this dark, tragic, brink-of-war storyline. Didn't fit. It was just wrong on every level. It had a conflicted identity.
Modifié par Yrkoon, 18 septembre 2012 - 08:38 .
#16
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 08:53
henkez3
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I actually kind of liked the look of DA2's darkspawn. They could've worn more amour though. They should've looked like The disicples more basically imo.
#17
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 12:56
EpicBoot2daFace
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It was a little difficult for me to navigate back here thanks to all the stupid romance threads that keep popping up. Some people really need to get out more.
Anyway, I hated the darkspawn in DA2. They looked so ****ing stupid. Like darkspawn suffering from down syndrome.
Anyway, I hated the darkspawn in DA2. They looked so ****ing stupid. Like darkspawn suffering from down syndrome.
#18
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 01:05
Terraforming2154
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I really hope they are able to strike a balance between DAO and DA2 -- both had their strengths and weaknesses, but neither were particularly great imo.
My big hope is that if we see darkspawn again, they go back to looking as diseased and poisonous as they did in DAO -- they looked sort of plastic in DA2.
My big hope is that if we see darkspawn again, they go back to looking as diseased and poisonous as they did in DAO -- they looked sort of plastic in DA2.
#19
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 01:16
Pelle6666
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I really liked the scale and leather armors from DA:O, the art style in DA 2 was a bit **** so hopefully they will come up with something new and better.
#20
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 01:31
Ravenmyste
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Rockpopple wrote...
The artstyle of DA2 was, for the most part, an improvement on the generic look of Origins. In a design sense, generic can kill. Visual distinctiveness is an important element of a big game.
That being said, that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement, especially using the new engine. I'm sure things will end up looking vastly different than Origins and DA2. I'm looking forward to it.
whle i agree on somethings with what you said there is one major thing that i hated no mater how you slice it...
the elves please dont make them look like they are from the avatar movie, make them have detail on there faces, but dont go back to the human elves look like they did in dragon age orgins that was the right track,but please allow them more{i want to say growth on there models}
also no more ditzy/dumb companions i.e merril{ she was good but came off as dumb and ditzy in some cases and all round idont care about my heritage ... please, please, please dont do this to any of the new companions
Modifié par Ravenmyste, 18 septembre 2012 - 01:35 .
#21
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 01:38
InfinitePaths
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EpicBoot2daFace wrote...
As much as it pains me to say it, Dragon Age still doesn't have a great look that makes it stand out from the crowd. Going into the third game, it's kinda sad that something like this hasn't been nailed down. But nonetheless, I wouldn't complain if the art style changed yet again for the sake of it actually being good this time.
Thoughts?
Keep the DAO style for Ferelden,Keep DA2 for Kirkwall,Orlais as in MoTA DLC+DAO.Tevinter and Antiva=Something new and different
#22
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 01:46
Mims
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Unfortunately I think a big problem with the current [DA2] art style is that you are balancing a 'realistic' low fantasy storyline with an over the top art style.
Giant swords and ridiculous physics work in a world like final fantasy, where you are largely being treated to grandiose settings. World of Warcraft has cartoonish graphics throughout, and a strong sense of color design in their environments. When you see unusual or unnatural things happen in these worlds, you don't really get too pissed off about it.
DA has yet to hit that mark. Its sort of skirting an awkward territory without committing. If it wants to go the route of 'superhero'-ish fantasy, it needs to beef up the background art considerably. If it wants to do subdued backgrounds, it needs to tone down the over the top designs.
I don't think DA needs to become a cartoon, or that it needs to become skyrim. But it has to balance things equally.
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Edit: In addition, tdragon age as a whole seems to be obsessed with these giant splurts of blood that go everywhere. Even in the anime. Its become a design motif. Bioware: blood splatters are not a design motif. If you want to sell yourself as uber violent, it needs to be uber violent. You can't just throw blood everywhere and think that makes it hardcore.
Giant swords and ridiculous physics work in a world like final fantasy, where you are largely being treated to grandiose settings. World of Warcraft has cartoonish graphics throughout, and a strong sense of color design in their environments. When you see unusual or unnatural things happen in these worlds, you don't really get too pissed off about it.
DA has yet to hit that mark. Its sort of skirting an awkward territory without committing. If it wants to go the route of 'superhero'-ish fantasy, it needs to beef up the background art considerably. If it wants to do subdued backgrounds, it needs to tone down the over the top designs.
I don't think DA needs to become a cartoon, or that it needs to become skyrim. But it has to balance things equally.
-------
Edit: In addition, tdragon age as a whole seems to be obsessed with these giant splurts of blood that go everywhere. Even in the anime. Its become a design motif. Bioware: blood splatters are not a design motif. If you want to sell yourself as uber violent, it needs to be uber violent. You can't just throw blood everywhere and think that makes it hardcore.
Modifié par Mims, 18 septembre 2012 - 01:50 .
#23
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 01:52
panamakira
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Well with that new engine I'm expecting stuff to look better for sure but I'd like them to add more details to the environments. Specially if we do go to Orlais (which I'm dying to go to), I'd like the levels/environments to look better.
#24
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 02:00
slimgrin
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They need a different art director and I'm not sure that's changed. I thought it was the character concepts and vast swaths of space with little or no detail that made art design in DA2 so bad. I can't take the dark spawn seriously, the ogres with metal bras or the alien elves. And it's clear the team didn't have time to polish the details. The overall look is just too sparse.
Modifié par slimgrin, 18 septembre 2012 - 02:05 .
#25
Posté 18 septembre 2012 - 02:04
SpunkyMonkey
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Corto81 wrote...
Change please.
DA2 was awful.
DA:Origins, while not beautiful or original, had that dark, gritty, realistic feeling. I liked it.
Again, THIS - Things in DA:O looked like they should and like they had a place in that world.
Hiding behind the odd successful change such as Flemeth & the Qunari does not mask the tragic overall feel of DA:2
