Better Graphics Doesn't Equal A Better Game (But Aesthetic Appeal Can Still Be Appreciated)

There are few elements of a video game that are more obvious or tangible than the graphics. In order to experience gameplay, combat mechanics, story, or character development you have to play the game. But to judge a game's graphics you need only look. I'm a firm believer that better graphics don't make better games - To say games like Minecraft or Super Mario Bros. are inferior because of their pixelated physique is absurd. That being said, there's nothing wrong with admiring a game with great aesthetic appeal.

There are plenty of games that lack interesting story or depth but blow the audience away with good graphics. In fact, games like Call of Duty seem to excel at this. For some a game like Crysis could fall under this category, but I think Crysis is a well put together name. The sci-fi nature of the story pulls you in and the sandbox feel of it works really well. Even though it was released in 2007 I have yet to venture through a more realistic looking jungle.

The Legend of Zelda series is one that is not afraid to experiment with graphical changes. Over the years we've seen top down perspective, 3D games, cell-shading, and a more colorful look with Skyward Sword in 2011. The graphical tone of the game sets the mood for the entire journey. I vividly remember the night sky and bright stars at sea in Wind Waker as well as the dark and lonely twilight realm in Twilight Princess. These are great games that feature beautifully styled graphics to complement the experience.

Bioshock and Bioshock Infinite are games that both took advantage of graphical styles to help achieve the mood of the game. In Bioshock, we spend much of our time in an expansive city beneath the ocean. The style of art nouveau is used to create a dark, dingy, and campy experience. Everything from the lighting to the way the water flows adds to the survival horror aspect of this game. The sequel, Bioshock Infinite, went with a less dark art style that beautifully captures the steam punk-esque nature of Columbia. The game renders towering skyscrapers in a way that makes you really feel their monstrosity. Whether it's dodging a hail of gunfire or flying around on the skyrails, this game renders every moment perfectly.

Batman: Arkham Asylum and Arkham City are arguably the best Batman games ever made. These games take the caped crusader and give you a chance to not just play as him, but become him. The combat mechanics are perfect, and the story draws you into The Joker's insanity. The graphics of this game negotiate between realistic and comic book. There are elements that are exaggerated to give it that comic book feel: The huge moon in the sky, the impossibly ripped inmates, and the classic style of the architecture. Yet the way Batman walks, fights, and even flies makes you feel like he could exist. These two games were beautifully designed and offers plenty of visual arousal as you pummel the villains of Gotham.

The beauty of graphics is not just limited to contemporary games either. Though the Nintendo-64 era couldn't graphically compete with today's games, that system still pushed out some wonderfully designed games. Games like 007: Goldeneye, Perfect Dark, Donkey Kong, Battle Tanks, and both The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. Even earlier PC games like Doom did their best with the graphical limitations of the day. Each of these games was designed with a specific art style to help drive the point of the game. The experience of playing a game like Perfect Dark would be completely changed if the graphic style was changed. 

Graphics in games are a lot like special effects in a movie: they should be used for a purpose. Shortly after the original Star Wars movie came out, George Lucas in an interview said, " Special effects are just a tool, a means of telling a story. A special effect without a story is a pretty boring thing." This, of course, was before he was taken to the dark side and started adding rocks in front of R2D2. 

Should graphics be considered when judging if a game is good or not? Not necessarily, but rather the question that should be asked is does the graphical style of the game add or detract from the experience? Great games are often made better by the art style with which they were designed, if that style cooperates with the overall meaning of the game. I love all games - 2D and 3D alike. If a game is good, I’ll enjoy it. If it’s great, I’ll love it. Sometimes, however, a game can bring great gameplay and story with amazing aesthetics. Don’t judge a game by it’s look alone, but when the art style works well with the composition of the game it deserves to be recognized.