Welcome to the time of year when we look back at some of the best games that came out in 2021. Over the past year we have seen different art styles in video games, such as the anime style in Guilty Gear -Strive- and the more cartoonish styles present in Psychonauts 2 and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. Without further ado, here are the games that had the best art direction of 2021.
Best Art Direction for Video Games of 2021
Honorable Mention: Guilty Gear -Strive-
Deputy Guides Editor Ethan Anderson: If we’re being honest, Guilty Gear Strive is arguably one of the best-looking anime-style fighting games – not just in 2021, but of all time. Arc System Works has outdone itself again, following the releases of Dragon Ball FighterZ and Granblue Fantasy Versus.
Thanks to some really great art direction, Strive makes you feel like you’re controlling characters straight out of an anime. Their designs have been updated from the previous installment, Guilty Gear Xrd, and the animations for regular attacks, special attacks, Roman Cancels and even taunts have received significant upgrades thanks to the new and improved style.
The top-notch visuals go beyond the characters, though, with striking landscapes in each of the game’s stages. The new phase transitions that happen when you knock opponents through the side of the screen even cause brand new sections of each phase to appear. And whether it’s a snow-covered factory in a blizzard or a sun-drenched jungle, each backdrop has the potential to leave players in awe.
Best Art Direction for Video Games of 2021
Honorable Mention: Sand
Guides Editor Chris Jecks: While I wasn’t the biggest fan of Sable’s gameplay experience when I reviewed it last August, what’s stuck with me ever since is how beautiful that game was to look at.
No matter what you were doing or where you were on Midden land, there was always a striking view to sit back and appreciate. The cell-shaded visuals look timeless, always in style and never to be forgotten. Just about every mountaintop or towering alien obelisk I climb offered a breathtaking panoramic view that I couldn’t help but take a moment to appreciate and take a screenshot. The game is now my desktop wallpaper, it is That very.
If you have an interest in video game art design and visuals, Sable is definitely something you should check out.
Best Art Direction for Video Games of 2021
Second Runner-Up: Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
News editor Giuseppe Nelva: Final Fantasy XIV has been out for eight years and the engine hasn’t gone through a major overhaul despite three console generations. This means that the graphics certainly don’t rely on extreme visual glitter.
So how does Endwalker still look so good in 2021 with an engine that is almost ten years old? The answer is art.
Square Enix’s artists never fail to create memorable character and environmental designs. Every area in Endwalker is absolutely beautiful to look at, just stand on a cliff and enjoy the vistas.
Especially satisfying is the exotic island nation of Thavnair. Many dedicated Final Fantasy XIV players have waited ten years to visit this area. Square Enix’s art team has absolutely nailed its cultural looks, making it one of my favorite zones in any MMORPG or game in general.
Best Art Direction for Video Games of 2021
First Runner Up: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Staff Writer Omar Banat: There’s just something special about a new Ratchet & Clank. The series doesn’t have as many frequent releases as it used to, but the magic is still there every time a new title is added to the franchise. They are always great fun games with lots of witty lyrics. But praise for the game’s art style usually takes a back seat to gameplay and writing.
This time around, there’s no denying that Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is an absolute work of art. The power of the PS5 shines as every environment is bathed in impressive ray-traced lighting. You can even tell the difference between objects that reflect natural light and objects that reflect artificial light. In addition, the way different surfaces reflect light only adds more realism to the look.
Despite the realism, there’s no question that Rift Apart is still an overall colorful and almost cartoonish party. Shades of purple and gold accents are the main colors you’ll see throughout the game. Even the protagonists, Ratchet and Rivet, reflect this color palette.
Yet each world also has its own specific appearance, which makes them immediately distinguishable from each other. Plus, each planet feels like it fits into the game world. Despite their differences, there is a clear and concise vision of each location that manages to make them all feel unique, yet connected. All this makes Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart a visual masterpiece.
Best Art Direction for Video Games of 2021
Winner: Psychonauts 2
Editor-in-Chief Ed McGlone: There’s a lot to love about Psychonauts 2: the music, platforming, story, characters and more. However, what fuels all that and brings it all to life are the visuals that have been deeply rooted in the series’ DNA since the first game.
The world of Psychonauts is already fantastic and silly, but most of both games (including Psychonauts 2) are set in the minds of troubled people. So there are absolutely no limits to the creativity of the game’s levels and the developers make full use of this advantage.
The result is a game full of bright colors, wacky characters and environments bursting with personality, whether it’s a casino themed hospital or an eerie harbor full of mites. It’s not just the levels of the game, though. The hub worlds are also awe-inspiring, though more rooted in alt-futuristic realism. They are beautiful, expansive areas that also have nooks and crannies to explore. The Wooded Doubtful Area, for example, is a beautifully tranquil woodland area that you can easily wrap your head around but still be imbued with the wacky antics that fill the world of Psychonauts 2.
The whole game is filled with areas that have obviously been made with so much love and attention that they are a sight to behold. Without this passion for the game’s art style, Psychonauts 2 wouldn’t be nearly as memorable or special as it is.
