Graphics - Realistic or Stylistic?

[oldaccount2000]

I once heard someone claim the graphics in Team Fortress 2 weren't up to the standards of Call of Duty or Battlefield Bad Company 2, as they 'aren't realistic at all'. Obviously, this is bull. IMO, the graphical style is far superior to the 'realism' in those games. But it's not just TF2. There are tons of other games with awesome graphical style, even old games (I'm thinking Wind Waker or Okami here).

On consoles like the Wii, 'realism' is pretty much out of the question. Not that Wii games can't be realistic, but not to the standards of other consoles, and especially to the PC. This is why games like Red Steel 2 or No More Heroes are commended for choosing a unique style.

So what I want to know is (and obviously there will be exceptions), would you rather a game had good, 'realistic' graphics, or a unique graphical style?

 

[Asehujiko]

Depends. If a game claims to have the best graphics ever, I expect to see that instead of a blocky mess with no bumpmaps, low res shadows and no aa/af and a tiny view distance that console users think looks good.

Otherwise, if the game doesn't specifically make a point about it, I'm fine with anything. I play Dwarf Fortress for example.

 

[Erja_Perttu]

It think that whist realistic graphics are all well, nice and squishy, stylised graphics can have the affect of making an older game look fresh.

For example I picked up Persona 3 the other day, a few years old, but due to its lovely animated sequences and anime style, it looks just lovely. So I'd choose a unique style.

 

[Nvv]

Both are always acceptable!

The best game stylistic wise will ALWAYS be XIII I loved that game shame Ubi aint gonna make a sequel...

Agreed XIII was awesome.
And on topic; it doesn't matter, I like both; I prefer realistic art style (to some extent) but it's not like a stylistic art style is going to ruin the game for me.

 

[Silva]

You can have realism or stylistic graphics; the important thing is that the designer has taken advantage of the graphics to enrich the experience.

You'd want one or the other, though. Except in party games, which are often too dorky-looking to be considered "stylistic", and certainly aren't realistic.

 

[psivamp]

I'm good for either. 'Realistic' graphics don't age as well, as previously mentioned though. Also, no one does full realistic graphics or damage -- because the ESRB would implode.

 

[Dienekes]

I dont really care about either, each game is to its own isnt it, if I'm playing a gritty realistic game I want it to look gritty and realistic, if I'm playing a game that is primarily fun the graphics can slide, as long as the game is what its supposed to be, fun.

thats why I can easily play team fortress 2 and call of duty at the same time, both games are being themselves quite well. Although I do have to admit most of the games I like favour realism over style, but thats just personal taste.

if you look at the current crop of shooters, there's so much bloom and insane reflections that it looks like real life on mescalin with blurry eyes.

I do agree with this that some new games are going a bit overboard with graphics, they could do with losing some of the realism as it looks TOO real, so much so that it doesnt look real, that doesnt make sense, even to me haha.

 

[Scobie]

DELETED

 

[Subzerowings]

Prefferably stylistic.
I love cel-shaded graphics because I believe it's timeless.
If you were to play Prince of Persia (not the first one but the cel-shaded one of course) 10 years from now, you could still think it's more beautiful than Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 64, unlike GTA IV, which could by then look like a relic.

 

[Totenkopf]

I prefer stylistic. Blazblue, Team Fortress 2, Street Fighter IV and Brütal Legend as prime examples.

 

[Layz92]

It's all about the style. A game that has its own impressive art style can outdo most other "realistic" graphics in my eyes.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I think for some games realistic, and other games, stylistic.
But please, please, PLEASE stop using cel-shading.
NOW.

Okami would like a word with you...

OT: Stylised graphics age better than realistic graphics. Wind Waker still looks mighty fine, as does Okami and a number of other cel shaded stylised games.
MGS2 however, which looked fucking brilliant on release, now looks really bad.

 

[gonzo20]

i prefer my games to look as unrealistic as it can be, it just makes it more fun, but i still dont mind the so called "realistic" graphics

 

[Dexiro]

I don't really have a preference. Stylistic games seem to have better gameplay sometimes though because they don't have such a focus on "omg grafixx!".

 

[sephiroth1991]

If a game is trying to be serious then realistic, if not then stylistic.

 

[Eggsnham]

I like realistic if the game is supposed to be a serious shooter. But both are fine, really.