What I like about Dragon's Crown Artwork

[FrankatronX]

I'm a big fan of side scrolling beat-em-ups and the fantasy art of Frank Frazzetta so I was counting my blessings when I heard about Dragon's Crown. It seems like great fun. But I have read several articles on the artwork which almost solely concerns two characters.
The Amazon and The Sorceress (along with other released NPC's solely of the heaving and undressed kind.) have been given a lot of stick. I don't really know where to start with this.

I know that the image of glamorously ill dressed women jiggling about is not the P.C. ideal but the entire thing is so over the top it's hard to take it in any way as a serious attack on the female image. It's more of an homage to the art and might be cleverer than you may have been led to believe.

For example the released image of the Amazon character is a reclining pose on a rock, if studied then this image is more than massive hips in a thong on a tiny waist. The reclining nude/Venus is a long standing classical pose which artists still use today all over the world. This particular image is interesting because she has nothing behind her to support her. she is not truly reclining at all, it is an illusion of the pose, in short an illusion of being passive. The axe is held outward to the observer but low, this could be a veiled threat. The right leg is up and able to push off the rock at a moments notice. Now this all tied together with the utterly contemptuous look on her face directed at the observer completes this image as being one not of passive reclining but of a serious warning.

So ask yourself, have you really studied these images?

 

[The_Scrivener]

I agree in general. It's more about the gaming industry and its culture being so far beyond strike three that we don't get the benefit of the doubt. Because frankly, we don't deserve it.

I'd love to defend Dragon's Crown's aesthetic because I think it's worth defending on its own, but you can't look at an article about Dragon's Crown by a woman without the comments being drooling cretins talking about how jelly the stupid ***** is and that she's probably fat and her vagina smells.

So yeah, for what it's worth, I like the game's aesthetic. I think most of the characters are extreme on purpose--not just the women--and it dials an old nostalgic fantasy style up to eleven.

But from a cultural standpoint, it isn't worth defending. We can have nice things when enough of us grow the fuck up.

 

[Tombsite]

So ask yourself, have you really studied these images?

I am not particularly bothered by any of this but the Amazon and Sorceress are not the big problems.

It is the mermaid with her but exposed (look up the escapist review video). It is the "nun" in form fitting platemail lying spread eagle looking like she's having an orgasm. It is the other "nun" draped in almost see through satin sheets.

Those do not have any hidden strength, they are pure titillation. Please do not try to pass them of as anything else.

 

[Zhukov]

*shrug*

I think they all look fucking ugly. Not a fan of overly exaggerated art style. The characters all look like what you would get if you asked someone who drew those political cartoons in the newspapers to do fantasy cliches.

Oh, and you're kidding yourself about that picture of the amazon chick. If you like pictures of lumpy women in their underwear, that's up to you, but trying to portray it as some kind of badass empowerment... thing is a silly joke.

 

[Casual Shinji]

I don't have to study it. Visual art has the benefit of instantly envoking a sensation from the viewer. And for me that sensation is disgust.

To me every character, apart from the Elf and the Wizard, look like horribly deformed monstrosities. It's fine to exaggerate, but you need to maintain a certain balance, otherwise you end up with... well, Dragon's Crown.

 

[Zeckt]

I agree in general. It's more about the gaming industry and its culture being so far beyond strike three that we don't get the benefit of the doubt. Because frankly, we don't deserve it.

I'd love to defend Dragon's Crown's aesthetic because I think it's worth defending on its own, but you can't look at an article about Dragon's Crown by a woman without the comments being drooling cretins talking about how jelly the stupid ***** is and that she's probably fat and her vagina smells.

So yeah, for what it's worth, I like the game's aesthetic. I think most of the characters are extreme on purpose--not just the women--and it dials an old nostalgic fantasy style up to eleven.

But from a cultural standpoint, it isn't worth defending. We can have nice things when enough of us grow the fuck up.

I think your being overly harsh, as this is the internet we are talking about. This problem is not exclusive to the gamer community as evidence by youtube / yahoo comments on *any* issue. Why should we be ashamed about the vocal few of not gamers, but of humanity? this problem does not stem from gaming, it stems from human beings. I'm not going to waste my time being ashamed about some racist loon spreading hate on youtube on EVERY issue, not just gaming. Why should we take the blame? Someone writes on a political story that all politicians should kill themselves and more then likely posts in a gaming discussion the same thing.

Not. My. Problem.

 

[Maximum Bert]

I quite like the art it definitely has its own flair just like all vanillawares games they are easy to pick out.

I think it gives it a strong identity and fits well with the gameplay from the few lets plays vids I have seen, whether you like it or not it certainly gets people talking and thats a good thing in my eyes.

Dont know whether it will sell because strong stylisised art games dont usually tend to do well in the west anyway but as I have said the game looks amazing from my point of view I always enjoy strong art over graphics (but both are very nice) and this game has that in spades every character looks totally different and the locations look awesome as well plus to me it all hangs together quite nicely everything seems like it belongs in that world.

I hope the gameplay is as strong as the visuals I have been waiting for a good dungeon hack and slash for ages most are really old or are just dungeon crawlers instead.

I wish there were more (non indie) games focused on art rather than graphics I know vanillaware do it well and journey was good as well but before that the only one I can think of was Okami which was and is awesome. I suppose there is El Shaddai but I havent got around to that yet unfortunately I was playing way to much at the time.

Although I suppose Arcs games and Skullgirls sort of fit the bill but its still not quite there Disgaea fits it though and I love that series.

 

[Marik2]

Odin Sphere is a good example of over the top proportions but it doesn't go overboard with it.

Still going to get Dragons Crown cuz it looks fun though.

 

[Hagi]

Eh, I've kinda been growing to the opinion that if anything is wrong in video game character design it's the men.

Not as in they're poor misrepresented, objectified and sexualized monstrosities that will surely corrupt our youth in the most vile of ways. Rather as in, they're not. And they should be, sometimes.

I'd say what gaming really needs is a male character that straight men feel awkward playing. A male character that, at a single glance, conveys the absolute certainty that right now dozens of people are masturbating furiously to him.

What we need is 50 Shades of Video Games and have it be immensely popular

I think that'd really give some much needed perspective.

 

[Lieju]

So ask yourself, have you really studied these images?

You know, it would help if you actually bothered to link to these pictures.

What I've seen of the game, it looks dumb.
What I'd like to know is if they have any characterisation. Like, why does the sorceress hump skeletons? That's her thing? Her way of making the opponent uncomfortable? How she raises the dead?

 

[Izanagi009_v1legacy]

I agree in general. It's more about the gaming industry and its culture being so far beyond strike three that we don't get the benefit of the doubt. Because frankly, we don't deserve it.

I'd love to defend Dragon's Crown's aesthetic because I think it's worth defending on its own, but you can't look at an article about Dragon's Crown by a woman without the comments being drooling cretins talking about how jelly the stupid ***** is and that she's probably fat and her vagina smells.

So yeah, for what it's worth, I like the game's aesthetic. I think most of the characters are extreme on purpose--not just the women--and it dials an old nostalgic fantasy style up to eleven.

But from a cultural standpoint, it isn't worth defending. We can have nice things when enough of us grow the fuck up.

I will admit that I like it and am interested in buying the game but feel that the proportions are a bit large even by fantasy standards. As for reactions, yeah, a lot of us get defensive too quickly and react so violently. Can we please have civil discussion on the internet; I know that's hard but can we try to act like actual people instead of illogical brats?

 

[Izanagi009_v1legacy]

I don't have to study it. Visual art has the benefit of instantly envoking a sensation from the viewer. And for me that sensation is disgust.

To me every character, apart from the Elf and the Wizard, look like horribly deformed monstrosities. It's fine to exaggerate, but you need to maintain a certain balance, otherwise you end up with... well, Dragon's Crown.

fair enough but you have to admit that instead of potential debates on how well the style works, what reactions people have, or how to make it better; the debate is getting bogged down by the sexism debate (which we should have but not with whining, over defensive reactionary comments).

You don't like it, that's perfectly acceptable (personally, I find the style odd but admit the amazon and sorceress have their proportions a bit too enhanced) but what I ask is that we try discussing it without the women representation thing getting too entrenched.

 

[FrankatronX]

It is the mermaid with her but exposed (look up the escapist review video). It is the "nun" in form fitting platemail lying spread eagle looking like she's having an orgasm. It is the other "nun" draped in almost see through satin sheets.

Those do not have any hidden strength, they are pure titillation. Please do not try to pass them of as anything else.

At the total risk of sounding foolish I'm gonna reply to this.

Mermaid first.
What do all mermaids do? They lure sailors to their deaths on the rocks. Mermaids are supposed to be titillating, they just don't work if they are not overly sensual. It's the entire point of mermaids. They are fem fatale's and as such cunning and dangerous. Not to be trifled with in the least but also compassionate and friendly to the pure of heart. Though naked it does make sense to portray a mermaid without clothing since they live in the sea where clothing would be a burden. On the point of her famous butt then I can only assume the pose is deliberate to be alluring to whomever the mermaid is currently attempting to seduce.

Nun second.
I find there's more to this image than you let on. She's not laying spread eagle in ecstasy, she's clearly protecting a very important artifact. The severed head of the beast that attacked her is still attached to her crippled leg. What I find interesting about this image is the chastity lock on her armour. Chastity belts did exist for certain religious sects in medieval Europe. Directly above her lock we see the true treasure she guards. What appears to be a holy relic clutched tight despite her injuries which judging by the look on her face seems to have almost caused her to pass out. this is a character who would clearly give life and limb to preserve her beliefs. That is character.

Okay this last one. the chained up woman in the satin nightie. I got nothing to defend this with. But again that is kinda the point. Golden chains, red drape and reclining. This is clearly the damsel in distress trope in all it's flamboyant glory. There is no point in trying to say there is any hidden meaning to this image because that's the point of this image. To show you a helpless woman in need of rescue.

So that's those three picked apart. Of those I will concede that one is of a demeaning portrayal of a woman.

 

[lacktheknack]

You're reaching reeeeeeeally haaaaaaaard, man.

Remember, first impressions are a thing. And the first impressions of Dragon's Crown are "I'm pandering to a specific audience", and it's an audience I'm not really a part of.

Why should I have to analyze the graphics as I go? If they truly cared about the portrayal of their characters in non-demeaning ways, they'd pay more attention to how they come across at first glance. And no, I highly doubt that Dragon's Crown is intended as an exercise in "Thou Shalt Not Judge Ye Booke By Its Cover".

 

[FrankatronX]

What I'd like to know is if they have any characterisation. Like, why does the sorceress hump skeletons? That's her thing? Her way of making the opponent uncomfortable? How she raises the dead?

I have given this some thought and it is possible that she is a Necrophiliac. Distasteful but interesting.

 

[FrankatronX]

You're reaching reeeeeeeally haaaaaaaard, man.

Yes I am. But art is about depth so it is up to us to look for meaning in art. If the art is just given to us as a single flash where all you need is communicated to the first moment of sight then we deprive ourselves of any possible concept of understanding the artistic process and characteristics put into the art itself.

The first glance gives us one image and we follow that up with a closer look at the concept. When they contradict each other it's always interesting and I see a lot of that in the artwork for Dragon's Crown.

 

[Padwolf]

Eh, I've kinda been growing to the opinion that if anything is wrong in video game character design it's the men.

Not as in they're poor misrepresented, objectified and sexualized monstrosities that will surely corrupt our youth in the most vile of ways. Rather as in, they're not. And they should be, sometimes.

I'd say what gaming really needs is a male character that straight men feel awkward playing. A male character that, at a single glance, conveys the absolute certainty that right now dozens of people are masturbating furiously to him.

What we need is 50 Shades of Video Games and have it be immensely popular

I think that'd really give some much needed perspective.

Yes! Yes! I would like to see this happen!

I don't really have a problem with the art style of Dragon's Crown. It's over the top, all of it, and I quite like it. It has it's own flair.

 

[lacktheknack]

You're reaching reeeeeeeally haaaaaaaard, man.

Yes I am. But art is about depth so it is up to us to look for meaning in art. If the art is just given to us as a single flash where all you need is communicated to the first moment of sight then we deprive ourselves of any possible concept of understanding the artistic process and characteristics put into the art itself.

The first glance gives us one image and we follow that up with a closer look at the concept. When they contradict each other it's always interesting and I see a lot of that in the artwork for Dragon's Crown.

And while I can appreciate that (I have to, I'm a modern art fan), I see you trying to defend the art choices that show off boobs, butts and compromising positions, and I think that's a swing and a miss.

 

[WindKnight]

I think the main problem is context. If every other game wasn't rocking half naked women and sexualised pandering when they aren't ignoring women entirely, this would be judged on its own frank frazetta exaggerating merits. While I don't like some of the design choices (and a few make me roll my eyes and sigh wearily), I appreciate the art-style and some of the designs are gorgeous (yes, I think the Elf is adorable, and kick-ass looking)