Hi guys, so I recently played "Really Big Sky" on my computer, and I gotta say, I was mesmerized by its graphics - it was like watching art in motion. Now, I know the gaming community is rather divisive about the whole "game is art" deal, but I find it wonderful, provided that it's done right.

So I was just wondering what else is out there - strictly in terms of art direction. Here are a few I think is worthy to be mentioned, meaning they were especially stare-inducing:

Superbrothers: Sword & Sorcery - modern pixels done right
Really Big Sky - chaotic, plasmic masterpiece
LIMBO - the atmosphere...the atmosphere
Waves - particles, particles, particles
Splice - epic geneticist, epic splicing
Everyday Shooter - visually musical

All those games are crappy cartoon-ish shovelware-rish stuff though, not any good examples of leading art direction.

Art direction? World of Warcraft.

I wouldn't call Limbo crappy, particularly cartoonish or shovelware, but whatever floats yours.

What is this obsession with Sacrifice?! I have looked at the game page on GOG and did not see a review of yours! What is it that makes it a special game? Maybe you want to gift one to me so that I can experience it myself :-)

Well, I was just generalizing due to the fact that OP used examples of all modern indie games for "leading art direction", I mean if I had to choose best art-direction in a game, I would say Disciples 1 and 2, especially the portraits of 1.

I joined GOG relatively recently, so there were already enough reviews. This is one of the greatest games ever made, but most people don't know about it. So, it's my duty to make sure that everyone does.

Best art direction in gaming? That's easy. Team Fortress 2 before the hats.

Amen to that

It's amazing how 8 years later that game is stil very presentable and is appealing to look at, not to mention how huge the world has gotten with many improvements

Say what you want about the Management at Blizzard but one thing's for sure: Very talented Programmers and Artists work there
I remember buying the Orange Box on release day and sinking many many hours into TF2 when it first came out

It almost pains me to see what has become of that game now I would

While Limbo has some great things about it, as an actual game it's very, very bad

The upcoming game The Banner Saga is certainly helped by its classic Disney/Eyvind Earle style. You think just about every indie game that isn't a WRPG is shovelware, don't you?

SMT, mostly Nocturne and Digital Devil Saga
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RdbZeOxL2o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__AYd80yVlE

For me I have to say Icewind Dale. Some of the maps (eg Kuldahar) to this day look stunning in my opinion.

And Mists of Pandaria is even more detailed and beautiful. :)