Dull colour schemes and settings in games

[kinn]

Each new generation of consoles brings more power for developers to work with. But is it me or are we still running around in game worlds that are just plain dull in terms of setting and colour schemes?

For example, the FPS genre its always corridors that are coloured in greys and browns and the settings are always in dull and dark environments. Some games require those kinds of settings i.e. games like Doom etc. but sometimes when playing something like Gears of War or Ressitance Fall of Man I think yeah, these games look excellent but man do they look "gloomy". Imagine that power used to render something more "pleasant".

Same deal with racing games. They are all going for the more realistic look with tracks based on real life counterparts. I miss the old days of Daytona, Ridge Racer, Outrun etc. where the tracks had extreme slopes, exciting scenery and were just more colourful. We do have some games today like this i.e. Outrun 2 but the majority are going for that sterile look.

There are games that break this trend. Far Cry being a prime example. Its just so much more enjoyable running around in a nice open, colourful environment like that than in some gloomy one i.e. Doom 3.

I just think games are meant to be fun and enjoyable and I personally prefer to be wondering around somewhere pleasant like in Far Cry, Mario Sunshine, JSR etc than in some abandoned warehouses, underground lairs etc.

Maybe this is just me and everyone else thinks there is no issue here. In any case I'll stop my moaning now!

[Abras]

I agree whole-heartedly. Ever played Jak 2 and 3? I thought they did a pretty good job of conveying the more mature themes while still retaining all the great colors, and environments.

[kinn]

I agree whole-heartedly. Ever played Jak 2 and 3? I thought they did a pretty good job of conveying the more mature themes while still retaining all the great colors, and environments.

Only played Jak 1 which I thought looked great. Will have to add Jak 2 and 3 onto my "todo" list!

[GagaMan]

"Didn't you hear? Real is BROWN."