Zelda: Skyward sucks, Twilight is good, CDi games are canon

[MrPopo]

The Imprisoned always reminded me of the opening of Princess Mononoke, so I saw the rest of it being just as cartoony as the toes.

[Xeogred]

Wow, I weirdly made that connection myself.

[Czernobog]

Skyward Sword clearly knows what art style it is. It's impressionism. The idea of "painting what you see," often in one sitting from the impressionist era. I honestly think we need more big name games with the willingness to try something so far from their norm.

[vatermuzik]

Skyward Sword clearly knows what art style it is. It's impressionism. The idea of "painting what you see," often in one sitting from the impressionist era. I honestly think we need more big name games with the willingness to try something so far from their norm.

I agree completely. I loved the art style in SS. It took a few sessions to get it, but once I did, it quickly became one of my favourite graphic styles in the series.

[Betagam7]

Skyward Sword clearly knows what art style it is. It's impressionism. The idea of "painting what you see," often in one sitting from the impressionist era. I honestly think we need more big name games with the willingness to try something so far from their norm.

Using a bunch of pastel colours doesn't make it impressionism. A truly impressionistic style would have been as interesting as Wind Waker's cell shaded style. In fact I'd love to see a game rendered in that style.

The whole "impressionism" thing was a throwaway comment from Miyamoto made in retrospect, it wasn't part of the design manifesto.

[ZeroAX]

The whole "impressionism" thing was a throwaway comment from Miyamoto made in retrospect, it wasn't part of the design manifesto.

We don't really know that.

Heck the first time skyward sword was mentioned they showed a painting of the sword character behind the scenes, so it's probably that's what they were aiming for from the beginning.

But I do agree Windwaker left a greater impression on me.

[Betagam7]

The whole "impressionism" thing was a throwaway comment from Miyamoto made in retrospect, it wasn't part of the design manifesto.

We don't really know that.

Well we kind of do:

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2011/nov/09/legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword

It's been said Miyamoto-san is a fan of impressionist painters. Did that influence it? What other factors are important?

(Laughs) Actually, that comment from Miyamoto-san is a retrospective quote. He was looking back on the game and saying it looks like an impressionist painting.

Our basic starting point was about the fact that Skyward Sword is a fantasy story – after all, how else would you have an island in the sky as the starting point?

[ZeroAX]

Well we kind of do:

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2011/nov/09/legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword

It's been said Miyamoto-san is a fan of impressionist painters. Did that influence it? What other factors are important?

(Laughs) Actually, that comment from Miyamoto-san is a retrospective quote. He was looking back on the game and saying it looks like an impressionist painting.

Our basic starting point was about the fact that Skyward Sword is a fantasy story – after all, how else would you have an island in the sky as the starting point?

I stand corrected.

[Czernobog]

I wasn't referring to Miyamoto's quote. I didn't even know it was ever said. I have a B.F.A and have some background in art history. I didn't see Skyward Sword until I actually played it and quickly thought of impressionist paintings. I can see how that could look "watercolor-ish" to someone, certainly, but I don't think the game doesn't know what style it's going for. The style seemed consistent to me. I don't know what you mean by "truly" impressionistic because it's kind of a broad term.

Regardless, I think the game took a risk with it's art style and we should want more big name games to take such risks if we want less games doing nothing but aiming for photo-realism.

[Betagam7]

I wasn't referring to Miyamoto's quote. I didn't even know it was ever said. I have a B.F.A and have some background in art history. I didn't see Skyward Sword until I actually played it and quickly thought of impressionist paintings. I can see how that could look "watercolor-ish" to someone, certainly, but I don't think the game doesn't know what style it's going for. The style seemed consistent to me. I don't know what you mean by "truly" impressionistic because it's kind of a broad term.

Regardless, I think the game took a risk with it's art style and we should want more big name games to take such risks if we want less games doing nothing but aiming for photo-realism.

My initial comments have little to do with what type of painting the game may or may not look like in any case. They are about the blurring of serious and cartoonish in the character models and all around design.

Wind Waker knew that it wanted to be a cartoon and it was a wonderful success because it committed to that. Twilight Princess, although I'm not at all in favour of it, had a clear manifesto to be "dark" and "realistic" and it worked in terms of satisfying that audience.

Skyward Sword seemed caught between the two worlds and was poorer, in my opinion, for not firmly committing to either one. Cartoonish elements seemed out of place and vice versa at various points during the game. The example I gave of the Imprisoned and his comedy toes being merely one of them.

Also, there was still no Tingle! (except for a doll)