Entry #4: Styles in (Game)Play

So, today i'll be posting about aesthetics. But not just any aesthetics... i'm talking about aesthetics in video games. That feel or alluring factor that sends off different messages about the game itself by either its' content, graphics, or gameplay, and leaves a lasting impression on us. Now, for the sake of post length I won't go too deeply into every game I post on this list, and they'll be restricted to games I feel a personal attachment to, but I do want to use enough to give you all a good sense of what feelings these games give off, at least to me, and what their style, graphics, and visuals feel to me. I choose these games in particular because I feel they also contribute to what I consider my own, personal "aesthetic". I'll also include one song from each game I list to help convey the aesthetic of the game I list, but of course, whatever you read from my posts is entirely up to you to discuss as well. That being said, let's start!

(NOTE: Most to all images were taken from Google Images, so I apologize if some images look bigger/smaller than others.)

1. Sonic Adventure [Dreamcast (1998), Nintendo GameCube (2003), Xbox 360/PS3/PC (2010)]

 






This game, in my eyes, is wonderful. The colors of the levels themselves, along with how the gameplay controls, the visuals, everything about it is so great. I will say, I am biased towards Sonic Adventure because I grew up with it, so I may be singing its' praises a bit too much. But for what's put on display here, complete with how Sonic controls, and the soundtrack, I can't help but love this game to bits. You control Sonic and five other characters through different stages and scenarios in an attempt to stop Dr. Robotnik (or Dr. Eggman, if you prefer...) from taking over the world with a new, mysterious enemy named "Chaos".

For the feel the game gives off, if I had to choose a specific theme, i'd say it's water-themed. The boxart (top-left) seems to feel like water ripples emanating from the center of the image, with shades of pink-purplish highlights, alongside blue and just a touch of green. It does fit, given the look of the game and one of the main villains being an amalgamation of water, but i'll save that for those of you who may want to play the game. But the game's style and feel is very nice, and I think gives off a good feel of a fast, action-packed adventure. And of course, the blue-colored aesthetic of the skies and seas are something that sticks with me the most.

Song: Open Your Heart - Crush 40 (This is the theme song to the entire game!)

2. Kirby Air Ride (Nintendo GameCube, 2003)

Kirby Air Ride is another game I hold dear to my heart. It's a simple, though fun racing game with Kirby as the main character, and comes with some of the same systems and abilities that Kirby usually has in his main games, though when I say that I really just mean copy abilities. The game has three modes as shown in the pictures; City Trial (upper-right), Air Ride (lower-left), and Top Ride (lower-right). All these game modes come together for a very fun racer that, I personally feel, offers just a bit more in quality and a faster pace than what a standard Mario Kart game could give you.

The aesthetic of this game... is definitely hard to pin down. If I had to give it one, i'd say it's very mechanical-feeling, in a good way. The main menu feels like you're almost looking at the inside of a complex machine as it turns, operates and moves like the inside of a clock or a factory using several machines to build something. But the rest of the game and its' race tracks all have their own feel. There's a track based around lava, another around machines, space, ice, but the main, central aesthetic definitely feels more machine/tech heavy than most, though that's not at all a bad thing.

(Fun Fact: For this Kirby game in particular, all of the music that plays for City Trial's randomized events are actually taken straight from the soundtrack of the official Kirby anime in Japan, "星のカービィ", or as it's referred to in the west, "Kirby of the Stars". Example: Here's the song for the City Trial event "Item Bounce" from Kirby Air Ride, compared to the original song from the anime's soundtrack, "Dedede Bustle".)

Song: Menu - Kirby Air Ride

3. SEGA Bass Fishing [Sega Dreamcast (1997), Xbox 360/PC (2011)]

SEGA Bass Fishing is another game from my childhood I hold closely to me not only because of the feel it gives me, but also because it's surprisingly energetic for a fishing game. You play as a professional fisher in Lake Paradise (and/or Lake Crystaldew, but that's if you play the "Original" or "Practice" mode to choose a different location to fish in), setting out for the biggest bass you can catch. There's really not much to this game, but that's also because this one in particular is a home console port of the arcade game of the very same name, and that's a shame 'cuz it never quite rose to acclaimed fame.

Alliteration aside, SEGA Bass Fishing is impressive in making a relaxing and comfortable aesthetic, while at the same time getting fast and energetic solely off of its' music. The only way this game could make fishing for bass any more energized is if there were effects added to the camera when fishing for a hooked bass, and maybe switching around the camera angles when reeling in a fish. The music is calming and focused when it needs to be, entertaining and suspenseful when it should be, and overall relaxing when all's said and done, and this is another one i'd associate with myself for the overall water theme.

Song: Original Mode: Ranking Screen - SEGA Bass Fishing

4. Animal Crossing (Nintendo GameCube, 2002)

 









Finally on this list, Animal Crossing. A game that isn't so much about an objective, but rather, living a life outside of your regular life. A life where all you have to worry about is whether or not you want to fish, catch bugs, dig for things marked on the ground (such as fossils), or pay off Tom Nook so that you may increase the size and space of your house for better interior decoration or item collection. This game is so relaxing, you can purchase a bed in game, place it in your house, and lay down on it as you either listen to some music in your game's house, decide what you want to do next, or just soak in the atmosphere of your home you decorated with your own two hands.

The feel of this game is definitely themed after nature, right down to the very neighbors you live with in game. All of them are actual, real animals (as showcased in the top and bottom right, next to the human player) and you live alongside them in a small town, with plenty of opportunity to do anything you imagine. Alongside this, you can plant things like trees, flowers, and pick weeds and take care of the world around you, and it's all very soothing and calming, complete with appropriate music. This game radiates a calm, nature-set vibe that makes it very nice and wonderful to play, and has a wonderful aesthetic.

Song: 12 PM - Animal Crossing (Nintendo GameCube)

---

At the end of the day, a game's style, graphics, art and aesthetics all play a very important role in making the game look and feel amazing. It's one thing to have good gameplay, but if the game looks and feels unappealing, then chances are you won't want to return to it anytime soon. But with these games, I hope you can at least see why I value the graphics of a game just as much as how it plays. Sometimes, it can even play a role into the person you grow up to be later in life, shaping what you wear or the color palette you associate yourself with, and these are just a few examples of games that play well, as well as look stunning. If you have any similar thoughts or games, be sure to comment and tell me what they are! I'd love to hear what some of your own childhood video games (if any) contributed to who you are today.

- Lucas Vincent