Opinion Fest 2009: Best Graphics

Though gameplay and story are what every game needs, gaming is a visual medium. Indeed, many games are (often unfortunately) held up to scrutiny based on their graphics first, and the actual core of the game as an afterthought.

Though many "mainstream" gaming publications like to talk about technical things like framerate, lighting, anti-aliasing, and bump mapping, graphics - in my mind, at least - are most important in their creation of a game's look and feel. Any readers familiar with my observations of games will know that I will take a beautifully styled title over one with "realistic textures" or "cutting-edge bloom lighting" any day of the week. With that in mind, check out what I thought the most graphically impressive RPGs were in 2009.

Honorable Mention: Borderlands – Gearbox, 2K – PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

With the myriad of brown and grey post-apocalyptic shooters on the market right now, Borderlands needed a facelift - something to make itself stand out. When it resurfaced last year with a new cell-shaded look, it was the talk of the town, and for good reason. With a colourful, more imaginative feel about it, Gearbox was able to give Borderlands the identity boost it needed, and its success speaks for itself. That said, the game could really use some variety in its locales. Beautifully painted or no, a wasteland still looks like a wasteland.

3rd: Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story – Alphadream, Nintendo – Nintendo DS

Generally speaking, DS graphics are awful. Blocky models with low-res textures over ugly environments are, unfortunately, the rule on the system. Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story, however, is not a subscriber to that rule.

With detailed and colourful sprites, complimented by imaginative and lively environments, not to mention fluid and fun animations, Mario & Luigi 3 really exemplifies what can be achieved on the DS hardware. 2D graphics are not dead, and, as this award proves, can compete with even high-def console offerings, given the right care to detail and commitment to quality. If only games like this were the standard for DS rather than the exception.

2nd: Magna Carta II – Softmax, Namco Bandai – Xbox 360

Like Tears of Blood before it, Magna Carta II’s developers have proven that they have an eye for beauty and detail. From the stitches and embroidery on the townspeople’s clothing to rolling hills, mystic swamps, and cursed mountains of the continent of Lanzheim, Magna Carta II is teeming with variety and life.

Though occasionally awkward character animations keep this title from the gold, the visuals here are as beautiful as they are artistic. Magna Carta II is one of the most gorgeous looking RPGs of 2009.

1st: Muramasa: The Demon Blade – Vanillaware, Ignition – Nintendo Wii

I have always been a firm believer that any game with enough style – and enough courage to stand behind that style – could stand out above even games employing the most powerful / most expensive technology on the market. Vanillaware’s Muramasa: The Demon Blade is a testament to that. Using “obsolete” 2D graphics, and running in inferior standard definition, Muramasa exudes art and beauty out of every pixel.

As is to be expected from the creator of Odin Sphere and GrimGrimoire, Muramasa looks and moves like an interactive painting. Gorgeous sprites beautifully animated on top of a variety of picturesque locales not only prove that 2D still is a force to be reckoned with, but can outshine even the biggest budget titles. Muramasa: The Demon Blade is by far the most aesthetically pleasing game of 2009. (Now if we could just get it in HD…)