Concerning the "Excellence In Visual Art" category, G4's
Rob Manuel wrote:
The Pick:
Dear Esther"It’s not wonder that I started the day with an email from a colleague saying, 'Have you seen Dear Ester lately?' Watch the trailer and you’ll be stunned by how gorgeous this game looks. Cool waters flow through a darkened cave as ancient stalactites give off an ominous glow. Rust collecting on the hull of a ship tells the story of a battle lost with the sea. The visuals here are more than just a way to show off your video card. Every building, cave, and tree fits into this ghost story you experience by exploring the environment. If you remember the early days when Dear Esther when it was just a mod for Half-Life 2, the visuals alone will make you want to enter that haunting world all over again. Even when you leave this beautifully rendered virtual world, the story will never leave you."
Second Opinion:
Botanicula"Creating a world without a single word uttered or written to guide the player is a feat few developers dare to try. You need to create a world that’s inviting, intriguing, and filled with just enough mysteries to keep the player looking under every rock and poking every button. Problems need to be immediately accessible for the player to realize the nature of the obstacle as well as lead them towards possible solutions. From their Samorost series and Machinarium game, Amanita Design has turned creating worlds to wander and puzzles to ponder a work of art. Botanicula seems to continue this tradition with intriguing characters, an amazing world, and a story told through visuals alone."
link to the article:
http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/720043/always-bet-on-indie-our-predictions-for-the-igf-2012-awards/
