Game Art (Book) Review

“Art from 40 video games and interviews with their creators”

A lot can be said in the debate about whether video games actually constitute art, but which ever side you land on in that debate it’s hard to deny that there are some truly awe-inspiring aesthetics in the games we know and love. The stories themselves would often feel just as fitting set between the pages of a novel as they are on the screen. Even the background music could be (and often is) released as their own tracks for music lovers. Are games art? Whatever you decide on that question, the book Game Art will give you a ton of great information and lovely images from some of your favorite games.

Game Art is more than just a pretty page (although you certainly get plenty of those). For each game featured in the book, there is an accompanying writeup about the creator of the game, where they give a ton of great backstory that likely many of us has never heard before. This includes everything from anecdotes from their childhoods, to their inspirations and motivations, to how they got their start in the business. It provides a deeper look into the developer’s motivations at the time the game created, which in turn gives greater insight into the game itself.

Game Art is divided into some very diverse sections, as it covers a wide range of game types. There is everything from Fantasy Worlds and Microbudget Games to Childhood Influences and Culture And History. Each category showcases some of the more interesting games from that area, both in art and development process, and the games it covers range from the very well known (Dragon Age: Inquisition) to the controversial (Dead or Alive 5) to the incredibly unique (Lollipop Chainsaw), offering a look at a myriad of gaming experiences. The book itself is a large, sturdy hardcover that will look equally at home on the coffee table or a shelf, with eye catching artwork featured on the cover highlighted by an opaque slip cover. It’s a must have for video game super fans, and anyone searching for a deeper look inside gaming as a whole.