The Best Video Game Concept Art Styles of All Time

The realm of video games is not just an arena of play but a canvas of artistic expression. For art enthusiasts and gamers alike, the allure of a video game often begins with its concept art. This visual gateway crafts the game’s aesthetic, narrative, and emotional tone, turning digital entertainment into a masterpiece of interactive art. 

Keep reading to learn about the evolution of video game design and how some of the most popular games have unique styles of world building!

Jump ahead:

• The Evolution of Video Game Concept Art

• Surreal Worlds of BioShock

• Stylized Realism of The Last of Us

• Vibrant Fantasy of World of War Craft

• Neo-Noir Fantasy of Deus Ex: Human Revolution

• Watercolour Dreamscapes of Okami

• Gothic Grandeur of Bloodborne

• Retro Sci-Fi Charm of Fallout

• Painterly Aesthetics of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

• A Living, Breathing Work of Art

• Video Game Artist: An Art Nerd's Dream Job

The Evolution of Video Game Concept Art

The evolution of video game concept art is a fascinating one with technological innovation and artistic exploration. It mirrors the broader narrative of the video gaming industry, showcasing how artistic styles have adapted and transformed with advancements in technology.

The Early Days (1980s-1990s)

In the 1980s, the concept art for video games faced the limitations of technology. Early gaming consoles and computers had limited visual abilities, including a limited colour palette and basic pixel art. Despite these constraints, concept art certainly played a crucial role in defining the aesthetic and thematic direction of a game; games like Space Invaders and Pac-Man are prime examples in which simple designs created iconic visual identities.

The 1990s witnessed a shift, with the advent of more powerful gaming consoles and computer graphics emerging. This era brought about a renaissance in video game art, as artists were no longer confined to pixel art and had the new-found freedom to explore more detailed, complex designs. The introduction of 3D graphics in games like Doom and Final Fantasy VII marked a pivotal moment, as concept artists began to adopt techniques from traditional animation and film, leading to a more cinematic approach in game art.

The 2000s: A Digital Revolution

The turn of the millennium saw a digital revolution in the gaming industry, with the introduction of advanced gaming consoles like the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, along with powerful PC graphics, allowing for new graphical abilities. Concept artists began to utilize digital tools, such as Adobe Photoshop and digital tablets, which offered up more versatility and efficiency in translating their visions into game designs.

During this period, the role of concept art expanded beyond character and environment design, as artists began to influence the overall narrative, mood, and atmosphere of games. The immersive worlds of games like World of Warcraft and Halo show how concept art started to dictate not just the look, but also the feel of a game.

The 2010s and Beyond: Realism Meets Artistic Expression

The most recent decade has seen a further blurring of lines between video games and other art forms; the advancement of technologies such as VR and AR, along with continued improvements in graphics engines, has opened up new frontiers for concept artists. Games like The Last of Us and Red Dead Redemption 2 showcase awe-inspiring, near-photorealistic environments and characters -- a testament to how far game art has come.

The rise of indie games has brought about a resurgence of varied artistic styles, from pixel art to hand-drawn aesthetics. This reflects a growing recognition of video games as a form of artistic expression, not just mere entertainment for entertainment's sake. The best anime games, for example, have carved out a phenomenal niche, showcasing styles that range from vibrant and whimsical to dark and complex.

1. The Surreal Worlds of BioShock

The BioShock series, known for its unique blend of dystopian and utopian imagery, stands out in the realm of video game art. Its concept art, heavily influenced by Art Deco and steampunk elements, presents a mixture of past, future, and fantasy. The intricate designs of the underwater city of Rapture and the floating city of Columbia are not only architecturally stunning but also have a narrative depth that evokes a sense of wonder and unease.

2. The Stylized Realism of The Last of Us

Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us offers a look at a post-apocalyptic world through its concept art. The art style is a masterful blend of realism and stylization, capturing the raw, emotional gravity of the game’s narrative. The artists’ use of lighting and texture brings a gritty, tangible feel to the ruins of civilization, making the world feel hauntingly real and artistically elevated.

3. The Vibrant Fantasy of World of Warcraft

Blizzard Entertainment’s World of Warcraft is a testament to the power of fantasy art in video games, with its concept art characterized by vibrant colors, exaggerated forms, and a distinct cartoonish flair. This style creates a fantastical universe -- one that is both whimsical and epic, inviting players into a stunning world to explore -- a world brimming with mythical creatures, ancient gods, and boundless adventure.

4. The Neo-Noir Ambiance of Deus Ex: Human Revolution

The Deus Ex series, particularly Human Revolution, is renowned for its neo-noir cyberpunk aesthetic. The concept art for this game merges futuristic technology with dark, moody atmospheres, creating a compelling world that is both technologically advanced and deeply human. The use of contrasting light and shadow, along with a rich, golden color palette, adds a tangible layer of sophistication and mystery to the game’s dystopian setting.

5. The Watercolour Dreamscape of Okami

Capcom’s Okami is a beautiful homage to traditional Japanese art. Its concept art is rendered in a watercolor style, drawing heavily from the aesthetics of Japanese ink wash painting -- an artistic choice that not only gives the game a unique visual identity, but also deeply roots it in the cultural and mythological tapestry of Japan. The flowing lines and soft color palettes create a dreamlike quality that is both tranquil and enchanting.

6. The Gothic Grandeur of Bloodborne

FromSoftware’s Bloodborne takes players into a nightmarish world of Gothic horror, the game’s concept art a dark tapestry of Victorian architecture, eldritch monsters, and brooding landscapes. This style captures the game’s underlying themes of fear and madness, while the meticulous attention to architectural detail and monster design creates a deeply immersive and unsettling experience.

7. The Retro Sci-Fi Charm of Fallout

The Fallout series is celebrated for its retro-futuristic art style, which combines elements of 1950s Americana with post-apocalyptic imagery -- a unique blend that results in a world that is both nostalgic and uneasy. The concept art’s use of vibrant colors and vintage designs against the backdrop of a desolate, nuclear wasteland also creates a striking, memorable visual narrative.

8. The Painterly Aesthetics of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a visual masterpiece that embraces a painterly art style, with the concept art exhibiting soft, pastel colors and a light, airy quality that gives the game a real sense of openness and serenity. This approach not only complements the game’s exploration-focused gameplay, but also adds a layer of whimsical charm to the fantasy world of Hyrule.

A Living, Breathing Work of Art

Winged Canvas Animation Mentorship class project demo

The world of video game art is as diverse as it is captivating, with each game’s concept art bringing forth a unique vision and style, all contributing to the rich tapestry of digital storytelling. From the dark corridors of Rapture to the sprawling fields of Hyrule, these art styles have not only defined their respective games, but also elevated the medium of video games as a form of artistic expression. For art enthusiasts and gamers, the journey through these worlds is no longer just about play, it’s about experiencing a living, breathing work of art.

Video Game Artist: An Art Nerd's Dream Job

If you enjoy nerding out to the art of video games or dream of being a game artist one day, you can explore concept art through world building, character design, illustration and animation in live online programs. Concept artists typically have a good understanding of art and design fundamentals including structure drawing, perspective, figure drawing, storyboarding and colour theory. We ❤ Art Nerds at Winged Canvas!

Beginner to Intermediate Programs:

Cartooning & Anime - an online art class to explore stylized character and concept art

Digital Art - an online art class to improve digital drawing and painting techniques

Advanced to Portfolio Prep Classes:

Animation Mentorship - personal guidance with hand-drawn, digital animation projects

Digital Illustration Mentorship - personal guidance in world building and storytelling