What is The Most Beautiful Videogame?

Not how pretty the graphics are, but more along the lines of story, dialogue, music, artistic style, characters' personalities, etc.

THe overall feel of a game. Maybe made you shed a tear on how beautiful it is and/or made you sad.

I say Final Fantasy IX. It had some of the most realistic depictions of human emotions imo. How to be true to yourself and other life lessons. Sounds strange, but it just had amazing dialogue. It was charming, funny, sad, and just beautiful.

the main theme of heavenly sword was actually beauty. it drifted away from the grittier GoW war style. even the blood was like splashes of red paint. the animations for the protagonists were ballet-like. the devs used the villains as contrasts to nariko.LoG-Sacrament

This. Heavenly Sword is a tragically short yet memorable visual tour de force.

[QUOTE="LoG-Sacrament"]the main theme of heavenly sword was actually beauty. it drifted away from the grittier GoW war style. even the blood was like splashes of red paint. the animations for the protagonists were ballet-like. the devs used the villains as contrasts to nariko.Iszk

This. Heavenly Sword is a tragically short yet memorable visual tour de force.

indeed. it also has some of the best voice acting and performances in video game history.

Odin Sphere.

Nothing beats beautifully hand-drawn sprites and animation.

This is a good question and I'm going to have to run on terms of games that a throughly enjoyed all around:

Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Chrono Trigger
Bioshock

Those are beautiful games all around and let's be honest here. Everyone that reads this post has enjoyed one of those three titles to the degree that they were enticing visually and climactically as well. If it came down to one of my favorite games to look at, I'd really have to point fingers at Crysis for the simple fact that Crytek did some stellar effects with their engine.

Nothing beats beautifully hand-drawn sprites and animation.

ASK_Story

Which is why I consider KOF 12 the hands down best looking upcoming game on any console.

I think ICO really showcased how evocative subtlety and simplicity can be. Nothing about that game is obvious or over the top, but it makes such an organic feeling world that it's hard to tear myself away from.SophinaK

Eternal Sonata. The game has some drawbacks, but the main theme is based on Frederic Chopin, his music and his deathbead dreamstate. Listening to some of Chopin's music, while having a better idea of the mindset and motivation behind his musical genius was very enlightening, to say the least.

The graphics, environment and gameplay were also highly creative.

I agree with the TC, FF9 was the perfect blend of emotion,humor and art.

The emotions portrayed by the characters was deep and realistic, there were somethings I could even relate too.

It may not be the best looking game, but for its time it was amazing.

That's an extremely hard to consider, man. Another poster referred to Bioshock, and another to Crysis. While exceptional graphics lend themselves to the overall aesthetics of the games, especially where atmosphere and immersion of the player are concerned, I don't think anyone that forms an unbiased opinion would state that a current-gen game is the most "beautiful" when considering the various aspects of the games comprehensively. Everyone's definition for what aspects of plot, setting, narrative style, graphics, style create an astoundingly beautiful game differs. Obviously there are some whom harbour opinions that are devoid of merit. We're not considering these people. Who's to say Okami is more or less beautiful than FFVIII, ICO, Killer 7, Persona 3, Chrono Trigger, Xenogears, Rez, or Lost Odyssey? When it comes to titles that are inarguably beautiful, how can you or I convince one another that our opinion is correct?

Furthermore, are we considering certain aspects of the games, or the sum of their parts? As derivitive of literature as it was, Lost Odyssey's A Thousand Years of Dreams was often heart-wrenching and powerful on so many levels, be they philosophical, ethical, or personal (in relation to Kaim). On the other hand, as a whole Lost Odyssey lost a degree of it's artistic merits. It's hard to ignore specific examples like this. While as a whole many games are more beautiful than Lost Odyssey, A Thousand years of Dreams was beautiful beyond any expectations I had for the game.

But ever since I've considered this question myself, I've always come back to one answer: ICO. Where aesthetic value and artistic expression are concerned I don't believe there is a title that can even be compared to ICO.

I could not apply that adjective to any game I can think of, let alone the "most".

...

I think ICO really showcased how evocative subtlety and simplicity can be. Nothing about that game is obvious or over the top, but it makes such an organic feeling world that it's hard to tear myself away from.SophinaK

Yeah, that's one game I always considered to be more beautiful than accomplished. Okami is another one.

Odin Sphere.

Nothing beats beautifully hand-drawn sprites and animation.

ASK_Story

Yeah,one of my first thoughts too...but if I look at Legend of Mana (AWESOME soundtrack,but the Storyline didn´t exist)...overall I have to say Eternal Sonata.Good,warmhearted Storyline mixed with dreamy visuals and a great Soundtrack.

Shadow of the Colossus. It's not even a question.

The SCUMM-Adventures come second.

Unmatched art direction.

Out of the things you listed... Max Payne and Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Panye. Easily. Absolutely fantastic story, outstanding styIe thanks to the graphic novels, wonderfully well-developed and unique character personalities and beautiful and perfectly fit music. That and I found it amazing of what a styIish game it was and how emotionally moving both games were at several points throughout. The end of MP2 made be cry... and not just that couple of tears down the face cry but cry it was so beautiful and perfect.foxhound_fox

But it was all right.

I'll also go with Shadow of the ColossusTheCrazed420

i thought the world in assassins creed was really good to.

Technically, Gears of War, yes, still. Amazing models and textures with dynamic lighting and explosions. A gritty cinematic masterpiece and a top notch game to boot.

Say what you want, but overall, I still think this is the most technologically beautiful console game.

Crysis might say otherwise, but until I get a 2k$+ machine to run it, I'll pass.

Artistically, that's a pure matter of opinion and even harder to say. I'd like to say Okami, but I don't have much experience with it yet. As much as I dislike the game's story and gameplay, I will say that Eternal Sonata is a visual masterpiece. A living watercolor animated full feature film with vivid colors and dynamic particle effects.

In terms of Character Depth and Story this one is a toughie...

You have Metal Gear Solid 3 where Naked Snake is layed out for you, you just watch the progression as he learns the truth about what his Mentor "The Boss" had to go through and how she was a real patriot and how he was betrayed by EVA in the end. A more linear narrative, but one of the few that has ever made me shed a tear. I thought I wasn't going to like Big Boss, having been spoiled by Solid Snake's personality. I was wrong.

On the other hand, you have Mass Effect, a game with a more open ended character progression. In my review, I describe this game as an experience in humanity, preaching tolerance and justice (or if you will, pride in your species and a form of galactic nationaism depending on which path you take). Once I completed the game and pondered the ramifications of how epic this game was, I sat there for 15 minutes thinking on what I just experienced. Have you ever just sat there thinking... about a video game?

I'll just agree with SemiMaster.sonicare

On all counts?

I'm flattered.

Naming Shadow of Colossus beautyful seems strange...awful framerate,a totally dead world...no.Without all the hype (and great packaging) the game whould never got even mentioned anymore.Same goes with ICO.Nice concept,but horrible controls and the boring gameplay and dead gaming-world seems to be art today.ICO at least wasn´t destroyed by the framerate...I personally have seen a more beautiful place as I driven in a grass-part of Test Drive Unlimited,which had a lot of little lovely details.Really.

[QUOTE="sonicare"]I'll just agree with SemiMaster.SemiMaster

On all counts?

I'm flattered.

Yes. Good analysis. Especially on mgs 3.

I think Halo series should be the most beautiful game. There are everything like action, adventure, story, graphic, sound and most importantly THE MASTER CHIEF. What do you think???raihan_07

On the top of my mind I think I have to say... Grim Fandango.

The atmosphere, the characters, the dialog, the music, the story, the humor... oh, how I love that game. It's a true masterpiece. It might actually be the best game ever made.

[QUOTE="raihan_07"]I think Halo series should be the most beautiful game. There are everything like action, adventure, story, graphic, sound and most importantly THE MASTER CHIEF. What do you think???foxhound_fox

Another beautiful game I just started playing today... The Neverhood. A point and click adventure game animated completely with claymation. Not only is it visually unique and "beautiful" but it is hilarious.foxhound_fox

Chrono Trigger. Just great in every possible way.mastersword007

I'm going to agree with this... it obviously doesn't have the visual effects, but it definitely meets the other criteria very well.

Another beautiful game I just started playing today... The Neverhood. A point and click adventure game animated completely with claymation. Not only is it visually unique and "beautiful" but it is hilarious.foxhound_fox

The Neverhood is one of my all time favorites! It's a pity it's so overlooked. Although the solutions to puzzles are a little bit arbitrary at times and the game is slow-paced that's hardly something that sets it apart from other adventure games from the same time. The claymation world is stunning, and so detailed and vibrant, and the random quirky characters have not been topped.

Yeah, the Neverhood is awesome.

[QUOTE="SemiMaster"]

[QUOTE="sonicare"]I'll just agree with SemiMaster.sonicare

On all counts?

I'm flattered.

Yes. Good analysis. Especially on mgs 3.

The game and the story kicks ass, what more can I say?

[QUOTE="mastersword007"]Chrono Trigger. Just great in every possible way.LiquidClear

I'm going to agree with this... it obviously doesn't have the visual effects, but it definitely meets the other criteria very well.

[QUOTE="LiquidClear"]

[QUOTE="mastersword007"]Chrono Trigger. Just great in every possible way.esb1118

I'm going to agree with this... it obviously doesn't have the visual effects, but it definitely meets the other criteria very well.

Chrono Trigger still stands the test of time in terms of gameplay and sound and story. Heck... I daresay graphically it would pass as a DS game, possibly a PSP game (Just look at them try to charge people to play Final Fantasy 1 and 2 rerereremake for 29.99$ each).

Chrono Trigger still stands the test of time in terms of gameplay and sound and story. Heck... I daresay graphically it would pass as a DS game, possibly a PSP game (Just look at them try to charge people to play Final Fantasy 1 and 2 rerereremake for 29.99$ each).

SemiMaster

Silent Hill 2. There was just so much attention to deatil in that game. James is also the best main character of the series. The twist near the end makes you look back on the rest of the game differently.

Also, I have to mention stranglehold. Some of the cinematics in that game were great. "*gasp*... Tequila..."

I also forgot to mention... *gasp* SMG!