Character design in today’s “AAA hardcore” games seems to continually move away from the cartoon surrealism sensibility that was once the norm. Back then,Earthworm Jimwas ourGears of War,Q-Bertwas ourCatherine,andDragon’s Lairwas ourHeavy Rain.
One of the few successful “AAA” games to keep that style of design going is last year’sThe Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. It’s not just that they continued the traditional “cartoon” visuals that the series has already utilized. That would be the easy way, the Mario way.
No,Skyward Swordwent a step further. It actually took the series back from the increasingly “dark” and “for seriously not just for kids” look that it was moving towards withTwilight Princessand gave us some of the most delightfully strange, expressive, and original looking characters in the series’ history. Thisgallery ofSkyward Swordproduction art showshow that process came together, giving us a look at (among many others) asassier, more carefree Fi, a way more impressive andcharming version of the Mogma, and of course, your favorite and mine,the little chubby manwith the enormous eyes and the tiny mustache.
[Thanks Linzb0t!]
