"Stylized graphics" the savior of many games. That being said keep that neon color palette and black outlining style out of my final fantasy. If i wanted watercolors on acid I'd play WoW.
(Wind Walker/Okami, good games ^_^)
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This depends on the developer because "stylized cartoony graphics" looks horribly dated if done wrong as well. Only reason those games held up for example is because the actual technique for them was still fairly uncommon. Look at games like 'The Bouncer', it aged very well for an early PS2 game, even FFX did as well. The only real issue with those games for example is the resolution the PS2 sits at, so obviously when everything moved over to 720p standard, they'll look more dated than they are.
Gameplay> Graphics ( High or low)
Storyline> Graphics
Music> Graphics
:D
Don't know if people noticed, but the current version has different reflection and lighting effects on different materials of clothing. For example, leather has a leather feel of reflection when clothes don't have as much of the harsh reflection, etc.
In 2.0 footage (please do not use the screenshots from the limit break trailer since it may well be a CG rendered graphic and not actual in game graphics), everything seems to have similar lighting effects - that everything looks like they're made from clothes.
For the benefit of the doubt, these points can be considered as touch ups and can be implemented later in the development stage. I'm just hoping they don't overlook this.
Yeah that's why I said they're probably banking on the shaders to take care of the rest and if that fails then well..so much for that.
Also despite popular belief, MMOs don't have to look like DC style games on the PS3, they can go further than that with the graphics since unlike the PS2, it has the power to do more with it's "limitations".
Stylized graphics are a fantastic way to make a game visually appealing without having to break the bank. Years later, games like XIII and Windwaker look great. Even IX looks pretty good with a more 'light hearted' feel, much better than VII and VIII at least.
Na your not, I do kinda like it, the style of it anyway. I just wish it was a little more dark and
I'm not to keep on some of the textures though they look plastic and some a little low res, i'm hoping we haven't lost to many animations if any but it is alaph so we will see soon enough i guess..
Finding the balance can't be easy for them though, but I'm hopeful hi end PC's will get some love as well as all the low end and consoles.