Predicting the Best Art Direction Winner

Video games are perhaps the most powerful vessel for visual art in the modern age. The way that a game can incorporate so many disparate aesthetic elements, blending them together through movement and interactivity, is something that no other artistic medium can accomplish, at least not in the same way, or perhaps as smoothly.

Indeed, gaming audiences are spoiled when it comes to stunning art design, and 2024 has been host to some of the most visually striking releases in recent memory. Heavy-hitter studios like FromSoftware and Atlus have once again impressed with the likes of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree and Metaphor Refantazio, but games from relatively smaller studios, including Nomada Studios’ Neva, have carved out a space for themselves as well. The best of the best from the past 12 months will be honored at The Game Awards 2024, but only one can walk away with the coveted Best Art Direction accolade.

2024 Best Art Direction Nominees

• Astro Bot
• Black Myth: Wukong
• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
• Metaphor: Refantazio
• Neva

Astro Bot

Astro Bot is one of the best games of the year, with strong art design being just one of its many strengths. From the glimmering allure of its many distinct levels to the adorably detailed Bots that litter them, Astro Bot is Team Asobi at its most visually powerful. Just about every moment of Astro Bot is filled with stunning aesthetic elements, and thanks to the cleverly implemented haptic features of the DualSense, they are elevated at every turn.

Visual variety is a key area where Astro Bot shines. In any 3D platformer, it’s crucial that each level have an unmistakable identity of its own, and this is often accomplished by thematically diverse art direction. This is precisely where Astro Bot excels, letting players explore grassy fields, flashy casinos, and dazzling galactic mysteries, all realized with the passion and verve only seen in the best of the genre. Its recreation of key PlayStation iconography should also be praised, as IP like God of War and Uncharted receive grand makeovers in the game’s art style.

Black Myth: Wukong

Based upon Chinese mythology, specifically Journey to the West, Black Myth: Wukong is defined by the archaic, mystical splendor that one would expect from these stories. The vast vistas and opulent enemies of the game stand out as notable highlights, as they represent a deft combination of both ancient sensibilities and original, modern tastes, clearly inspired by the likes of FromSoftware. Its originality and scale are sure to leave an impression on just about anyone who plays it, and makes it a more than worthy contender for Best Art Direction.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Although Shadow of the Erdtree‘s nomination for Game of the Year has attracted more than a fair bit of criticism, few could argue against its inclusion in this category. Indeed, SoTE is yet another example of FromSoftware’s unwavering dedication to grotesque and unforgettable art design, as the studio is seemingly never afraid to embrace the strange, bizarre, or outright disturbing in its games. The result is often a virtual world filled with some of the most strikingly original landscapes, character designs, and creatures imaginable, and Shadow of the Erdtree just might be the company’s best collection of mind-melting visuals yet.

There’s an argument to be made that Metaphor Refantazio is Atlus’ best game to date, and its art direction plays a big part in that argument. Like its Persona progenitors, its UI design is particularly inventive and striking, but its allure goes far beyond menus and other non-diagetic elements. Character designs, which are incredibly varied thanks to the game’s premise, alongside its Hieronymus Bosch-inspired enemies, are unforgettable and unique as well, coming together to form one of this year’s best-looking titles.

Neva

Coming from the same team that made the heart-rending Gris, Neva is a gorgeous tear-jerker. It’s not as aesthetically varied as something like Metaphor, but its consistency makes it akin to a gorgeous moving painting: it’s distinctly beautiful every step of the way. One minute with the game will reveal this as the truth, as there are virtually no shortcomings in terms of its presentation, which buttresses its simple gameplay and moving soundtrack.

Neva takes players through the ever-familiar four seasons, driving home its themes of nature’s inevitable cycles of life and death through its art design. Like Gris, it combines true-to-life environments with more abstract artistic elements, forming a mural that represents its thumping narrative heart. All of Neva‘s visual components melt together in a triumphant and indescribable way: it’s truly a game that has to be seen to be believed.

Final Prediction

All the nominees are stunning, and the race is bound to be close, but Metaphor Refantazio will likely emerge victorious when it comes to Best Art Direction. Atlus is truly at its best here, creating a high fantasy world that, above all else, actually feels visually unique—something that is no easy task. It’s not merely attractive on a basic, necessary level, but brimming with creativity, running the gamut from predictably gorgeous to unexpectedly psychedelic and startling.

Creature and character design, an unnecessarily beautiful UI, and top-of-the-line anime cutscenes come together to make Metaphor a veritable feast for the eyes. While other 2024 releases, especially Neva, are at times more beautiful, Metaphor Refantazio‘s rich variety and numerous disparate visual elements make it a true leap forward for not just Atlus, but the games industry as a whole, making it a strong choice for the winner of this category. It represents a new gold standard for creativity in art direction and visual design, and it will undoubtedly serve as a touchstone that future RPGs will be judged against.

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