# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
the design of older games are the most appealing to me. i think it's something about the colors and font used. they all kind of have a warm tone to them.

# data[].attributes.body
i like how its simple and not too much going on

# data[].attributes.body
Gets you thinking. What exactly simulates a goat? The realism of the picture and the simple professionalism of the text masks that this game... is not to be taken seriously.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
the font used is so cute. the entire design looks very 80's so for its time it's very attention grabbing. 

# data[].attributes.body
Animal Crossing contrasts with a lot of my other pick because it doesn't push its main characters on you with the packaging. It instead shows its soft aesthetic and gameplay based on chilling out to a monotonous but relaxing task.
The text is also fun and contrasting without looking harsh.

# data[].attributes.body
The text has good contrast with the background, but doesn't really follow the Sesame Street "brand" with the bold yellow and red. The soft hand drawn art does well to attract an audience of kids, even if this art is similar to most box art of the time.

# data[].attributes.body
Also nostalgic, snip-bits of the game. Own design. Easy to understand/read.

# data[].attributes.body
The style of each character, the color diversity

# data[].attributes.body
Classic, straightforward, flashy, and nostalgic.

# data[].attributes.body
I've never actually played or see someone play this game, but the pretty box art with the familiar series name makes me want to play it, even if the graphics are unlikely to look like the box art. The art direction looks on point.

# data[].attributes.body
The pastel color palette, the font, the somewhat realistic style

# data[].attributes.body
Has it's own art, unique. Colorful and vibrant. Simplistic.

# data[].attributes.body
Plain but enticing. Has a minimalistic style. Straightforward.

# data[].attributes.body
I don't feel particularly strong about the actual game packaging/banner, but the app icon communicates exactly what it needs to. Everyone's heard of Minecraft, and even if someone isn't really familiar with it, the pixelated dirt block and simplistic blocky text give off the exact vibe the game has.

# data[].attributes.body
Its eye catching and very realistic to the characters from the movie. Looks intense and adventurous.

# data[].attributes.body
Unique art style, simple. Has hidden details.

# data[].attributes.body
Is very eye catching and colorful. Very creative cover. I've never actually played it but the cover makes me want to try it out.

# data[].attributes.body
The game was made after the movie, and the movie was enjoyed by lots. Is colorful and creative. Looks like fun

# data[].attributes.body
Its shows the title through the art and seeing the background of it makes it look very intense. played this game and enjoyed it. Love the point of view.

# data[].attributes.body
Animal Jam-cute , fun styles

# data[].attributes.body
Adds cinematic features and leads with mystery.

# data[].attributes.body
Very simple and cute. known it from long ago. looks adventurous and fun.

# data[].attributes.body
The concept in diffrent and the colors are eye catching and vibrant.

# data[].attributes.body
Well done artwork, shows detail to the game itself.

# data[].attributes.body
It's colorful, an easy but fun looking design.

# data[].attributes.body
Colorful and eye catching. very simple art style.

# data[].attributes.body
Ace attorney is a visual novel series loosely based on being a lawyer. Its main assets are its art, which needs to be simple and effective because of the low budget and older hardware used in the original project.
Its entire iconography including its packaging uses iconic and clear key poses, such as the "Objection" pose often on the original trilogy's packaging.

# data[].attributes.body
It has well down art and is eye-catching.

# data[].attributes.body
Why it's successful is because the art captures the main character and a little insight to what's in store.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Strong owns and cares for the world's most comprehensive collection of toys, dolls, board games, video games, other electronic games, books, documents, and other historical materials related to play. This unprecedented assemblage offers a unique interpretive and educational window into the critical role of play in human physical, social, and intellectual development and the ways in which play reflects cultural history.

Argus v4.3.6.16 - The Strong

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Strong owns and cares for the world's most comprehensive collection of toys, dolls, board games, video games, other electronic games, books, documents, and other historical materials related to play. This unprecedented assemblage offers a unique interpretive and educational window into the critical role of play in human physical, social, and intellectual development and the ways in which play reflects cultural history.

# data[].attributes.body
Here are some of the best video game art examples. Now look up to see what their package design looks like

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Game graphics have come a long, long way in the last decade, but graphics alone don't make a beautiful game. Style, mood, and emotion can all be conveyed through a game's art direction, and can be seen in everything from its characters and environments to level design.. and even menus.

IGN's best video game art of 2021 winner is...

The design team at Arkane Studios has a history of putting a stylish spin on familiar genres and aesthetics - from the grimy "whalepunk" streets of Dishonored's Dunwall to the Art Deco halls of Prey's Talos 1 - and Deathloop doesn't buck this trend. Its cutscenes are a chic combination of its spy show intros and exploitation cinema inspirations, and every inch of Blackreef island looks like it was pulled either straight from the midcentury-modern lair of a would-be Bond villain or a 60's movie posters or pulp fiction book cover. Watching these environments evolve over the course of each day's loop is a fascinating pastime in itself, too, as Arkane's addition of PopArt flair to the world only makes its descent into complete anarchy that much more colorful. Even the chunky design of (most of) its weapons and the jury-rigged nature of Cole's tech all tie together to create a singularly unique world that may not redefine an entire genre, but will undoubtedly be one of Arkane's most memorable creations. - Jon Ryan

For more, check out IGN's Deathloop review.

The rest of our nominees are...

The Artful Escape

The Artful Escape features an incredibly life-like yet simplistic, paper-feeling environment, fully punched up with remarkable color. It's the kind of art style that supports itself and the story perfectly, yet entirely unexpectedly. Quirkiness hidden in the ordinary is a common theme, and you instantly feel like you are part of a Wes Anderson-Tim Burton mash-up film from the moment it begins. But The Artful Escape's brilliant use of vivid color and design isn't the entire wow factor - it's also in the details. Dust particles you see floating in a quiet room. A top-down shot of a record playing. The culmination of the art styles with the storytelling and music, makes The Artful Escape stand out as Best Art Design in a game for 2021. - Jessie Wade

For more, check out IGN's Artful Escape review.

Psychonauts 2

Psychonauts was a Saturday Morning Cartoon in video game form when it hit the scene in 2005. 16 years later, the psychedelic artists at Double Fine Productions have gone all out with Psychonauts 2. The demented espionage caper looks like no other game that was released in 2021, committing fully to the madcap vibe Double Fine produced over a decade ago. Technological advancements have only improved Psychonauts' trippy aesthetics, and its mod-inspired secret spy bases, nervy mental asylums, and a particularly distrubing dental nightmare are some of the most memorable visual treats of 2021. - Matt Kim

For more, check out IGN's Psychonauts 2 review.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is, undoubtedly, one of the technologically prettiest games of the year, with the skilled team at Insomniac flexing their new-gen muscles and already delivering a benchmark for all PS5 games to meet. But Rift Apart's visual style doesn't succeed just because of technical prowess - Insomniac's art and design teams have created a candy-coated visual feast that brings to life so many distinct alien planets. Everything from Old West-style mining towns to the opening lobby bar of Rift Apart's battle arena, to destroyed laboratories and so much more - Rift Apart's levels are brimming with life and detail. And in delightful fashion, we get to see two versions of many locales, as some levels see Ratchet or Rivet hopping through rifts to different iterations of the same planet, each feeling distinct yet of a piece with one another. It's a difficult trick to pull off, but Insomniac makes it look so natural as you explore its many memorable worlds. - Jonathon Dornbush

For more, check out IGN's Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart review.

Returnal

From dense, Giger-inspired tunnels to sprawling yet minimalist sci-fi subterraneas, Returnal is equal parts oppressive and gorgeous. Your lonely, isolated trek across the dangerous and dim planet of Atropos is constantly offset by striking bursts of color, giant alien lifeforms, and hallucinatory firework displays of lights and laserbeams. There are constant moments of vibrant, euphoric chaos swirling around the player in a heated firefight, rewarded by the calm quiet of just barely surviving the battle. Returnal is one of the most beautiful sights to behold on the PlayStation 5 and a stunning example of what a focused and visionary art team can do with powerful next-gen hardware. - Brian Altano

For more, check out IGN's Returnal review.

All IGN Best Of 2021 Gaming Categories
IGN's Best of 2021 Awards were designed by: Lead Design + Art Direction: Julia Rago Motion Graphics: Will Batchelor

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Best Video Game Art of 2021 Winner - IGN

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Game graphics have come a long, long way in the last decade, but graphics alone don't make a beautiful game. Style, mood, and emotion can all be conveyed through a game's art direction, and can be seen in everything from its characters and environments to level design.. and even menus.

# data[].attributes.headline
What makes a strong package design for a video game?

# data[].attributes.subject
What makes a strong package design for a video game?

# data[].attributes.body
Psychonauts has a very distinct and attention grabbing style and coloring. The variety of character design is pretty unique especially for 3D design. The packaging is 2D art, but is also very distinct using harsh shapes and strong silhouettes.