Let’s face it, choosing an art style for your game can be both exciting and a bit daunting. The right art style can bring your vision to life, making your game stand out and resonate with players. However, each style comes with its own set of cost considerations that you’ll need to navigate. So, grab a cup of tea (or coffee – if you’re less stereotypically British than me 🫖), get comfy, and let’s jump into the top 2D and 3D indie game art styles. We’ll explore the options, sprinkled with insights on what each style might cost you.
2D Game Art Styles
Pixel Art
The Style: Pixel art is a beloved staple in the indie gaming scene, and it’s easy to see why! With its cosy, retro vibe, it transports players back to the golden age of gaming, when your Game Boy was your best friend.
Games it’s good for: Platformers, RPGs, and adventure games that thrive on nostalgia.
Why you might like it: Pixel art’s simplicity doesn’t mean it’s simplistic. It offers a unique charm that makes storytelling engaging and gameplay feel delightfully nostalgic. Plus, who can resist the allure of pixel-perfect platforming?
Game Examples: Celeste, Stardew Valley, Hyper Light Drifter.
Cost Estimates: Low – Pixel art is generally budget-friendly, which is great news for indie developers. However, don’t underestimate the time it takes to animate complex scenes – those pixels add up!
Despite its low-res appearance, pixel art demands a keen eye for detail and creativity. Every pixel counts when designing expressive characters and immersive worlds.
Hand-Drawn 2D Art
The Style: Hand-drawn art brings your game a handcrafted, artisanal feel, much like classic animations where every frame is lovingly created by hand (and maybe a bit of artist sweat).
Games it’s good for: Adventure games, puzzle games, and narratives that require emotional depth.
Why you might like it: There’s something timeless about hand-drawn art. It can pull players into your world with rich details and expressive characters, making the experience feel both personal and profound.
Game Examples: Hollow Knight, Cuphead, Gris.
Cost Estimates: High – This level of beauty comes at a price. Each frame is a work of art, making it time-consuming and, consequently, more expensive.
If you’ve ever marvelled at Cuphead, you’ll appreciate the dedication behind hand-drawn art. It’s like bringing old-school animation to life in a game – but the labour involved is no small feat.
Flat/Minimalist Art
The Style: Flat art is all about embracing simplicity with clean lines and geometric shapes. It’s minimalism at its finest, where less truly is more.
Games it’s good for: Puzzle games, casual games, and mobile platforms where clarity is key.
Why you might like it: This style is perfect if you’re aiming for something polished yet straightforward. It’s sleek, modern, and keeps the focus squarely on gameplay mechanics.
Game Examples: Monument Valley, Thomas Was Alone, Linelight.
Cost Estimates: Low – Simple and chic, flat art is gentle on your budget. It’s a savvy choice for developers looking to create aesthetically pleasing games without overspending.
Minimalism doesn’t mean boring! With clever use of colour and innovative design, flat art can be just as engaging as more complex styles.
Anime/Cartoon Art
The Style: Anime and cartoon art bring expressive characters and vibrant colours to the forefront, perfect for story-driven games with a lot of personality.
What it’s good for: Visual novels, RPGs, and any game that benefits from strong character development.
Why you might like it: Who doesn’t enjoy a bit of anime flair? This style allows for exaggerated expressions and dynamic visuals, making your characters and story stand out.
Game Examples: Doki Doki Literature Club, Katawa Shoujo, Persona 5.
Cost Estimates: Medium – While simple designs are affordable, detailed character animations and high-quality illustrations can push the budget up.
Anime-style art often comes with a built-in fanbase. Tap into that, and you might find your game attracting attention even before it’s released.
3D Game Art Styles
Low-Poly 3D Art
The Style: Low poly art is characterised by clean, geometric shapes and minimal textures. It’s simple yet elegant and doesn’t demand high-end hardware.
What it’s good for: Adventure games, exploration titles, and strategy games.
Why you might like it: Low poly art stands out for its simplicity, evoking nostalgia while providing a playful and imaginative environment. It allows developers to focus on gameplay mechanics and storytelling, as the style directs players’ attention to the core experience. Additionally, low poly art is often easier to produce, making it an accessible choice for indie developers.
Game Examples: Cavern Of Dreams, Journey, Poly Bridge.
Cost Estimates: Low to Medium – Less resource-intensive than high-end 3D, but costs can rise with larger environments or intricate details.
Low poly doesn’t mean low effort. Effective use of lighting and colour can make even simple models look absolutely stunning.
Stylised 3D Art
The Style: Stylised 3D art takes creative liberties with reality, offering exaggerated proportions and whimsical designs that bring imaginative worlds to life.
Games it’s good for: Action-adventure games, fantasy settings, and anything where creativity is key.
Why you might like it: You get to play with reality! This style lets you create unique visuals that stand out, whether it’s through vibrant colours or unconventional character designs.
Game Examples: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Fortnite, Overwatch.
Cost Estimates: Medium – Cheaper than realistic 3D, but maintaining a cohesive and polished look requires skilled artists.
Stylised art often ages gracefully. Unlike hyper-realistic graphics that can date quickly, a well-crafted stylised game retains its charm for years.
Voxel Art
The Style: Voxel art is essentially 3D pixel art, built from tiny cubes called voxels. It’s blocky, playful, and perfect for games that encourage exploration and creativity.
Games it’s good for: Sandbox games, exploration titles, and building games.
Why you might like it: It’s like constructing your game world with digital LEGO bricks – simple yet full of possibilities. Great for games that let players shape their own experiences.
Game Examples: Minecraft, Trove, Crossy Road.
Cost Estimates: Low – Voxel art is affordable due to its simplicity, making it ideal for indie developers aiming for big worlds on a budget.
The charm of voxel art lies in its straightforwardness. Sometimes, less really is more, especially when it allows players to let their creative side run wild!
Realistic 3D Art
The Style: Realistic 3D art pulls out all the stops to create lifelike characters and environments, complete with detailed textures and advanced lighting techniques.
Games it’s good for: Open-world games, simulations, and narrative-heavy experiences that aim for immersion.
Why you might like it: If you want players to feel like they’ve stepped into another reality, this is the way to go. It’s about crafting a world that’s as believable as it is breathtaking.
Game Examples: Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Red Dead Redemption 2, The Last of Us, Control.
Cost Estimates: High – Achieving realism requires a hefty budget for complex models, textures, and high-end hardware.
Realistic art looks stunning but demands significant time and resources. Be prepared for a longer development cycle and plan your budget accordingly.
Cel-Shaded 3D Art
The Style: Cel-shading gives 3D models a hand-drawn, comic-book look with bold outlines and flat colours. It’s distinctive and instantly recognizable.
Games it’s good for: RPGs, action games, and titles that benefit from a unique visual flair.
Why you might like it: If you want your game to look like a living graphic novel, cel-shading is the way to go. It’s playful yet sophisticated, offering a blend of 2D charm and 3D depth.
Game Examples: Borderlands, Ni no Kuni, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker.
Cost Estimates: Medium – Less expensive than photorealistic 3D, but still requires skilled artists to nail that signature style.
Cel-shading can simplify technical aspects like lighting and textures, potentially saving time during development without sacrificing visual appeal.
Conclusion
Choosing the right art style is like finding the perfect frame for your game, it should enhance and complement the experience you want to deliver. Your art style sets the tone, tells a story, and connects players to your game’s world. Whether you’re drawn to the nostalgic allure of pixel art or the bold creativity of stylised 3D, there’s a style that’s just right for your project and your budget. If you need a hand figuring out a rough budget for your game art using reliable data, give our free budget builder a try.
Remember, the art style you choose is a crucial part of your game’s identity. It’s worth taking the time to explore your options, weigh the costs, and consider how each style aligns with your gameplay and narrative goals. If you’re excited to shape your ideas into unique game art, we’re here to cheer you on every step of the way. 🥳
MLC: Your Partner in Game Development
At MLC, we’re passionate about supporting indie and AA studios like yours. Our talented teams of artists and developers are here to assist you with everything from brainstorming concepts to production and engineering, as well as creating eye-catching marketing assets like key art. With our experts by your side, you can enhance your resources, expand your team, and develop games that truly stand out.
Since 2017, we’ve proudly partnered with hundreds of indie developers by building teams and delivering high-quality work at indie-friendly rates. Whether you’re just starting out or gearing up for launch, get in touch to see how we can help.
