One of the questions I like to ask a lot is which games do you see most as representing art? Art is found in everything, and video games are no different. Pick a few games you feel are exceptional at dipicting art and give a little explanation. One of my favorite games of all time is probably Shadow of the Colossus because of this.

The game does not shine in the content it has but that which it lacks. While countless games through wave after wave of grunts at you, Shadow of the Colossus is different in that there are only 16 enemies, all being bosses. Aside from that, there is vast, open world filled with trees, lakes, and hills. Another artistic quality is weapon choice. Games will gloat on the number of weapons and the variety they possess, but this game has two weapons, a bow and sword. The simplicity of the game really furthurs it from other games. The soundtrack emphasizes the complicated emotions you feel when destroying each monster and questions your own ethics. This game is truely a great work of art and rivals many videogames.

Other artty games: Metal Gear Solid, Ico, Katamari, etc

I think ALL games are art. Think about it, they spend more time making models, adding details, and textures than it takes to create a ugly piece of crap by splashing three buckets of paint on a canvas. Games I think have an interesting art form would be Madworld, Katamari, WET, and Borderlands (because of it's thick outlines).

Sephitard9001 : Whoa man, WHOA. That's a pretty bold statement. Consider this, anyone can be an artist using a computer, real art can be done without such assistance. It takes a group of designers to make a video game as well. They are also bound by the console limitations. An artist should only be bound by his imagination, ability, and determination. That "ugly piece of crap" is one of a kind. It can not be truly replicated (unlike a video game).

That's not to say that I disagree completely with you. You can argue against me in that they have to make the graphics look amazing in spite of the limitations (which are not as limited as they were say 25 years ago). I have an open mind when it comes to art (seeing as how I craft things that I consider to be art).

Well, my question I guess asks more about which do you think is some of the best art in video games. For example, if I make a painting then Michelangelo makes his own, mine would most likely be inferior. So if you think Madworld is a better expression of art than CoD, say it. Oh and judging by you list, it looks like you are referring to art style (how it looks). I was talking about the game in general. I also like Borderlands art style (cell shading). I guess my question wasn't clear.

Oops. My mistake. I love the art of Final Fantasy. A large portion of it is based on one of my favourite artists - Yos***aka Amano. His style is so distinct and by looking at it, it seems so easy, but it's not. They translate very well into the games, even the older/better ones.

NotJon : I mean any ORIGINAL game . . . would a piece of art still be art if someone photocopied it? Like you said, a computer creation wouldn't be as awe inspiring if it were simply redone.
azarinak : I don't mean that one is better than the other, I mean that the games with art styles that strike me as intriguing are the ones I mentioned. I meant that any game could be considered art, but some are more interesting to look at.

I think that while all games are at least art in some way, some games are much more artistic than others. If you ask me, one of the most artistic games I've played was probably LittleBigPlanet. I only played it for a second, but it seemed that all the game was about was the art and how everything looked. The simplicity of it was what gave it a special feel, kind of like what you said about Shadow of the Colossus. Playing it wasn't the major focus, it was looking at it and marveling in how awesome everything looked. I think that the bright, detailed yet simple design really looked good. I think that it's more of a work of art than a game, although it's still fun to play.

Okami, Mad World, Infamous (comic-like), shadow of the colossus, and games and final fantasy are great games as examples of art. I do think games are a form of art

Sephitard9001 : I think the Kalimari series is art. I loved the game but my mom wouldn't me buy a PS2...

i like games where it looks sort of like it was handdrawn,i'm also a sucker for cell shaded graphics

Okami has amazing art direction, as i've seen. that's the best i've seen.

I don't think you are understanding my question. I am not asking which games you feel have the best art direction (how the game looks, graphics, etc), but which games do you feel represent the best art. I love how playing a game gives me a sentimental feeling and how I can relate it to my own life.

PS I gotta agree with epic-san, every moment in the game looks like a japanese painting. Also love Sly Cooper cel-shaded awesomeness.