I wanted to make a note of this little point-and-click gem named Genesis Noir. It’s a game where a simple graphic style tries to explore the higher concepts of human nature and the universe.
I currently teach graphics to high schoolers and I often find that there is an obsession with a high amount of details and a high quality of graphics. Which is besides the usual obsession for perfection of your typical artist. And while it is admirable to strive for these things, there are so many games out there that achieve interesting experiences with minimalistic visuals. I find that it is more important to find a consistent style.
The obsession with high levels of graphics is one of the biggest fallacies of big industry companies which has been happening for decades nowadays (“Look, you can see every grass blade move in our new game!” or “We are really utilising the power of the graphic card to the maximum!”). But then you stumble upon these small games that deliver an amazing experience with a great and comprehensive story while using a simple approach to visuals. Don’t get me wrong, this game does a lot with the visual tools it has, but it succeeds with some minimal line art most of the time. From the earliest comprehension of the humans in their little world to the heat death of the universe; time and space, beliefs and advanced physics – all achieved with a few lines and a clever use of the game engine.
lostingame.design 