GameSpot's Best of 2007: Best Graphics, Artistic

Special Achievement

Best Graphics, Artistic

Art is hard. Ask anyone who tries to make a living as an artist, and they'll tell you as much. This also applies to art in gaming. Technology continues to leap tall buildings in a single bound, and as a result, it's up to the artists to craft increasingly more awesome-looking games year after year. Anyone can make something look vaguely realistic, but the most artistically designed games can transport you into fantastic-looking worlds, the likes of which you've never imagined. The five nominees in this year's Best Graphics, Artistic category personify this key element of game design. Whether it's floating through bizarre celestial worlds, plunging through the depths of an underwater city, or simply going two-dimensional to beat up spectacular enemies, this year's category is jam-packed with unique and stellar artwork.

Assassin's Creed...

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Platform: X360
ESRB: Mature
Release Date: Nov 16, 2007

Assassin's Creed is the next-gen game developed by Ubisoft Montreal that will redefine the action genre. While other games claim to be next-gen with impressive graphics and physics, Assassin's Creed merges technology, game design, theme, and emotions into a world where you instigate chaos and become a vulnerable, yet powerful, agent of change.

BioShock (X360/PC)

Developer: Irrational Games
Platform: X360
ESRB: Mature
Release Date: Aug 21, 2007

Going beyond "run and gun corridors," "monster-closet AIs" and static worlds, BioShock creates a living, unique and unpredictable FPS experience. After your plane crashes into icy uncharted waters, you discover a rusted bathysphere and descend into Rapture, a city hidden beneath the sea. Constructed as an idealistic society for a hand picked group of...

Super Mario Galaxy (WII)

Developer: Nintendo
Platform: WII
ESRB: Everyone
Release Date: Nov 12, 2007

The ultimate Nintendo hero is taking the ultimate step ... out into space. Join Mario as he ushers in a new era of video games, defying gravity across all the planets in the galaxy. When some creature escapes into space with Princess Peach, Mario gives chase, exploring bizarre planets all across the galaxy. Mario, Peach and enemies new and old are here. Players run,...

Eternal Sonata (X360)

Developer: Tri-Crescendo
Platform: X360
ESRB: Teen
Release Date: Sep 17, 2007

The story of Eternal Sonata begins as a famous composer, on his deathbed, drifts between this life and the next. In his reverie, a happenstance encounter of a young girl who accepts her terrible destiny and a young boy fighting to save her, changes the destiny of the world. Uncover the light that shines in each of us in this enduring tale of good and evil.

Odin Sphere (PS2)

Developer: Vanillaware
Platform: PS2
ESRB: Teen
Release Date: Mar 14, 2008

The nations of Erion had always held an uneasy peace, as the various kings and queens watched each other for any signs of weakness. When the country of Valentine is obliterated by the power of an ancient artifact, it sparks a bloody war between the fairies of Ringford and the warriors of Ragnanival. Little do they know that they are acting out an almost-forgotten...

Nominees

Readers' Choice Voting

Assassin's Creed

Game info Watch review

42%

(27,081 votes)
BioShock

Game info Watch review

29%

(18,934 votes)
Super Mario Galaxy

Game info Watch review

22%

(14,616 votes)
Eternal Sonata

Game info Watch review

4%

(2,405 votes)
Odin Sphere

Game info Watch review

3%

(1,974 votes)

Voting Results

Assassin's Creed (X360/PS3/PC)	(42%)	27,081
BioShock (X360/PC)	(29%)	18,934
Super Mario Galaxy (WII)	(22%)	14,616
Eternal Sonata (X360)	(4%)	2,405
Odin Sphere (PS2)	(3%)	1,974