[MAY CONTAIN MATURE THEMES]

Heyhey. I draw weird girls, spooky monsters, and weird spooky girl monsters. 25+, ES/EN, Boricua, colonized gal surviving in the imperial core


I was chatting with a pal about the art direction in Okage: Shadow King/Boku to Mao (PS2, 2001), and then Stretch Panic/Hippa Linda (PS2, 2001), because the art for these games rules. However, we were wondering. Does this style have a name? Like, the low-poly bright color kind of impish vibe that these have? Also considering these are both Japanese games from the early aughts? Does anyone know more media that looks or feels like this, and if this style is part of a broader movement?

I'd really appreciate any info on this!


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in reply to @hutiapendra's post:

games i love and think about on a regular basis!

i don’t have an actual answer for what it’d be called, but the aesthetic also reminds me of touch detective for the ds, and while it isn’t japanese, psychonauts also gives a similar vibe

i just think of the look as quirky games with a slight edge, but if there’s a term for it, i’d love to know!! :D

OH Touch Detective shares that vibe too, you're right! I think Okage and Stretch Panic both lie on an intersection of quirky edge that is also, like, really colorful about it, to the point where a lot of the 3d models feel like abstract, vaguely cubist piñatas of whatever concept it is they are conveying. That make sense?

that does! and i love the colorful edge aesthetic so much!! disgaea, while 2d and more anime about it, kinda has that vibe as well, especially the first game. gitaroo man, while not creepy in the least, has that fun, blocky, cubist piñata (LOVE that description haha!) look. katamari damacy too, but sometimes the humans come off as unintentionally creepy haha! ah! i love games from the early and mid 2000s! :D

HELLO I bumped into this post while trying to gather reference material on this exact aesthetic because it's one of my faves, and I couldn't keep what I know to myself.
I asked an art mutual from Japan who draws similar content, and they told me it's generally known over there as "psychedelic." You can also see bits of Nightmare Before Christmas influence here and there, which is pretty popular overseas.
Other great examples:

  • Crayon Shin-chan: Great Adventure in Henderland
  • Wario World
  • Klonoa 2's Museum of Memories stage
  • Soul Eater
    Hope this helps??!?!?