There are many aspects of video game art to appreciate: character design, graphics, costumes, environments, etc. But one thing that often goes underappreciated is the actual, literal art in video games, such as the paintings that hang on the walls of our favorite in-game worlds.

Some video game art includes reproductions of real-world paintings (like we see in the Assassin's Creed series), but there's also a lot of original artwork being created for these games—to add complexity and enrich the in-game world even further.

The Ratman Paints a Creepy Picture in Portal 

Maybe artwork isn't the first thing you think of when you think of the Portal series, but art does play a pretty interesting role. Portal's art often treads the line between aesthetics and function, as Doug Rattman's scrawls guide the player through the labyrinthine Aperture Science; as the curious portrait of Cave Johnson and Caroline (with a strange figure lurking in the background) hints at mythological references; and as the chalk art retells the story of the first game to refresh your memory.

-

Take a Flying Leap Into Video Game Art in Super Mario 64 

Super Mario 64 Video Game Art

While the video game art of Super Mario 64 may not be the most beautiful or mysterious of the bunch, the game was the introduction to in-game art for a lot of players. Traveling into the paintings themselves was a fun way to enter a ton of unique worlds, and the variations in play styles this created—even within the same world—kept the game feeling fresh as you hunted down all 120 stars.

_____________________________________________

Page 2: The Art Deco of BioShock

_____________________________________________

Mythology Takes Form in the Video Game Art of Silent Hill

Silent Hill Video Game Art

The in-game world of the Silent Hill series is packed with psychological terror, and its art is no exception. Lurking in the various paintings throughout the game are figures like the infamous Pyramid Head, but also more subtle nods to the game's mythology. Many of the paintings in the series refer to the strange beliefs of The Order, a doomsday cult that originates in the town of Silent Hill.

-

Pixel Art Paintings in Minecraft

Mincraft Video Game Art

Minecraft is known for the artistry players demonstrate in their in-game creations, but there's a lot to be said about the in-game art, too. The paintings you can create in the game reference other video games like Grim Fandango and the original Donkey Kong. There's also some nice scenic art and some weird pictures that reveal a bit of a pyro pattern—angels praying to fire, statues on fire, and a skull on fire. 

-

BioShock's Posters Paint a Picture of the Art Deco Aesthetics

BioShock Video Game Art

Much has already been said about the art deco aesthetics of BioShock's architecture, but the beauty in this game isn't confined to the city. Also impressive are the game's many posters advertising goods and services, such as plasmids, available in the game. The art style itself is impressive, but it also paints a picture of Rapture before its fall, full of the retrofuturism and optimism that epitomize the art and advertisements of 1950s America.

-

Xenogears' Video Game Art Remains Unfinished 

Xenogears Video Game Art

While the video game art in Xenogears might be great all around, it's really all about that unfinished painting of Sophia. Lacan paints the portrait very slowly so he doesn't have to leave the woman he loves...but then war breaks out. When Sophia sacrifices herself before Lacan can confess his love, it's the final straw that triggers his transformation into the evil monster he's remembered as.

_____________________________________________

Page 3: The Artsy Side of Solid Snake

_____________________________________________

A Portrait of Sanity in Amnesia: The Dark Descent

Amnesia: The Dark Descent Video Game Art

Amnesia: The Dark Descent might be famous for its scares, not its art, but one of the paintings in the game manages to do both. The portrait of Alexander of Brennenberg, the game's main antagonist, changes depending upon the player's sanity level. If they're on the high end of the sanity spectrum, it's a somber but standard portrait. If they're on the lower end, however, it's a truly unsettling sight. It's a subtle and creepy way of using video game art—something Amnesia does exceedingly well.

-

Step Into a New Painted World in Dark Souls

Dark Souls Video Game Art

The world of Dark Souls is full of complex lore and artistry. That's especially true of the Painted World of Ariamis, a world that is accessed by possessing a doll and stepping through a painting. The painting itself is huge, dwarfing the player and showcasing an incredible amount of detail. It's a beautiful painting, made more interesting by the rich world contained within—not unlike the game itself.

-

 Looking Deeper Through Braid's Video Game Art

Braid Video Game Art

Braid was an interesting game for a variety of reasons—it played with our expectations, threw in an intriguing commentary on nuclear warfare, and chided us for investing so much time. The game encourages you to pursue your goals relentlessly, and rewards you with a sad, distressing secret when you do. When completed, the paintings show Tim's life to be a depressing one, with strong hints of alcoholism and self-destruction. 

-

Metal Gear Solid Showcases Its History in Art Form 

The Metal Gear series is no stranger to breaking the fourth wall, but it does it with some serious style in Metal Gear Solid 4. In the church where EVA tells Solid Snake the history of Big Boss' war against The Patriots, there is artwork of the game on the walls. Because the scene serves as a look back at the history, the art makes sense. As an extra added tidbit, Metal Gear Solid 3 contains paintings taken directly from Silent Hill 3.

What are your favorite examples of video game art?