The Aggie Awards – The Best Adventure Games of 2021 page 9

Written by
AG Staff — February 18, 2022

Continued from the previous page...

Best Graphic Design: ENCODYA

Coming as no surprise from a game inspired by an animated short film set in the same cyberpunk universe, Chaosmonger’s ENCODYA is exceptional to look at. The character models are creative and beautiful, with SAM being particularly adorable as the large, lumbering robot companion with messy cables protruding from his head, giant mechanical claws and comically asymmetrical glowing green eyes. The background artwork gorgeously conveys both the bleakness and wonder of the futuristic Neo Berlin surroundings. In a style that’s as much cartoon as it is realistic, there’s a meticulous attention to detail. Alongside the flashy hi-tech machines and vehicles, the city’s seedy underbelly is apparent, with back alleys scattered with trash, walls covered in graffiti tags and art, derelict cars blocking roads, and bright advertising bots slowly spinning overhead. The digital world within the game, meanwhile, is a stark contrast to the dirty, massive metropolis in the real one; still stunning but filled with vibrant greens and lush organic growth. The overall feel is both atmospheric and immersive, effectively mixing impressive technology and decaying streets. You wouldn’t want to live there, but it’s definitely worth a visit and our award for Best Graphics of 2021.

Runners-Up:

Milo and the Magpies

Growbot

Minute of Islands

The Artful Escape

Readers’ Choice: Backbone

A post-noir tale of exploitation, class struggle, and corruption in the big city … starring talking animals? In the wrong hands it would seem ludicrous, but the artists at EggNut never waver in their conviction that Backbone’s dystopian-future setting and anthropomorphic characters should be taken seriously. In this alternate Vancouver, a trench-coat-clad raccoon can chat up a polar bear socialite over drinks while tracking down a philandering otter with his partner, a taxi-driving beaver, and the visuals never treat it as the least bit silly. The artwork is gorgeously atmospheric, granting each character their appropriate dignity, desperation or menace, and casting the fog- and neon-drenched sidewalks in permanent shades of derelict melancholy. The muted colour palette and sharp, semi-realistic imagery never let you forget that these are hard-worn characters striving for a better life in a world that's out to get them. It may be pixel art but the aesthetic is anything but “retro,” and you’ll want to stop and gawk at the incredible detail packed into every scene. It’s all so beautifully designed, our readers have awarded it the Best Graphics Aggie for 2021.