The Fantastic Artwork of Legendary Heroes

from Elemental Forums

I really have to give the FE Legendary Heroes art team a big pat on the back.  I remember when Elemental was first in production and Mr. Wardell posted some journals explaining how he and his team wanted to make the franchise a showcase of what PC-only graphics can look like.  Well, I think it is safe to say that his mission has been accomplished if this screenshot is any indication:

 

 

This was just a random screenshot I took in order to illustrate a point I was making about the gameplay.  After taking it, I loaded up the screenie with the idea of cropping it and was just stunned by the tremendous amount of detail it contained!  This is absolutely gorgeous!  The detail on the horse armor is particularly impressive, as it the detail on the sentries in the tower, as well as the random civilians near the mine.  Truly incredible!   8C   Truth be told, it doesn't even look like a screenshot as much as it looks like an illustration from some long forgotten tome of medieval lore.  :inlove:  

Which gave me an idea:

The screenshot as a sketch:

 

Cool.   B)

 

And I might use this one for wallpaper (some blurring and color-enhancing to give it a 'smoother' look):

 

 

It is a real shame that most players are so busy running their zoomed-out empires that they never take time to zoom in and see the artistic marvels of Legendary Heroes.

Lord, I can't wait to see GalCiv III... :smitten:

18,599 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

I zoom in to look at my cities from time to time.

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

The art direction is really fantastic when you do take the time to zoom in.  And unlike with a RTS game, with a turn-based game you can actually take the time to enjoy it.  :thumbsup:   I intend to do this more often because Stardock's painterly approach is really gorgeous. 

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Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top


Yeah, I really get in such a good mood when playing this game. You can tell it's a labour of love. I'm glad this game doesn't have this excessive style that is so common in fantasy games nowadays.

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting NorsemanViking, reply 3


Yeah, I really get in such a good mood when playing this game. You can tell it's a labour of love.
End of NorsemanViking's quote

 

It really is.  I've been on the Elemental rollercoaster since Elemental War of Magic debuted and this is the first time I am truly excited by the possibilities of this franchise.  Elemental was a flop due to its development issues, Fallen Enchantress was a definite improvement but still didn't do much for me, but Legendary Heroes is really shining.  I think it now is in a really good place to achieve everything we hoped this franchise was going to achieve when it first debuted.  Seeing how Stardock never abandon a game, I think Legendary Heroes is really poised to take off like a rocket.

 

Quoting NorsemanViking, reply 3
I'm glad this game doesn't have this excessive style that is so common in fantasy games nowadays..
End of NorsemanViking's quote

Completely agree.  Too many sci-fi and fantasy games really get carried away with their imagination.  :grin:  

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

The art style was one of the selling point for me, back before the Elemental release.

The "stained glass" style is just brilliant and, as far as I know, a completely new thing for video games. It evokes that "medieval" tone in a very elegant way and without falling in the common tropes of the genre. Kudos for whoever got the idea.

Now I'm still waiting for that Spells DLC with a GAZILLION of new spells in it, for the game to become what I originally imagined - or something very close :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

That looks gorgeous, alright.

 

I think the best thing about it is how the models in the world reflect the actual equipment the units are carrying. It's not just a generic model - those are your actual units you can see moving around the map in full detail.

Reply #7 from Elemental Forums Top

What I particularly like is that they did not use a cute cartoony look. I cannot stand the cartoon civ 4 characters and most ipad games have opted for the too cute look as ell. blah! I rather miss the old days where units were hadn drawn for 3d isometric games and they looked gritty and real. 

Reply #8 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting ChungasRevenge, reply 7

What I particularly like is that they did not use a cute cartoony look. I cannot stand the cartoon civ 4 characters and most ipad games have opted for the too cute look as ell. blah! I rather miss the old days where units were hadn drawn for 3d isometric games and they looked gritty and real. 
End of ChungasRevenge's quote

+1

I haven't been able to enjoy the new King's Bountys because of this lame trend.  It's a strategy game not a friggin Saturday morning cartoon.

Reply #9 from Elemental Forums Top


The art in this game is amazing. I have to admit, it took me a bit to appreciate the graphics, didn't care for it at first impression, but has really grown on me. The art is just amazing though, and the music and sound as well. All the creativity in this game is wonderful, background stories for different monsters etc. Really goes to show that video games can be used as a medium for works of art.

Reply #10 from Elemental Forums Top

I wonder how the game would play if it was all done in that sketch format for the story. I really like that since it looks like a canvas in motion.