I think video game art books are a pretty glorious gift opportunity. I said as much in earlier gift guides. They’re gorgeous, they’re expensive — but not too expensive. They’re sure to be beloved, they’re sure to be treasured, particularly if you choose the right book about the right game.
Here are a few suggestions.
The Art Of The Last Of Us
If you ask the Good Reads website, this is the best video game art book out there. Naughty Dog really has some incredible artists.
And from what I’m hearing, the Uncharted art books are similarly incredible.
Half-Life 2: Raising The Bar
If you ask the internet in general, this is pretty much the greatest art book ever made and yeah, it’s pretty good. Obviously folks who are into Half-Life in a big way will get more value out of it. Good thing that’s pretty much everyone who is ever going to read this site.
New Eden – A Book Celebrating Great Game Environments
Someone recommended this to me. As you might have guessed from the title, it’s a celebration of some of gaming’s greatest environments. It’s gloriously designed and finished. It’s beautiful.
Finding copy of this thing will be difficult. If you do, please let me know where you found it!
Hyrule Historia
This is more of an illustrated history of Zelda, which is totally fine by me. It still upsets me that my wife hasn’t bought me this book.
Sob.
The Art Of Journey
So this is another book I totally want. Pretty sure it’s a safe bet for present of the year for anyone who played this wonderful game.
On another note. Cannot wait for this game to be re-released for the PlayStation 4.
Dark Souls: Design Works
For Dark Souls fans, this book is spectacular. Not only is it full of gorgeous art, it’s one of the few art books that feels like an insight into the process of the art design.
There’s also an incredible (and long) interview with Miyazaki, the game’s creator.
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