Larry MacDougall (a.k.a. "Doog") was one of my favorite fantasy RPG artists back in the 90s. These days his art is a bit more fairy-tale than the grimy sword & sorcery stuff he did for Earthdawn and Palladium, but he still does some great work. (Incidentally, I think his current style would be a great fit for Dragon Warriors.)I especially like "No Quarter", seen here. It's rather whimsical, but there's still a sense of tension and menace. After well over a year of playing big, cinematic action games, this painting - along with that AD&D Coloring Album - has got me longing for something with a higher risk factor for the characters. I think I miss really worrying about my character getting killed.
(I also love the guy in the middle with the axe, well behind the shieldbearers and spearmen.)
I totally expected this post to be about another Doom.
ReplyDeleteI can understand Wizard of the Coast's decision to move the direction of their art to the dungeonpunk style still apparent in 4th Edition. But I think it fails to capture the epic nature of the game as anywhere near this type of artwork.
ReplyDeleteThat might have been a more entertaining topic. I still need to check that new album out.
ReplyDeleteI can understand Wizard of the Coast's decision to move the direction of their art to the dungeonpunk style still apparent in 4th Edition.
ReplyDeleteI think that most of the art in 4th edition is more glossy, colorful, and superheroic than that in 3rd. I also would say that I feel that most of it's of a lower quality than that in 3rd, but recent books have gotten a bit better. There are a few pieces in Open Grave, for example, that really are fantastic.
I very much agree. The art style is fantastic, but more to the point, I always disliked gaming when the risk was gone. To increase the risk you had to start fighting legions of demons or armies of dragons....and I never understood how that was some how better than fighting just one of these creatures. Fighting a horde of orcs should be a life or death risk, not a speed bump.
ReplyDeleteI always disliked gaming when the risk was gone.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I want to play a badass who can plow through hordes of goons. Sometimes I don't... it's a question of mood, for me. It's just that it's been quite a while since I played a high-risk game.
The spearmen are holding back the guy with the axe. They don't want him taking it on single-handed and hoarding the XP for himself.
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