A Collection of Remarkable Video Game Concept Art

In short, the backbone of any great video game universe comes from the vast imagination of artists. Since concept art is usually created in the early stages of development for a video game, Its purpose is to set a tone and give direction for the overall visuals of a video game world. Although it’s often the case that an artist’s imagination is too vast and technical for their ideas to fully be rendered on screen. Therefore it can be worth any gamer’s time to check out their favorite game’s concept art.

Consequently, you may discover something new that may not have been added to the game. Concept art, especially environments always have a sense of depth that effortlessly draws you into the world. These are 5 video game concept art pieces that you can get lost in.

Mass Effect: Andromeda Concept Art

There’s no denying that Mass Effect: Andromeda is the black sheep of the series. Despite this, It has some great concept art to take a look at. Personally, this piece is by far my favorite. The piece has a lot going on, containing a rushing Krogan with Krogan babies on its back. While a girl reaches out to a Krogan baby and her mother struggles to pull her away.

Furthermore, in the background, you can see one of the baby Krogans have fallen off. While two onlookers chatting, are distracted by the scene. As well as an additional judging bystander sat on a bench with their arms crossed also witnesses the chaos.

The piece has a lot of character to it, you can’t help but crack a smile. As one Baby Krogan points in excitement, while on the left, another is clinging on for dear life. The overall image reminds you of the hustle and bustle of an airport. When you and others around you are late for a flight.

Without a doubt, anyone who has played through the Mass Effect series will know about the Genophage. Since it plays a vital role in the story of the Krogan. Initially, the Genophage created by the Salarians to control the Krogan population. However, it has severely hindered the rate of successful births of Krogan young. Therefore it is incredibly rare to see a baby Krogan. Mass Effect: Andromeda does, however, include a short side mission Nakmor Drack: Clutch Moment, which involves a Krogan Egg.

Fallout 3 Concept Art

Washington D.C. is a bleak and dangerous place like most Fallout locations. A broken husk of its original condition. It is dark, dirty and the scattered life is anything but friendly. Therefore, you wouldn’t catch anyone admiring a view on Fallout. However, there is a charm in the detail in the Fallout series.

You can get lost in this concept art for Fallout 3. As a result of the framing of the piece which allows you to see the vast devastation to Washington D.C. by atomic bombs. However, as bleak as the piece looks there is still life as Rivet City can be seen on the right. The repurposed aircraft carrier has been transformed into a city. Because of this, you can see light coming from within the ship, making it look alive.

Firstly, If you have played Fallout 3 or any Fallout game for that matter, you know the great feeling of hope and safety when discovering a new friendly settlement. It reminds the player that even though the world has ended, there is still hope for life.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of those video games where you’d love to be able to jump into the world and explore. The wide-open plains and rolling hills make for beautiful visuals. As the player explores Hyrule they will discover that the world is alive and populated with many kinds of animals, creatures, and NPCs.

This Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild concept art piece showcases these characteristics of Hyrule. Due to the flock of birds flying above Link who is at the top of a mountain that looms over the vast plains and rolling hills. Additionally, it’s incredibly pleasing on the eyes due to the vibrant colors and saturated background to resemble thin mist. The art highlights how successful Nintendo was in realizing the artist’s vision.

The region of Hyrule takes inspiration from J.R.R Tolkien’s Middle Earth. As a result of that inspiration , the towering volcano named Death Mountain can be seen in the background. You say Death Mountain I say Mount Doom. Secondly, another notable structure that resembles Wheathertop can be found on the right.

Halo: Reach

Sometimes we are fortunate that developers will add concept art into the game. Usually, art can be found in loading screens and menus. Halo: Reach and Halo MCC are examples of this. Consequently, many art pieces can be found within Halo: Reach. If you were a frequent visitor of Halo: Reach multiplayer then this art should be familiar, the iconic image of the fighting Spartan and Elite featured within the Halo: Reach Custom Games and sometimes the main menu.

The concept art in Halo: Reach sets a realistic tone for humanity’s biggest loss. Furthermore, it’s a great backdrop for readying up with a squad to get into a match of Speed Halo or Rocket Race.

Bungie‘s departure from Halo with Halo: Reach was one of grand scale. The campaign was different from past Halo games and events within it were a constant reminder that the war on Reach could not be won. The art captures this and the scale of that war, as a result of being able to see so many Spartans and Elites fighting. Furthermore, the main feature highlights the fruitless efforts of the UNSC as an Elite is a second away from plunging an Energy Sword into a Spartan. 

XCOM 2

XCOM 2 is a turn-based tactics game set in a science fiction world where humanity lost the war with aliens. The player must now take command of soldiers and a ship called the Avenger to fight back against the alien overlords.

This concept art piece for XCOM 2 is powerful and scary. As it shows demolished buildings overgrown with trees. A juxtaposition of an alien monument and structure shows that the victors of the war have taken over. The structure in the art resembles one of the many human processing plants that you must break into and destroy.

XCOM 2 is played substantially more covertly as the few remaining soldiers and militia that are willing to stand up for humanity are outnumbered and outgunned. However, with enough tactics and research they may be able to overcome these terrible odds.