Koira’s Director Reveals Origin Of The Game’s Eye-Catching Art Style

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Koira's Director Reveals Origin Of The Game's Eye-Catching Art Style

Highlights

  • Koira by Studio Tolima is a text-free adventure game with a unique aesthetic.
  • Game director Ben Lega prioritized creating striking visuals to ensure Koira stands out in the crowded gaming market.
  • The core duo of Koira, a lonely wanderer and a puppy, was created to evoke emotions inspired by games like Journey and Fantasia.

As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for unique and emotionally resonant experiences, I’ve played my fair share of visually stunning games that have left me speechless. Koira, by Studio Tolima, is one such game that immediately piqued my interest with its captivating aesthetic and intriguing premise.

Studio Tolima’s first production, “Koira,” is a charming adventure game brought to life by a compact team in collaboration with DONTNOD publishers. The story follows a solitary traveler who encounters and forms a bond with an endearing canine companion.

The unique feature of Koira is that it lacks any text or dialogue whatsoever, a design choice made by Studio Tolima at the onset of production. What sets Koira apart visually is its distinctive hand-drawn depiction of a melancholic winter landscape.

As a passionate gamer, I once sat down with Game Rant for an engaging chat with game director and studio head Ben Lega. He shared some fascinating insights about the creative genesis of the game’s distinct art style.

A Traveller And Their Puppy

Lega initiated by stating, “I put great emphasis on the art style from the start. With the vast video game market being as bustling as it is nowadays, a game boasting distinct visuals has a better shot at making an impact. To create an image that would capture players’ attention, I aimed for high contrast and vivid colors.”

During that period, I was handling the project alone, so my priority was to discover an appealing visual style without excessive expenses. Personally, I’m drawn to 2D hand-drawn animations, but I realized their costs could be prohibitive, particularly for intricately designed characters. Consequently, while working on the project, I experimented with creating animation using characters that had a single flat color and no outlines.

Initially, I sketch a black figure on an unadorned white canvas. The figure seemed disconnected, so I softened its connection to the background by deleting the bottom of its feet. Instantly, it appeared more integrated into this realm! Immersed in the vast snowy expanse that was now my paper, dotted with a scant few lifeless trees and clumps of grass, it seemed appealing but lonely in the frosty landscape. To alleviate his solitude, I introduced a charming little puppy and a stick for them to play fetch.

In simple terms, Koira’s main duo emerged as a result. The minimalist design of the traveler and dog is captivating, as games with such aesthetics often evoke strong emotions. Journey by Thatgamecompany and Fantasia from Disney are cited as influences for Koira, and based on what we’ve seen, these comparisons seem accurate.

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2024-07-15 03:38