You have just completed a triple-A game but already have the urge to dive right back in. However, you also want to move to the next title. Every gamer has that game they cannot get over. If that is you, then, it may be time for you to give video game art books a try. Interestingly, most games have it.
Games often keep players on the edge—and that adds to the thrill. However, that also means that players have less time to appreciate the world of the game and some of the graphic details. While games keep players on the edge, video game art books are relaxing and can be a favorite bedtime tale—for those that appreciate art.
Video game art books give gamers a peek at the creative process behind the wonderful games they have just enjoyed. From concept art to intrinsic details of the world they have built, video game art books allow gamers to explore the details in a different way.
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Virtually all triple-A games have art books. However, we decided to limit our list to games released between 2022 and 2023. We also included video game art books for games that got a remake or sequel within this period. These books will make a great addition to your game library. Those planning to go into video game design can pick one or two tricks from these books.
What is a video game art book?
First things first, a video game art book is like any other graphic book out there except that it is modeled from the game. It can cover everything from concept art, models, images, and sometimes art that didn’t make it to the game.
Some video game art books will include interviews with some of the artists and high-profile contributors to the game. While video games are designed for gamers, video game art books are designed for anyone that loves and appreciates text and visual arts.
For those that are just getting into the gaming world, video game art books can be a subtle induction that prevents the feeling of being overwhelmed. Inasmuch as video game art books are amazing and colorful, some gamers are held back from purchasing them because of their price and how quickly they fill up the shelves.
11 of the best video game art books of 2023
It is important to mention that video game art books often contain concept arts that are not present in the game. Therefore, it is possible to get a new perspective about your favorite character or world from a video game art book.
Also, unlike playing the game, video game art books make the characters and worlds tangible—you can literally touch the character and the worlds through the pages of the books. They can also be a great companion when you are on a long flight that playing your favorite game may not be possible.
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God of war Ragnarök (Get it Here)
God of War Ragnarök is a continuation of the journey embarked upon by Kratos and his son Atreus in the 2018 release. Atreus has become bigger and so have his powers too. The once little boy can now transform into animals and has become stronger with his bow and arrow.
As the threat of Ragnarök grows, the father and son must choose between keeping their family safe and keeping the realms safe. This colorful book brings the details of the characters and worlds closer, sprinkled with texts that give you a better understanding of each character.
The Last of Us (Get it here)
The Last of Us has grown to be a fan favorite both in the video game world and on big cinema screens, thanks to HBO’s adaptation. After the cordyceps fungal infection spread turning humans into mindless zombies, Ellie’s immunity appears to be the only hope for humans to fight the fungus.
However, Joel who has already lost his daughter was incapable of sacrificing anymore. Therefore, when he learned that Ellie must be sacrificed for a cure, it became a choice between saving the little girl he has come to love like his daughter, and saving the entire humanity. The video game art book brings more insights into the world and story including a hilarious concept of “The American Dream”.
The Art of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Get it here)
Star War Jedi: Survivor continues the story of Cal and his friends as they work tirelessly to evade the clutches of the Empire. However, the emergence of new dangers threatens to destroy everything that Cal has worked hard to preserve.
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This video game art book will expose you to the nail-biting work that went into the creation of the Star Wars epic universe and characters. It will introduce you to heroes and villains, both new and familiar ones, and give you a unique view of the inner workings of the galaxy. The release of the hardcover is scheduled for 12 December 2023.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Get it here)
With the release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, we couldn’t resist including this one. The new installment which is a sequel to Breath of the Wild has already sold 10 million copies in the first 3 days which is more than inspiring considering that it was a Switch exclusive release.
The oversized hardcover book contains about 50 pages of sketches and official illustrations from Takumi Wada, 296 pages of commentary and design artwork detailing the making of the game, as well as pages of interviews with high-profile development team members, and about 55 pages of historical sections. It is one of the video game art books that will take days to fully devour.
Elden Ring: Official Art Book (Get it here)
This 432-page book is absolutely deserving of the 2022 Game of the Year winner.
One volume was not enough, so they had to make two to exhaustively unveil the massive world “Lands Between” and its plethora of inhabitants.
This video game artbook was originally created in Japanese but was translated into English.
Regardless of the version you pick, the content is the same. Explore the large open world, claustrophobic dungeons, and the game’s massive armor.
The Art and Making of Hogwarts Legacy (Get it here)
The video game art book of Hogwarts Legacy immerses the reader in the creative minds of the developers.
Just like a few other video game art books, this one also contains interviews with the development team, illustrations, renders, sketches, and mind-blowing concepts.
The most interesting thing that the Hogwarts Legacy art book does is that it brings to the fore some of the never-seen-before concepts of the wizarding world locations from Gringotts to Hogsmeade to Hogwarts, and so on. While the game was a record-setter, the video game art book is pure magic in the palm of your hands.
The Art of Dead Space (Get it here)
Dead Space is not a new game in the real sense of it. The first Dead Space game was released on 14 October 2008. However, on 27 January 2023, gamers had a chance to relive the experience of the original game on the next-gen consoles with improved graphics and a bit of a twist that sets up the sequel.
The video game art book has over 300 images, sketches, and concept art of your favorite characters as well as the terrifying necromorphs. You’ll get a chance to dive into the mind of some of the artists through commentaries. The video game art book also has sketches and images from Dead Space 2, Dead Space: Ignition, and Dead Space: Extraction.
The Art of Horizon Forbidden West (Get it here)
Horizon Forbidden West follows the story of young Aloy who must rise to the occasion when a mysterious red blight threatens to obliterate all life forms. Forbidden West is the sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn and features vibrant landscapes, thrilling secrets, and jaw-dropping machines.
The 224-page hardcover of this video game art book is slightly smaller than the rest of the books on this list. Nevertheless, it helps fans of the game to uncover the mysteries of a lost world. Also included is intimate developer commentary that helps you to relive the unforgettable tale.
The Art of the Uncharted Trilogy (Get it here)
The Uncharted franchise has been in existence since 2007 with Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End being the most recent installment in the history of the franchise. So, naturally, it wouldn’t have been on this list.
However, on 19 October 2022, Naughty Dog released Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection for PC which includes Uncharted: The Lost Legacy remastered and Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.
The video game art book for the Uncharted trilogy offers a spectacular view of hundreds of never-seen-before designs and concept art from the creation of the series which makes it a loot of some sort. Uncharted Trilogy’s video game art book contains commentary from the creators of the game.
The Art of the Last of Us Part II (Get it here)
The Last of Us Part II was released on 19 June 2020. However, the prospects of its HBO adaptation after the massive success of the adaptation of part 1 is the reason why we have it on this list.
Nevertheless, it is still a great video game art book that any lover of the franchise must add to their library.
Part II of the franchise continues Ellie’s harrowing journey of vengeance and the video game art book allows you to experience it all through a collection of original art and intimate commentary from the creators. It doesn’t get less creepy with The Last of Us video game art book.
Scorn: The Video Game Art Book of the Game (Get it here)
Scorn was one of the surprise hits of 2022. One of our favorite YouTubers @theradbrad started the game casually and ended up finishing it because of the massive audience it garnered.
Released on 14 October 2022, the first-person horror adventure had players and viewers always at the edge of their seats with a gruesome display of squishy aliens covered in bloody gooey.
The video game art book of scorn throws more light on the creatures, characters, weapons, locations, maps, and the unsettling biomechanical environment. Also, it contains original designs and concept art. Every location has an embedded theme, puzzles, and characters. Try not to cringe as you flip through the pages.
Before you go
It is important to mention that all video game art books are not created equal. Some don’t deserve your time, really. Our picks were carefully vetted for the quality of their production and their content which means regardless of which you pick, the same quality will resonate through them.
If you are a die-hard gamer and happen to love reading too, video game art books will be the bridge that links your two favorite hobbies. You can even turn into a video game art book collector and brag about your large library. Who knows, one day you may be able to resell them at a fortune.
Do you currently own any of the video game art books on our list? Which of them do you plan to purchase next? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
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