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Tonight I am a kid on Christmas.
The mailbox in my condo is laughably tiny so often I have parcels purchased online shipped to my parents' house. I arrived this evening for a visit and found my lovely new copy of the Ico soundtrack staring me in the face.
This really proves I'm trying to squeeze every ounce I can from this game, but I could hardly resist: the CD soundtrack has the gorgeous PAL cover art on it, which puts to shame this dull, and frankly ugly, NTSC version.
I find that cover art is so very often an afterthought which to me is tragic, especially when that beautiful Ico cover exists. Every now and then I buy a record for no good reason other than the cover art amuses me; I think if I were to do this with games Ico (PAL, of course!) would top my interest list.
Do any of you have some particular favourites when it comes to box art? Maybe not even something you think is artistically marvelous but just a cover image that really resonated with your playing experience? I'd be interested to see some.
(Oh, and I'm looking forward to the actual music on the disc too!)
If being wrong's a crime I'm serving forever
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I know it's only partially related to your post xtal, but Gelert has an interesting thread going on at the adventurepoint forums about the coolest cover boxes in the adventure genre.
http://adventurepoint.forumoti.....df34be3760
Whenever cover art for games differs between Europe and the US, it always seems like Europe gets the much cooler art! Ico being one example, and I know there are many others.
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I've not been around much over the last week xtal but as a graphic designer this topic is right up my street. Sweet!
I'm glad you raised the issue with Ico because I remember seeing the different NTSC box art on Moby Games some time ago and nearly wretching all over the keyboard. It's a travesty really. There was an article I saw a couple of months ago… in fact looking at Google, there's been a lot of articles on it – Settlers 7 and the shambolic US box art that's totally irreverant to the game.
Here's a funny article (make sure you read it!) with a screen shot of the game as well for clarity. The worrying thing is the amount of aesthetically blind fools in the various comments sections across the web who actually prefer the US cover. Madness!
I think Another World has my favourite box art because I find that painting so evocative of the game. This is followed by Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge (coupled with the awesome Mix 'n' Mojo piracy wheel inside). I remember opening Monkey Island 2 at christmas and grinning from ear to ear. When Steve Purcell's artwork for the back cover popped up on eBay I so very much wanted to bid on it but my finances and to a certain extent, my conscience, wouldn't have been able to handle it because it went for a pretty piece of eight. Steve Purcell is an incredible artist.
But it's that Another World painting that does it for me. That mass of swirling black clouds swelling above Lester, the crack of thunder in the distance. It's just mesmerising to me. I love how you can almost feel the rush of wind blowing across the valley. I think I'm going to have it printed on a canvas for our new house but then I don't want to get used to it, if you get me.
If I think of any more though, I'll be back!
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Let it be known forthwith that I promise to be first in the line to purchase The Pilgrims: Land, Take, Eat, Fuck.
That made my goddamn day. Thanks, Gregg. (Also, that AW cover painting is awesome.)
If being wrong's a crime I'm serving forever
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You EuroCanadian pussies, if John Wayne were alive right now, he would FUCK YOU UP. That's why Britain lost the war of independence! That's why Canada lost the... uhm... Canamerican War, and was forced to give up Alaska, Washington, Wisconsin, and Nevada - because you were all playing your little girly squat balding settler games while we were playing THE SETTLERS 7: HOOOAH!
We only play one kind of game here in the United States of Kickass - games where you KICK ASS. What, I bet you "manage an economy" and "conduct urban planning" and "negotiate with others" in this weak-sauce cartoon game. We've never done that in our games and we've never done it in the real world and look where it's got us! Right at the top of the food chain! Now quit yer liberal whining about "art" (which is just another word for GIRL) and pipe down until we need you to help us invade something. And if you don't we'll talk shit about you to the UN!
[Image Can Not Be Found]
I always loved the box art for the classic Archon - remember that one? Max Payne 2 as well. I must have a thing for black and white.
HOOAH!
Life is the misery we endure between disappointments.
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I roared at that bit as well. Priceless. The game does look splendid though doesn't it? The UK box art captures the feel perfectly and the logo/font is really nice to boot.
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I love city builders and have never played a Settlers game. I'd give it a try were it not for the damned Ubi DRM.
Ooo! Thief: The Dark Project. Box art, that is.
Life is the misery we endure between disappointments.
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Ah, I forgot about that DRM. Damn.
I still have the big boxes for Thief I & II too. Great artwork and again, great font.
By the way Steerpike, how's your throat? I've been meaning to ask.
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Oh, thank you. It's okay. I had my follow up with Dr. Throat today, actually. The CT scan showed no new damage and the bleeding has stopped. And I saw my brain! It looks like a gray blob surrounded by a whiter blob on a computer screen. I can also speak again – though my voice has changed a bit, something I'm told might be permanent. It's a little hoarser, but not too bad.
It still hurts a fair amount, but Dr. Throat said I could use ibuprofen instead of percocet to deal with it. I have a feeling he's a Tap reader and might have seen what I did to the top banner when I was under the influence of strong pain medication. Still, strong pain medication is nice from time to time.
Life is the misery we endure between disappointments.
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I've had throat trouble in the past with my tonsils – the fleshy hunks of pointlessness – Lewis as well (he had them out just before joining Tap) and ibuprofen is Some Good Shit (SGS). Do you sound sexier now? Because that would be a shame when so few of us here talk to you. Sad face.
Oh, I just thought – and back on topic (for shame) – Gods. Pretty fucking badass.
I always liked the System Shock 2 box as well, it has a very cinematic-horror-movie-poster quality about it.
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I would like to think I sound sexier, but in truth I probably just sound more growly. I'm no Barry White, I'll tell you that much.
Interesting how many of these favorite box art ideas are from older games... back when the Marketing department had less power over packaging.
Pathologic - and The Void, actually - great box art.
Life is the misery we endure between disappointments.
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Steerpike said:
I would like to think I sound sexier, but in truth I probably just sound more growly. I'm no Barry White, I'll tell you that much.
There can be only one… Barry White.
Good to hear your throat is mending, Steerpike. Too bad about the not sounding sexier thing. Try harder. [Image Can Not Be Found]
Oh, and I would totally play Settlers 7 based on the Euro box art. It's cute and cuddly looking. Well, I would if my rig could run it and there wasn't that wretched DRM.
Powered by PMS ™
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Steerpike said:
You EuroCanadian pussies, if John Wayne were alive right now, he would FUCK YOU UP. That's why Britain lost the war of independence! That's why Canada lost the... uhm... Canamerican War, and was forced to give up Alaska, Washington, Wisconsin, and Nevada - because you were all playing your little girly squat balding settler games while we were playing THE SETTLERS 7: HOOOAH!
We only play one kind of game here in the United States of Kickass - games where you KICK ASS. What, I bet you "manage an economy" and "conduct urban planning" and "negotiate with others" in this weak-sauce cartoon game. We've never done that in our games and we've never done it in the real world and look where it's got us! Right at the top of the food chain! Now quit yer liberal whining about "art" (which is just another word for GIRL) and pipe down until we need you to help us invade something. And if you don't we'll talk shit about you to the UN!
[Image Can Not Be Found]
I always loved the box art for the classic Archon - remember that one? Max Payne 2 as well. I must have a thing for black and white.
HOOAH!
Doesn't Steerpike write well? He's always a joy to read. Give 'em hell, Harry, er, Steerpike. (Misplaced the strikeout code, but who cares?)
What I think he's saying is:
[Image Can Not Be Found] = Canada [Image Can Not Be Found][Image Can Not Be Found][Image Can Not Be Found][Image Can Not Be Found][Image Can Not Be Found] = USI [Image Can Not Be Found] Canada. I have a friend in Toronto. We often look like Ogg the Caveman compared to Canadians.
Glad you're healing, old man.
I don't think I've ever used so many smileys in one post. I think I'll go take a pill and lie down now.
"…you just keep on trying 'til you run out of cake."
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System Shock 2 box... yeah that's a good one, and one of the few big box games I kept.
I think it would actually look better without the name of the game on there itself, and the ship removed too... what was it? Rickenbacker? Diefenbaker?
Yeah, just SHODAN's face . . . l-l-look at you, hacker- a pathetic creature of meat and bone. . .
If being wrong's a crime I'm serving forever
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Steerpike said:
You EuroCanadian pussies, if John Wayne were alive right now, he would FUCK YOU UP. That's why Britain lost the war of independence! That's why Canada lost the... uhm... Canamerican War, and was forced to give up Alaska, Washington, Wisconsin, and Nevada - because you were all playing your little girly squat balding settler games while we were playing THE SETTLERS 7: HOOOAH!
I thought Wisconsin was a timeshare with Canada.
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