Underworld Ascendant screenshots display new stylised look

Otherside Entertainment are giving the Kickstarted Underworld Ascendant a bit of a stylistic change in art direction, as demonstrated in these new in-progress shots.

The intent is to stay away from photo-realism (which, to be honest, the initial concept art images also seemed to be doing), and instead go for something they’ve dubbed an “authored” look. Stylised, in other words.

“With Underworld Ascendant, I want to bring back more whimsy and less brooding,” says Otherside’s art director Nate Wells. “Think of the old lead figures and miniature play fields… Everything appears hand-crafted, as if sculpted by an artist, with a genuine sense of levity and naiveté to the art.”

Those who backed the game at a high enough level will get to see the art design in motion (something I’d be keen to see too before settling on whether I really like it or not) when the latest prototype build is issued later this month. Meanwhile, here are some more screenshots.