Video game worlds, their inhabitants, and everything to be found within them can be pretty breathtaking. There's also a strong chance, especially when it comes to bigger games with deeper lore, that even the most diehard fans will have missed a few things. If there is a game or a series you hold close to your heart that you can't get enough of, then it might be time to check if that game has an accompanying art book if you haven't done so already.

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If a game has been around long enough, or has a lot of scenery for its players to marvel at, chances are it has an accompanying art book. Almost any art book connected to a series you love will appeal to you, but what we've tried to do with the selection below is two things. First, we've included an array of different games so hopefully, there's a little something for everyone. Secondly, we've also tried to include fantastic art books that will appeal to even the most casual players of their respective games. Hopefully with those bases covered, there will be at least one art book below that catches your eye.

Best Video Game Art Books

tears of the kingdom official guide
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Complete Official Guide
The Legend Of Zelda

Yes, This Is That Art Book

The complete and official guide to The Legend Of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Worked on with the help of Nintendo, this physical guide not only includes art from the game, but it will also guide you through absolutely everything there is to do upon your return to Hyrule.

Pros
  • Not only filled with gorgeous art, but it's also an exhaustive guide
  • Marvel at how this is somehow a Switch game in book form
  • Available in paperback, hardback, and spiral-bound
Cons
  • Reminded that this is the art book images leaked from ahead of launch

This wouldn't be an art book guide worth reading if it didn't include the official companion book for Tears of the Kingdom. Almost definitely 2023's Game of the Year since it's one of the greatest games ever made, this Legend of Zelda book has something incredibly special that most other video game art books do not. It doubles as a guide. Actually, guide is its primary function as the Piggyback-created book, made in conjunction with Nintendo so yes, it is official, will help you out of any jam you find yourself in across all of Hyrule. So yeah, one hell of a book and one every Tears of the Kingdom player should have on their shelf.

the art of final fantasy 16 cover
The Art Of Final Fantasy 16
Final Fantasy

Show Me Beautiful Torgal Art, Please

Final Fantasy 16 was yet another reinvention of the long-running series and thanks to its PS5 exclusivity, it featured some of the most remarkable landscapes and visuals in all video games, let alone just Final Fantasy. Available now in hardback, The Art Of Final Fantasy 16 lets you flick through some of those visuals at your leisure.

Pros
  • The stunning visuals from the PS5 exclusive all in one book
  • Comb through for references to other Final Fantasy games
  • Admire Clive without even turning on your PS5
  • Kindle version also available
Cons
  • Reminder that this stunning game probably won't win Game of the Year

Tears of the Kingdom may have stunned us all by demonstrating what the humble Switch is still capable of as it nears the end of its run, but Final Fantasy 16 showed us what the PS5 can do, potentially better than any game on the platform to have come before it. There were countless moments where I caught myself looking out over Valisthea, my mind blown that this was all inside a video game. Now you can relive that feeling without even needing to go back to the game, not that I wouldn't recommend doing that too, of course. All of the stunning landscapes from the latest Final Fantasy in one place, either physically or on your Kindle.

genshin impact artbook cover
Genshin Impact: Official Artbook Vol. 1
Genshin Impact

Mobile Games Can Be Beautiful Too

Genshin Impact is a big deal, and even though it is primarily a mobile game, its views and imagery can be pretty breathtaking. Its art book will perfectly demonstrate that, and its name suggests there will be more to come.

Pros
  • Show the world how gorgeous mobile games can be
  • Vol. 1 suggests there will be more installments in the future
Cons
  • If this doesn't sell well enough, potential future volumes may not happen

Genshin Impact has a huge fanbase, but I always feel like it is never fully appreciated by those who don't play it, myself included. That it even has an art book should be evidence that those of us who don't give Genshin its due might need to start paying more attention. Accused of taking a little bit too much inspiration from Breath of the Wild when it launched, MiHoYo has proved Genshin Impact is its own thing with its own unique world. A world showcased perfectly in its new art book, one that may well be the first of many if the vol. 1 in its title is anything to go by.

the elden ring official art book
Elden Ring Official Art Book Vol. 1
Elden Ring

Time To Revisit The Lands Between, Tarnished

Elden Ring might have more to marvel at and secrets to uncover than any other game on this list, so of course it has its own official art book. In fact, Elden Ring has so much to show off in book from, this is just volume one, presumably with more volumes to come.

Pros
  • Explore The Lands Between without being killed over and over
  • 2022's Game of the Year in book form
  • Vol. 1, so hopefully more to come
Cons
  • One of the more expensive video game art books out there
  • Might have as long a wait for vol. 2 as that elusive DLC

Elden Ring will go down as one of the best games ever made. Winning more Game of the Year awards than any other game in history, FromSoftware's latest epic grabbed the world in a vice-like grip in 2022, and well over a year later, it hasn't really loosened up. If, like so many others, you are desperate for more to do as you wait for The Shadow Of The Erdtree DLC, this beautiful art book might be what you've been waiting for. A little more expensive than most other art books, but let's be honest, Elden Ring offers up more than most other games, and so does its art book. Take a closer look at The Lands Between without the constant risk of being mauled by something lurking nearby.

the art of star wars jedi: survivor cover
The Art Of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Star Wars

Bridge The Gap To The Next Game

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor continued Cal Kestis' journey and the best news of all is, in typical Star Wars fashion, this particular story will be a trilogy. That means there's one more game to come, and until then, you can relive the imagery from Survivor via its official art book, simply dubbed The Art Of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

Pros
  • So much to see in every single Star Wars project
  • Fingers crossed it includes shots of Mullet Cal
  • Fill the time until the third (and final?) game
Cons
  • Order now but not available until 2024

Star Wars isn't just a fictional world, it's an entire fictional galaxy, so there's a lot to see. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor shows just a small section of that galaxy during a specific period on the Star Wars timeline. Starting to understand how so many games, movies, shows, and books have been spun from this franchise? There are some amazing places to visit in Survivor, but one of the biggest complaints from more dedicated fans was the limits put on the parts of those worlds you're allowed to freely explore. The Art Of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor remedies that a little as it offers up a more extensive look at some of those worlds, and hopefully some physical shots of Cal with his mullet look applied.

the world of cyberpunk 2077 art book
The World Of Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077

Just In Time For Phantom Liberty

Cyberpunk 2077 might have been slated when it launched, but it has recovered like nothing else before it since then and there's no getting past how good some of the game looks despite its misgivings. That's why The World Of Cyberpunk 2077 is a must-have art book for anyone who has played it.

Pros
  • The game's world looks good, no matter what you think of the game itself
  • Get better acquainted just in time for Phantom Liberty
Cons
  • May remind you what the game could and should have been at launch

Who'd have thought all this time after its disastrous launch we'd still be talking about Cyberpunk 2077? Well, we are because CD Projekt Red has managed to save it against all odds, and by the time you read this, its Phantom Liberty DLC may well already be here. Whether you loved the game and plan on returning for the additional content or you gave it a miss because of its problems, now's a good time to check out The World Of Cyberpunk 2077. An art book packed with gorgeous imagery because even when Cyberpunk was at its worst, its depiction of a dystopian future was still hauntingly beautiful.

FAQ

How Do You Become A Video Game Artist?

Like most careers in video games, there isn't just one way in that applies to everyone when it comes to becoming a video game artist. There are university courses in game art and 3D digital art which some studios will require, while others look for experience from an animation program or similar course or project.

Is There A Demand For Video Game Artists?

You might think with studios letting people go left and right that video game artists aren't particularly in demand right now. However, experts believe demand is on the up with more than 30,000 new roles expected to be filled between now and 2029.

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