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Whether you're an aspiring concept artist, a game developer looking for inspiration or a fan of beautiful gaming artwork, these art books offer a fascinating look at the characters, environments and creative decisions behind some of gaming's most memorable worlds.
Some games are worth exploring long after the credits roll.
Whether it's the intricate environments of Horizon Forbidden West, the unsettling atmosphere of Alien: Isolation or the unmistakable art direction of Cuphead, great video game art can be just as memorable as the games themselves.
And while screenshots are great, there's something special about flicking through a physical art book and discovering the concepts, character designs and environments that helped bring those worlds to life.
We've picked out 11 video game art books worth adding to your collection, spanning science fiction, fantasy, horror and everything in between.
Whether you're an aspiring concept artist, a game developer looking for inspiration or simply someone who loves beautiful gaming artwork, these are worth a look.
There's something strangely beautiful about the end of the world, at least when Bethesda is designing it.
The Art of Fallout 4 explores the visual identity of the Commonwealth, from ruined neighbourhoods and retro-futuristic technology to power armour, weapons and the creatures roaming the wasteland.
For artists, it's a fascinating example of how a game can build an instantly recognisable world through environmental storytelling and consistent design.
Perfect for: Fans of post-apocalyptic worlds, environment art and retro-futuristic design.
View The Art of Fallout 4 on Amazon →
If the original game's art book captures a world falling apart, its sequel explores that world with even greater visual detail.
The Art of The Last of Us Part II offers a look at the environments, characters and creative direction behind Naughty Dog's ambitious sequel.
From overgrown Seattle streets to carefully designed character appearances, there's plenty to appreciate about how visual design supports the game's darker themes.
Perfect for: Character artists, environment designers and Naughty Dog enthusiasts.
View The Art of The Last of Us Part II on Amazon →
What happens when you combine a twisted interpretation of Pinocchio with Belle Époque-inspired architecture and mechanical nightmares?
You get Lies of P, a game with a wonderfully distinctive visual identity.
Its art book celebrates the gothic environments, elaborate costumes, unsettling enemies and intricate mechanical designs that make Krat such a memorable setting.
For anyone interested in dark fantasy, it's an excellent example of how familiar inspirations can be transformed into something original.
Perfect for: Dark fantasy enthusiasts, character designers and creature artists.
View The Art of Lies of P on Amazon →
Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding is certainly not a game lacking in unusual visual ideas.
From its vast, isolated landscapes to futuristic delivery equipment and otherworldly creatures, the game has an aesthetic that's difficult to mistake for anything else.
The Art of Death Stranding explores the concepts behind that distinctive world, offering inspiration for artists interested in science fiction, surrealism and unconventional design.
Perfect for: Sci-fi artists, concept designers and fans of Kojima Productions.
View The Art of Death Stranding on Amazon →
Few games have an art style quite as instantly recognisable as Cuphead.
Inspired by animation from the 1930s, Studio MDHR's run-and-gun adventure combines hand-drawn characters, exaggerated expressions and wonderfully imaginative boss designs.
The Art of Cuphead is a celebration of that creative approach, showcasing the illustrations and ideas behind its cartoon-inspired world.
It's especially interesting for anyone studying animation, visual consistency or character silhouettes.
Perfect for: Animators, illustrators and fans of traditional cartoon artwork.
View The Art of Cuphead on Amazon →
For more than two decades, Halo has delivered some of gaming's most recognisable science-fiction imagery.
From towering Forerunner architecture and UNSC military technology to Covenant vehicles and alien environments, the franchise has developed an enormous visual universe.
Halo: The Great Journey – The Art of Building Worlds celebrates the creativity behind that universe, making it an appealing addition for anyone fascinated by the design of Halo's characters, locations and technology.
Perfect for: Halo fans, sci-fi concept artists and worldbuilding enthusiasts.
View Halo: The Great Journey on Amazon →
Guerrilla Games created one of gaming's most visually striking science-fiction worlds with the Horizon series.
The Art of Horizon Forbidden West explores a world where advanced machines roam through landscapes inspired by nature and the remnants of human civilisation.
Its mechanical creatures are particularly fascinating, blending recognisable animal forms with elaborate futuristic engineering.
For concept artists, it's a fantastic source of inspiration for combining organic and mechanical design.
Perfect for: Creature designers, environment artists and sci-fi enthusiasts.
View The Art of Horizon Forbidden West on Amazon →
Creating a terrifying atmosphere isn't always about showing players something frightening.
Sometimes it's about making them believe something frightening could be waiting around the next corner.
Alien: Isolation brilliantly captures the retro-futuristic aesthetic of Ridley Scott's original film, with industrial corridors, bulky technology and an oppressive sense of isolation.
Its art book explores the visual design behind that experience, making it particularly interesting for anyone studying environmental horror.
Perfect for: Horror fans, environment artists and science-fiction designers.
View The Art of Alien: Isolation on Amazon →
Insomniac Games' Marvel's Spider-Man brought a fresh interpretation of one of the world's most recognisable superheroes to PlayStation.
This art book explores the creative work behind Peter Parker's adventure, including character designs, costumes, environments and the game's interpretation of New York City.
It's an interesting look at the challenge of adapting a familiar character while giving a game its own visual personality.
Perfect for: Marvel fans, character artists and superhero enthusiasts.
View Marvel's Spider-Man: The Art of the Game on Amazon →
Norse mythology provides no shortage of incredible artistic inspiration, and Santa Monica Studio certainly made the most of it.
The Art of God of War Ragnarök explores the characters, creatures, environments and mythological influences behind Kratos and Atreus' adventure.
From elaborate armour designs to fantastical interpretations of the Nine Realms, it's a rich source of inspiration for anyone interested in fantasy worldbuilding.
Perfect for: Fantasy artists, character designers and mythology enthusiasts.
View The Art of God of War Ragnarök on Amazon →
Few fictional universes offer as much visual inspiration as Star Wars.
With Star Wars Outlaws, Massive Entertainment explored the galaxy's criminal underworld, creating locations, characters and technology inspired by the franchise's familiar aesthetic.
The accompanying art book offers a closer look at the creative work behind Kay Vess' adventure, including its environments, vehicles and distinctive cast.
It's particularly interesting for anyone exploring how artists can create something new while remaining faithful to an established universe.
Perfect for: Star Wars fans, sci-fi environment artists and vehicle designers.
View The Art of Star Wars Outlaws on Amazon →
Video game art books aren't just collectibles to display on a shelf.
For aspiring artists and developers, they offer an opportunity to study how memorable characters, environments and entire fictional worlds are developed.
And for fans, they're simply a fantastic way to spend a little more time with the games they love.
Whether you're drawn to the colourful creativity of Cuphead, the unsettling worlds of The Last of Us or the sprawling science fiction of Halo, there's something here worth exploring.
Which video game art book is your favourite, and which one deserves a place on this list?
Keep Calm and waka waka...
