Is cel animation a good thing?

To those of you that don\'t know: cel animation is what Disney does.  An image is painted onto a plastic sheet (called a cel).  Multiple images are layered to create depth.

I was looking at a preview for "Wild Arms Advanced 3rd."  It has a 3D look, but utilizes cel animation.

Here\'s some snapshots.  Do you think this is a "step in the right direction" for PS2?







UPDATE: I guess I should give my opinion!  I think it\'s a nice change from the types of animations coming with FFX and all, but I really don\'t think it uses much of the PS2\'s potential.

Note:  The bottom two are "in-play" shots, while the others are FMV\'s.

Its not necessarily a step at all for PS2, its just a popular type of animation at the moment.
Do I like it? Eh, s\'okay.

It\'s a form of artistic expression.  I approve of it as long as the games that use it are fun and so far, every game using it has been.  (JSR, Klonoa 2, etc etc)

no, i dont like it at all,...... but if its a good game its a good game and graphics wont take much away from that.

Jet Set Radio definetely used it well, but I think cel animation only looks good when its pulled off right, if the developers put in a half-assed effort it completely ruins the look. Now if they could get it to look as good as it does in the FMV shots you posted, THEN I\'d LOVE it...

Yep, I think cel animation is pretty cool.

yea it looks good when done right,  i dunno if it will work good on this game though, seem better on cartoony games, like jsr,where bright colours can be used etc, dont think it will really suit this game, but ill have to see more

Originally posted by kopking
yea it looks good when done right,  i dunno if it will work good on this game though, seem better on cartoony games, like jsr,where bright colours can be used etc, dont think it will really suit this game, but ill have to see more

From the looks of it, the colors and textures used here give it a "story book feel."  If the storyline is going to follow like "modern epic poetry," then I think it will suit it just fine.

i think it looks good in the actual game shots but thecut scenes just dont look right for some reason, i think it cause they have only got black line round the outside of the figure, not round it all, like in a cartoon, as in the second one the colour between her skin and the white part of her dress should have a black line, also the doctors trench coat and his top. hope you know what i mean, still looks good though

I think JSR demonstrated how effective cel-shading can be when used in the right context.

As long as there doesn\'t become an over-saturation of the graphic technique, then it shall remain a fresh and innovative feature.

I also think it gives polygon characters a much sharper and more defined look to them, due to the thick black outlines used in cel-shading.  Very nice indeed.

i liked the animation in parappa the rapper, i havent really seen jet grind radio, but i think the animation is ok. but i though it was cool when parrap the rapper came out, the animation was smooth, yet interesting.
and the game was addictive as hell!!!!!

"Kick, punch, its all in the mind, if you wanna test me, im sure you\'ll find, the things i\'ll teacha, are sure to beatcha, but never the less you\'ll get a lesson from teacher.......now kick!............"

I think is a nice technique, if it is used well, the result can be incredible. The graphics in Klonoa2, Jet Set Radio, that one or the new Simpson game are good examples.

I like it when its done right, example Jet Set Radio, so yeah its pretty good.

[Living-In-Clip]

I personally love cel animation, but that is just me. I could care less if it pushes the PS2 potenial. It is a nice change from the current polygon / texture / craze. It also gives the characters a nice style.

It was good for Jet Set Radio, after that...it became "played out" so to speak. Thats my 2 cents.

Matt