New Sadness artwork is not screenshots
by JC Fletcher 
{ Apr 30th 2007 at 8:15PM }
Oh, Nibris. We recently had some real-looking videos of what appeared to be a real game on the DS. But all we've had about their Wii game Sadness recently is bad news (and responses to bad news). Well, they seem to be back on track with Sadness, or at least they're back on their uniquely Nibris track of showing a few tidbits of artwork, but no screens and no evidence that there is any game at all.
For what it's worth, the artwork looks okay. We're glad work is being done on this game at all. Do you think the issue with Sadness is that Nibris has been unusually transparent with the earliest stages of their game design, leading to the impression that it's been a really long time without seeing anything? Or is it just that they're really late getting to showing any real content? Check out the artwork after the break, and feel free to discuss what has become an impromptu Wii Warm Up in the comments thread.
Click for larger image
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Spex @ Apr 30th 2007 8:26PM
looks like it takes place in almost a steam-punk time period, or maybe earlier than that. Let's say the time period of "The Frankenstein Monster".
Sketchy Fletchy @ Apr 30th 2007 8:34PM
Well, it's all based on Slavic horror stories, so yeah, the 'Frankenstein period' (mid 1700s-1800s?) is about right.
I really really like the look of this game and I badly want it to happen.
Also, is it just me, or do those very nice bits of artwork above have a distinctly 3D model-ish quality about them? I mean, the faces and most of the image looks painted/illustrated/whatever, but there's a few bits (fingers, boots, pants) that seem distinctly... Polygonal.
hvnlysoldr @ Apr 30th 2007 9:26PM
That style does look like a perfect meld of real art of people and game models. If they actually make a game I'll buy it on principle.
Tom @ May 1st 2007 1:18AM
Looks like those could actually be in-game models. If you think they look too realistic, then just consider RE4's graphics, which looked almost that good on a less powerful console. Wii is theoretically more powerful than the original Xbox. Maybe Sadness (if it ever comes out) will show us what the Wii can do graphically. Also, it would be awesome if the game maintained a kind of illustrated quality in real time!
Zan @ May 1st 2007 3:06AM
Cooooool...
Neal Eaton @ May 1st 2007 10:13AM
When I read about the concept...I thought this was going to be really cool...and the artwork backs that up.
I HOPE that this makes it out sometime...looks like it could be a really great experience.
Give it up for the little guys...
Alex @ May 1st 2007 11:24AM
err, is this game going to be in Black/white? that'd be the first since Ping Pong no?
The new artwork look like actual 3D models of the game, so I take that as the closest thing to actual gameplay screens. I hope this game succeeds.
typo @ May 1st 2007 3:48PM
Alex, I do believe Sadness will be black and white. That was the original idea, at least. Not quite the first since pong, but b&w games are definitely a rarity, yeah. They wanted to give it a bit of an antiquated, moody look. It could work.
Nibris has said all along that they wouldn't be showing any actual in-game media from Sadness until the game was near completion. They're a (very) small developer working on an incredibly ambitious title. Not too shocked that we haven't seen or heard a whole lot.
Triforceowner @ May 1st 2007 7:40PM
The art does in fact look like 3D models, this is incredibly present around the younger man's legs. I can't tell if this is because they are 3D models, or if it is because the artist used some technique, but I do think the faces (more of the older man's) and some other details are definitely not renderings.