It can be easy to pit 2D against 3D, while different camps can espouse why one is superior to the other, when really you should consider its different strengths or even how one can complement the other. 2D games continue to have a strong appeal in modern indie games, especially those with expressive hand-drawn styles. But for At Fate's End, a fantasy, narrative-driven action-adventure inspired by both Gaulish myth and the art of Eyvind Earle (famous for his contributions to Disney classics, including Sleeping Beauty), there's plenty more going on under the surface to achieve its look.
Speaking to Jo Gauthier, the game's art director, who has also worked on indie studio Thunder Lotus' past games, including Spiritfarer and Jotun, the most important thing about a good game art style is that it is reproducible. "It's very cool to see very pretty pictures, but if you're not able to reproduce their style consistently, then it's not a good style," she says.
