Realistic or Cartoon-Style Graphics?

Depends entirely on the game.

On balance those "cartoony" games tend to have a more consistent aesthetic, a lot of "realistic" looking games can be wildly inconsistent in their visual theme.

The most important aspect of video games is variety. I like both but not for 100 hours in a row.
Generally speaking I prefer realistic. But the few exceptionally good cartoony games impress me more.

I think that will change as time goes on and games become more extreme. When games are so realistic that we feel a sense of presence and confuse it for reality, I will probably love that. And then we'll see games with extremely realistic fantasy. A dream world that seems so real that you cannot help but believe it. That might make you forget reality, completely. An almost perfect simulation aimed to make us be fulfilled. Hopefully built by a global governing A.I.

I can actually explain to you why that is our likely future. And why I am 100% in favor of that happening. Games will evolve into more than entertainment in the future.

Realistic. Not all realistic looking games look the same as fanboys may have you to believe. Games like Uncharted, MGS, and GoW all aim for realism but have their own styles. So they still look different.

Cartoon games don't do it for me anymore. I feel like I am playing a kids game and it insults my intelligence.

I have never liked cell shaded style games. It just looks awful IMO.

Depends on the game but I prefer Realistic Art style with a little bit of twist... a bit stylized.

EDIT:

Lol, that Borderlands screenshot makes me want to play the game again.

I gotta say, to me, Borderlands 2 is the best looking game up there.

I like a realistic cartoon style. FFIX is a great example.

Dislike cel-shaded graphics in general.

lol

Not only is this notion funny in and of itself, but to follow up with this after listing GoW as something you like? Ha!

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Anyways, it entirely depends on the game and the execution of said style.

Definitely Cell Shading

Both.

Both :P

I prefer Realistic graphics.

I hate the plastic look of Dragon Age Inquisitions but I welcome with open arms both of poll choices.

Graphics with character.

I don't want no cartoon in my Crysis. I don't want no realism in my Mario.

Depends on the style and tone of the game. Alvays.

im sick of cartoon style graphics. I'd like to see BL3 realistic as the original was supposed to be.

If it's a platformer then fine, else I won't play it.

The only exception are some RPG games like Ni no Kuni and South Park: Stick of Truth, the second one obviously can't be a realistic.

Games like Borderlands and Diablo 3 are just really bad art styles, if the game could have been realistic but they copped out because the graphics were just shit then just no.

Link shouldn't look like a cat.

Why isn't there an option for "both"?

Gaming is more enriched by having diversity in visual styles.

Um, both.

Silly question, but considering the greatest art direction in the history of gaming currently belongs to a "cartoony" game, let's go with that.

Both. Realistic graphics look "better" but cartoony graphics also have more variety and style at their control. For me the bigger difference is between brighter areas and darker ones (not talking about night time though). Playing a game that is excessively dark whether it be cartoony or realistic really drags on my mood.

As many have said already, it depends on the game.

Cartoony wouldn't fit Star Citizen but it very much does with Borderlands.

Not sure I have a personal preference in this one nor that it would matter.

Depends on the game

Both, I never judge a game on it's graphics. It's the content I 'm concerned about.

Completely depends on the game. I would hate a Ratchet and Clank or Mario game with super realistic graphics.

Cartoon style. They tend to age a lot better. Realistic style usually tends to age worse.

But otherwise, it depends on the game, and how well either style fits the game.

X2

no preference really.

Realistic one easily by far. cartoon one are for kiddies

I like cartoon graphics for platformers only. Any other type of game, I want realistic graphics.

Depends on the game.

@FinalFighters said:

Right?

Both, as long as the game is good.

Depends on the genre. Some genres such as shooters, flight sims, and sports games would look silly with cartoony graphics because those genres are expected to have an element of fidelity to the real thing or something close.

I'm fine with cartoony graphics on other genres such as platformers and adventure games.

I'll take either and I don't have a preference really.

Depends, but I don't like the wind waker style of cel-shading.

Both

If games are aiming to be simulations, then it is essential that they have realistic graphics. But if they're aiming for arcade-style fun, then they might be better off with cartoony graphics.

However, it's not a genre thing, but almost every genre has room for both styles. For example, old-school FPS and shmups, arcade-style flight games, and Mario-style sports games, all look fine with cartoony graphics. And likewise, some platformers like Mirror's Edge and Hollywood-style adventure games like Beyond Two Souls look fine with realistic graphics.

Both

Realistic but I love both.

Depends on the game.End of the day I dont mind both.

Depends on the game, but cartoon style graphics have the benefit of better performance (*cough* Nintendo *cough*)