Akira Yasuda, widely known as Akiman — a distinguished former Capcom art director and character designer with credits including iconic titles like Street Fighter II, Red Dead Revolver, and Mobile Suit Gundam — recently shared his profound admiration for the graphical design of Elden Ring.
His insights emerged during a discussion that drew comparisons with other high-profile projects such as Crimson Desert. Yasuda underscored that, despite any perceived technical “aging,” the world crafted by FromSoftware manages to leave a far more powerful and lasting impression than many contemporary games that boast cutting-edge graphics.
Akiman elaborated that the core of Elden Ring’s visual triumph lies in its sophisticated control over detail. He observed that an overabundance of detail in games can often diminish the player’s opportunity to engage their own imagination. In stark contrast, Elden Ring meticulously manages the level of detail presented in every scene, thereby continuously stimulating and drawing in the player’s fantasy. He drew parallels between this artistic methodology and the traditional Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock prints, as well as the illustrative works of Alan Lee, particularly commending Elden Ring’s masterful application of atmospheric perspective.
“This is precisely what it means to be a master of art,” Yasuda concluded, highlighting the profound skill behind the game’s visuals.
Reinforcing this artistic dedication, developers from FromSoftware have previously detailed their own approaches to crafting visual effects. At the CEDEC conference in 2025, Environment Art Director Hidenori Sato and Lighting and Environment Artist Reiji Katahira explained their rigorous process. They emphasized adherence to fundamental principles of composition, meticulously analyzing elements such as landscapes, architectural structures, the interplay of shadows, and atmospheric fog to eliminate monotonous sections and ensure a seamless, harmonious visual flow throughout the expansive game world.