Got two possible ways of going for the main menu of the game I'm doing, "Blue Sun". The first is a much simpler, less cluttered one with a white backdrop and a logo...
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o33/Nedraed/menbu.png)
And the second is a much more detailed one, with the protagonist silhouetted in front of a nebula - more cluttered, but much more detail.
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o33/Nedraed/menba.png)
While I think the first one (or something similar to it, with improvement) would better convey a sense of isolation and small-ness, the second one seems, to me, nicer and more "spacey". Which do you reckon would go with a sci-fi situation, and can you think of any ways to improve either?
Cheers!
I would go with the second one and here is some advice to improvement:
just a quick edit:
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/bluesun-editidea.jpg)
The 2nd one is definitely more 'gamey'.
The second one screams traditional videogame art. It's fun and over-the-top. Not knowing anything about your game I'm not sure if that's a feel you want or not.
Personally I'd prefer something in the vein of background 1. I don't really know enough about graphic design to help you with specifics, though.
I prefer the second. I think the lone figure gets across a feeling of isolation very well. I don't get any emotional response from the first design. It's very clean and 'indie' feeling, but the second one has all sorts of mystery, and looks more professional overall.
The second one definetely...
Depends completely on your game, how it will play, how it will feel and especially what the rest of the artwork looks like.
The main thing I notice about version 1 is the white, which just feels like you're missing a background. Maybe you could try adding some kind of shading, gradient or texture in there, keeping the simple look but with a bit more interest for the eye. Alternatively make the logo more complicated and interesting, for example look at Final Fantasy-type title screens (http://www.mobygames.com/images/i/16/37/168037.jpeg).
The thing that sticks out on Version 2 is the large black area behind the menu options. Maybe I just have a thing for large blocks of colour, but it seems to make either itself, or the picture appear tacked on. I think it needs to be made part of the picture, either by making it into a pillar or something in the foreground, or getting rid of the black area and continuing the background behind the menu options (but keep the protagonist where (he?) is - the composition is pretty well balanced)
I have to say I'd pick the second one over the first - it seems more professional, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try developing the first version a bit more if it fits the game better. I hope I don't come across as too harsh, I actually really like both versions.