Lost Planet 2 : Typography Does Wonders!
Posted by Shawn Borsky - The Boss | Filed under Logos & Branding
If you have an Xbox 360 and still don’t have Lost Planet, go get it. There is no reason not to have it. It’s maybe 15 dollars right now, and one of my favorite current Capcom titles. The game is an arcade style third person shooter, refreshing in its smooth and fun game-play, well-done creative enemies and nearly endless playability; but I was never really crazy about the logo execution, I thought it was a bit lazy and cliche level for the kind of quality design marks that Capcom normally delivers alongside its titles.
Allow me to start with the main title. The text is a slight variant on Alternate Gothic/ Futura Condensed with the subtitle in a Caslon or Garamond. At first glance, the texture on the main title is a bit sloppy and uncontrolled; it does not really convey what it is supposed to be. I also, feel like the abrasive red lens flare was shoe-horned into the bowl of the “O” in “Lost”, it creates an uncomfortable tangent and the overall inner padding is cluttered; which makes it harder to read. I can see the thought behind it, but It seems like the designer had the idea, but did not dedicate the craft and time needed to execute it in a solid manner. The subtitle feels thrown in; there seems to be no consideration for the spacing or alignment, and the serif all caps seems like a nonsensical choice, given the subtitle’s content and the game’s theme.
Next, we can see the cliche A(“V”) as I like to call it. This is generally a fallback for less experienced designers; essentially an easy way to imply futuristic themes or content, I believe Capcom’s design team/or designer are above this sort of convention. Many great logos and distinct marks are great because the convey abstract or themes with little associative imagery with quirkiness, distinction and originality. Even though the red line completes the bridge of the “A”, it does not read properly and feels more like an accident than a design decision. Based on where the lens flare line hits on the ascenders of the other letters, it leads me to believe that every letter was inconvenienced in terms of layout and tangent for the sake of the “A”.
I believe, the only thing that is somewhat successful is the planet shape itself. However, I think the designer simply needed to but more time into creating the contour of the planet, because when you look at it, it feels like a blue half moon, not an eclipsed frozen planet. Plus, the tangent with the planet to the “S” seems more like a mistake than an intentional call.
To me, It just feels somewhat bland and uninteresting in comparison to some other rather well done and distinct logos by Capcom. In my mind, Capcom has always created
some of the most memorable and appealing marks for game franchises and releases. Look below, and many of you will recognize and remember these games without even actually reading the logo.
Some Top-Notch Capcom Logos (Fun Games too)
Capcom has never had to rely on using crazy or busy typefaces; many of their logos
use classic typefaces that we all love. So, it disappointed me that Lost Planet’s logo was so uninteresting and forgettable…
True to their reputation, Capcom has restored much of my confidence in their logo designers. Behold, Lost Planet 2 comes with a new logo, not a huge deviation from the previous.
Its actually quite subtle. But, subtle makes all the difference, I believe this new logo falls right alongside the rest of their distinct and memorable games (the game looks excellent as well.)
Lost Planet 2 New Logo!
Gorgeous.
Notice, in the type the designer has removed that goofy and cliche A(“V”) shape and replaced it with an aligned, properly kerned type setting. The alignment is controlled and intentional. Notice, the top descender on the “2″ aligns with the top of the “T” and the bottom of the “2″ draws a comfortable parallel with the thin lens flare line.
The new metallic texture is smooth , more delicate and controlled. What do I mean by controlled?
Well, notice how it has subtle outlines, implication of shadow, and the reflection and light makes sense. It creates a nice dimensionality that was not present in the previous logo.
This also allows the type to have solid contrast, making extremely readable and effective.
The planet silhouette shape is much more elegant, it uses the orange color to imply heat and the planet shape without using a generic looking clunky blue beveled edge. It’s great, it reads immediately as a planet, not a moon or a crecent shape.
Lastly, the lens flare is a subtle alignment through the middle, it creates a slight symmetry, it doesn’t smash you in the face with a hard circle forced into the O’s bowl or a hard red line that throws off the contrast. Instead, the lens flare line is thin and unobtrusive, and is aligned beautifully to the bridges throughout the title text, not just to the “A”.
Overall, the entire logo is much more subtle, elegant and appealing. However, I think the change in type and alignment considerations did most of the heavy lifting here.
Nice Capcom, very nice.
3 Responses to “Lost Planet 2 : Typography Does Wonders!”
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Viewtiful Shoryuken May Cry Says:
March 4th, 2009 at 9:13 pmExcellent point out of one of the many things CAPCOM does! For years, CAPCOM has been the most inspiring group of artists out there for me and their logos are also all very reflective of the content of the game.
All the excellent titles you’ve pointed out are all my favorite CAPCOM titles!! Devil May Cry 1, 3 and 4 are my favorite out of that franchise. The logos reflect the content of the game, it’s a hack and slash as a fun character that embodies smooth animations and corny lines that date back to old, fun action-fantasy movies.
Darkstalkers is probably some of the most extreme title logos they’ve done and yet it isn’t ugly. It’s very fitting for the title, that fighting game is one of the most aggressive fighting games out there with a visual flair that even outdo Devil May Cry and Resident Evil’s most extreme stages… and it’s animated almost as beautifully as Street Fighter 3rd Strike. Phoenix Wright is also one of the loudest yet fun designs! The title logo ALSO reflects it.
What’s still most amazing for me is how timeless 3rd Strike is. 3rd Strike’s logo says class and timeless. The sparks aren’t annoying and distracting, it actually serves as a nice contrast and backlighting to the solid logo choice. Just like how the game is still the most timeless thing I’ve ever seen… It’s a pity how the SF4 logo also reflects the game itself… All flash and hype with very loud aesthetics that for me betray what the franchise have had so far…
Good post! I was surprised to find this randomly off the internet… Glad a game developing company out there is in love with CAPCOM THE RIGHT WAY!!
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Ace Says:
March 4th, 2009 at 11:11 pmI never really noticed Lost Planet’s ‘V’ A before. I guess it was just sorta static like that.
The new one does feel a lot more active, in that it looks like something that would flicker or move.
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Scrodummy Says:
September 12th, 2009 at 5:16 pmI enjoyed your commentary and analyzation on the specific flaws of the logo. Reminiscent of Artemy Lebedev. Long time no see!
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