Best games for their visual arts?
 

I'm seeking opinions in search of the best loved and most influential games for their art styles of all time (not to ignore recent titles though!). Just curious to see what you think as I try to drum up a top ten list. I may need to make it exclusive to certain years since my mind goes all over the place... Not to influence you or anything, but so far my picks are (in no particular order):

Okami
Fallout 3 (From what I’ve seen, mmm.)
Bioshock
God of War
Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee
American McGee's Alice
Half-Life 2
World of Warcraft (for making cartoons)
Halo (landscapes)
Patapon

Grah! I can go on and on, that just scratches the surface...

Just a few that comes to mind:

Okami
Viewtiful Joe
Jet Set Radio
Dragon's Lair
Final Fantasy 7

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Lineage II
Final Fantasy 6
Original Doom Series (not Doom 3)
Zone of Enders Series
Assassin's Creed
Dragon Quest/Chrono Trigger
Guilty Gear Series
Pokemon
Anything having to do with Warhammer 40,000

My list of fave art styles:

XIII
That New Prince of Persia game
Okami (Agreex10)
Psychonauts
Street Fighter 4 Cutscenes (All take my breath away)
Shadow of the Colossus
Ico
Valkyrie Profile
Legend of Mana
Brutal Legend

Just to name a few.

My favorite games in terms of visuals is definitely The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Okami and Psychonauts score high too. Also, XIII.
Moving away from 3D games, I would commend the 2D Metroid games. Really dig those sceneries.

I can't believe no one has listed Elder Scrolls Oblivion, Beyond Good & Evil or Mass Effect..

In all fairness, you didn't either. I agree BG&E certainly was a very pretty and stylistic game, but it wasn't its visual style per se that made it stand out (for me, at least). The other two... meh. :p

I will mention
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (the best, especially for that time)
LocoRoco (never played it though)
Viewtiful Joe (watch some cutsene of the bosses on Youtube)
Battalion Wars II
Mad World (yet to come)

I think I need to make it a top 20 list... Ha ha ha.

I have to say Shadow of the Colossus. What a masterpiece! The Colossi are so huge and graceful. It's not just the 'look', but the animation is superb too. I never wanted to kill them :(

Edit: Definately Okami and ICO, too.