Without a doubt, the artistic intro scene of Street Fighter IV blew me away when I first saw it, the use of ink, the brushstrokes and paint-like splashes that emphasis every movement, the rough and sketchy finish and the surreal atmosphere all scream character like nothing I've seen before. It was actually a major disappointment for me when I saw the actual gameplay footage for the first time and realize that the art-style was very different.
The game is still fantastic, and I have come to appreciate the ingame art-style as well, (and there are even a few moment where the 2 forms mix) but I am conscious of the fact that had Capcom chosen to be more bold and ambitious, Street Fighter IV could well be another step closer to the elusive high art in video game culture.
