(Part 3) Best video game art books according to redditors
We found 696 Reddit comments discussing the best video game art books. We ranked the 132 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 41-60. You can also go back to the previous section.
Diablo has a surprising amount of lore, I've just recently started to dive in as well. Some really cool fully illustrated lore book can be found on Amazon and they're awesome.
The Book of Cain
The Book of Tyrael
The Book of Adria
If you're in the US(like me), here's an amazon link for it.
There are only going to be 400 of these, so I wanted to make sure this subreddit got the link: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Metal-Gear-Solid-Limited/dp/1506702678/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1466331896&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=metgeainf-20&linkId=b355d0039657ec981253678058b585b3
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1506711073/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdb_t1_8Sy.BbKZMY8F8
This is an affiliate spammer. Here is a clean link.
https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Souls-III-Design-Works/dp/177294064X/
There are the novels
Then the limited editions of:
And
There's also a "making of" book that goes into more detail. Here's the link for those interested: https://www.amazon.com/Myst-Riven-Creations-Inspirations/dp/078686365X
There's somebody else also doing this, maybe you could join forces?
http://protagonist.sics.chalmers.se:1337/mediawiki-1.22.0/index.php/Category:Patterns
The guy behind this is Staffan Björk from Göteborg University, author of Patterns in Game Design.
A lot of these are pseudo-random/not in a particular order (like vol 20, 21, and 22), but there are often 2-3 in a series that qualify. I also found some (listed at the bottom) that weren't part of this deal but had coupons to use to get them for an immediate discount.
RWBY: Official Manga Anthology Vol. 1 & Vol. 3
Rurouni Kenshin Vol. 7: Includes vols. 19, 20 & 21 & Vol. 9
Dragon Ball omnibuses: Vol 5, Vol 13
Tokyo Ghoul: re, Vol. 11 & Vol. 8 & Vol. 13
Radiant Vol. 5 and Vol. 6 - Is this even technically a manga??
Mixed 3-for-2 and coupon deals within a series (but you should probably collect these series in their box sets to save money):
Bleach, Vol. 64 is $8.68 - $2.02 coupon.
Bleach, Vol. 68 & Vol. 69 & Vol. 70 & Vol. 73
Bleach Box Set 3: Includes vols. 49-74
Naruto (3-in-1 Edition), Vol. 23: Includes vols. 67, 68 & 69 is part of the 3 for 2 deal.
Naruto, Vol. 67 is part of the 3 for 2 deal.
Naruto, Vol. 72 is $8.45 - $1.79 coupon.
One Piece, Vol. 76 is $8.66 - $2.00 coupon.
One Piece, Vol. 77 is part of the 3 for 2 deal.
One Piece, Vol. 78 is $8.36 - $1.70 coupon. Same price as vol 76.
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Interesting stuff part of the 3 for 2 deal:
Shigenori Soejima: Art Works Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 - From Persona artist Shigenori Soejima.
Lone Wolf and Cub Omnibus Volume 1
Final Fantasy Ultimania Archive Volume 2 and Volume 3
I found it cheaper on amazon, I bought mine on a site from my country
https://www.amazon.com/World-Warcraft-Adult-Coloring-Book/dp/098970016X
here's the original site
https://gear.blizzard.com/us/world-of-warcraft-coloring-book
You know, I've never seen my money do that. It lept up out of my pocket and into your's. I'd love to have a Riven remake. I think I still have it but I have an oversized "making of" Riven book that may be of interest. http://www.amazon.com/From-Myst-Riven-Creations-Inspirations/dp/078686365X Not selling mine here, just showing what it is.
You should presume less. It's also available on Amazon.
You might like this Professor Layton artbook.
If you're interested in Art Books, I bought Fate/Complete Material last year and it's still a good price IMO. 240 pages at $30 is about 12 cents a page.
Here it is on Amazon
Funny you should mention that because I *have* the full Ultimania and none of Barret's pages make mention of a medallion (including the page cited in the Wikipedia article you're linking to). The relevant parts of these books have been translated by fans for well over a decade now (particularly **anything** concerning characters, their designs, and concepts), and yet there's never been a mention about this so-called medallion from any veritable source.
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Not even the official English translated version of the Ultimania (which came out last year) has mention of it
You can buy it on [amazon] (https://www.amazon.com/Destiny-Poster-Collection-Insights-Collections/dp/1608874222).
https://www.amazon.com/Frigates-EVE-Online-Paul-Elsy/dp/1506702724/
...if there's still time for delivery. PLEX could work too, i guess, but really, this is getting a bit tacky. Have you considered one of the "normal" gifts like, i don't know, decent quality alcohol this friend likes?
It says that some company obtained the rights to release them in English and at least one volume should have been released by now.
Edit: I think this is the first one.
In every instance Kishimoto has actually colored the rasengan it's been yellow all the way to when it was first created.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1421514079/ref=pd_sim_14_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=DMM5KJEY6ESGNTMZVXM9
Though now after years of the anime and movies coloring it blue it's even blue sometimes in official material such as The Last and Boruto or at least interchangeable with no given reason for the blue color.
http://www.amazon.com/Destiny-Poster-Collection-Insight-Editions/dp/1608874222/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407303474&sr=8-1&keywords=destiny+poster+book
Close enough?
Anything from Yoshitaka Amano (Final Fantasy and Vampire Hunter D illustrator, among others). All of the Final Fantasy compilations are good and I would recommend the Art of Metal Gear Solid I-IV book as well.
The Art of Metal Gear Solid I-IV https://www.amazon.com/dp/1506705812/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_AlRPDbFCFFRBH
Final Fantasy Ultimania Archive Volume 1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1506706444/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_qMomh98bxFD9h
Final Fantasy Ultimania Archive Volume 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1506706622/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_LAxO4tBIZrTtg
The Sky: The Art of Final Fantasy... https://www.amazon.com/dp/1616551607?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
This one is up for pre-order of you like pixel art
FF DOT: The Pixel Art of Final Fantasy https://www.amazon.com/dp/1506713521/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_nnRPDbPFQ1KJK
We're not talking about the new DmC but the original games. Also this book confirms he's Vergils son.
Just buy the normal hard cover edition for $32.39 CDN like everyone else:
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/1506708978
The regular edition is reasonably priced and I doubt anyone is going to complain they are being ripped off at that price.
What's the name of this book? I'd love to buy a copy.
Edit: Nevermind, found it!
You're missing a book: https://www.amazon.com/Myst-Riven-Creations-Inspirations/dp/078686365X/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1486317259&sr=8-7&keywords=rand+miller
Also, where is Masterpiece Edition, and Real Myst?
Joking aside, that's a really nice collection!
Is Super Mario Encyclopedia: The Official Guide to the First 30 Years (2018) good enough?
Amazon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Anthem-Limited-Bioware/dp/1506711073
I'll be the 3rd person to recommend Understanding comics. It is required reading.
The big thing is practice. Practice. Practice. Then go practice. I've been working kinda on comics for a while and sometimes, I can churn out a panel like nobodies buisness. The pose aligns just right and its super easy. Other times, a single panel takes me hours, because I keep finding I'm doing it wrong.
But you know what? the next time I do a scene like that, I do it a bit faster. I rarely go online to find references. Instead, I stand up from my pen and paper, and make whatever stupid pose I'm trying to draw and mentally take inventory of where all my limbs are, how my body looks and feels. A mirror may help.
In regards to asking the artist, a quick google claims that
>This book has includes an extensive interview with creator Masashi Kishimoto, step-by-step details on the process of creating a Naruto illustration, 20 pages of notes from the author about each image in the book and a beautiful double-sided poster!
That might be worth checking out.
>About how many drafts would you guys predict that it took that whole comic, and what sorts of panels would you all say take more drafts to perfect than others?
That's a really hard thing to guess, because of what goes into the comic. there are 3 steps in my mind that might count as 'drafts.' 1st, the overarching story. The script to that was probably passed through a few editing hands before any art got started. It really depends on the project on how much script you should have. I've been focusing on just the next strip on my current stuff. I have notebooks with outlines for twenty odd chapters for other stories that can't see the light of day until i finish rewriting them.
(I saw a comment here recommending to find scripts and try drawing the first few pages, then compare work. I'm so gonna do that!)
2nd. the page itself. Panel layout, camera angles, action poses, there is SO MUCH that goes into each page, I can't do it justice. A lot of good books have been suggested, so check out those. Duck into a bookstore and see what they have. I have fond memories of draw comics the marvel way! and I love How to make webcomics
I do end up drawing and redrawing the pencils several times, before I ink it.
3rd, you'd be surprised how much rewriting can go into every line of dialogue. For me at least. I write what I want to say, then I remove every word I can get away with, then I have to cram it inside of a bubble. Sometimes, writing a sentence takes longer then drawing a panel!
Closing remarks: I have 2 final pieces of advice: 1st: Invent your own process. Figure out how you want to do it. Each of us is shaped by our environment, by our upbringing, by the books we've read, by the artists we admire. And then, none of us have exactly the same tools. Make a process that works for you. (Start making. And then, when you're comfortable, experiment! I recently bought a calligraphy dip pen and have been using that for my inking. For so long, I had thought it an outdated piece of technology, but now I love it so much! but you don't need one. I did a lot of comics with paper and a ball point pen. They weren't pretty, but they were mine.)
Finally, (because I doubt you're even reading this far down!) practice does not necessarily equal practice. All the anatomy lessons, perspective practice, the realistic images, those are good fundamentals. I wish I had them. But if you want to learn to make comics, come up with a story, not too long of one, and draw it. Play with what you can do. Learn to tell a story. And, ya know, you'l get to a point where you need a cool city scene, and all that perspective practice flows into the panel. Or you'll want to emphasize how beautiful your villainess is, and your anatomy floods down your pen. Everything you learn is a tool in your toolbox and the fundamentals are very useful, although they don't seem to be, they are part of the path.
TLDR: Confucius say: Make some comics. They you will know how to make them. Also, read books.
Three of them:
Get something like https://www.amazon.com/Art-World-Warcraft-Blizzard-Entertainment/dp/1608874494 instead, much nicer to look at.
I probably would have too if I saw it there lol.
Amazon actually has it for 25 bucks though :)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/150671031X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_QPAEDbBGKH03B
Sweet action, thanks OP!
For anyone interested, here's my usual Nintendo Book recommendations ;).
Would be REAL nice if the Deluxe BOTW guide or the Mario Bros. Encyclopedia would go up right about now as well ;)
I think basically every game in existence takes mechanics from other games and merges them together. some more innovative games add in slightly different mechanics. You can prove this for yourself by thinking of any famous game out there and googling its title with "precursor to" in front.
it doesnt matter if its halo, skyrim, tetris, mario, zelda or any other game.
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Your question is too broad to bring value to us on the sub.
But to answer your question partially:
https://inventwithpython.com/blog/2012/07/30/need-a-game-idea-a-list-of-game-mechanics-and-a-random-mechanic-mixer/
http://www.squidi.net/three/index.php
http://critical-gaming.com/critical-glossary/
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GameMechanics
https://stratsynergy.wordpress.com/game-mechanics/
https://www.gamedesigning.org/learn/basic-game-mechanics/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=287&v=UPU_yi9Nv3M
A book describing a bunch: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1584503548/
For board games: https://boardgamegeek.com/browse/boardgamemechanic
https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1926778456
All repurposed, including and especially the Bloodborne cosplay. If you're interested in the concept art for these games, here's a link for the art book for Horizon and NieR.
The Kat render is from the PlayStation Vita, I believe it was a golf game she appeared in.
Does anyone know if the limited edition art book is the same as the standard [no extra content]?
Check this out at Amazon.com
The Art of Metal Gear Solid V Limited Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/1506702678/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_DKH4AbSAP8E9H. Disclaimer: I am not the seller or affiliated with the seller.
I would like a WoW coloring book now please, thanks.
Edit: hey turns out there is one, OP pls make one too ty
Here is tyrael! (I got book of cain from Barnes and Noble for like 30 or something a while back)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1608872793/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1420403397&sr=8-1&dpPl=1&dpID=51WVfYtghrL&ref=plSrch&pi=AC_SY200_QL40
$29.70 http://www.amazon.com/Diablo-III-Book-Tyrael/dp/1608872793 free shipping
Any one can find a better deal?
Yeah I got the hardcover Limited Edition. Publication date December 6th.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1506702678/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_-PZkyb8BW51J4
It doesn't say if there's anything more other than the lithograph though.
Edit: Actually the LE has 224 pages while regular has 184. Or not? ffs Amazon.
Yup! The World of Professor Layton
I love the series. The book looks like high quality too, comes wrapped, the colours are bright and vibrant.
I got it on release day (Nov 3rd, 2015) for $33.54, so hopefully it comes below that, I have a friend who would love one as well. Can't wait for Lady Layton next year (Even though I still have to finish Last Spectre, Miracle Mask and Azran Legacy), just need a pre-order so I can start to figure out how to pay the least (It's like a challenge each time, eh? haha)
How it's done depends on the design pattern used, which in turn depends on how the game is designed (not the code, the game mechanics themselves.)
There are multiple books on the subject.
All art comes from the fantastic (and huge) book "From Myst to Riven." You can find it here: http://www.amazon.com/From-Myst-Riven-Creations-Inspirations/dp/078686365X
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1506708978/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1519071461&sr=8-3&pi=CB192198896_AA75_QL70&keywords=super+mario+encyclopedia
Amazon has it at the price all the time...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1926778421/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
in fact it's 1$ and that's 5$ more then I payed at release.
You could get the twentieth anniversary artbook
if you're not sure which one to get. The top review om amazon has a video of all the pages if you want a preview.
If you're looking for just art, may I suggest these?
Art Book and
Poster Book
Here it isn't uncommon for some preorder bonuses to be mini artbooks of the promo and in game artwork, sometimes they will include design sketches and such but they are very short. Real full artbooks are usually sold separately.
Here is an example. Persona 4 had a mini artbook as a preorder bonus. It is maybe 30 pages long and all the artwork in the game, or used in posters, ads, and other media to promote the game release. Then there is the real artbook here that is 192 pages long and include a lot more artwork that isn't seen anywhere else.
no, the last year, the artbook came out in english :/
http://i.imgur.com/XYOOhM3.jpg?1
https://www.amazon.com/Devil-May-Cry-3142-Graphic/dp/1927925487
Here you go. You couldn't find it if you typed in something like "art of mgsv", you had to write something like "art of metal gear" instead, I presume that's why you couldn't see it.
Of course! https://www.amazon.com/dp/150671031X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NCorDb66FVQBG
They wanted to introduce new lore to the world of Sanctuary. It's traditionally known that the paladins (D2) pushed westward under Rakkis in a crusade to spread the Zakarum faith and ended up founding Westmarch. Crusaders are a special forces unit of paladins that instead pushed east on their own mission to become "pure" (and rid the taint left behind by Mephisto) in faith.
I'm interested to see the banter between the Crusader and the Templar, whose order was basically risen from the ashes of the Paladin order (and they view themselves as a "pure" continuation of paladins), but is not officially sanctioned by the Zakarum church.
More information in the Book of Tyrael.
Holy shit!! YOURE amazing!!! Thank you!
As for materials its mostly playing the game and writing down all the dialogue and location descriptions, and then flavoring it my own style, but i found a website that someone did all the dialogue.
http://www.ffwa.eu/ff9/script.php heres the script (I dont use this but it might be handy) Note that this is only the main story dialogue not all the towns people you can talk to. Thats why i just play the game and write down dialogue and make sure i get everything for my self
As for maps, i just type in the location and put ff9 map after it into google and final fantasy wikia has good ones Example: Lindblum ff9 map
If you dont mind your players knowing they are in FF9 you can use these backgrounds to help with the theater of mind https://imgur.com/r/gaming/A09TB
As for puzzles and side quests, i dont really have them compiled into a folder or anything but i can tell you what extra puzzles and things ive had in each area. For instance, i re-did the evil forest map and made it the paper mario forever forest map, and they had to do it all theater of the mind so it seemed way more confusing. https://www.gamefaqs.com/n64/198849-paper-mario/faqs/13080?raw=1
So i would say like "You see a massive growth of roots leading up to the top of the forest canopy, and two paths, you can go left, or you can go right" and then depending on which way they go "The path keeps following around the spire but theres path to your right leading away from it" and so on and so forth.
I put a extra puzzle in there too, to give the evil forest a little more story and depth. There was a whole deal with Treants being corrupted by the Mist and they had to cure them with the spring water where that moogle hangs out. If they disturbed them while they were corrupted they wouldve had to fight them which would of easily been a deadly encounter. Once they cured them they can use the limbs of the Treants to get to a different part of the forest.
I have puzzles for EVERY dungeon in the game, so if you want brain storming ideas just hit me up! OR extra mini games and fun stuff for the Cities!! Like Lindblum and the festival of the hunt! That shit was epic and my players STILL talk about it!! Little things in the game transfer so well over to a table top RPG... Like Gysahl Pickles!! Such a hilarious role playing opportunity!
And dont forget everyones favorite part of the game THE MOOGLES!! https://www.gamefaqs.com/ps/197338-final-fantasy-ix/faqs/23306
Here are a few Youtube playlist that i use the most for making my game
This guy does a playthrough and he is extremely thorough and talks to every NPC and gets most of the treasure and is real slow on the dialogue so its a good reference if you dont have the game on you or something. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF02D69667E5D6E9A
He did another one when HD came out but he talks while playing it but has interesting theories and info about the game https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvv1mA3UKy9OD8NGzPEYsmbXYo0_NZ1i7
Here is an AMAZING fan dub that i reference for voice acting the characters!!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLED408A81C906035D
And of course the soundtrack!! All extended versions too, for 30 minute loops you can rip off of youtube and use for your games https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6akIKaXBeU2YH7iaRR6MDQ0sWGShUe7x
You can totally just play it right off of youtube but i use a program called Ableton so i can map out an entire keyboard for each song or ambiance effect
For the eidolon battles i watch this girls guides on the FFXIV "Trials" https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz9iQVOtDq1mqFtMgScBtHTGRsEgmVIvF
I also use this website for more info that i can read up on, but she does an excellent job at explaining things http://www.ffxivinfo.com/trials/a-realm-reborn.php
Also for almost everything like extra info on each location, the wikia is an amazing resource. And now THIS! https://www.amazon.com/Final-Fantasy-Ultimania-Archive-2/dp/1506706622/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1534262317&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=final+fantasy+ultimania&psc=1
Thats all i can think of for now!! I have a million stories on each area and how they reacted to places and people and but i cant think of anything else that would actually help.
But if you wanna know more on how the evil forest was done differently? Ice Cavern? Gizamalukes Grotto? Cleyra???? I can give you all of that info buts its not really written down anywhere. Especially cuz you can plan every badass thing you can possibly think of, spend hours and hours on one scenario and your players will throw a wrench, and do something COMPLETELY different and you gotta go with it!
But one thing i cant recommend ENOUGH is to check out this guy. He made me the DM i am today!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCh5vto8JFstb9Sma9zV25g/featured
Some things that changed my game play 10 folds is in this playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlSmiQ728Xr1lKFQU1w6Yot5_o3zgvY73
His key mechanics are legendary!
Lemme know for any more questions!
Here's the ones I've either bought or want. They're all official:
Grimoire Nier (Japanese only). There's fan translations on the web of this: https://www.amazon.com/GRIMOIRE-Project-Gestalt-Replicant-Japanese/dp/4048686712/
Drakengard 3 art book and guide (Japanese only). https://www.amazon.com/dp/4048660861/
Nier Automata world guide volume 1 (English). I suppose there might be a volume 2 coming in the future: https://www.amazon.com/NieR-Automata-World-Guide-1/dp/150671031X/
And for the poorly-translated novels. Get only if you're not irritated by bad sentence structure, typos, and translation errors.
https://www.amazon.com/NieR-Automata-Long-Story-Short/dp/197470162X/
https://www.amazon.com/NieR-Automata-Short-Story-Long/dp/1974701840/
Interesting analysis. FYI, the designer himself goes into detail about the character and persona designs in this book: https://www.amazon.com/Persona-4-Official-Design-Works/dp/1926778456/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494948891&sr=8-1&keywords=persona+4+design+work
Oddly, I see the cost on Amazon is absurd right now, but I got it last year for about $35. If you look around you should be able to find it for a normal cost, I bet.
This is the book you seek :
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Eyes-Bayonetta-Art-Book/dp/1926778421
An original sketch of what?
Kishimoto publishes a bunch of books full of his artwork, especially for Naruto. They should be pretty easy to find at most online book retailers. (I have this one, for example: http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-Naruto-Masashi-Kishimoto/dp/1421514079)
And even if you're just looking for images, they can be found online. You just have to know where to look.
Sorry, this is what I was thinking of.
The Art of Anthem Limited Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/1506711073/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_YDbCCb7AN5771
Couple of ideas
http://www.redbubble.com/people/anothehero/works/17180236-ugly-red-vs-blue-christmas-sweater?p=t-shirt&style=mens&body_color=black&print_location=front
http://www.amazon.com/Mega-Bloks-Micro-Fleet-Warthog-Attack/dp/B00FS96J2G/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1449174950&sr=8-8&keywords=amazon+mega+blocks+halo
http://www.amazon.com/Destiny-Poster-Collection-Insight-Editions/dp/1608874222/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1449175010&sr=8-8&keywords=pop+destiny
The Art of World of Warcraft is a good pick as it shows drawings of various expansions.
Specific to Blood Elves would be the Art of WoW: Burning Crusade but it came from the Collector Edition of Burning Crusade so it could be a bit hard to find (and you definitely won't find it in a store.)
Also, if she likes drawing/coloring, there's a Coloring Book too. :)
If she likes the lore/story of the game at all and likes to read too, I would suggest the World of Warcraft: Chronicle books:
They are basically history books about the game's world from the creation of the universe up to the first few expansions of World of Warcraft.
also up in germany:
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https://www.amazon.de/Art-Anthem-Limited-Bioware/dp/1506711073/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1543333990&sr=8-3&keywords=Art+of+anthem
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Read the Book of Cain it tells the story from the creation of the universe to Diablo III vanilla, the next is the book of tyrael, I didnt read it yet
Book of Cain Amazon : https://www.amazon.com/Diablo-III-Book-Cain-Deckard/dp/1608878023/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493312983&sr=8-1&keywords=book+of+cain
Book of Tyrael Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/DIABLO-III-TYRAEL-BLIZZARD-ENTERTAINME/dp/1608872793/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1493312983&sr=8-2&keywords=book+of+cain
There were :) I'm assuming you exclusively want one with DMC3 material with her then (afaik all of the artbooks are fairly old so none have her 4 SE appearance)
https://www.amazon.com/Devil-May-Cry-3142-Graphic/dp/1927925487/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493422371&sr=8-1&keywords=art+devil+may+cry
I've seen this as low as $20 sometimes even on amazon, I would check around on ebay
Thank you I will give it a look!
Edit: Is this the book? http://www.amazon.com/Patterns-Design-Development-Series-Charles/dp/1584503548
These 3 would be a good place to start, if you're a visual type learner:
https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Souls-III-Design-Works/dp/177294064X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1520693441&sr=8-1&keywords=dark+souls+3+design+works&dpID=51FjOF6JoBL&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch
If you have a lot a lot of money, figure out a way to import the trilogy edition of the Dark Souls remaster from Japan. I think it may only be for PS4 but it comes with all the games and a lot of great goodies. Otherwise if money is tighter there are some amazing Art Books (design works) you can buy online. Dark Souls 1 to 3 (3 comes out in August) with some absolutely stunning artwork from the game.
Some other neat ideas if he does not already have them would be the Dark Souls 2 & 3 Collectors Edition. Now these do break the bank at around $200-300 a piece (I think you can buy both for $400 USD combined) but the statues they come with are absolutely beautiful.
That's really cool! If you have a product name for it I might have to add one to my collection. I never really thought much about art books until someone gifted me Fate/Complte Material.. One of the best gifts I've received seeing as I haven't played the visual novel and it covered all routes + official artwork.