So most of us recognized 'The Yellow Submarine' art style in the recent "Fearless Fantasy."

Likewise I'm also familiar with the arty styles from "Don't Starve" & "Puddin' Panic" from childrens books back when I was a child.

What do you suspect this is result of?

1. Today's generation inspired by the art work of those previous to my generation
2. The artists are beginning to reincarnate and turning up as game developers in their late teens.
3. The original artists (probably going on close to 90 years of age now) are lending their hand.
4. My generation resurfacing subconsciously stored memory of the same children's books.

Also, Skullgirls has intentionally borrowed art style from various 1940's cartoons for each the girls (Popeye, Disney, Betty Boop, etc. )

I think art styles, just like everything else, is cyclical. There's perioids when people produce art that looks more realistic, then there's perioids when a more abstract look is more appreciated. Every artist takes in influences from previously done work and at times some style just "wins" for a while, which results in a lot of artwork with similar feel.

It's a kind of a same thing like when indie devs went gaga over pixel art and now some people have begun to ask "is that really all indie devs can put out?". Now there's a seach for a new look that will reign for a while.

I grew up with DOS, telnet and MUD's. I want my text parser and command prompt back. (read: too old fashioned for graphics really ;)

When is Cypher coming to GOG anyways?

Hm, I don't really see a trend yet. Couldn't it just be individual developers on the look for some art style that makes their games look different and original?

I believe an unqiue art style is also a resource question.

It's easier and less costly to find your own style than to pour money into visual enhancement across the board.

The point and click adventure I planned to do was to be a mix of Dali and Giger surrealism... but turns out I'm just bloody useless with the engine / proramming side of things so I didnt get anywhere beyond concepting and plot!