Well, I have been working on this level for some time, and I have narrowed down the art style to two different choices. Each one appears to have their individual strengths and weaknesses, and I am finding it difficult to choose between them.

The first style is the one demonstrated in the screenshots I linked above. It focuses on more of a ruined feel to the immediate backround, and a haphazard style in regards to level layout. I can see it as encouraging cover tactics to defend against certain ammo selections (ie. bouncers) and the use of flanking as both a counter and a strategy, but I get the feeling that it may grow old if over-used -- especially given the significant size of Sunken City.

The second option is not displayed here, but is more of a "preserved" layout, focusing on smooth surfaces and inclines for the level (periodically interrupted by an object of some kind, and colums in the backround. While I feel this can retain its use over a larger expanse, I can also see it as being bland in nature.

Any advice and/or suggestions in regards to art style? As far as I can see, while there has to be just the right balance of eyecandy and tile use involved, this is currently the most significant issue here. If I can get this right, the rest should fall together relatively quickly.