So, I recently finished Night in the Woods, and I have to say, I really liked the art style. And it got me thinking, if creating game with graphics and playstyle based on another game would be considered as plagiarism? I don't mean stealing assets or copying game story, but creating something new, with similar animations, playstyle and graphics, in such way that people could notice similarities between these games.

Would such game be considered plagiarism?
Could it get me into law troubles?

This is more of general question, I don't have plans for creating such a game at this moment, I'm just curious about that stuff.

There are concerns like trade dress, where the look and feel is incredibly distinctive.  Those can be protected if they are highly distinctive and the company is willing to spend the money on legal action.

Few games are distinctive enough it would be a concern if you are genuinely making a different game, but trade dress is one of many issues lawyers include when suing against a clone.

On 12/20/2017 at 4:24 PM, XDeath said:

So, I recently finished Night in the Woods, and I have to say, I really liked the art style. And it got me thinking, if creating game with graphics and playstyle based on another game would be considered as plagiarism? I don't mean stealing assets or copying game story, but creating something new, with similar animations, playstyle and graphics, in such way that people could notice similarities between these games.

Would such game be considered plagiarism?
Could it get me into law troubles?

This is more of general question, I don't have plans for creating such a game at this moment, I'm just curious about that stuff.

Law aside (as you can get suited with or without just cause, and can end up dying from lack of funding regardless), it is generally a bad idea to outright copy one aspect of a game, regardless of what it may be. By taking an art style from another game, you've opening yourself and making yourself vulnerable unnecessarily. Pick two styles you like that don't clash too much and find a concept artist: he'll make something original out of that blend and then you can have something you like minus the danger of being suited (most likely).