IGN.com has an interview with Elemental’s Producer, Scott Tykoski about the art style of Elemental: War of Magic.
I'd like to say that Elemental's visual style was chosen purely for the love of art. That the style was risky but required to properly lay fourth our grand vision of dead world refueled by magic. That the style would finally establish video games as works of art and we can all celebrate our incredible cultural triumph!
Read the full interview at IGN.