With graphics getting better every year, video game designs are getting more and more daring. Unique styles like sketch designs, water paint, and even graphic-novel designs are becoming popular. This year, with the updates for the graphics of PS5 devices and more, low-budget indie games have taken the lead regarding design and style.
These indie games are not just incredibly fun to play, but even if the story becomes boring, each frame is an honor to look at, making it instantly worth it. All of these gorgeous indie games are either already available for purchase, have a 2021 release date, or could be released before the end of the year. As the latter could be pushed back to 2022, they will receive their own section.
Most Beautiful Indie Games Of 2021
Lake
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, and Series S
Released: September 1, 2021
The year is 1986, the objective is delivering packages. The 40-something-year-old Meredith returns to her childhood home and helps her father in his job of delivering mail. This small-town drama is like living an episode of Gilmore Girls. While delivering mail, players will encounter and get to know townspeople, and Meredith herself.
Lake's art style brings people back to the '80s and creates the most calming, inviting environment, the perfect setting for such a well-made game. Even the demo version crept into the hearts of players, so there's no telling what the rest of the game holds.
Genesis Noir
Platforms: macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Macintosh operating systems, Xbox One
Released: March 26, 2021
This black and white masterpiece follows the love story of No Man, as he travels the universe searching for his lost love. Genesis Noir is made out of various prompts, where players can interact with their character or the environment by pointing or clicking.
Genesis Noir is as simple as can be but still manages to capture the heart of the player by engaging them in this beautiful story in this unique and abstract environment.
Sable
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Macintosh operating systems
Released: September 23, 2021
Sable is the lovechild of European comics and Japanese animation, which says it all. The graphics and design of the game are very unique and catch the eye of everyone with a love for indie titles. But does the gameplay deliver as much as the design?
The open-world game allows players to explore the deserts and ruins at their own pace, and without limitations. On this journey, players can ride on bikes, climb up the highest walls, and walk through the desert solving puzzles along the way. The protagonist, Sable, can interact with fellow nomads, uncovering secrets on the way. With no combat to stand in the way, players are truly exposed to this slow-paced open-world environment that holds secrets in every nook and cranny.
Solar Ash
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows
Released: December 2, 2021
Players take on the role of "voidrunner" Rei in this bright, neon-colored world in hopes of saving the world. In Solar Ash, Rei can attack enemies along the way, avoid obstacles, and explore the environment in this black hole the game takes place.
The looks of the game are unique, to say the least. The scenery varies from desert themes to full-on neon paradises. The character design is also flawless, Rei, and every other accompanying character are very special in shape, size, color, and everything in between.
The Artful Escape
Platforms: iOS, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Macintosh operating systems
Released: September 9, 2021
The name gives away the best thing about The Artful Escape: the artistic setting. It's so perfectly made, that players will feel like a part of the art in the positively abstract The Artful Escape. The game is the first creation of developer Beethoven & Dinosaur, and quickly caught the eyes of critics and gamers everywhere thanks to its unique style.
It not only contains incredibly well-made environmental elements, but beautiful art, a psychedelic style, and amazing music. The protagonist, Francis Vendetti prepares for his first-ever performance and digs deep into his imagination to figure out his onstage persona. The surreal landscapes of this journey through the mind are accompanied by music that moves with the character, making this a musical journey next to a visual one. The best of both worlds.
Omno
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One
Released: July 28, 2021
Omno was the hobby project of first-time game developer and freelance character animator Jonas Manke (Aka. Studio Inkyfox). The game's simplistic, modern and colorful style makes it look extremely polished and professionally made, which is everything a gamer asks for when diving into an indie game like Omno for the first time. Most people might struggle to believe that the entire game was made by one person.
Omno might be similar to Journey in some ways, which might catch the eye of a player. But this game tells a different story. This open-world game refuses to guide the player, meaning it's all up to them to explore the incredibly wide world of Omno. Just as the creator, we too refuse to share details about the story of the game, leaving it up to the players to explore, and come to conclusions of their own.
Beautiful Indie Games That Might Come Out In 2021 (Or Later)
Dordogne
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Macintosh operating systems
Released: Expected In 2021
This watercolor-style game feels like stepping onto a canvas of a master painter. But apart from the design, the game's story is quite different as well. In Dordogne, players take on the role of 32-year-old Mimi who visits the home of her grandmother after she passes.
Through this visit, Mimi uncovers clues and letters about her past and remembers her childhood. Dordogne does an amazing job submerging the player into the situation of a grieving woman. With the unique illustrations, creators can convey the story on an even deeper level.
Open Roads
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
Released: Expected In 2021
Tess and her mother Opal set out on a road-trip adventure in Open Roads, a uniquely designed heartwarming game. They start the journey to uncover more information about their family. The game does a great job of unfolding a beautiful mother-daughter relationship while exposing the players to amazing scenery.
From what people know about the upcoming game, it seems to be very story-driven, which Fullbright has a talent for, so it certainly won't disappoint. The style of the game is a mix between traditional animation and comic book graphics, and from the looks of it, already feels like home.
Forever Ago
Platforms: Microsoft Windows
Released: TBD
Another road trip game, this time protagonist Alfred journeys north in "search of redemption". Players are given a camera to capture special moments along the way, and everyone will surely overuse this feature because the style of the game and quality of the graphics is jaw-dropping.
The game explores loss and regret as well as hope and friendship in this slow-paced adventure. Alfred can freely explore his environment and interact with people and objects to learn more about the world around him.
Season
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows
Released: TBD
Every frame moves. From the tiniest piece of grass to the speckles in the air, the environment breathes throughout the game Season. The game is meditative, to say the least, and everyone deserves to relax once in a while. In 2021, Scavenger Studio invites players on a bicycle road trip in this almost too perfect world.
The journey is seen from the eyes of a young woman who leaves a secluded community for the first time in her life, exploring the world around her. Players have the freedom to document every step of the way through drawing, taking photographs, or writing their thoughts and experiences. But it's not just a slow-paced bike journey in foreign terrains. Along the way, players can discover new societies, artifacts, and memories, piecing together the mystery that surrounds this feel-good game.