The gaming industry has come a long way since its inception, as evident by the advancement in the visual department of most big-budget titles. Although the graphical achievements of the gaming medium are something to marvel at, what makes a game truly visually appealing is its art style. There have been many game releases in recent years that showcased amazing art styles and won the approval of players worldwide.
These games may not have had the biggest budgets, but they are bound to leave a mark on players with their striking environments, intricate character designs, and contrasting color schemes. These critically acclaimed games have the best art styles that fans should dive into at least once.
6 Octopath Traveler
Square Enix's Octopath Traveler is a unique RPG that masterfully blends 2D 16-bit pixilated characters with polygonal 3D environments to present a gorgeous gameplay experience. Octopath Traveler puts focus on eight different travelers, each with their own past, paths, and goals. Players have the freedom to forge their own path by teaming up with the travelers they deem fit.
Each character adds to the game in different ways, making the game highly replayable. The charming backgrounds, combined with the pixilated art are a joy to experience making Octopath Traveler a truly eccentric RPG. The game has a Metascore of 83 for the Nintendo Switch.
5 Pokemon Black and White
Nintendo's famous monster-catching IP, Pokemon, has had several entries over the years that deserve appraisal for their art styles, but none stand out like Pokemon Black & White. The generation 5 games were arguably some of the best entries in the franchise to date in terms of design and plot. Pokemon Black & White were also the final entries in the franchise to retain a 2D pixilated art style combined with environments rendered in 3D.
The series has never looked more alive in 2D than with these entries, thanks in part to the pixilated in-game animations, the Pokemon designs, and the incorporation of seasonal changes. These games also had a more mature storyline, rarely seen in Pokemon games. Pokemon Black & White received a Metascore of 87 for the Nintendo DS.
4 Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Developed by Moon Studios, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a gorgeous Metroidvania title with a breathtaking art style. The game serves as a sequel to Ori and the Blind Forest and takes the franchise to new heights by overhauling its 2D art style with a brand new 3D look. The game continues the narrative from the previous title and sees the spirit Ori embark on a journey to heal the broken land of Niwen and fulfill his destiny.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps boasts impressive 3D environments with beautiful effects and detailed character designs that shine throughout the game. The game has a Metascore of 93 for the Nintendo Switch.
3 Celeste
Celeste is a puzzle platformer created by the indie developer Matt Makes Games and puts players in the shoes of a young girl named Madeline as she seeks to conquer the Celeste mountain and let go of her fears. Celeste's art style is reminiscent of the classic era of 2D platformers with its pixilated graphics. The atmospheric color palate also does an excellent job of making the game look incredible.
Celeste is a relatively simple game with familiar mechanics, but the efforts of the developers succeed in making it an addictive adventure. Despite being a hard climb, the platforming never gets boring as each level is designed to keep players intrigued. Celeste received a Metascore of 91 for the PlayStation 4.
2 Cuphead
Studio MDHR's Cuphead is a 2D run-and-gun game that follows Cuphead and his brother Mugman on their journey to pay off their debts. Soon after its release, Cuphead received critical acclaim and became a worldwide sensation among gamers. The game's art style takes heavy inspiration from the cartoons of the 1930s which is what makes this shooter stand out from the rest.
Cuphead is a game brimming with passion and style, as each of its stages is carefully and artistically designed to keep players engaged and entertained. The character design, enemy variety, and all the animation in between are a treat for the eyes, that succeed in keeping players hooked, despite the difficulty level of the game. Cuphead received a Metascore of 86 for the PlayStation 4.
1 Persona 5 Royal
Style thy name is Persona 5 Royal with its striking red and black theme, beautiful anime-inspired visuals, unique character designs, text that mimics the style of comics, intricate menus, and so, so much more. Atlus' Persona 5 Royal became an international sensation, marking a new high for the JRPG genre and revitalizing the Persona franchise as a whole.
The game puts players in the shoes of a transfer student, who soon after arriving in Tokyo has to save the world from an otherworldly threat, all the while maintaining good grades and a decent social status. Part life simulator, part dungeon crawler, Persona 5 Royal is a game worthy of attention as it will not take long for players to find themselves completely enveloped in its gorgeous art style. The game has a Metascore of 95 for the PlayStation 4.