Mobile games shouldn't be left out when talking about some of the most aesthetically pleasing games. These games are visually and musically appealing with compelling stories and exciting gameplay. They are those games where players can't resist taking screenshots and videos of their experience.
Although most puzzle and story-based mobile games don't take long to complete, they do pack a punch when it comes to making players feel aesthetically pleased. Monument Valley is one of the most popular indie mobile games, but it's not the only one that delivers a wondrous adventure.
10 Monument Valley
Monument Valley is an immersive puzzle game about a silent princess named Ida. Players need to guide Ida through obstacles made of whimsical optical illusions. The architecture is stunningly crafted with eye-catching color combinations with a soothing, minimalist art style. The audio adds to the meditative atmosphere with sounds that react as players make changes to the landscape. The game is filled with gorgeous monuments like temples and palaces.
9 Gris
Gris is just as mesmerizing on phones as it is on PC or console. Playing Gris is like diving into a painting where you flow with the artist's brush strokes. Like the movement of her dress when jumping and the watercolor in the background, the game calmly flows.
This watercolor-inspired game uses light, magical architecture, and natural elements like water and trees for platforming. Players play through different chapters focused on different color palettes and her emotional experience.
8 The Mooseman
The ancient myths from the Chud' tribe say that the world was built with an egg-shell by a god named Yen. In Mooseman, players play as a unique character who can see things an everyday person can't. The Mooseman, the character has the same name as the game, has to visit three different layers of the universe to find artifacts and solve finno-Ugric mysteries.
Along the way, players will meet mythological gods and spirits in a chilly atmosphere surrounded by Komi folk music from upper Russia. The dim, dark setting creates the perfect environment for a mystery.
7 Bad North
Bad North is a real-time rogue-lite game where players need to position their troops to fight against the Vikings on beautifully designed islands. Players need to be tactical when commanding the soldiers to guard and fight. If players end up losing too many troops or the commander, it will be a fatal blow. Each island is charming varying in colors and shapes, but they get drenched in blood, which makes it a bit grim.
6 Under the Leaves
Under Leaves looks like it's an art piece because it's actually a collection of hand-drawn watercolor art of foliage and animals. It's a simple game where players need to find hidden creatures in jungles and ocean depths. This game takes players around the world to different habitats to make discoveries in new places. Each of the 9 locations introduces local animals and plants that have their individual color schemes. Not to mention, the animals are adorable.
5 Florence
This story-rich, slice-of-life game about Florence Yeoh, a person stuck in her unsatisfying daily routine. She's 25 years old with a dull life consisting of work, sleep, and social media. She meets a cellist named Krish who completely changes her perspective of the world, he sweeps her off her feet.
Florence takes players through intimate episodes of their relationship like when they first started talking when they cook together, and when they fight. The gameplay feels like an interactive comic book with delightful illustrations.
4 Sky: Children Of The Light
Sky: Children of the Light was an obvious choice for this since it is created by the makers of Journey, an incredibly atmospheric game. Sky doesn't fail to impress. This game takes you through a journey to restore the kingdom called Sky. You need to soar in search of fallen Stars to restore constellations to bring back to the kingdom and restore hope for the land. This magical game is filled with spirits, fantastical realms, and treasures. It's a social adventure game so 2 people can explore together in this tale about finding the light in the dark times.
3 The Gardens Between
Two friends Arina and Frendt are adventurers in their imaginative gardens filled with memorable things from their childhood. It's a lively puzzle game that looks like a pop-up storybook about a playful journey. The puzzle islands are set up like a pop-up storybook. To solve the puzzles, players need to manipulate time and reach the top of the island. Since the story is about growing up and friendships, the gameplay fits the story really well. However, The Gardens Between is more of an entertaining game rather than being story-rich because the game is focused on puzzle-solving.
2 The Almost Gone
The Almost Gone is an emotional story about life, death, and loneliness. This game is about piecing together the story that led to the character's fate. Objects you find in this suburban world reveal memories and clues that lead to answers. Players explore the streets, hospitals, apartments, forests, and other areas for information that will reveal what is really going on. This detective-like game's design is minimalist with appealing color arrangements that work well with its isometric architecture.
1 Opus: Rocket Of Whispers
Opus: Rocket of Whispers is the sequel of the well-received Opus: The Day We Found Earth mobile game. This post-apocalyptic story takes place on a snowy winter where only two people remain alive. The story takes the two through ruins and wastelands to find resources to build a rocket as a space burial for the fallen people. The charming art is amplified by atmospheric sounds, yet the chilling tales of the deceased remind that this is a sad game. Everything eventually comes together to tell a heartwarming story.