The award-winning animation studio, Studio Ghibli, is responsible for classics like My Neighbor Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, and Spirited Away, which is widely considered one of the greatest animated films of all time. For those who aren't familiar with its work, Studio Ghibli often balances difficult themes with charming and lighthearted storytelling, emphasizing familial relationships and harmony with nature. Like Pixar movies, Studio Ghibli films have something to offer all ages.
Whether someone is a fan of Studio Ghibli movies for their animation, creative and whimsical stories, or both, there are a lot of video games out there that can evoke a similar feeling. Indie titles in particular have a knack for combining artistic appeal with creative and symbolic storytelling. Studio Ghibli has an enormous impact on storytelling and animation, and its significance has affected video games as much as film. For fans looking to live a Studio Ghibli experience through a video game, there are a good few options to start with.
Updated on April 13, 2022 by Ritwik Mitra: Studio Ghibli has consistently been at the forefront of animating spectacular films that have become popular for obvious reasons. The amazing art styles and storyboards of their movies are without compare, making each one of these titles truly incredible. It wouldn't be surprising if people would want such stories and visuals to be replicated in the realm of video gaming as well, which is where the following games come into play.
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Breath of the Wild can be either a really relaxing game or a harrowing adventure as players strive to survive against the powerful enemies present in the game. In a way, that's perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli who love their charming and emotional movies.
It helps that Breath of the Wild is one of the best games ever made, easing players into its gameplay through clever design all across the board. There's a reason why so many fans can't wait for its sequel to come out.
Dragon Quest 11: Echoes Of An Elusive Age
Dragon Quest 11 is the latest chapter in a long-running JRPG series that wasn't really all that popular in the West a while ago. However, the release of this title has definitely changed that notion and compelled players to check this series out for themselves.
The accessible gameplay and charming characters of Dragon Quest 11 are some of the strongest parts of the overall experience. It helps that the grinding in his game is minimal, making the flow of the game smoother and more exciting.
Stardew Valley
Speaking of games that are pretty endearing, it would be hard to not mention Stardew Valley in the conversation. This simulation title features a bunch of unique mechanics that are a joy to interact with.
Whether it be farming or befriending others, Stardew Valley has more than enough content to keep players occupied throughout this amazing journey. It's easy to see how people manage to sink so many hours into this amazing experience.
Terraria
With a great 2D aesthetic and brilliant gameplay loops, Terraria makes for a pretty entertaining game indeed. Aside from the action-heavy moments in the game, it's surprising just how peaceful this game can be when it gets a chance to breathe.
Harvesting resources and flexing one's creative muscles makes for a really enjoyable time in Terraria. It's an excellent title that fans of survival and crafting games should check out.
Ori And The Blind Forest
Metroidvanias have become all the rage ever since the indie gaming scene has taken off. So many developers have creative ideas around this genre that trying to choose one of the many stylish Metroidvania's around can be pretty challenging, at times.
Ori and the Blind Forest will wow players with its amazing visuals before the story serves a massive gut punch that serves as a great motivation to see this game all the way to the very end. It's an amazing title that fans of Studio Ghibli films will absolutely adore.
Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is one of the most obvious games to play for any Studio Ghibli fan. Originally released on the PS3, the title was re-released on the Switch in 2019. The game is beautifully animated because it was made in collaboration with Studio Ghibli. The art style is very reminiscent of the studio's iconic films, which shouldn't come as any surprise all things considered.
The story is very Ghibli-esque as well. In it, a young boy named Oliver sets out on an epic journey in a magical world to save his mother, encountering friends and familiars along the way. Not every Ni No Kuni game was animated by Studio Ghibli, the only other one being Dominion of the Dark Djinn, but most of them contain artwork and storylines that would not be out of place in one of the studio's films. The entire series is a must-play for any hardcore Studio Ghibli fan.
Behind The Frame
Behind the Frame is a gorgeous indie title released in July 2021 by Silver Lining Studio, after making quite the impact at 2021's Day of the Devs. In this cozy puzzle game, players use painting mechanics to progress and discover the painter's story through a series of related moments that play out in cutscenes. Players can also sketch, compose emails, and cook as they soak in this animated title.
While Studio Ghibli has nothing to do with Behind the Frame, it's hard not to see the similarities in the art style right away. The animation is clearly inspired by the iconic aesthetic, and its simple, yet emotional story of an artist working to complete her painting parallels the intimacy a lot of Studio Ghibli films have. Behind the Frame feels warm and inviting, but simultaneously hangs on to an air of mystery just like Ghibli films.
What Remains Of Edith Finch
What Remains of Edith Finch is a magical and immersive game about the tragic history of the Finch family. Edith narrates a linear journey through her old house. Through various themed vignettes, the player learns how each member of the Finch family died. Rumor has it that the family is cursed because all but Edith died in outlandish freak accidents, and even though this sounds like it should be dark and violent, What Remains of Edith Finch is one of the most creative and magical experiences out there because of the way it handles its premise.
Despite the morbid potential, What Remains of Edith Finch is subtle and tasteful. There are dark and sobering moments, but it's not gruesome or gratuitous, it instead focuses on the importance of family. Similarly, Studio Ghibli isn't afraid to tackle difficult subjects like loss and grief in its films. Films like When Marnie Was There and Grave of the Fireflies tackle mature and intense subjects, sometimes getting very dark. However, like Edith Finch, these mature subjects are dealt with in creative ways that are accessible for most age groups.
Concrete Genie
Concrete Genie is a bright and beautiful coming-of-age story about Ash, a bullied teenager, using artwork and magical "genies" he creates to save his hometown. Concrete Genie explores the magic of self-expression through Ash's artwork, and every player's game will look different depending on what they create. It's bright, colorful, and very heartwarming.
On the other hand, Concrete Genie casts a spotlight on bullying and uses the genies to highlight Ash's loneliness. Similar to Studio Ghibli characters like Totoro, the genies are magical creatures that represent something deeper. Concrete Genie is another title that balances a cute aesthetic with deeper storytelling, which is what Studio Ghibli does so well. Concrete Genie also has spooky moments that almost feel reminiscent of Spirited Away.
Okami
Okami is a stunning game that draws on Japanese mythology and folklore to tell the story of the Japanese sun goddess Amaterasu. In the form of a legendary wolf, Amaterasu must prevent the demon Orochi from destroying her homeland. Okami is known for its unique art style, which draws inspiration from traditional Japanese ink art and watercolors. The effect is incredibly unique, uniquely striking, and just as memorable as any Studio Ghibli animation.
Just like many Studio Ghibli movies, Okami tells a magical story inspired by Japanese art and culture. It also highlights the importance of living in harmony with nature - a theme the studio frequently explores. The artwork styles are very different, but fans of Studio Ghibli will appreciate the beautiful story and attention to detail in the animation. Okami was originally released on the PS2, but is now available on Steam, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.