We are often warned to judge a book by its cover, and it is absolutely true. Those who are shallow enough to do this often miss out on a lot of inner beauty and substance. Still, there are games that look so stunning that a single screenshot or a few seconds of trailer is all it takes to get you invested.
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These games may not look like it – in fact, they're a little ugly – but the gameplay is so good that you'll love them.
But tragically, some stunning games don't get the love at first sight they deserve. There are always great games that fly under the radar, and we highlight some that, through no fault of their own, have done just that.
Neva
If you have heard of Neva, you should try it
Nomad Studios Gris was first released in 2018, a celebrated platformer with beautiful hand-drawn visuals and an equally amazing soundtrack. The game brings both of these elements together in the central mechanic of singing and how it can bring life and fresh colors back to the world it disappeared from. Six years later, the studio returned with Neva, a game that doesn't seem to attract the same level of fanfare.
The story revolves around a young woman, Alba, and her wolf companion (the titular Neva). The title embraces a similar dreamlike, fluid aesthetic, in which a lush and colorful world is disrupted by a force that manifests as dark, shadowy enemies that the duo must defeat. The combat is not the most fundamental, but it has its own style, and the passage of time is reflected in the change of seasons, which smoothly change the color palette of the world during the game. It may be somewhat short-lived, but the wonderful animations and art do Neva the thrill of watching in motion.
Gravity Rush
A colorful and chaotic cacophony
The PlayStation Vita was a pretty formidable system when it arrived (first in Japan in 2011), with its primary weakness being that it lacked major exclusives. One great Vita-only title, until its remaster a few years later, was Gravity Rush. The unique concept took full advantage of the system's capabilities to guide Kat through the city of Hekseville and the surrounding areas of the World Pillar through her control of gravity. The touchscreen controls are particularly prominent on the Vita version, with maneuvers involving twisting and shaking with the gravity-reversing system and direct evasive moves in combat via touch.
The executioner looks great and is slightly chaotic to control, and this, along with the heavy action focus of the game, complements the art style. There is an instantly identifiable look Gravity Rush, and it works so well. It fits the stylized approach perfectly, and it's a shame that the future of the franchise hangs in the balance. 2017's PS4 sequel Gravity Rush 2, it could be the end of the line.
BloodRayne: Betrayal
Brutal, stylish brawler
Hack and slash titles and rioters lend themselves so well to a stylized, over-the-top look. It really kicks up the action and makes every punch feel that much more alive. BloodRayne: Betrayal she is very aware of this and uses her gorgeous 2D art to great effect. The BloodRayne games are well known for their gore and high-octane action (as well as the beloved vampire Rayn), and although Betrayal was a very different direction for the franchise, it did a fantastic job of keeping it going.
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Originally released in 2011 for the Xbox 360 and PS3, the game was reborn a full decade later as BloodRayne: Betrayal – Fresh Bites. It is the story of the conflict between Rayne and Kagan, her formidable father, whose castle the Dhampir is fighting to infiltrate and destroy. Castlevania-esque fashion. The remastered version tried to address some of the gripes with the original game, most notably the frustrating difficulty, but it didn't set the gaming world on fire in either iteration. Nevertheless, the health mechanics and fast and responsive action keep it engaging for fans of the genre. Needless to say, it also looks grotesquely beautiful.
East
We push pixel art to its limits
Indie developers have certainly had a penchant for pixel art in recent years. But that doesn't mean the style doesn't still look incredible when used effectively. East presents the story of John and his adopted daughter Sam, who become involved in the mystery of a certain Miasma that threatens the world. In some ways, it's a fairly traditional RPG with an engaging combat system and a classic focus on city exploration. Whether you're fighting in real time (controlling the pan) or talking to the locals, a great thing to East how alive his world is.
The visuals are rich in detail with effects layered over 2D pixel art to really accentuate each character and enemy animation, each with their own unique personality and bizarre details. It's a world you'll want to stop to take in every inch of as you travel east on your remarkable train.
Cut steel
A beauty you'll wish you had more time to admire
In an FPS, there isn't much time to focus on smaller details. A developer may lovingly create small details on, say, an office desk, but as you make your way through the building, you'll probably never even notice them. IN Cut steelthen the most impressive details and effects are part of the action itself.
The interior environment has something of a futuristic metal vibe to them that could potentially feel a bit samey and uninspiring. However, this is on purpose so that every stylish window smash, flash of bright neon lights and color explosion draws the eye as much as possible. The game has a relentless energy and all this is reflected in the amazing effects on the screen.
Pedestrian
At first glance, the year 2021 Pedestrian visually, he looks… well, pedestrian. The environments look realistic and ordinary, with street scenes, office spaces and other everyday places. However, you soon realize that these backgrounds are where the action of the game takes place. You'll want to look closer as some of the details of life play out in stunning detail against these dioramas, but if you do, you'll lose focus on what really matters here: the puzzles in the foreground panels.
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The contrast of the simplistic visuals of the leading people in these panels against the background world is incredible. Snookum Arts has really created something special here, and the transition between these panels as you guide the characters between them is a work of art in itself. Pedestrian it ramps up in difficulty quickly, and beginners could use some guidance at times, but it's never anything less than transfixing.
The Pathless
Create your own beautiful path
The Pathless they share a lot in common The Ori and the Blind Forest. While it's more of an open-world adventure than a Metroidvania like Ori's Journey, it also explores the tragedy of a very unnatural calamity that befalls the natural world and the quest to bring some light and hope back to a seemingly doomed forest.
The goal The Pathless is for great visuals that tell and drive a story, and they do it very well. The bond between the protagonist and their winged companion is generally unspoken; taking control of the duo means embracing a freedom and agility that many open-world titles lack. The best visual and sound design can touch the player's heart without the need for lengthy dialogue and exposition, and the wild, bright colors of fire and mischief here, contrasted with the calm, earthy tones of the surrounding forest, really emphasize that.
Sable
An experience to think about
Some players absolutely revel in such an experience Way. If you're looking to get carried away by non-stop action, you're in the wrong place, but for a slow, thoughtful, philosophical slow-burner, it doesn't get much better. Sable is cut from a similar cloth, a game that may not have received a proper shake-up when it launched in September 2021, as it was plagued with a lot of technical problems. However, the concept remains interesting and is truly a wonder to behold.
Sable, the young protagonist, embarks on The Gliding, a journey that members of the Ibexii clan of a certain age take part in. It's basically their elaborate way of choosing a career, and it encourages open world travel in the purest sense. Your goal is simply to get there and travel the world, and Sable has a nifty little ride for that. Traveling around a rather desolate planet in your vehicle, with everything so highly stylized, feels like traveling through the planet in the original. Border. The gameplay, which consists of light platforming and travel, makes it a real slow-burner that can be frustrating. However, for players who appreciate this kind of title, it can be just as captivating as it looks. Open world games are all about immersion and this one does a great job at that too.
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