Top 10 Games with Unique Art Styles You Must Play

In today's gaming sector, developers consistently challenge the limits of innovation. Although numerous games combine different styles, truly distinct art styles are a rare find that easily catches one's eye. These games capture players' attention with their originality and artistic vision through the creative use of color, unique character designs, or groundbreaking visual storytelling.

Unique art styles in games are defined by their ability to stand out visually and create a distinct aesthetic that differentiates them from other games. This can be achieved through several key elements:

1. Innovative Use of Color: Games with interesting art styles use bold, unconventional color palettes to evoke emotions, highlight important elements, and create a distinct visual identity.
2. Distinctive Character Game Designs: Memorable character designs include exaggerated features, unique proportions, or creative costumes to make characters easily recognizable.
3. Imaginative Environments: Unique art styles featuring imaginative environments follow surreal landscapes to detailed cities.
4. Groundbreaking Visual Storytelling: The game narrative is told through stylized metaphors in flowing images, symbolic expressions, and cinematic views.
5. Artistic Influences: Games frequently borrow something from impressionism, surrealism, and pop art, among many other stylistic trends in art, forming its general visual image.

Games that successfully combine these elements create a cohesive and compelling visual experience that captivates players and leaves a lasting impression. The art styles for games can significantly influence how players perceive and enjoy the game, making these unique and interesting art styles essential for creating memorable gaming experiences.

Certain games stand out for their extraordinary visual creativity and artistic innovation. Below, we name the top 10 games with the best art styles, exploring their essence, unique visuals, and the studios behind their creation.

In 2006, Capcom released Ōkami, an exceptional action-adventure game developed by Clover Studio for the PlayStation 2. Drawing from fictionalized Classical Japan, known as "Nippon," the videogame follows the tale of Amaterasu, a Shinto sun deity who turns into a white wolf and fights to protect the land against darkness. Leveling off Japanese mythology and folklore, it's a game that draws you into its world.
Probably the biggest factors that make Ōkami stand out are its sumi-e-inspired cel-shaded visual style, bringing a game to life like a moving painting, and yet another twist on style infused into the gameplay is the Celestial Brush. It is a gesture-based system to perform in-game miracles. Originally having intended realistic graphics for the title, Clover Studio opted for the use of cel-shading to lighten processing load constraints on the PlayStation 2.

Source: https://store.steampowered.com/app/587620/Okami_HD/

Despite initial poor sales, Ōkami earned critical acclaim, including IGN's 2006 Game of the Year. Its art and gameplay have gained a loyal following, especially through its remastered versions on multiple platforms. People love Ōkami for its artistic beauty, innovative gameplay, and the immersive world it creates, making it a benchmark for best art style games.

In Hades, you play as Zagreus, the rebellious son of Hades, trying to escape the Underworld to reach Mount Olympus. Along the way, you get help from Olympian gods who grant you awesome abilities to fight off enemies and bosses.

The video game art style is just stunning. The game showcases hand-drawn 2D graphics that make the Underworld and its inhabitants come alive. Every deity and opponent is depicted with a lively, expressive style that puts a contemporary spin on traditional Greek mythology. The detailed and atmospheric settings provide an immersive experience. Rich colors and dynamic lighting improve the visuals, while smooth animations create a fluid and responsive combat experience.

Source: https://tasta.me/review-hades-158d6be93ce1

Supergiant Games, known for Bastion and Transistor, developed Hades. It was released in Early Access in 2018, officially launching in 2020 on PC and Switch, before eventually being released on PlayStation and Xbox. The devs worked closely with the community to polish the game, and it shows. The mix of rogue-like gameplay and engaging narrative won it tons of Game of the Year awards. This dedication to visual detail places Hades among the video games with best art style.

Cult of the Lamb, developed by Massive Monster and published by Devolver Digital, is a fascinating blend of base management and action roguelite that works incredibly well together. Released in August 2022, the game puts you in the role of a possessed lamb. Being saved from sacrifice by a mysterious stranger you are given the power to form a cult in his name. As the cult leader, you gather resources, build structures, perform dark rituals, and recruit new followers to strengthen your flock and fight against rival cult leaders.

The art style is a mix of cute and creepy. The game features hand-drawn, 2D graphics with a cartoonish look to which artists with unique styles added a sinister twist. The video game characters and environments within the video game are richly detailed with vivid coloring that has led to some very expressive animation, bringing its dark humor full circle.

Source: https://nordic.ign.com/cult-of-the-lamb/59099/review/cult-of-the-lamb-review

Critics and players love Cult of the Lamb for its captivating art style and fun gameplay. The game nails the combo of base-building and dungeon-crawling, making it super satisfying to play. The combat is fun, even if the short runs and limited variety don’t give it the same replay value as some other roguelikes. Fans appreciate the creative art direction, smooth animations, and the depth of its cult management and combat systems. Cult of the Lamb has quickly built a loyal following, getting props for its originality and visual flair.

Cuphead has been a huge success among gamers for its merciless difficulty, beautiful graphics, and retro feel. By September 2017, it had cemented its place as one of the most challenging run-and-gun-platformers and relentless boss battles. As much as it had been punishing in some respect, players loved the kind of thrill and satisfaction one could get by finally beating that tough level. There's a game that remains dear to all players craving challenges.

Today, Cuphead can be played on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Cuphead is a passion project developed by Studio MDHR. Its plot takes after its main protagonists, Cuphead and his sibling Mugman, as they get into trouble with the devil and must go on a quest to repay their debt to him. Story levels occur in the form of difficult stages with epic boss battles that challenge the player in terms of both skills and strategies.

Source: https://www.gameinformer.com/games/cuphead/b/xboxone/archive/2017/10/02/cuphead-review-tempest-in-a-teacup.aspx

Inspired by 1930s cartoons, the game features hand-drawn, frame-by-frame animation. The vibrant watercolor backgrounds and jazzy soundtrack add old-school charm. The devs focused on authenticity, drawing and inking every frame by hand before coloring them digitally. This dedication makes Cuphead feel like a classic cartoon from the Fleischer or Disney golden era. The smooth, expressive character animations and richly detailed environments make it stand out among video games with unique art styles.

Bendy and the Ink Machine plunges you into the eerie world of an abandoned animation studio. The plot follows Henry, a retired animator, an animated studio's former animator who gets an invitation from his old boss, Joey Drew, after retiring. As Henry explores the studio, he uncovers dark secrets and encounters nightmarish creations brought to life by the studio's ink machine.

The first chapter of Bendy and the Ink Machine was released in February 2017 by Joey Drew Studios Inc. with the following chapters, finishing up with the full release in October 2018. The cool gaming artwork is one of its most captivating features. It uses a distinctive 1930s cartoon aesthetic, reminiscent of the early days of animation. The art style of Bendy and the Ink Machine uses cel-shading techniques to achieve the appearance of old cartoons, along with 3D modeling for an immersive environment. Ink is not only the central theme used for telling but also drenched in game design.

Source: https://store.steampowered.com/app/622650/Bendy_and_the_Ink_Machine/

Critics and players alike have been overwhelmingly praising Bendy and the Ink Machine for its innovative art style, engaging plot, and atmospheric tension. Fans appreciated how the game can evoke some nostalgia while delivering something new and frightening in its way. People have become fond of mixing horror with problem-solving; Bendy has become an iconic figure in indie gaming.

Monument Valley 2, developed by Ustwo Games, was released in June 2017. You can play it on iOS, Android, and Windows platforms. This puzzle adventure game builds on the success of its predecessor, offering new challenges and a fresh story.

In Monument Valley 2, you lead a mother and her child through enchanting, architectural scenery. In this strange world shaped by game-like unnatural objects and visual trickery, you must solve puzzles and top off each level with increasingly baffling cunning. The story is touching and artfully told, revolving around motherhood, growth, and discovery.

Source: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1927740/Monument_Valley_2_Panoramic_Edition/

The game uses isometric graphics to create the illusion of 3D objects on a 2D surface. This allows for unique visual tricks and challenging obstacles. Smooth and fluid animation enhances interactions with the environment, making them feel natural and rewarding. Each level is detailed and balanced, crafted to be a visual masterpiece. This makes Monument Valley 2 stand out among indie games with unique art styles.

In Sable, you get to be Sable, a young girl on a journey across vast deserts and ancient ruins in this open-world adventure. The game is about her rite of passage called "the Gliding." You explore beautiful landscapes, solve puzzles, and uncover the secrets of a fallen civilization. It's a chill and personal story about self-discovery that draws you in.

Sable’s art style is what grabs you right away. It's got this hand-drawn, minimalist look inspired by Moebius and Studio Ghibli. The game features a unique visual style with bold lines, flat colors, and an emphasis on lighting and shadow to create depth. Game artists combined cel-shading and a high frame rate to achieve smooth, fluid animations complementing their artistic vision.

Source: https://www.polygon.com/reviews/22715435/sable-review-raw-fury-shedworks-open-world-adventure

Sable, developed by Shedworks and published by Raw Fury, was launched in September 2021. Critics praised the game for its unique artwork, emotional narrative, and immersive environment. Its laid-back, adventurous gameplay and the emotional complexity of its story have received high acclaim.

The dark and grotesque visual style of Little Nightmares sets it apart. It is most akin to a surreal, slightly Tim Burtonesque quality, but through detailed environments and character designs that blend the grotesque with the fantastical. Muted colors, dramatic lighting, and exaggerated proportions—on an eerie enchantment—consume their visuals. Smooth animations and meticulous details enhance the immersive experience.

The plot follows Six, a small girl in a raincoat, trapped in a mysterious place called The Maw. She navigates this disturbing world, evading grotesque monsters and solving environmental puzzles to escape. The narrative unfolds through the environment and visual storytelling, with each area revealing more about The Maw’s dark nature. The minimalist storytelling leaves much to the player's interpretation, adding to the game's haunting feel.

Source: https://tarsier.se/games/little-nightmares/

Developed by Tarsier Studios and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, Little Nightmares hit the market in April 2017. The game won praise from reviewers for its distinctive art style and the atmosphere it created. It also won numerous awards for visual design and horror elements. Its ability to generate terror creates a real sense of tension in players and experts alike. This game is truly different from all other horror titles because of its ability to make you quiver before you even start playing thanks to fascinating art as well as sound design. The success of Little Nightmares led to a sequel and cemented its place among visually distinctive video games with cool art styles.

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker uses cel-shading to give it a vibrant, cartoon-like look, which was bold and different at the time. The bright colors, expressive characters, and detailed environments make the world feel alive and immersive. Plus, the dynamic lighting and weather effects add a nice touch, making the vast ocean and islands look enchanting.

In Wind Waker, players control Link as he seeks to save his sister and defeat the villain Ganon. The game includes traditional Zelda features such as dungeon exploration, puzzle solving, and enemy combat, along with a fun new sailing aspect. You journey over a vast sea, uncovering new islands, riches, and mysteries. The tale is filled with unforgettable characters and grand scenes, which has made it beloved by numerous Zelda enthusiasts.

Source: https://wccftech.com/the-legend-of-zelda-wind-waker-twilight-princess-switch/

Wind Waker was developed and published by Nintendo and was first released on the GameCube in 2002. Owing to its cel-shaded graphics, at first, some people had a few reservations regarding the way it looked; however, this was quickly accepted since it was also expressive, though above all, fun to play. It has affirmed many awards and is often noted in very short lists of the finest games ever made.

Clash: Artifacts of Chaos features a vibrant, comic book-like art style with hand-painted textures and dynamic lighting. The detailed environments and unique character designs blend fantasy and surreal elements, creating a visually striking experience.

The plot follows Pseudo, a martial artist in the world of Zenozoik. Pseudo embarks on a quest to protect the Boy, a creature with powerful artifacts that various factions desire. The story unfolds through encounters with different characters and enemies, exploring themes of survival and power.

Source: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1430680/Clash_Artifacts_of_Chaos/

Developed by ACE Team and published by Nacon, Clash: Artifacts of Chaos was released in March 2022. The title has received positive feedback for its unique visuals, exciting combat, and colorful world. Both critics and players alike join in their praise of the fast action, strategic elements, and captivating plot that set this game apart within the action/adventure genre.

In the ever-evolving gaming world, developers are pushing the boundaries of creativity, delivering captivating experiences. From the hand-drawn beauty of Ōkami to the minimalist elegance of Limbo, these best artstyle games showcase incredible diversity and innovation.

As technology advances and artistic techniques evolve, art style video games continue to offer new and exciting visual experiences. These games with style set new standards for what video games can achieve artistically.

If you're looking to create a game with a unique and captivating art style, reach out to Argentics. Our studio can bring your vision to life. Become the new standard!