In our current era of video games, more and more games manage to reach high levels of realism. Given the technology, games can even be mistaken for actual photos, in some cases. But there's only so far you can go in pursuit of realism. You can't look more real than real life. The same can not be said for games that choose to throw realism out the window.
That may mean Pixar-level 3D graphics, Fleischer-inspired 2D animation, or something completely different. Like, have you seen Harold Halibut? When developers go for a non-realistic look, the only limit is their imagination. Below are some of the very best examples.
Updated January 27, 2023, by Lucas Olah: As time goes on, more and more games fit this list. The lack of realism has many appeals to the public, as well as the developers that can do impossible things with their work. It was time to increase this list with more entries, games that pushed realism aside to do what they do best: let imagination run wild through their world and the ways in which they visualize them.
16 Spyro Reignited Trilogy
Spyro the Dragon has been around for quite some time now, and its beautiful graphics have mostly been a quality of the series, despite its ups and downs.
With that said, The original trilogy was put to another level now that we have better hardware for such things, adding unique designs even for side characters, and creating a plethora of worlds that are both fascinating and as alive as they have ever been.
15 Unravel
Unravel gives us a wonderful mix of realism and fantasy. Its human characters do present realistic features, and they even go as far as using real photos for things such as frames, but it's all mixed with our woolderful protagonist (sorry about that one).
And, if you feel like adding someone else to your adventure, the sequel Unravel Two offers cooperative multiplayer.
14 It Takes Two
Another game that toys around with the line between realism and fantasy, It Takes Two still offers a very different kind of adventure, with 3D exploration and integrated multiplayer - in fact, this game is exclusively multiplayer, similar to A Way Out, which is from the same developers.
It's also an interesting option for those who seek narrative adventures in their games, with some good themes spread throughout it - but hey, no spoilers here.
13 Overcooked 2
There seems to be a pattern between non-realism and multiplayer. Overcooked 2 - actually, the whole Overcooked series - is as beautiful as it is frenetic. Your job here is to make as many dishes as possible, as well as make sure you don't burn anything in the process.
It's pretty straightforward, but its quality is all over the place. You'll love it as much as you'll hate the person you're playing with, as you all attempt to synchronize things as best as possible.
12 MediEvil
Another old gem remade for current generations, and quite the cult classic this time around, MediEvil features many different areas as you venture to save the kingdom of Gallowmere as the undead loser Sir Daniel Fortesque.
Though the original was better at the creepy factor, the remake made everything look stunning, with a Tim Burton vibe to the aesthetic and characters. A good choice for those who like to explore the worlds they venture into.
11 Terraria
Pixelated games are one of the oldest and most beautiful art styles for video games. And sure, older hardware didn't have much of a choice in the matter, but now many developers can use this style for the pure passion of it. Enter Terraria.
A magnificent 2D world of exploration awaits you here, showing an iconic art style to go with its gameplay. It's fitting, and the game is very easy on the eyes, making it quite a relaxing experience.
10 Okami
Okami's cel-shaded art style draws heavily from sumi-e, a style of Chinese ink brush painting that migrated to Japan in the 14th century. Though the game originally had a more realistic style, it adopted this more expressionistic look in order to better optimize its processing for the PS2.
The art style also shines in menus and UI, as well as having to paint objects in order to recreate them in the game itself, which helps you on your journey. Most importantly, adopting an art style that goes back hundreds of years in Japan helps to create harmony with the game's story, which centers on Japanese mythology.
9 Ratchet And Clank: Rift Apart
If you ever wanted to play a Pixar movie, this is the closest a game has ever come. Well, without actually being a Pixar property, that is. From all the way back to the PlayStation 2, Ratchet & Clank is a popular shooter series with platforming elements.
The development team at Insomniac has always prioritized graphical polish, without emphasizing graphical realism. The look of Ratchet & Clank's characters is amazing and, in some cases, they look like what you would imagine a realistic alien would look like. The cartoony style is a great fit for the series' creative weapons, too.
8 Cuphead
Inspired by the early golden age of animation, Cuphead is famous for its art style (and difficulty, but that's a different conversation). The art was done by hand, just like the cartoons of old, and the dedication paid off.
From the basic enemies you face while running and gunning to elaborate boss fights, which often progress through two, or even three, stages, before their conclusions, creating this tough-as-nails game was a long process for the developers at Studio MDHR. The art style was so captivating that it even inspired a spin-off cartoon, returning to the medium that inspired the developers in the first place.
7 Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
Though the entire series could take a spot in this list, its "fourth" installment does deserve extra praise when it comes to its looks. With a reinvented art style, changes to the character designs, and an aesthetic that leans heavily into a stylized cartoon-y look, Crash mixes the old Looney Tunes style with modern 3D modeling.
Not to mention that every level offers different shaders that are applied when you tackle the more challenging mirrored version.
6 Kena: Bridge Of Spirits
Another game with an astonishing art style (and difficulty, coincidentally), Kena has such well-designed characters that its cutscenes are cinema worthy. It really is easy to imagine a movie adaptation in many instances throughout the game.
If that wasn't enough, the areas change completely when you restore them from corruption, making the transitions simply gorgeous. You can keep up with your progress just by analyzing the environment, and how much of it remains corrupted.
5 Hades
Another great demonstration of how to adapt the Greek Myths in a game, Hades offers magnificent art to go along with its crazy and beautiful gameplay. With a variety of scenarios that change on each run, you have much to look at, if you're willing to risk paying more attention to the environment than to your enemies.
You even have your own room to customize. The characters are also presented in a beautiful style, which is reminiscent of comic book art.
4 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Yet another game whose entire series could be on this list, Breath of the Wild is a step above other Zelda entries with its unique style. The beautiful environment is a smart fit for the game's exploration-focused gameplay, encouraging the player to keep going just to see more of the world.
Additionally, a huge number of distinct armor sets encourage players to customize their look until they have the perfect Link for them. The characters are as charming as ever, even the ones you'll be fighting against.
3 Stardew Valley
If you're looking for something a bit more graphically old-school, look no further. This farming simulation game from 2016 offers a very nostalgic art style. The scenery is so well-made, it's even calming just to wander around, relaxing and enjoying the virtual nature.
Stardew Valley also offers a lot of variety, with charming characters to befriend or romance, animals to care for, and monsters to fight.
2 Concrete Genie
Not only do we have yet another game with beautiful 3D graphics, but Concrete Genie also has beautiful and lively 2D work in protagonist Ash's drawings that come alive.
Both art styles mesh together well, and you even get to do the inputs for the drawings, giving you the satisfaction of contributing to the game's art. If you want a game with a truly unique art style, this is a great pick.
1 Persona 5
Many games go for the anime aesthetic, and we've also seen a fair share of 3D attempts at making anime-style games. While many succeed, none of them do it with the same flair as Persona 5.
With amazing graphics and stylized UI, plus occasional anime cut scenes, Persona reached a new graphical high with Persona 5, raising the stakes to a whole new level.