Video games are a work of art, and these visual masterpieces span all sorts of genres. Some games focus on delivering unforgettable experiences, whilst others attempt to simply innovate the medium in their own unique ways.
Hellboy: Web Of Wyrdmay be a little underwhelming when it comes to the execution, but the game excels surprisingly well at setting the tone with its visuals. Cel-shaded graphics have always been controversial as far as mass appeal goes, but they actually feel a lot less dated in comparison to realistic graphics.
With art inspired by Fedual-era Japanese paintings and calligraphy,Okamiis an unforgettable exploration of the region’s folklore and myths. The RPG and puzzle-solving elements are rather fresh since you’re playing as a wolf that embodies the spirit of Amaterasu the Sun God.
Sure the camera was a bit too slow to really take in the stunning artwork on display around you and the story felt like it dragged on a bit at times, but the game in its entirety was fairly solid. It still holds up today asa Zelda-esque adventuretitle that’s more of a visual experience rather than an innovative breakthrough in gaming.
9Comix Zone
If you’re a fan of stunning visuals that bring the pages of a comic book to life, then this game is a godsend for you. Not only is itone of the toughest gamesever released on theGenesis, but it’s also one of the most technically impressive as well.
Comix Zone is a fever trip, and considering how difficult it is, there’s a high chance you’ll probably drop the title by the time you reach the third stage. It’s a beat-em-up game that lets you choose which panel to visit next, with light puzzle-solving segments as well.
8XIII
Getting arrested after being framed for the murder of the U.S. president and having to somehow orchestrate an escape sounds like a rather interesting way to start off a video game. Unfortunately, the story wasn’t the biggest draw for XIII.
The animated comic-book style the game heavily features along with the stunning variety of biomes and locations made it into a cult classic. XII is anFPSshooter with stealth elements that lets you play around with a decent assortment of different weapons. The remake may be visually impressive compared to the classic version, but the original is a lot more polished.
7Ultimate Spider-Man
Arguably one of the strongest competitors to thePS2’sSpider-Man2, this Spider-Man game features a vibrant world full of cell-shaded beauty and stellar storytelling. NYC feels vibrant yet not as fleshed out in this title in favor of other quality-of-life updates instead.
This game featured better combat, segments where you could play as venom, and a connection with the broader main Marvel universe with the inclusion of the likes of The Human Torch and S.H.I.E.L.D.
A classicTellTaleNoir game with an assortment of reimagined fairy tale characters that litter the very serious and often unforgiving world the characters inhabit together.The Wolf Among Usbasically follows the same formula when it comes to the gameplay mechanics.
The quick-time events can get tedious at times, but the dialogue and voice acting work make each choice you make a lot heavier. The stylized cel-shaded city looks spectacular, just like the fairly fleshed-out character models.
5MadWorld
This game givesMortal Kombata run for its money since it features some of the goriest finishers that won’t fail to make you squeamish, despite the black-and-white comic-book aesthetic.
MadWorld’s tightly paced and featuresvarious unique minigamesthat utilize the use of violence against the enemy NPCs. Even though the camera might not always agree with you, the music and commentary certainly help pull everything together, despite the issues.
4Viewtiful Joe
Breaking down the barriers of what’s conventional when it comes to side-scrollers, Viewtiful Joe tried to do a lot of things at once. Decent combat mechanics, 3-D cell shading, fish-eye camera angles, and zany storytelling come together to deliver a rather impressive package.
From juggling enemies in the sky to reliving the dreams of every Ultraman fan, this cross between Gekibo and hack-and-slash goes hard, especially when you reach the later stages.
3Sly Cooper
Sly Cooperis a classic with its story-telling genius and immersive world-building. The gameplay was enjoyable, with interesting puzzle sequences and easy-to-master combat. The game’s art style may have aged a bit, but it’s still well worth getting acquainted with.
The landscape design and the campy dialogue, coupled with the solid voice-acting, helped this game series stay relevant over the years. The game treats you like an adult and expects you to keep up with the story, despite how dark or complicated it gets.
Grind all over a vibrant town full of life in your own unique ways, since Jet Set Radio gives you the opportunity to explore and interact with your surroundings thoroughly. Its art-style carries over well with the theme of the game.
You’re tasked with roller-skating through the streets and tagging monuments or large objects with your spray can while you avoid law enforcement. It’s got decent pacing, fun yet challenging game modes, and music you can vibe with if you’re into Hip Hop and Dance music.
Lauded to be one of the best entries to theTLOZfranchise, The Wind Waker is an adventure that easily pulls you in. The visuals are as breathtaking as you may expect from a game that was released on theGamecube.
TheWii Uremake polishes the visuals fairly well, and Link’s world feels more vibrant and colorful. It’s great as a stand-alone game since it keeps up with the tradition of delivering quality by mimicking the other games when it comes to sound level design, fun and unique dungeons, and stellar storytelling.
