Top 5 Games That Use Minimalist Visuals

games-minimalist-visuals.jpeg

While the visuals in these games aren't photorealistic, they each have a stunningly unique aesthetic that does a fantastic job of conveying the story and themes of their own games.

Not all gamers are looking for lifelike visuals. Picking up a game with a unique, minimalist aesthetic might be rewarding at times. Sometimes, the graphic elements of these games become so well-known that they can be recognised at a glance just by their appearance. Many of the following games are easily distinguished by their art design.

Just a few of the greatest games that make do with little graphics are included below. There's a wide variety of games here, from the quick and easy arcade classics that are great for passing the time to the more in-depth adventures with expansive worlds to discover.

1. Superhot​

It's a first-person shooter with a twist, and it's called Superhot. It's easier to strategize when you're not constantly interrupted by the passage of time. It's like time has slowed down to a crawl. minimalism style slow motion. It may appear like a first-person shooter (FPS), but this hard game plays more like a puzzle than anything else. It's important about not reacting too quickly, else things might go wrong.

When players succeed in Superhot, they feel an incredible sense of accomplishment. Having the ability to eliminate several foes before they've even had a chance to blink is quite Matrix-like. Completing the main game will provide access to the more challenging challenge levels. Superhot has a laid-back vibe, so fans of that aesthetic will have enough to consume.

2. Swordship​

Swordship is an ultra-slick, ultra-fast 'dodge-em-up' that gamers won't be able to put down. In this dystopian future, people have resorted to living underground and transporting their things through containers to nearby locations. The player assumes the role of ship captain and must retrieve these crates before delivering them to the displaced people who have been forced to leave the city. Of course, it's not quite that easy, as gamers must also avoid the security bots, who aren't hesitant to charge in with weapons blazing.

This game is fast-paced, and every second counts. When players don't swerve to avoid obstacles, they might be sent back to the beginning of the game. The higher a player's score total, the more prepared they will be for the game's later, more challenging stages. The game is easy to pick up and play, and it has some very great aesthetics.

3. Limbo​

With its dark and eerie aesthetic, Limbo stands out as a stunning puzzle platformer. Players take control of a young lad who has no clue who he is or where he is going, and soon discover that his surroundings are full with sinister dangers. The mission is to escape, but getting out will be a nightmare. (It also includes a frightening spider, so gamers should brace themselves.)

As a game, Limbo is not simple. The process of figuring out how to get out of a place always ends in death (again and again). It's still worth it to see it through because of the profound and moving conclusion. Limbo is the type of game that stays with you for a long time thanks to its magnificent black and white aesthetics and terrible creatures represented as terrifying shadows.

4. Mini Metro​

And now for a change of pace. Players of Mini Metro must construct a train network to link a number of cities. On the map, passengers take the form of little forms, and they need to be transported to a station that has the same shape. As the game goes, this gets increasingly difficult to control. There's a lot to do, since there are four different game modes (Normal, Extreme, Endless, and Creative).

Mini Metro is a fun and rewarding Android game. The stark minimalism is quite pleasing to the eye. Not only does it have maps of actual locations, but it also offers colorblind and night settings, which may be more accessible to certain players.

5. The Unfinished Swan​

The Unfinished Swan, like many other minimalist games, depicts the narrative of a little boy whose mother has lately passed away, leaving him with only a picture of a swan. But when he wakes up one morning and the swan is missing, he is drawn into a surreal painting world in an attempt to track it down.

The Unfinished Swan offers a weird experience. Players may toss paint, piece by piece solving a number of riddles while a lovely tale develops. This game, like many others on this list, has a gorgeous music that is best experienced with headphones because of its streamlined colour palette and the immersive nature of the sound effects. If you want to escape reality for a bit, this is a fantastic game to do so.
 
LIMBO is amazing. Love that game. Graphics aren't everything, the experience of the gamer is.
 
I couldn't resist adding my top 10 games - I hope you'll indulge me like a cat with catnip.
  1. Inside - A game so minimalist, it's as if they forgot to draw everything. But don't let the lack of details fool you, this is a masterpiece of design, like a painting by the artist of the blind.
  2. Monument Valley - A puzzle game so surreal, it's like a trip to a Dali exhibition, except without the creepy melting clocks. The impossible architecture is truly mind-bending, like an M.C. Escher fever dream.
  3. Journey - An adventure game so beautiful, it's like stepping into a painting by Monet. The vast, sweeping landscapes and evocative music will make you feel like a character in a novel by Wordsworth.
  4. Braid - A puzzle game so mind-bending, it's like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube while wearing a blindfold. The hand-painted art style is reminiscent of a classic stained glass window, but with more time-travel.
  5. Fez - A puzzle game so clever, it's like playing chess with a cat. The unique 2D/3D perspective and vibrant pixel art style will transport you to a world that's equal parts Minecraft and M.C. Escher.
  6. Hyper Light Drifter - An action RPG so challenging, it's like trying to climb Mount Everest while juggling chainsaws. The gorgeous pixel art and haunting soundtrack will make you feel like you're in a dark fairytale by the Brothers Grimm.
  7. Papers, Please - A simulation game so immersive, it's like working as an immigration officer during the Cold War. The stark, monochromatic visuals and bleak storyline will transport you to a world that's equal parts Kafka and Orwell.
  8. Thomas Was Alone - A platformer so simple, it's like playing with a toddler's building blocks. But the real charm of this game lies in the unique aesthetic that makes the blocks feel like real characters, like a Lego version of The Canterbury Tales.
  9. Dear Esther - A storytelling experience so atmospheric, it's like reading a gothic novel by candlelight. The deserted island setting, breathtaking visuals, and haunting score will transport you to a world that's equal parts Poe and Lovecraft.
  10. Donut County - A physics-based puzzle game so silly, it's like playing with your food. But the quirky humor and charming visuals make it feel like a cross between a Wes Anderson film and a Homer Simpson dream.
 

Latest content

General chat
Help Show users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
      There are no messages in the chat. Be the first one to say Hi!
      Back
      Top