The art styles in video games are one of the most crucial factors in shaping the experience.
While it all depends on your preferences, a distinguishing style can set the tone and the overall atmosphere, compelling you to invest extensive hours of playtime.
If it weren’t for consistent and exceptional stylization, even the most expansive game worlds would come off as hollow.
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Speaking of which, certain open-world games deliver unique art styles, making exploration and progression more satisfying.
These varying styles masterfully establish the most crucial aspects of games, from their diverse character models to immersive environments.
So, check out the best open-world games that feature a stunning and remarkable art style, setting them apart from the conventional visuals.
10
No Man’s Sky
The Journey Is The Only Destination
Drawing most inspiration from sci-novels and artworks from the ’70s to ’80s, No Man’s Sky is a sci-fi and action-adventure game that revolves around exploration.
You take control of an unknown planetary explorer and start with a broken spaceship towards the edge of the galaxy.
While there is an overarching narrative where you must unveil the mysteries of its world, there is no specific goal.
When it comes to the art style, its visuals give every planet an otherworldly charm and retro-futuristic vibe. More impressively, its infinite, procedurally generated planets ensured none of them looked the same.
If you are someone who likes to wander without wearing quests, NMS feels like a cosmic daydream where exploration takes the front seat, making it a perfect title to kick off this list.
9
Tchia
I Am An Island Girl?
Tchia is an enchanting action-adventure game set in a culture-driven tropical archipelago, whose main highlight is its charming art style and gameplay mechanics.
You play a young girl named Tchia who must save her kidnapped father using her ability of soul jumping, allowing her to take control of more than 30 animals and over a hundred inanimate objects.
This game was inspired by watercolor aesthetics, cel-shaded character designs, and textured backgrounds. These visuals add to the delightful exploration as you discover new points of interest, side quests, and numerous NPCs throughout your journey.
Tchia offers an explorative blast along with crisp storytelling and robust traversal. However, the game felt lacking in its combat mechanics.
8
No More Heroes
Anime Collectibles Aren’t Cheap
No More Heroes is an action-adventure game that features cartoon-like visuals, seamlessly blending anime aesthetics, retro games, and punk culture with Western cinema.
You play Travis Touchdown, an otaku living in near poverty who aims to become the top assassin to make ends meet. For that, you need to defeat every assassin of the United Assassins Association in the form of ranked fights, requiring in-game currency.
You can also complete numerous part-time jobs to earn money that serves as side-content to the game, but these missions can merely feel like a backdrop due to their repetitive tasks or objectives.
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What made this game worth playing for me was its cel-shaded style that perfectly matches its chaotic energy and quirky sense of humor.
In addition, the unique character models, over-the-top death animations, and smooth combat mechanics offer a distinct identity that sets it apart.
7
Don’t Starve
Gothic Tim Burton-esque Vibes
As an indie survival game with a paper-cut gothic art style, Don’t Starve is a genre-defining game that revolves around everything the title suggests. Plus, the game even features permadeath to progressively increase the difficulty curve.
You can play as multiple playable characters, and the goal is to prolong death and survive as long as possible.
While initially I had shorter runs, I would say it is not impossible to survive indefinitely once you overcome the learning curve. Thanks to its punishing mechanics and world design, I was on the edge of my seat until I finished the game.
The visual tone of Don’t Starve masterfully evokes a sense of danger and humor, adding a unique flavor to the game.
Honestly, what stuck with me was how its Tim Burton-influenced charm and art style turned its horrors into whimsical and quirky chaos.
6
Sable
Hand-Drawn Piece Of Art
Sable features no combat or linear progression, but it doesn’t fail to amaze you with its Moebius-inspired art style. Instead, this game offers massive exploration along with immense player freedom to traverse its world.
Playing as a young girl, Sable, you embark on a journey to find an appropriate mask across the ruined desert of Midden and return to your nomadic tribe.
While there are many games with hand-painted art styles, it is safe to include Sable in this list for its remarkable stylized visuals and scenic views.
A few technical hitches and bland puzzles did get in my way of marveling at its beauty. But looking past those issues, I think exploring its world alone can be mesmerizing, which shouldn’t be slept on.
5
Eastshade
Brush Mightier Than Sword
Like the previous entry, Eastshade takes you on an astonishing adventure trip that will leave you in wonder. I am still in awe of its painterly art style that perfectly aligns with its storyline.
You take on the role of a human painter who must traverse the four different locations in the island realm of Eastshade, filled with anthropomorphic animals.
As a painter, you must travel to these locations to complete your paintings, making exploration at the heart of this game.
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However, it’s worth noting that Eastshade isn’t a walking simulator as it does have gameplay mechanics, progression, and a tight narrative, carrying the entire game.
That said, its art style and visuals compel you to sink endless hours into exploring it.
If you are on the lookout for a relaxed game with exploration at its core, this game is worth playing for its unique world design and atmosphere.
4
Paradise Killer
Detective Work Meets Vaporwave Chaos
As a fan of investigative murder mysteries, it was fascinating to experience the non-linear focus of Paradise Killer, allowing you to endlessly wander. In fact, it is possible to beat the game without even solving the main mystery.
This game is set in Paradise Island 24, where you play as a detective named Lady Love Dies, who is sent to find the murderer after being exiled for 3,00,000 days. I don’t want to spoil anything further as its narrative stretches far beyond what you might expect.
But what makes Paradise Killer an undeniably trippy experience is its vaporwave art style and aesthetics. The neon-lit world design perfectly fits with the roster of intriguing characters, who are also your suspects.
Offering a unique investigative experience, I admire that this game allows you to find clues and take in its bizarre setting.
3
Valheim
Viking-Fueled Adventure
We all love open-world survival games, don’t we? If not, Valheim might surprise you with its impressive art style, from its exploration to its moody lighting.
Set in the fictional world of Valheim, this indie survival and action RPG is inspired by Norse mythology. You step into the shoes of a fallen Viking, surviving by defeating enemies, building shelters, and crafting resources to endure an unforgiving world.
With an endearing art style, this game is filled with gorgeous low-resolution textures that result in creating a uniquely serene atmosphere.
I can’t get over its scenic landscapes that exceptionally capture the retro charm of classic 3D games.
Nevertheless, the exploration and combat in Valheim can be as brutal as breathtaking the game is. It can present a steep difficulty curve for beginners early on, but it does get better as you go.
2
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
No Sense Of Urgency
Let’s be honest, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild set the bar for the entire franchise with its vibrant cel-shaded art style, drawing strong influence from Studio Ghibli. There is no doubt that its open-world design and art style influenced its follow-up title.
You take the role of an amnesiac Link who wakes up after a 100-year slumber with no memories of his past, including his name and purpose.
Due to this narrative, BOTW felt more immersive to me. While you need to retrieve your memories and save the Hyrule kingdom from Ganon, how you get there is totally up to you.
The best part about this game is the exploration and crafting, which allow you a satisfying non-linear progression to fully immerse yourself in.
Rather than focusing on visual fidelity, this Zelda title stands out for its stylized visuals and simple environmental design, making exploration a visually rewarding experience.
1
Ghost Of Tsushima
Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams Come Alive
Ghost of Tsushima earns the top spot for its beautiful exploration and artistic landscapes that come off as an immaculate painting.
Set in feudal Japan and influenced by the works of Akira Kurosawa, this game’s art style blends realism with cinematic composure.
You take control of Jin Sankai as he strategizes between the samurai warrior code and the ghost’s stealth-based playstyle after being outnumbered by the fleet of Mongol invaders.
Considering Ghost of Tsushima doesn’t feature any location waypoints, the exploration is rewardingly intuitive as you need to follow the blowing wind or birds that lead you to the required points of interest.
Such elements of nature remain persistent in the art style, as you witness its grounded art style. For example, you can unwind by heading to any hot spring to increase your maximum health or follow birds for loot, side quests, and locations.
For me, this game is a masterpiece at exploration. I have spent more time on horseback admiring its world’s beauty than completing its side quests or other activities.
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