The Most Beautiful Game in the World, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the game you think is the most beautiful!

Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:18

In a cozy living room, friends gather around the glow of a television, marvelling at the stunning visuals of a popular game. Across the globe, in a quiet bedroom, a young player's heart races as vivid landscapes and intricate designs unfold on the screen. These moments capture the unique beauty of video games, an art form that combines visuals, storytelling, and interactivity in ways no other medium can. Acknowledging the impact of these games, our community offers a space where enthusiasts can share and celebrate the artistry found in gaming. By casting votes for the games they find most visually stunning, users help shape a dynamic and communal tribute to the games that enchant and inspire. This process not only highlights popular choices but also reveals less known games that dazzle with their artistic merit.

What Is the Most Beautiful Game in the World?

1

67
votes
Journey

The stunning visuals and emotive soundtrack make this game a true masterpiece.
Journey is an indie adventure game that takes players on a visually stunning and emotionally evocative journey through a mysterious desert landscape. With no dialogue or text, the game relies on the player's exploration and interaction with the environment and other players to tell its story. The game features breathtaking visuals, a mesmerizing soundtrack, and a unique multiplayer experience where players can encounter and collaborate with anonymous companions along the way.

Platform: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows

Genre: Adventure

Mode: Single-player, online multiplayer

Release Date: March 13, 2012 (PlayStation 3)

Game Length: 2-3 hours
2

34
votes
m4mystery from London, United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Nintendo

The vast open-world landscape of Hyrule is breathtaking, with stunning vistas and colorful landscapes.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is an action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch and Wii U consoles. It takes place in an open world setting and follows Link, the main protagonist, as he explores the kingdom of Hyrule.

Release Date: March 3, 2017

Genre: Action-adventure

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Wii U

Modes: Single-player

Playable Characters: Link
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most entertaining video games
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular adventure game
- Position 2 of 10 in Most fun Nintendo Switch game
- Position 2 of 10 in Most fun game to 100% complete
3

19
votes
Ori and the Blind Forest

The hand-painted backgrounds and vibrant colors create a magical and enchanting world.
Ori and the Blind Forest is a critically acclaimed action-adventure platformer game that tells an emotional and visually stunning tale. Players embark on a heartfelt journey as they control Ori, a nimble forest spirit, on a quest to save the dying forest from darkness. The game is renowned for its breathtaking hand-painted visuals, mesmerizing soundtrack, and challenging gameplay.

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

Genre: Action-adventure, Platformer, Metroidvania

Release Date: March 11, 2015

Modes: Single-player

Game Engine: Unity
Ori and the Blind Forest in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular Metroidvania
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular game made with Unity
- Position 6 of 10 in Most fun game to 100% complete
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular adventure game
4

16
votes
Firewatch

The game's art style perfectly captures the beauty and isolation of the Wyoming wilderness.
Firewatch is a first-person mystery adventure game set in the Wyoming wilderness during the summer of 1989. Players take on the role of Henry, a fire lookout who is stationed in the Shoshone National Forest. As Henry, players explore the forest, interact with their supervisor Delilah via walkie-talkie, and unravel a mysterious plot that unfolds in the remote wilderness.

Genre: Mystery, Adventure

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

Release Date: February 9, 2016

Gameplay: Single-player

Graphics: Stylized, hand-painted visuals
5

14
votes
Okami

Inspired by traditional Japanese brush painting, this game's stunning visuals are a work of art.
Okami is an action-adventure video game inspired by Japanese folklore and featuring a unique visual style reminiscent of traditional Japanese ink wash paintings. Players control Amaterasu, a sun goddess who takes the form of a white wolf, on a quest to restore life and beauty to a world plagued by darkness and evil forces. The game is known for its captivating story, beautiful art direction, and innovative gameplay mechanics.

Release Date: April 20, 2006 (JP)

Platforms: PlayStation 2, Wii, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

Genre: Action-Adventure

Art Style: Japanese ink wash paintings (Sumi-e)

Gameplay Mechanics: Celestial Brush techniques, combat, exploration, puzzle-solving
6

16
votes
Shadow of the Colossus

The game's minimalist design and epic landscapes create a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere.
Shadow of the Colossus is an action-adventure game that follows the story of a young man named Wander who enters a forbidden land in hope of resurrecting a young girl. In order to achieve his goal, he must defeat sixteen massive colossi spread across the vast and desolate landscape. The game is known for its breathtaking visuals, emotional narrative, and unique gameplay mechanics.

Release Date: October 18, 2005

Platform: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4

Genre: Action-adventure

Mode(s): Single-player

Playable Characters: Wander
Shadow of the Colossus in other rankings
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular PS2 game
7

4
votes
Flower

The game's simple yet elegant graphics, combined with a beautiful soundtrack, create a peaceful and relaxing experience.
Flower is an interactive video game that offers players a unique and immersive experience of natural beauty. The game allows players to control the wind and guide a petal through various landscapes, interacting with flowers and transforming the environment in the process. Through stunning visuals and a soothing soundtrack, Flower seeks to evoke feelings of tranquility and joy.

Release Date: February 12, 2009

Platform(s): PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, iOS

Genre: Adventure, Art

Mode(s): Single-player

Gameplay Length: Around 1-2 hours
8

11
votes
Thekla, Inc. (original) / Oleg Pospelov & Jovanny Lemonad (font) / nclm (recreation) · Public domain

The Witness

Jonathan Blow

The game's gorgeous island setting, filled with stunning architecture and lush landscapes, is a joy to explore.
The Witness is a puzzle video game that takes place on a mysterious and scenic island. Players explore the island, solve various puzzles, and uncover the secrets of the environment. The game features stunning and vibrant landscapes, intricate puzzles, and a richly detailed world to explore.

Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, iOS

Genre: Puzzle

Release Date: January 26, 2016

Graphics: Beautiful and vibrant

Gameplay: First-person perspective, exploration, puzzle-solving
The Witness in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most difficult puzzle game
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular book by Nora Roberts
- Position 9 of 10 in Most difficult game to play
9

6
votes
Abzû

Dive into a stunning underwater world, teeming with vibrant marine life and breathtaking scenery.
Abzû is a visually stunning adventure game that immerses players in a mesmerizing underwater world. It invites players to explore and uncover the mysterious secrets of the ocean depths through breathtaking exploration and soothing gameplay.

Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch

Release Date: August 2, 2016

Genre: Adventure, Exploration

Mode(s): Single-player

Graphics: Beautiful art style, vibrant colors
10

2
votes
Dawn Armfield darmfield · CC0

Monument Valley

Ustwo Games

This puzzle game's surreal and dreamlike landscapes are inspired by the works of M.C. Escher.
Monument Valley is a visually stunning puzzle game that takes players on a journey through mesmerizing and surreal landscapes. The game features mind-bending optical illusions and intricate architectural puzzles, where players manipulate the environment to guide the silent princess Ida to her destination. Each level is a work of art, with elegant and minimalist designs inspired by the likes of M.C. Escher and Japanese prints.

Platform: iOS, Android

Release Date: April 2014

Game Mode: Single Player

Graphics: 2D

Genre: Puzzle
Monument Valley in other rankings
- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular game made with Unity

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Discussion

Ranking factors for beautiful game

Aesthetics and Visual Appeal

The game should have impressive graphics, art style, and visuals that captivate players and keep them engaged.
Gameplay Mechanics

A well-designed game should have intuitive and engaging gameplay mechanics that allow the player to interact with the game world in a meaningful and satisfying way.
Story and Narrative

A compelling story and memorable characters can elevate a game from being just another form of entertainment to an immersive and emotionally resonant experience.
Sound and Music

A game's soundtrack and sound design can greatly enhance the experience, heightening emotions during dramatic moments and providing immersive ambience.
Innovative Design

Games that introduce new concepts or mechanics and successfully execute them can be considered exceptional, pushing the boundaries of what games can be.
Replayability

A great game should have the ability to be played multiple times without losing its charm, often offering different experiences each time due to branching narratives, choices, or new content.
Emotional Impact

The game should have the ability to evoke strong emotions from players, whether it be joy, sadness, fear, or excitement.
Balance and Challenge

A beautiful game should present players with an appropriate level of challenge, neither too easy nor frustratingly difficult, and maintain a balanced experience throughout.
Immersion and Atmosphere

A captivating game should effectively draw players into its world, providing a sense of immersion and making players feel truly connected to the game's environment.
Impact on Gaming Culture

Finally, a great game should be able to leave a lasting impression on gaming culture. It should demonstrate the potential of the medium and inspire other developers to create new experiences.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most beautiful game in the world. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or game is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1663 views
183 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each game once every 24 hours. The rank of each game is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most beautiful game in the world

When it comes to beauty in games, there are countless contenders vying for the title of "most beautiful." From sprawling open-world environments to meticulously crafted character designs, game developers have been pushing the boundaries of what is possible in terms of visual aesthetics. But what exactly makes a game beautiful? Is it the realism of the graphics or the artistry of the design? Perhaps it's the way the game world immerses you and makes you feel a part of something larger than yourself. Whatever your criteria, there is no denying that the pursuit of beauty in games has led to some truly breathtaking experiences. So, what do you think is the most beautiful game in the world? Cast your vote and let your voice be heard!