Games That Look Like Art
Some games reshape how visual storytelling works. Cel-shading brought a revolutionary shift to the industry, using flat colors and bold outlines to mimic the style of hand-drawn animation, creating stylized worlds that feel vibrant and alive. Over the years, developers have used it to turn gameplay into living art. If you appreciate visual direction that dares to stand above the rest, then you've come to the right place. Let's dive in!
HiFi RUSH - Before You Buy by gameranx
1. The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker
This was one of the first big-budget games to fully embrace cel-shading, and it brought expressive animations and a colorful world to 3D Zelda. At first, not everyone loved the style, but now it's praised for its timeless look and dynamic character reactions.
Zelda: The Wind Waker HD - Full Game 100% Walkthrough by BeardBear
2. Jet Set Radio
Jet Set Radio helped define cel-shaded visuals in gaming. The graffiti-heavy style and bold look captured the vibe of Tokyo's street culture and 90s techno. It also introduced players to real-time wall tagging in a 3D cel-shaded environment, something completely new at the time.
Jet Set Radio - Part 1 [4K and No Commentary] by GameZard
3. Viewtiful Joe
A standout from the GameCube era, Viewtiful Joe blends comic-book cel-shading with fast-paced, side-scrolling action. Moreover, its "VFX Powers" let players slow time, zoom in, and replay moments during combat. Created by the team behind Okami and Devil May Cry, it remains a beloved classic.
Viewtiful Joe FULL GAME Longplay (GCN, PS2) 4k by ★WishingTikal★
4. Hi-Fi Rush
Hi-Fi Rush brings rhythm-synced cel-shaded visuals to life with striking energy. Every animation beat connects directly to the music, in both combat and cutscenes. Developed by a studio known for horror, it surprise-launched in 2023 and earned widespread critical acclaim.
Hi-Fi RUSH Gameplay Walkthrough FULL GAME (4K 60FPS) No Commentary by Shirrako
5. Tales Of Vesperia
Combat feels right at home in this JRPG world, where facial expressions and outfits stand out visually. Soft cel-shading gives Tales of Vesperia its animated look, framed by bold outlines that highlight character designs. The remastered version also adds smoother lighting and texture.
Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition [Longplay | No Commentary] PS4 by Casual Racer Red
6. Afro Samurai
In this, Japanese anime aesthetics blend with Western hip-hop culture through stylized cel-shading to capture both worlds. Staying true to its anime roots, the blood sprays even appear in dramatic ink-brush styles. Add in Samuel L. Jackson's voice and RZA's soundtrack, and it becomes an instant hit.
Afro Samurai Full Walkthrough Gameplay - No Commentary (PS3 Longplay) by Lacry
7. Gravity Rush
Originally a PS Vita exclusive, Gravity Rush uses its cel-shaded aesthetic to amplify gravity-defying mechanics beautifully. The anime-style presentation matches perfectly with the surreal, dreamlike cities you explore. Also, the hand-painted-style cutscenes blend seamlessly into gameplay, which makes it a visual treat.
Gravity Rush Remastered 4K Playthrough Part 1 by Kozu
8. Okami
Okami blends traditional Japanese sumi-e brush style with cel-shading to create something truly special. Its art direction merges gameplay and visuals through brush-based mechanics, while the entire world moves like an ink painting. You play as Amaterasu, a powerful wolf deity, on a divine journey.
OKAMI Gameplay Walkthrough FULL GAME (4K 60FPS) No Commentary by Shirrako
9. Guilty Gear Strive
Known for slick UI and stylish character introductions, Guilty Gear Strive sets new standards for cel-shaded fighting games. This game masters the art of real-time cel-shading, mimicking hand-drawn anime frames with incredible precision. The special attacks even trigger dynamic camera pans and zooms that feel cinematic.
Guilty Gear Strive Gameplay No Commentary Arcade | 4K 60 FPS PC | #guiltygearstrive #pc by Soup23
10. Killer Is Dead
Killer Is Dead presents its world through sharp contrasts and vibrant neon hues. Directed by Goichi Suda and developed by Grasshopper Manufacture, it leans into cel-shading with heavy outlines and surreal visual tones. Every scene, from dialogue to action, maintains this striking style.
Killer Is Dead Nightmare Edition - No Commentary - Gameplay - 4K HDR - RTX 4090M by Gametism
11. Dragon Ball FighterZ
Developed by Arc System Works, Dragon Ball FighterZ uses advanced cel-shading to faithfully replicate 2D anime visuals in 3D. As a result, the gameplay mirrors the show so closely that it often feels just like watching an actual episode of the anime itself.
Dragonball Fighter Z - Official Gameplay #1 | 4K ULTRA HD by LSSJBroly 4K
12. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4
Naruto delivers fluid cel-shading that mirrors the anime nearly frame-for-frame. Each special move becomes a cinematic showcase. Even filler characters receive standout treatment, and the final boss battle plays out just like an unforgettable anime movie finale.
13. No More Heroes
Gritty cel-shading becomes a perfect vehicle for parodying American and Japanese pop culture in this Suda51's wild creation. Stylized blood splashes, menus, and transitions match the game's bold tone. As an anime nerd turned assassin, you’ll see visuals shift mid-battle for comedic effect.
No More Heroes [PC] Full Gameplay Walkthrough (No Commentary) by fgw
14. Dark Cloud 2 (Dark Chronicle)
Dark Cloud 2 gives early 2000s cel-shading an artistic twist that still holds up. It blends time travel and RPG mechanics with visual flair, allowing players to customize weapons and outfits. Even towns evolve through future building and vividly reshape the past.
Dark Chronicle (Dark Cloud 2) - PS4 Pro Super Longplay 1080p, No Commentary by Megaspartan23
15. Rogue Galaxy
Space-faring adventure meets cel-shaded artistry in Rogue Galaxy, a PS2-era RPG that fully embraced stylized visuals. Built on Dark Cloud 2’s engine but scaled for space, characters stay boldly outlined and flat-colored throughout gameplay. It's considered one of the most visually ambitious cel-shaded RPGs.
ROGUE GALAXY (PS2) FULL GAME - Complete Gameplay Walkthrough【No Commentary】by Weiss Network TV
16. Crackdown
With cel-shading that channels comic-book energy, Crackdown turns destruction into a visual spectacle. The orbs scattered across rooftops became an iconic gameplay element. As one of Xbox 360's early standouts, it showcased real-time lighting that few others dared to attempt.
CRACKDOWN 1 Full Game Walkthrough - No commentary by normal gameplay
17. XIII (2003)
XIII brings comic book action into first-person with sharp cel-shading and graphic novel flair. The bullet shots even come with "BANG!" captions, while on-screen panels echo its Belgian source material. Although the remake stumbled, the original holds up with fans who loved its bold visual identity.
18. Cel Damage
Saturday morning cartoon nostalgia comes alive in this. Environments look exactly like classic animated shows, and each car possesses a unique personality and wacky weapons for maximum mayhem. Despite its charm, Cel Damage remains criminally overlooked among cel-shaded gaming gems.
CEL DAMAGE OVERDRIVE Gameplay Walkthrough FULL GAME (4K 60FPS) No Commentary by Kouteshi
19. Sable
Sable explores a quiet world drawn in minimalist cel-shading, inspired by Moebius' iconic style. With no combat, the focus shifts to gliding, discovery, and storytelling. Flat pastel palettes and clean black outlines complement the intentionally capped frame rate for stylized aesthetics.
Sable - 4K PC Gameplay | First 20 Minutes by Gaming Portal
20. Concrete Genie
Concrete Genie uses cel-shading to transform a bleak town into a vibrant canvas of light and color. As you paint, your brushstrokes come to life as animated creatures that respond in real time. The game also supports immersive 3D painting through PSVR.
CONCRETE GENIE - Walkthrough No Commentary [Full Game] PS4 PRO by GamingIsFun
