The Best Games To Play If You Love Pixel Art (November 2023)

8-bit and 16-bit pixel art have a timeless charm. While some modern pixel art games will make players feel nostalgic because of their retro style, some expand on what the aesthetic can be in new ways. Pixel games prove time and time again that realistic-looking visuals aren’t necessary to convey messages, stories, atmosphere, and emotions.

Pixel art is what defined video games in their early days, but it’s still prevalent in games created in recent years. Here is a rundown of the best pixel games that any fan of this art style should play.

Only “modern” games will be highlighted, so classics like Chrono Trigger, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Street Fighter, and most GBA games will not be mentioned. Obviously, these masterpieces have beautiful pixel art.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun

Metascore: 85

Warhammer 40K has a long and storied history in video games, but the franchise is not especially known for first-person shooters. Boltgun tries to remedy that by providing a budget option that harbors back to retro shooters from the ’90s. As the game wears its influences unabashedly on its sleeve, it risks feeling tired since recent years have produced more than their share of Doom and Blood throwbacks. Although perhaps not the greatest modern retro shooter, Boltgun is nevertheless an absolute blast to play.

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The player is cast as a Space Marine who is assigned missions that basically boil down to “kill everything and make it flashy.” Boltgun has very little time or patience for a story, opting instead to throw players into the thick of things and keep them there for as long as possible. The game nails its movement and weapons, both of which are as empowering as they should be considering the protagonist. While there isn’t much of a narrative to speak of, Boltgun makes up for it through its environmental design.

Cassette Beasts

Metascore: 84

Monster-collecting RPGs are not exactly impossible to find, they just seem that way since the subgenre is completely dominated by one name: Pokemon. Over the decades, Game Freak’s franchise has not only produced its share of fantastic titles but also inspired other developers to follow suit. Bytten is one such company, and the studio’s Cassette Beasts is among the most refreshing modern takes on the monster-taming formula. Utilizing a cute and detailed pixel art style that harbors back to the Nintendo DS, the RPG features a well-realized island setting that is essentially an open-world, albeit obviously presented from an isometric angle rather than in third-person.

The game does a good job of establishing its own identity through a mystery-laden plot featuring NPCs who, by and large, have only begun to piece together their situation. Cassette Beasts‘ turn-based combat goes out of its way to ensure it stands out of the crowd while still offering a fairly accessible core loop. The protagonist and their partners can transform into beasts they have recorded in their cassette players, and the human characters level up rather than the monsters (although the latter have their own progression system). These mechanics are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Cassette Beasts‘ fresh ideas.

Pizza Tower

Metascore: 89

The Wario series has had a cult following for some time thanks to the clever and engaging way it handled platforming. Like a mixture of Sonic the Hedgehog and Super Mario Bros., the Wario games were much wackier and a bit more eclectic than their flagship Mushroom Kingdom cousins. Unfortunately, Nintendo hasn’t done much on the Wario front, specifically concerning the platforming releases. There has been a new Wario Ware release, but nothing to satiate the fans craving the iconic platforming gameplay.

Thankfully, there are still fans (and game designers) out there that are keeping the “style” alive, even if it’s not the same Wario they know and love. Pizza Tower is a great addition to the platformer genre, featuring some amazing art and gameplay elements that feel right at home with Wario and the Earthworm Jim series. Those craving a traditional platformer that oozes a pixelated retro style need to put this release at the top of their list.

Triangle Strategy

Metascore: 84

Square Enix released quite a few new IPs in 2022, and Triangle Strategy was arguably the publisher’s strongest release of the year. A turn-based tactics game inspired by classics such as Final Fantasy Tactics, Triangle Strategy tells a mature story revolving around a war stemming from a shortage of crucial resources. Narratively, this game is dense, both thematically and in terms of characters. The same can be said for the gameplay, which takes from the genre’s classics while still forming its own style and voice.

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Triangle Strategy‘s pixel graphics are nothing short of awe-inspiring. While it might not have the same budget as some more mainstream Square Enix RPGs, this game features detailed character models and stunning locations. When it comes to pixel art, few releases compare to Triangle Strategy​​​​​.

Prodeus

Metascore: 84

Pixel art is synonymous with 2D platformers and isometric adventure games that pay homage to the SNES era; however, exceptions do exist. Prodeus is a first-person shooter ripped right out of the ’90s, particularly in terms of gunplay and level design. The main thing that separates this release from the crowd is its graphic style as there are not many FPSs that utilize pixel art.

This aesthetic allows Prodeus to honor its retro roots while simultaneously still coming across as a proper modern experience. Bounding Box Software, the developer behind the game, also included a range of graphic options so that players can tweak Prodeus‘ visuals to match their preferences.

Potion Permit

Metascore: 81

Life sims are hardly in short supply on modern consoles, but Potion Permit distinguishes itself by focusing on medicine rather than farming. Cast as a chemist sent to a village that is not receptive to outsiders, players will need to work extra hard to get in the good graces of their new home’s citizens. This means completing quests, creating potions for all sorts of illnesses, scouring for resources by heading out of the village, and striking a few friendships.

Potion Permit is a fun life sim that does not offer much of a challenge, which is generally fine for the genre. Graphically, the game’s pixel style is warm, detailed, and lively. The sim does a great job of ensuring each of the map’s areas has a distinct flavor, and the same extends to the NPCs and enemies.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

Metascore: 87

Tribute Games clearly knows its TMNT gaming history as Shredder’s Revenge is not only a glorious throwback to the franchise’s beat ’em up heyday but also chock-full of nods to previous games. With the Foot Clan looking to once again spread chaos across New York’s streets, the Turtles are left with no choice but to head to the surface to deliver some justice. This time, they are accompanied by Master Splinter, April O’Neil, and Casey Jones.

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All the playable characters in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge are unique, coming with their own weapons and moves that set them apart from the crowd. The roster greatly expands the campaign’s replay value since it encourages mastering each fighter. Shredder’s Revenge makes splendid use of its pixilated graphics to craft a visual style that feels both nostalgic and modern.

Dave The Diver

Metascore: 90

Making good use of a stretch in early access, Dave the Diver has transformed into a fully fleshed-out experience that sits among 2023’s best games, which is saying something as the year has been packed with great AAA and indie releases. While taking a few ideas from popular genres and projects, Dave the Diver combines its ingredients to create a tasty and, more importantly, unique dish. The eponymous Dave has to make sure his sushi restaurant is stocked with all sorts of fishy goodness, and he takes it upon himself to explore the Blue Hole waters in search of new menu items.

The game is split into two parts: restaurant management and deep-sea exploration. The former is a surprisingly in-depth sim with a satisfying sense of progression; meanwhile, the latter holds many surprises and its share of challenges. Individually, these elements could carry a game on their own, but together they combine to create a project with few peers in terms of quality.

Octopath Traveler 2

Metascore: 86

Square Enix’s Octopath Traveler was released in 2018 and served as a throwback to old-school turn-based JRPGs, albeit with a twist. The game follows eight protagonists as they go on disconnected adventurers. While they act as party members during their companions’ stories and interact together to an extent, their stories are standalone.

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Octopath Traveler 2 largely sticks to the same formula, but it does alter a handful of things along the way. Once again, the game features eight playable characters, all of whom are the protagonists of their own storylines. Players are given the freedom to pick who they want to start with as well. While the franchise’s structure is not for everyone, Octopath Traveler is undoubtedly a polished experience, both visually and mechanically. The turn-based combat adheres to the past while still incorporating modern conventions; meanwhile, the game’s pixel art is nothing short of stunning.

To The Moon

Metascore: 84

There are approximately a billion RPG Maker games, so a project needs to be extra special to stand out from the plethora of (good) titles out there. To the Moon breaks away from its RPG roots by opting against the use of a combat system, prioritizing puzzles and story progression above everything else. Later on, To the Moon received a Unity facelift, and it looks better than ever now.

Atmospheric and heartfelt, To the Moon does what it sets out to do very well. Its pixel art hits a sweet spot between (relative) realism and dream-like fantasy.

Vampire Survivors

Metascore: 95

OK, Vampire Survivors is hardly the most visually stunning pixel art game on the market; in fact, it looks quite simplistic for the most part. However, this title gets by comfortably on its gameplay and replayability. After picking a character, players take on wave after wave of enemies, a process that rewards Survivors with new items.

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Even as the screen fills with destruction and mayhem, Vampire Survivors rarely becomes frustratingly overwhelming, so death typically just fuels a new restart. The combat is deceptively deep as well, with each character requiring considerable time investment to master.

Boneraiser Minions

Metascore: N/A (7.7 User Score)

Boneraiser Minions follows in the footsteps of Vampire Survivors, and it is not the only indie project to burst into existence following that game’s success. However, it is among the best iterations of this roguelike subgenre’s formula. As is the case with these types of games, the goal is to survive as long as possible while surrounded by hordes of enemies; in this case, players take charge of a Boneraiser who is trying to stay out of arm’s reach of armies of heroes. In service of this task, they must summon minions, who come in a wide range of classes and fight independently.

Visually, Boneraiser Minions features character models and backgrounds that are fairly simple, which makes sense since the game tries to fill the screen with as much chaos as humanly possible. In the midst of a fierce war, the battlefield will be filled with all sorts of ghouls, warlocks, doppelgangers, pumpkin heads, and vomiters. A Boneraiser can also execute spells that are usually flashy and satisfying.

Unpacking

Metascore: 86

As anyone familiar with the process can attest, there is nothing relaxing or especially enjoyable about moving to a new place. Even if the destination is an upgrade, the act of moving is still stressful, time-consuming, and frustrating. Somehow, Unpacking transforms this headache into a therapeutic experience, one that has a subtle but impactful emotional core.

In each of the campaign’s eight levels, players must unpack the unseen protagonist’s boxes, setting them up for the next chapter of their lives. Through this procedure, Unpacking reveals information about the character’s life, personality, struggles, and ambitions. While an acquired taste, this title is one of the best pixel games of the last few years.

Hyper Light Drifter

Metascore: 88

Hyper Light Drifter is visually captivating, with its 16-bit style and vibrant colors. The main character, the Drifter, is overcome with a tormenting illness. To find a way to calm this illness, the Drifter must explore the lands of Buried Time. The game doesn’t have any words, but the environment created by the pixel art lets players interpret the story.

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This game encourages players to explore its beautifully created world filled with secrets and various paths. Fighting is easy to learn, but it will take time to fully grasp. Besides, the heart-pounding battles against enemy hordes and tough bosses do feel gratifying.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R

Metascore: 87

Star Ocean has led a tumultuous existence in recent years, with most of its exciting new entries being divisive rather than smash-hits. While the series has produced an array of fan favorites, 1998’s The Second Story is commonly regarded as the license’s peak, and the original game was an important release for the action RPG genre in general. Still, that title’s age does shine through in its gameplay, which can make the PS1 version difficult to recommend to complete newcomers.

Fortunately, The Second Story R modernizes this classic while still retaining everything that made its predecessor so great. Visually, the remake uses Square Enix’s 2D-HD aesthetic, and this style is a surprisingly good fit for the project. The graphics are vibrant, flashy, and detailed, all the while still offering some of that PS1 old-school charm. The overall game has received considerable polish, making it an easy recommendation for JRPG fans.

The Messenger

Metascore: 86

The Messenger is an action platformer about a ninja who must travel through dangerous lands to deliver a scroll that will save his clan. The game uses pixel art in an exciting way. It starts as an 8-bit adventure, but as the story delves into time travel, it turns the game into 16-bit. The Messenger truly captures the spirit of classic retro games.

Although it starts off with basic controls, new abilities can be unlocked to fight off villains and to make platforming a bit easier. Collectibles, called the Time Shards, allow for character upgrades as well. Even though the situation is dire, the game still holds a great sense of humor which makes it more entertaining.

Sabotage’s Sea of Stars, a prequel to The Messenger, is also gorgeous.

Bonfire Peaks

Metascore: 86

Bonfire Peaks is a puzzle game about guiding a character through a forest as they seek to burn boxes of their belongings. As players progress through the simultaneously pretty and intimidating setting, the puzzles will gradually grow more difficult as new mechanics are thrown in that demand flexible thinking to solve.

The solutions are rarely obvious and if someone’s train of thought barrels down an incorrect path, the puzzles might even seem indecipherable. Bonfire Peaks is a must-play for puzzle and pixel art fans.

Eastward

Metascore: 82

Pixpil’s Eastward is an impressive indie game that guides players through an immersive journey set in a fantastically detailed world. The story centers around John, a mute but strong man, and Sam, a bright-eyed and energetic young girl. Born and raised in an underground community, they venture into the outer world to learn that everything they believe is not quite right.

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With a gripping narrative, great writing, exquisite visuals, and memorable side characters, Eastward is a haunting delight. The gameplay is serviceable enough for what the pixel game is trying to do and, most importantly, doesn’t detract from the story.

Tactics Ogre (Or Reborn)

Metascore: 86

Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together sits among the greatest tactical RPGs of all time. Originally released for the SNES, Saturn, and PS1, the game eventually earned a 2010 remake for the PSP, which was then used as a base for 2022’s Tactics Ogre: Reborn. All iterations of the project are fantastic in their own right.

While they do suffer from some dated mechanics, the older incarnations’ pixelated graphics have generally aged well, provided they are played on an era-appropriate screen. Tactics Ogre: Reborn smooths out the visuals to make them compatible with modern displays, a decision that did attract some criticisms from long-time fans.

Omori

Metascore: 87

Omori has all the makings of an indie pixel game masterpiece, even if the title hasn’t yet managed to reach the same level of exposure as an Undertale or Stardew Valley. Made in RPGMaker, Omori combines pixel and hand-drawn art to create stunning and imaginative landscapes that are equally as likely to charm or terrify players.

While the visuals might not always make it apparent, Omori is predominantly a psychological horror game. A group of children find themselves exploring the dreams of Omori, a boy suffering from serious trauma that he can’t deal with directly. The indie game touches upon a number of mature themes such as depression and grief, all of which are handled with sensitivity and nuance.

Technically, Omori isn’t purely a pixel game, as it incorporates other art styles. However, they complement each other quite splendidly and combine so they can echo the emotional beats hit by the narrative.

Enter The Gungeon

Metascore: 87

One of the defining entries in the roguelike genre, Enter the Gungeon is bone-crushingly difficult, chaotic, and impossible to put down. After picking a playable character, people dive into the Gungeon as they fire their way through an array of floors, each one featuring randomly generated enemies, loot, and structures.

Enter the Gungeon will frustrate players to no end, but its frantic gameplay and rewarding loot system are just too entertaining to ignore. As far as pixel games are concerned, there aren’t many bigger titles than Enter the Gungeon.

Terraria

Metascore: 85

Released in 2011, Terraria does show its age in some ways, but it is still one of the most ambitious and best indie pixel games of all time. A sandbox title, Terraria is all about presenting players with the tools to interact with this impressive world in their own ways.

Terraria‘s pixel art is pleasant and colorful, and benefits from the variety afforded by the vast world. There are prettier pixel games on the market, but few are better than Re-Logic’s title.

Unsighted

Metascore: 88

An action RPG that leans heavily into exploration, Unsighted tells a gripping tale about war and androids. Alma, the main character, wakes up with no memories, a ticking clock to her doom, and the drive to collect five key items. Once the stage is set, players are left to explore Arcadia, a desolate city, at their own leisure.

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Unsighted‘s pixel art is a sight to behold. Studio Pixel Punk utilized the art style’s simplicity to perfection, crafting a world that is haunting. The combat is also quite fun, particularly once someone becomes accustomed to the parry system.

Black Skylands

Metascore: N/A

After spending roughly two years in early access, Black Skylands finally made its full debut in August 2023, and the game has been reasonably well received. An ambitious top-down sandbox game that combines RPG elements with twin-stick shooter-style gameplay, Hungry Couch’s game grants players their own airship and allows them to explore the open skies. Even though the campaign provides players with a fair amount of freedom and customization options, it also has a set storyline that can be followed if someone wants a more streamlined experience.

Graphically, Black Skylands is a sight to behold as it combines vibrant environments with eye-catching special effects, resulting in a satisfying explosion of colors. Due to coming out in a month dominated by Baldur’s Gate 3, this indie pixel game might have flown under the radars of a lot of people, some of whom might enjoy its blend of ideas.

A Short Hike

Metascore: 88

An adventure does need to have a world-altering goal to be unforgettable. A Short Hike tells the simple tale of Claire, a bird who sets out on a journey to find cellphone reception. This involves hiking up the Hawk Peak Trail.

An open-world game set in a lush environment, A Short Hike is relaxing and therapeutic. Free of much in the way of stress, A Short Hike permits Claire (and players) to just breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the casual trip. It is a beautiful pixel art game.

Blasphemous 2

Metascore: 85

Similar to its predecessor, Blasphemous 2 is a haunting Gothic Metroidvania seeped in horror imagery. Admittedly, “beautiful” is not the first word that comes to mind when traversing Cvstodia’s decrepit locations and fighting its many, many nightmarish entities; however, that does not mean the game’s visuals are not stunning. Blasphemous 2 looks fantastic from its grim backdrops to its creative and terrifying monsters.

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As The Penitent One, players gain access to a plethora of weapons, spells, and abilities, all of which combine to create a surprisingly robust combat system along with an expansive range of build options. The action not only feels great but is also visually and audibly satisfying.

A Space For The Unbound

Metascore: 86

An indie title, A Space for the Unbound takes place in Indonesia and follows a teenager as he goes through his life in a seemingly ordinary town. However, things are not quite as they seem, both in-universe and for the game itself. While the project is billed as a slice-of-life and opens with a relatively relaxed tone, A Space for the Unbound eventually takes some unexpected turns as it tackles challenging themes dealing with things like depression.

Aesthetically, Mojiken Studio’s release is an early contender for the most beautiful pixel art game of 2023. A Space for the Unbound knocks its character designs and landscapes out of the park, and the story has quite a few visual moments that are breathtaking.

Record Of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth

Metascore: 83

Based on a franchise that started out as a series of novels before spreading out into anime, manga, and video games, Record of Lodoss War is a fairly big name, even if it is not all that well known in Western nations. While they might not learn too much about this universe’s lore or depth, newcomers can jump directly into Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth as it serves as a welcoming entry point, along with just being a fun action RPG in its own right. Taking some cues from Metroidvanias, the 2021 release is a bit more streamlined than the genre’s traditional output, although it still offers intense action, unlockable abilities, backtracking, and exploration. It just prioritizes combat above most of its other ingredients.

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Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth‘s pixel art is a natural fit for 2D side-scrollers, to the point that the combination is almost cliche. Still, the game looks very good, with the character designs being particularly fantastic. The Gothic backdrops are also atmospheric and detailed.

Moonlighter

Metascore: 88

Moonlighter is like playing two different games. This roguelike RPG is a story about a shopkeeper named Will who dreams about being a hero in his village of Rynoka. With portals in his town leading to different realms, Will gets a chance to show his bravery.

The game is split into two parts. During the day, the protagonist manages their shop, communicates with villagers for special requests, and crafts new items. Players can price their items and interact with customers as well. At night, it’s time to enter the dungeons and wield a weapon against enemies for valuable loot. The game cycles between the shop and the dungeons. Other parts of Rynoka come in handy too. With any extra cash, players can visit local shops to upgrade weapons to suit their play style.

Kingdom Two Crowns

Metascore: 85

Raw Fury’s Kingdom series has consistently knocked itself out of the park. While New Lands was probably most people’s first exposure to the license, Two Crowns is arguably the best Kingdom come, although that might change once Kingdom Eighties debuts in 2023. 2D side-scrollers rarely try their hand at the strategy genre, but Two Crowns shows that any trepidation might be misplaced. As a ruler, players travel through a desolate land as they try to create something from the ashes, which generally means investing in infrastructure and the people who will bring them to life.

Two Crowns also has a tower defense element as villages and buildings can be attacked at night, so players need to invest in protection to ensure they survive. As its title suggests, the game supports co-op play as two rulers can roam different parts of the map and work together but separately toward creating a better world. Like all the Kingdom games, Two Crowns is gorgeous, making it one of the best pixel art games from a technical perspective.

Coffee Talk

Metascore: 76

The official website for Coffee Talk cites “90s anime, classic pixel art adventure games, and the chill imageries often associated with lo-fi chillhop music” as inspirations for its visual style. All of this will be super apparent to anyone who has spent time with the popular title.

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Coffee Talk is a fascinating visual novel, set in an alternate take on contemporary Seattle. Fantastic creatures like orcs live alongside humankind and, of course, share coffee shops. Which is where the player comes in. The goal of the game is to satisfy these often-mythological patrons while learning more about them and their lives. Over the course of a campaign, a variety of thought-provoking and utterly engrossing tales will be told.

The sequel offers more of the same.

Owlboy

Metascore: 88

Owlboy is a sincere story about Otus, a boy who is also an owl. His life takes a turn when pirates appear, but that’s just the beginning. Otus can fly anywhere he wants, but that doesn’t mean this beautiful and very creative platformer/adventure title will be any easier. In this game, progressing through dungeons requires puzzle-solving and fighting enemies that obstruct the path.

In order to fight, Otus carries his friends to target enemies or creatively uses his undemanding abilities. It’s heartwarming seeing his friends become his strength. Owlboy‘s imaginative story and unique playstyle make the game all the more compelling. The jaw-dropping, detailed pixel art is the best part of this game. From the background to the foreground, it’s incredibly well-designed.

Live A Live

Metascore: 85

Be it the Super Famicom original or the HD-2D remake, Live A Live always looks good. As the 1994 JRPG was not released in Western countries during its initial run, the 2022 interpretation was the first time many people got to experience Square Enix’s gem. The campaign is quite different from most of the genre’s offerings since it features multiplayer protagonists who each have their own stories set within different eras. They even have unique mechanics that differentiate them from their peers.

Live A Live is a cult classic and an easy recommendation for JRPG fans. Nowadays, HD-2D games have become quite common, primarily thanks to Square Enix’s efforts; as such, the remake’s visuals lack novelty. Nonetheless, the game is still a feast for the eyes.

Katana ZERO

Metascore: 83

Katana ZERO‘s retro, neon art paired with synth music creates an exhilarating atmosphere that complements the game’s fast-paced nature. The protagonist is Zero, an assassin who is under a drug called Chronos that grants him a way to manipulate time. Abilities such as dodging, slowing time, and reflecting bullets take time to master. Mastering these skills is important since each level must be completed flawlessly.

A feature that stands out in Katana ZERO is that Zero dies after taking a single hit. When Zero dies, his precognition rewinds back to the start of the mission. This gives gamers another chance to fix their mistake and complete the entire task without dying. The story may not be as captivating as some, but the few hours of combat are enjoyable.

Cookie Clicker

Metascore: N/A (7.8 User Score)

Cookie Clicker has been out for a while, originally debuting on a web browser in 2013. Since then, this quirky project has blossomed in popularity, peaking with the launch of a Steam version in 2021. Cookie Clicker starts out by having players do what its title suggests: click a cookie to produce more cookies.

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As the player accumulates tasty treats, they will be able to spend their cookies on tools, buildings, and grandmas to help speed up their production. Eventually, they will sit on the throne of a cookie empire that produces millions of goods within seemingly seconds. There is no limit when it comes to cookies.

Starbound

Metascore: 81

Starbound takes Terraria‘s gameplay loop and sends it out into the universe. There aren’t too many sandbox pixel games out there, but when one comes around, it tends to be pretty special. Starbound frees the player to craft their own adventures as they visit procedurally generated worlds filled with inhabitants to kill and minerals to mine. These planets are unique and filled with surprises as players explore different biomes or dig deep into the soil.

For those who prefer their pixel games to have a bit more direction, Starbound comes with story missions that include their own bosses. These are well-executed and often pretty challenging, serving as a great companion piece to the sandbox gameplay. Visually, Starbound is pleasant, and it isn’t unusual for a picturesque vista to become the backdrop of a planetary romp.

Stardew Valley

Metascore: 89

The classic Stardew Valley may be one of the most beloved pixel art games of all time. In this RPG, the goal is to build a farm and restore Stardew Valley. Players can grow crops, raise animals, cook meals, go fishing (a profitable endeavor in all manner of titles, including Red Dead Online), and craft items they need. The pixel style adds to the charm of living a wholesome farm life.

Also, the main character can interact with NPCs and even start a family. It’s like living in a pixelated world. Besides that, players can complete bundles for currency or resources. The only consequence here is getting too tired, which then reduces earnings. It’s also possible to play with friends and build a farm together or share resources, so that’s a bonus.

Dead Cells

Metascore: 91

Another popular pick, Dead Cells is a Metroidvania-style game with eye-catching animation. Its super-addictive rogue-like structure creates a challenge for players with permadeath, which means a lot of what is earned will be lost on death. This fast-paced game keeps gamers’ hearts pumping with the scare of permadeath and merciless enemies. In short, the game feels incredibly thrilling.

The goal is to cautiously escape the castle and to complete each dungeon successfully. Dead Cells isn’t so ruthless, though, since players get permanent upgrades to help them throughout their journey. Also, the nonlinear progression enables access to different paths to reach the destination. Players can go for paths that seem the most fitting for their play style.

Undertale

Metascore: 93

Many fell in love with Undertale and it’s no surprise why. The story revolves around a young child who falls into the Underground and is introduced to a world of monsters. For a game set in a deadly place, it’s quite endearing, with humor, eccentric monster personalities, and the main character’s ability to be friends with all the enemies.

However, friendship isn’t necessary. In combat, it’s possible to spare enemies or kill them, which results in different consequences. The goal of the game is to find a way back to the surface. The journey involves a handful of perplexing puzzles and unique combat through the dark and unsophisticated pixel world. Undertale is a game that will bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Celeste

Metascore: 94

Celeste is a story of self-discovery for the main character, Madeline. This narrative platformer is about helping Madeline fight her way to the top of Celeste Mountain. With arduous challenges and stimulating platforming, Celeste feels worthwhile. The 8-bit style, exploration, uniquely designed secret rooms, and progression of the game feel quite wholesome.

The controls are simple and easy to learn, but that doesn’t mean the game won’t be challenging. Players should be prepared for countless deaths while they make their way up to the summit. The deaths aren’t discouraging, urging players to maintain a trial-and-error mindset. Celeste isn’t just about platforming; the story is as engaging as the action.

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