Cover image from Ori and the Blind Studio by Moon Studios

Apart from the gameplay and storyline in a video game, one important factor that makes it worthwhile to play is the visual element. The graphic appeal of a video game can be pretty subjective. Some prefer realistic graphics as seen in games like Black Myth: Wukong while some may go for more stylized aesthetic like Ori and the Blind Forest or a simpler abstract-like art form like the one we see in Gris.

In this post, I’ve compiled PC games with stunning visuals from 2015 to 2024 that are considered to be artistic by video game reviewers as well as art critics themselves. While most gamers prefer one game genre over another, I hope this list will gear you towards the visual styles instead. For instance, I typically play open world RPG but I definitely don’t mind a little adventure platformers that are visually stunning such as the Ori series.

I’ve included the links to purchase from either Steam or Epic Games in case some of you may want to buy the game. This is not a paid post and I’m not an affiliate to them. I don’t get paid in commissions if you decide to purchase the games.1

1. Black Myth: Wukong (2024)

By Game Science | Action RPG | Available on PC, Playstation 5 and Xbox

Black Myth: Wukong is inspired by the Chinese legend, Journey to the West where it follows the story of a monkey god, Sun Wukong. It released in August 2024 by Game Science. Within two weeks, it sold 18 million units making it one of the fastest selling games of all time. Its stunning and realistic visual style, while impressive, comes at a price. For a pretty liner game, it requires 130gb of space according to its Steam page. This is precisely why I haven’t start playing it yet. I’ll need to uninstall two other active games I’m playing to make space for it.

2. Hades (2020) and Hades II (2024)

by Supergiant Games | Roguelike Action Game

Hades is a rogue-like action games based on Greek Mythology. Rogue-like means the character is expected to die repeatedly. You control Zagreus (in short Zag), the prince of Underworld and son of Hades, where he attempts to leave home to head to Mount Olympus. You’ll run into a series of challenges set by Hades in his persistent effort to prevent Zag’s escape. You’ll engage in a hack and slash combat system using a mix of weapon attack and magic ability to defeat your enemies. Whenever Zag dies, he’ll resurrects at home where you’ll gain the upper hand in the next round as you can unlock new weapons, learn new abilities and improve certain attributes to make your subsequent runs easier.

Its sequel, Hades II, is released in May 2024. Hades II follows Melinoe, sister to Zag from the first game. She’s the Princess of the Underworld whose aim is to defeat Chronos, the Titan of Time with the assistance from other Olympian gods. The game mechanics is similar to Hades so if you have played Hades, the learning curve is very minimal.

3. Stray (2022)

By BlueTwelve Studio and Annapurna Interactive | Adventure

Stray is a 3rd-person adventure game set in a futuristic, neon-lit city inspired by cyberpunk aesthetics. It follows the journey of a stray cat who must navigate the city to find its way home to the family it got separated with. Stray features a visually stunning and atmospheric world with great details. Its puzzle solving nature makes its gameplay engaging as you get to use the cat’s abilities to solve puzzles as you progress.

4. Kena: Bridge of Spirits (2021)

By Ember Lab | Action-Adventure

Kena is a young spirit guide who has the magical abilities to move deceased people from the physical to the spirit world. It’s played in a 3rd person perspective. The detailed world-building in the game with Pixar-like animation definitely makes it artistic.

5. Sable (2021)

By Shedworks and Raw Fury | Adventure RPG 

Sable is a game inspired by French-Belgian comic art where it’s known for its stunning, hand-drawn art style. Players play the role of Sable, a young nomad who set out to explore the world to learn more about her heritage. There’s no combat elements in this game. Instead, players focus on exploration, interaction with environment and puzzle solving. Playing this game feels like you’re living in an animated graphic novel.

6. Call of the Sea (2020)

By Out of the Blue Games and Raw Fury | Adventure Puzzle

Call of the Sea is a first-person adventure game set in the 1930s where you play the role of Mayfair DuBois, a woman who searches for her missing husband in a mysterious South Pacific Island. This game stands out for its stunning tropical environments and a beautiful soundtrack. The gameplay is very narrative-driven which makes the story the central to the experience. The main focus here is on exploration and character development.

7. Death Stranding (2019)

by Kojima Productions | Action Adventure Game | Available on PC and Playstation 5

Death Stranding is created by legendary game creator Hideo Kojima of the Metal Gear franchise. You control player Porter Bridges played and voiced by Norman Reedus (Daryl from The Walking Dead TV series.) You’re tasked to deliver supplies to isolated colonies set in the United States after a catastrophic event causing hostile creatures to roam the planet. You’ll also see some great character models featuring actors Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal), Léa Seydoux (Spectre), Lindsay Wagner (The Bionic Woman), Margaret Qualley (Death Note), Tommie Earl Jenkins (Go Jetters) and a few others. Above all that, the environment in this game is truly a work of art. Although the game received favourable reviews on its visuals, voice acting and soundtracks, it has mixed reviews regarding its gameplay and storyline. The Director’s Cut version is released in 2020 on Steam.

8. Disco Elysium (2019)

by ZA/UM and Humble Bundle | RPG

Disco Elysium is a role-playing game unlike any others as it doesn’t feature any combat and instead it’s based on a tabletop role-playing gaming developed by its game designer Robert Kurvitz. On top of that, the visual aethetics in the game feature an oil-painting art style. In this game you assume the role of an amnesic detective tasked to solve a murder mystery which takes place in a large city. Disco Elysium has won several awards for its art and narrative.

9. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019)

By FromSoftware and Activision | Action Adventure

In Sekiro, players take on the role of a skilled shinobi known as Wolf, who is on a mission to rescue his lord. He is drawn into a struggle for the future of Ashina. The gameplay revolves around stealth, exploration, and intense combat, with a strong focus on challenging boss fights. Set in a fictionalized version of Japan during the Sengoku period, this game is renowned for its artistic representation of feudal Japan. The game’s art direction, from traditional architecture to stunning vistas, is steeped in cultural authenticity, with a focus on atmospheric lighting and environmental storytelling.

10. Gris (2018)

by Nomada Studio and Devolver Digital | Platform Adventure Game

Gris is a marvellous platformer with distrinctive visuals in watercolour art style. This game explores with theme of loss and grief with Celeste’s struggle after losing a loved one. The artist behind this hauntingly beautiful watercolour illustrations is Conrad Roset. The beautiful dreamlike world of Gris grows lovelier as you progress through the game. It’s a wonderful platform game with interesting puzzles to solve along the way.

11. Kingdom Come: Deliverance (2018)

by Warhorse Studios and Deep Silver | Action RPG

Kingdom Come: Deliverance looks artistically beautiful with its forests, fields and villages reveals a varied and attractive landscape. The game started off peaceful and serene with the main character, Henry’s rather simple village life until it becomes chaotic during an army attack. I don’t know about you but I’m totally blown away by the maps. They’re like medieval art masterpieces.

12. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)

by Rockstar Games and Rockstar North| Action Adventure

Red Dead Redemption 2 is known as one of the best open-world games ever. Coupled with epic landscapes, there are so many places to explore, people to meet and things to do. It is much admired by fans for its photorealistic environments and attention to detail. The game’s visual fidelity creates an immersive world that feels alive.

13. What Remains of Edith Finch (2017)

by Giant Sparrow and Annapurna Interactive| Adventure Game

This game is a narrative-driven, first-person adventure game that focuses on exploring the mysterious Finch family home and uncovering the stories of its deceased members. The level of details in What Remains of Edith Finch is just marvellous with its beautifully crafted house, school and secret passageways.

14. Nier: Automata (2017)

by PlatinumGames and Square Enix | Action RPG

NieR Automata is a Japanese action role-playing game and is a sequel to the 2010 game NieR.  The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where androids fight against alien invaders to reclaim Earth for humanity. Nier: Automata is a visual masterpiece by Kazuma Koda, the concept artist for the game. The world design, animation and visual effects are incredibly impressive and absorbing.

15. Hollow Knight (2017)

by Team Cheery | Metroidvania Adventure Game

Hollow Knight is a Metroidvania-style game set in a dark, insect-themed world. Players take on the role of the Knight, a mysterious character who explores a vast underground kingdom filled with dangerous creatures, ancient ruins, and hidden secrets. Hollow Knight triumphs in its hand-drawn detailed art style strongly resemble those of Disney Comics. The visual qualities serve as a crucial part of the gameplay. It’s a popular choice for fans of exploration-driven games with a dark and mysterious tone.

16. Mafia III (2016)

by Hangar 13, 2K Czech, Aspyr| Action Adventure Game

Mafia III is an open-world action-adventure game set in New Orleans in the 1960s. Players take on the role of Lincoln Clay, a Vietnam War veteran who seeks revenge against the Italian mafia for betraying him and killing his family. The visual art in Mafia III look classy and believably beautiful. The interpretation of 1968 New Orleans was well done with the decoration, mood and atmosphere blended in together to create this detailed masterpiece. As a fan of the Mafia series, I could really get lost in this world.

17. INSIDE (2016)

by Playdead | Puzzle Platform Adventure Game

INSIDE is an indie adventure game known for its minimalist art style, haunting atmosphere, and puzzle-solving gameplay. The game revolves around an unnamed boy who navigates a mysterious and often hostile world, facing various challenges and dangers along the way. Although it’s a simple 2D puzzle-platformer, the dark and gloom atmosphere in this game is hauntingly beautiful. I play INSIDE for the first time via mobile but I would strongly recommend platformer fans to give it a try on the PC to do justice to its subtle details that are beautifully crafted.

18. The Town of Light (2016)

by LKA, Wired Productions | Survival Horror Adventure Game

The Town of Light is a psychological horror adventure game where you play Renée, a former patient who was treated in Volterra (now an abandoned psychiatric hospital) in the 40s. Although there’s no jump scare whatsoever, it does touch on certain sensitive subjects that can be upsetting such as mental abuse, physical abuse as well as sexual abuse. Not exactly a happy game for everyone but it does feature some captivating art in-game with a lot to admire visually; realistic photos, creative graffiti art, advertisement posters, etc.

19. Firewatch (2016)

by Campo Santo and Panic | First-Person Adventure Game  

Firewatch is a first-person adventure game set in the Wyoming wilderness in 1989. You play a character named Henry who work as a fire lookout in the wilderness of Wyoming. It’s an indie masterpiece with stunningly beautiful environment that look like poster art come to life, incorporating both realism and graphic art.

20. Ori and the Blind Forest (2015)

by Moon Studios and Microsoft Studios | Metroidvania Adventure Game

The game follows Ori, a tiny guardian spirit as it navigates through a hand-drawn forest. The forest is facing a devastating blight, and Ori must explore its depths to uncover its secrets and save it. Initially I was compelled to play Ori and the Blind Forest because of its soundtracks. However, I found the visuals in the game rather meditative invoking the feeling of euphoria and also making it one of the most beautifully designed platformers. 

What are Your Favourite?

Did your favourite games make it to this list of these beautifully crafted PC games with stunning visuals? If not, please feel free to share it in the comment section down below. I would love to hear your thoughts.