Video games are in a unique position when it comes to visual presentation. They are afforded the same tools and elements as film—movement, sound, lighting, et cetera—but with the transformative factor of interactivity. A filmmaker can control their audience's perspective, and the pace at which they move through their carefully crafted worlds; game developers don't have that luxury.
But while some creators might find this lack of control frustrating or limiting, the best game developers use it to their advantage. Aesthetically striking video games can often adopt the qualities of a sprawling national park, haunted house, or art gallery: they allow their audience to form their own relationship with the visual stimuli. The indie scene is especially rife with such experimental, artistically significant projects, with recent releases like Sword of the Sea making waves (no pun intended) courtesy of their one-of-a-kind visuals. But there are far more indie games that never reach the same heights as something like Sword of the Sea, and they deserve recognition too.
Indika
The most popular game on this list, Indika excels through its surreal, psychedelic presentation, which shifts between true-to-life cinematics and charmingly rendered pixel graphics on a dime. What's more remarkable than Indika's loose commitment to a single art style is the verve and ingenuity with which each style is crafter: so many games focus on making realistic, "cinematic" cutscenes, but so few attempt to use the language of cinema for anything interesting. This can be seen in the likes of Assassin's Creed or Mafia: The Old Country, which look lifelike, but whose cutscenes are joyless, bland, and uninspired. Indika borrows plenty from the world of arthouse cinema, and is all the better for it.
Indika
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 75%
- Released
- May 2, 2024
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Odd Meter
- Publisher(s)
- 11 Bit Studios
WHERE TO PLAY
MEET A NOT-SO-ORDINARY NUN.
INDIKA is a third-person, story-driven game set in a strange world where religious visions clash with harsh reality. It tells the story of a young nun who sets off on a journey of self-discovery with the most unusual, horn-headed companion by her side.
On the outside, Indika seems to be a typical nun attempting to adjust to a difficult and monotonous monastery life. Humble and innocent in her appearance, do not be deceived as this young girl has also made a highly unlikely acquaintance—as she speaks with the devil himself.
Indika’s unusual connection with the Evil One leads her on an errand beyond the safe walls of the monastery. The world she discovers can only be described as a wild combination of comedy and tragedy straight out of the novels by Dostoyevski and Bulhakov.
ENJOY AN INDIE GAME WHERE EVERYTHING GOES.
The subjects of religion and authority are prevalent throughout Indika’s journey and she’ll be faced with many questions along the way. Guide her to find the answers one by one before she can finish her life-defining odyssey.
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Genre(s)
- Psychological Horror, Puzzle, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- How Long To Beat
- 4 hours
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
Mutazione
Described on Steam as a "mutant soap opera," Mutazione is a game that puts its quirky, bizarre aesthetic front-and-center. Indeed, Mutazione is proud of its insane science-fiction premise, and this translates into a tangible sense of panache that permeates the entire experience. It's set in a closed-off community of mutants, so there are plenty of strange creatures to interact with, but the overall aesthetic of Mutazione is surprisingly homey and quaint. It's not an incredibly intense narrative experience, but rather a slice-of-life tale set in an otherworldly vision of earth, and its hand-drawn animation communicates this alien elevator pitch better than any line of dialog.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 76 /100 Critics Rec: 81%
- Released
- September 19, 2019
- ESRB
- t
- Engine
- unity
WHERE TO PLAY
A mutant soap opera where small-town gossip meets the supernatural...
MUTAZIONE is an adventure game where the juicy personal drama is just as important as the high-stakes adventure part of the story.
Explore the community as 15-year-old Kai as she travels to the strange and secretive community of Mutazione to care for her ailing grandfather, Nonno.
Make new friends; plant musical gardens; attend BBQs, band nights and boat trips; and embark on a final spiritual journey to save everyone from the strange darkness at the heart of it all.
Over 100 years ago, the meteor “Moon Dragon” struck a tropical holiday resort. Most of the inhabitants perished, while those who survived began to show strange mutations... The rescue missions quickly retreated, and those who remained in the mutating environment founded the small and isolated community of Mutazione.
Fast-forward to modern day, where you play as 15-year-old Kai as she travels to Mutazione to help nurse her dying grandfather back to health. But things aren’t as simple as they seem... Nonno has other plans for Kai; secrets and betrayals simmer under the friendly community’s surface; and there’s a creepy bird-like figure who keeps on appearing in Kai’s dreams.
They can survive an apocalyptic meteor strike, but can they survive their small-town drama?
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Indie Games
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, Android, iOS
- How Long To Beat
- 6 hours
Black Book
Black Book is one of many video games based on real-world mythology, though it's only one of a few to feature Slavic myths. This decidedly unique backdrop allows the game to run wild with its creature design, but Black Book is stylish even when you don't consider its premise. Careful use of color, simple character models, and thoughtfully integrated visual effects make Black Book a deceptively rich and textured feast for the senses, one that is likely to stick with you like one of so many hexes, curses, and prophecies that litter the game's narrative.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 86%
- Released
- May 5, 2020
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Morteshka
- Publisher(s)
- HypeTrain Digital, Limited Run Games
WHERE TO PLAY
A fusion of card-based RPGs and Adventure games, “Black Book” is a haunting tale of a young sorceress, who gave her life to serve the dark forces. Dive into the cold, yet alluring world of Slavic folktales - and uncover the secrets that hide in the darkness.
A young girl named Vasilisa, destined to become a witch, decides to throw her fate away and marry her beloved - but that dream is shattered when her betrothed dies under mysterious circumstances.
Aching for her lost love, Vasilisa seeks out the Black Book - a demonic artifact, said to be powerful enough to grant any wish to the one who uncovers all 7 of its seals. Join Vasilisa in her adventures across the rural countryside, as she solves the woes of common folk by confronting demons and performing exorcisms.
Uncover the seals of Black Book: Unleash hellish spells on your enemies! Collect spell cards and new skills as you progress.
A Historic Adventure: Solve riddles and complete side-quests as you learn more about life in the Slavic countryside.
Lead a Demonic Flock: Send demons to do your bidding, but be careful - idle demons will torture you if you don’t find them something to do!
Myths and legends: Explore a world based on Northern Slavic mythology. Learn from an in-game encyclopedia, created with the help of expert anthropologists - and find all folk tales hidden within the game!
- Engine
- unity
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Adventure, Indie Games, Strategy
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, macOS
- How Long To Beat
- 23 hours
30 Birds
One of the best things about the indie scene is its sense of boundless creativity and ingenuity; it feels like there's always a new, ambitious project waiting to revolutionize your standards for visual design. 30 Birds is one such game, seemingly channeling classic stained-glass art with its visuals: the game is rich in color, though not garish by any stretch, and its character models almost seem to emit a faint glow, like they are backed by a weak light. Each frame of 30 Birds looks like it could be a stained-glass piece in itself, as its flat, dense, and oddly harmonious visual elements combine to create an undeniable allure.
- Released
- November 27, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Business Goose Studios, RAM RAM Games
- Publisher(s)
- Arte France
WHERE TO PLAY
In 30 Birds, you play as Zig, a young detective sent to bustling Lantern City to track down The Scientist. Alongside Hoop, a talented hoopoe stand-up comedian, you'll encounter a whole madhouse of feathered friends and quirky characters as you explore dazzling Lantern City from top to bottom. Solve a variety of puzzles to foil the plans of the obnoxious Scientist behind the kidnapping to save the bird Goddess Simurgh.
Experience a seamless blend of 2D and 3D in this mesmerizing narrative adventure, with hand-drawn visuals inspired by Persian miniatures. Wander through the gorgeous neighborhoods of Lantern City while enjoying a ska - dub - reggae inspired soundtrack and help Zig gather thirty charismatic and chatty birds to save Simurgh! But beware, you might come across puzzling challenges on your way…
Discover a gorgeous universe laid out on the surface of rotating lanterns. Wander through a beautiful city inspired by Middle Eastern legends, meeting the local goofs, quirky djinns, and regular weirdos along the way. Solve puzzles and interesting challenges to help Zig rescue Simurgh!
• Meet riotous and (not-so) charming birds, collecting your new feathered friends' contacts on your phone. Thwart diabolical and (not-so) powerful foes and find the fabulous Goddess, Simurgh.
• Explore a mythical, colorful, and beautifully hand-drawn world inspired by Persian art! Uncover Lantern City's stunning sights and fantastic characters.
• Take on all kinds of thrilling challenges to advance the story! Solve intriguing and fun puzzles, wander around bars and cafes, create funky music using synthesizers, and play cards to gather clues and bring light to Simurgh’s kidnapping.
• Vibe out to the energetic ska - dub - reggae soundtrack, sprinkled with unexpected twists, as you stroll down the bright streets of Lantern City.
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Indie
- Platform(s)
- Windows, macOS, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch