Indie games have only continued to get better throughout the years, with significant improvements in their visuals underscoring how developers don’t need large budgets to make gorgeous titles. The most beautiful among them stand out and impress fans who are looking to discover stunning video game worlds.

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From the colorful retro setting of Eastward to the impeccably designed locations and characters in Kena: Bridge of Spirits, the most visually stunning indie games leave a lasting impression on players for the best reasons. Well-written narratives and smooth gameplay are only made better through these gorgeous titles’ immersive worlds.

Ori And The Blind Forest (2015)

Naru cradles a glowing Ori on a fallen tree in The Blind Forest.

It’s not too far-fetched to say that Ori and the Blind Forest by developer Moon Studios wouldn’t be such a hard-hitting emotional indie video game if it wasn’t as beautiful as it is. Its profound story about the small white spirit Ori’s quest to restore balance to his world is punctuated by its luminous environment, which is gorgeously rendered into sun-streaked magical forests.

The soft glow that follows Ori and Sein through their journey seems to light up the paths around them. There’s a calming aura that envelops the entire game, which is dominated by vibrant blue and green hues.

Hollow Knight (2017)

Two figures stand next to a lamp pose in a dark street in Hollow Knight.

Developer Team Cherry’s Hollow Knight is a notoriously challenging Metroidvania-style game, which is why fans can’t be blamed for focusing more on their battles in Hallownest than the stunning environment around them.

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With its muted color palette, sharp lines, and intricate rooms, the art style in the indie title perfectly matches its bleak story. Something that especially stands out is the character design for its enemies, with each one – from the Gruzzer to the Husk Guard – perfectly fitting into the often unsettling world of the nameless Knight.

Eastward (2021)

A top-down view of a retro-styled village and the words "Eastward."

Eastward has quickly become one of the best adventure video games released this year, with its lovable protagonists, wild characters, and engaging gameplay. Of course, the visuals of the retro-style indie title have impressed fans, too.

Developer Pixpil obviously put in a lot of time and effort into crafting the incredibly detailed towns in the game. The pastel palette and adorable characters complement the chill adventure players embark on as they follow John and Sam to the forbidden surface. It’s a charming and often quirky title that’s easy to get lost in, in large part thanks to its beautiful locations.

Limbo (2010)

The player character standing in front of a giant spider in Limbo.

For fans of the horror genre, developer Playdead’s Limbo is a game that needs no introduction. Players are thrust into a film noir-like world with little explanation as to what’s going on. Things become increasingly disturbing, mostly because of the gruesome deaths the unnamed protagonist suffers if players make the wrong move, but also because of the dark black-and-white environment.

The visuals are brilliantly crafted to evoke a sense of aloneness in the bleak setting. Players may see shadows moving in the background every now and then, which only adds to the sense of dread and creepiness that follows fans throughout the game.

Cuphead (2017)

Cuphead fighting a giant flower in Cuphead.

It’s safe to say that there has never been a modern game with the unique 1930s cartoon-inspired aesthetic that Cuphead offers. Developer Studio MDHR does an incredible job bringing the rubber hose animation style back to life, pairing it with a comical story and an amusing soundtrack, too.

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Despite its intricately designed and hand-painted backgrounds, harsh outlines around the characters, and often exaggerated colors, the striking visuals do nothing to distract from the genuinely tough and rewarding gameplay. It’s a perfectly balanced title that successfully transports players into a treacherous but stunning world.

Sable (2021)

Sable walking in front of her ship in the sunny desert in Sable.

Developer Shedworks’ Sable has been praised for the unbelievable level of freedom it gives players, which is only possible thanks to its expansive and picturesque open world. The coming-of-age story of the titular protagonist often fades into the background when players explore the vast cel-shaded dunes and deserts on their hoverbikes.

Even the characters in the indie title are remarkable, as although they never audibly speak, their compelling stories and well-designed masks make them memorable. It’s a fulfilling gaming experience to be able to ride through the muted landscapes and meet new and interesting NPCs along the way.

Journey (2012)

The player character walks towards ruins in a desert in Journey.

Journey is known for being a game with a relaxing soundtrack, profound narrative, and of course, striking visuals. Developed by thatgamecompany, fans won’t soon forget their experience of gliding through the sandy dunes as the sun sets, sometimes even meeting other unnamed figures that help them through difficult puzzles.

The fluid animation, enchanting lighting, and seemingly endless desert all combine to create an immersive world. It makes sense that Journey’s story is inextricably linked with its setting, as players will find that they’ll uncover more about themselves and the fate of those around them the closer they get to the mountain in the center of it all.

Genesis Noir (2021)

No Man carries a saxophone as he walks across a river in Genesis Noir.

Developer Feral Cat Den gives fans a new adventure in Genesis Noir, which tells the story of No Man’s attempt to find his lost love through the galaxy. The film noir-inspired visuals are striking from the get-go, as players are immediately given a glimpse into the title’s unique animation and art style within the first few minutes of the game.

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The events and characters are mostly set against a black backdrop, which is often illuminated by bright white or yellow lines. These already look amazing in stills from the game, but are even better when players see them animated. Elements often combine, diverge, and even explode to create gorgeous scenes that look like they came out of an art film instead of an indie game.

Abzu (2016)

Swimming through coral in Abzu.

The main aspect that likely drew most players’ attention to Abzu when it was first released was its eye-catching visuals. Developer Giant Squid Studios was able to create one of the most relaxing video games by giving fans a striking underwater environment that’s teeming with life.

Players can swim with hundreds of colorful fish, explore unsettling ancient ruins, and evade predators in dark caverns in the adventure title. The vibrant coral reefs and realistic fluid movements of marine life make it an amazingly immersive journey from start to finish.

Kena: Bridge Of Spirits (2021)

Kena smiles at a creature on her shoulder in Kena Bridge Of Spirits

Developer Ember Lab’s Kena: Bridge of Spirits was a highly anticipated indie title that delivered the impressive visuals and next-gen graphics fans were expecting from the RPG. Kena’s magical world is full of charming characters like the “Rot,” tiny Studio Ghibli-esque creatures that are impossible not to fall in love with.

From its verdant forests to its bleak caverns, it’s obvious that a lot of work went into ensuring that every detail fits perfectly into the enchanting setting. Playing through the game feels like walking through a classic Pixar movie, with each delightful area somehow always being more captivating than the last.

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