Summary
- Blue Prince combines puzzles and roguelike design for engaging gameplay in a calming blue palette, easing tense moments.
- Thief: Deadly Shadows utilizes dark blue hues to add a sinister edge to stealth gameplay in a tranquil atmosphere.
- Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon's retro-futuristic art style pairs vibrant neon colors with dark blue tones for visually striking combat.
Art design plays a huge part in any video game, especially in modern times when the industry is flooded with all kinds of titles. It becomes important to stand out somehow, and these games definitely got the memo.
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The color blue usually reflects calmness and trust, although darker hues invoke feelings of sadness and loneliness, too. This is a palette that many titles have experimented with, allowing the visual design to work harmoniously with the central gameplay loop or themes of their respective games.
1 Blue Prince
The Combination Of Roguelike And Puzzle Elements Is Wildly Engaging
Blue Prince
- Released
- April 10, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Dogubomb
- Publisher(s)
- Raw Fury
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle, Adventure, Exploration, Strategy
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Blue Prince came out of nowhere to become an instant hit for fans of puzzle games. The roguelike progression helped runs feel fresh as players hoped that RNG worked in their favor while trying to reach the elusive 46th room.
Players must choose what rooms to place in this ever-shifting layout, allowing them to find useful items and solve the puzzles of this mysterious mansion. The blue color palette helps players relax, which is a must, given how frustrating it can be to fail when players are about to cross the finishing line.
2 Thief: Deadly Shadows
The Dark Blue Hues Add A Sinister Edge To This Stealth Game
Thief: Deadly Shadows
- Released
- May 25, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ion Storm
- Publisher(s)
- Eidos Interactive
- Genre(s)
- Action, Stealth
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox (Original)
Unlike the first two games made with the Dark Engine, Thief: Deadly Shadows felt like a departure in some areas, although it still honored the legacy of the Thief series. The addition of a hub, along with some imaginative level design, makes up for the game's missteps.
The tranquil blue hues soak the city in a compelling atmosphere while adding to the tension whenever players have to sneak from one area to another. Controlling Garrett and acquiring as much loot as possible never gets old and is a huge part of what makes this game so special.
3 Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
The Muted Blue Colors Look Perfect When Combined With The Other Bright Neon Colors Of This Game
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
- Released
- April 30, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Montreal
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Fans of the already excellent Far Cry 3 were treated to an expansion so legendary that players still can't stop raving about it. Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon is a celebration of video gaming itself, with the retro-futuristic art style boasting a ton of bright neon signs that look amazing.
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However, the game's unique art style would've failed to have an impact if it weren't juxtaposed with the dark blues that are prevalent in this game. It makes for a stellar combination that makes the action-packed combat of Blood Dragon look more visually gratifying than ever.
4 Beyond Blue
The Calm Exploration Of The World's Oceans Will Help Players Deal With Their Thalassophobia
Beyond Blue
- Released
- June 11, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- E-Line Media
- Publisher(s)
- E-Line Media
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Casual, Simulation
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
A game that lets players explore the world's oceans and peruse the aquatic animals that reside here is bound to boast a great focus on the color blue. Such is the case with Beyond Blue, which is one of the most serene and relaxing games fans can enjoy.
Even if players are scared of the ocean's vast unknowns, Beyond Blue will do a great job of easing players into the game. It helps that the quality of the narrative and the voice acting help carry this short and sweet experience that fans of aquatic life will love.
5 SpeedRunners
Blue Is The Dominant Color In This Fun Title That Promotes Friendly Competition
SpeedRunners
- Released
- August 29, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Racing, Indie Games
- Platform(s)
- Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Linux, iOS
For a game that prioritizes fast movement and overtaking opponents on foot, a blue color palette may seem like an odd choice. However, SpeedRunners makes sure to let players enjoy a splash of color across its different zones from time to time.
Players must nail their platforming and use power-ups to catch their combatants unawares as they struggle to remain ahead of the line. A single mistake can be costly, but SpeedRunners' charming presentation ensures that players won't take their losses too seriously.
6 Little Nightmares 2
An Atmospheric Horror Platformer With A Focus On Deep Blues In Its Many Sinister Environments
Little Nightmares 2
- Released
- February 10, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Tarsier Studios, Supermassive Games
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Studios
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Puzzle, Action
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
With games like Limbo and Inside showing just how powerful an atmospheric side-scrolling game can be, it's easy to see why Little Nightmares 2 found great success. The second game is a step above its predecessor and boasts striking visuals that will cause players to quake in their boots.
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Little Nightmares 2 boasts a predominantly dark blue color palette that's meant to hammer in just how isolating the game feels. This atmosphere becomes tense as players realize that something is wrong, only for a creature out of their worst nightmares to start charging them down.
7 Persona 3 Reload
Every Persona Game Focuses On A Certain Color, And The Third Mainline Entry Ran With Blue
Persona 3 Reload
- Released
- February 2, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- P-Studio
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, RPG, Life Simulation, Strategy
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
All Persona games feature a predominant color palette that adorns the UI and various elements of the game. Persona 4's color theme was yellow, while red was dominant in Persona 5.
Given the themes of loss and sadness in Persona 3, it's easy to see why blue was chosen to be the dominant color of this title. This is especially prevalent in Persona 3 Reload, which boasts some tremendous UI enhancements over its predecessor and makes sure that the blue color palette is a focus of the game.
8 Inside
The Oppressive Grays Of This Title Feature Muted Blue Tones
Inside
- Released
- June 29, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
Inside looks so bleak and gray that it almost looks like a high-budget version of Limbo, and in many ways, it is. However, as players go through the game, they'll notice that the grays are always highlighted with a tinge of blue to ensure that the visuals don't become too monotonous.
This hammers in the lonely and oppressive sense of the game as players must traverse a hostile world as they work towards a mysterious goal. It culminates in an ending that will shock players to their very core and prove once and for all why Inside is hailed as one of the greatest video games ever made.
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