Games That Are Basically Interactive Art

The evolution of gaming technology has given designers and developers more freedom when it comes to bringing their visions to life. The result is that modern video games are now seen as artwork in addition to being an entertainment medium. There's currently an exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) featuring video games as interactive art.

A video game isn't a work of art through its graphics and design alone. The level of immersion, realistic and sympathetic characters, and compelling story are also some of the factors that make a good game an interactive work of art.

6 Journey

The Steps Of The Pilgrim

The name, Journey, has both a literal and symbolic meaning for this game. The main character is on a journey, but why or where they are going is a mystery. They travel through a variety of environments that range from scorching deserts to snowy plains, and the only thing to do is continue forward.

There are no quests, no enemies, and it's impossible to die, but the game finds other creative ways to keep the player engaged. The settings are ethereal, reflecting the game's strong spiritual influence, and the traveler endures the same hardship as a pilgrim traveling to the proverbial mountaintop. The ending is engaging and satisfying despite the lack of combat or real danger.

5 Disco Elysium

A Work Of Visual And Literary Art

Not only is Disco Elysium a game with some beautiful artwork and a unique, abstract setting, but the narrative is often compared to Dickensian literature with its gritty and often somber realism. Fans of niche movie genres like film noir and science fantasy will also appreciate this artistic video game.

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The story follows a detective who has an alcohol problem along with a pesky case of amnesia, and despite his problems, there's a murder case to be solved. This is an RPG, but it uses dialogue and investigation techniques to advance the story instead of combat.

4 What Remains Of Edith Finch

A Mystery Story Told Through Art

The puzzle and mystery game genres lend themselves to artistic expression, and What Remains Of Edith Finch is one of the best modern examples. It's considered to be an adventure game and a walking simulator, which means there isn't any combat involved, and the focus is on the landscape and setting.

The protagonist begins the story by traveling to the Finch home, which is on an island in the Pacific Northwest, carrying little more than Edith's diary as a clue. Instead of fighting or finishing quests, the main character progresses by exploring the now-deserted Finch property and the surrounding grounds in an attempt to discover the dark secrets behind the remains of its last surviving heir.

3 Hades

Hand Painted And Written With Soul

Hades was one of those surprise hits that took graphics, storyline, and music to a whole new level, making converts to the isometric rogue-lite niche with riveting gameplay, stunning hand-drawn settings, and alluring characters. The writers and voice actors deserve as much credit as the artists and designers, making this game a work of art from every angle.

The story has an ancient Greek aesthetic but uses plenty of anachronism when it comes to music, clothing, and decor, along with relying heavily on the ancient myths and legends of the Classical era. The hand-drawn characters and their mythological world appeal to gamers of every taste.

2 Myst

A Groundbreaking, Profoundly Artistic Puzzle Game

When Myst was launched in 1993, the CD-ROM was new, as was the idea of cut scenes in video games. It's one of the most profitable games in history because it cost almost nothing to make, with the developers and designers doing much of the work for free and acting in the cut scenes. The franchise exploded into books, accessories, and other various bits of merchandise, and continues to make money over a quarter-century after it was released.

The creators of the game not only included cut scenes and a stunning array of different settings to explore, but they developed the game to show off what a Mac could do, an insane idea at a time when gaming was almost strictly a PC venture. VR has given the franchise new life yet again in recent years, and it's no wonder because the world of Myst is perfect for the medium.

1 Never Alone

Tradition, Culture, And Art

It's not only a creative and beautiful design, Never Alone is also a literary and historic work of art. It tells the story of Kunuuksaayuka, a legend of the Iñupiat people of Alaska. The protagonist is a young girl named Nuna, and she is armed with a traditional instrument called a bola, which is like a combination of a lasso and a slingshot. Her companion is an Arctic fox.

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By  John Cunningham

The game is a puzzle platformer, and the main character progresses by discovering the solutions and being rewarded with historical vignettes and cultural insights, which are intended to symbolize the transfer of wisdom and memory from past generations. The setting is intended to mimic the harsh northern environment of Alaska and is as shocking as it is beautiful.

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