The technological progress of video game graphics has been impressive over the last decades. We've gone from the early 2000s retro jankiness to ultra-realistic character models that border on being a bit uncanny. We have ray tracing, realistic reflections, incredible hair animations, and even pores on character skins. Of course, most gamers aren't running their single-player titles at such settings, except maybe for a cheeky photo or two, but still. The strides in graphics are remarkable.
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That being said, you don't need to have all these hyper-realistic things to sell a game. In fact, on the PC gaming side, we're witnessing the start of an opposite trend now, as prices for PC parts in particular are on the rise: games that are smaller in scope, and can be run even on older systems. Beyond that, just having a really solid gameplay loop that's fun and addictive and doesn't crutch on microtransactions or shallow content is bound to get anyone excited, regardless of how detailed or realistic the graphics are. If you don't believe me, here are the games that became major successes without featuring demanding graphics.
Vampire Survivors
Highly Addictive Retro-style Bullet Hell
If I had to point out one game that unexpectedly took the world by storm and was a simple and humble as possible with its design and graphics, Vampire Survivors would come to my mind first. This is a treasure trove not just for anyone who enjoys a good bullet hell game or a roguelite, but to anyone who misses the days of old arcade games. A simpler time, truly.
The premise is pretty simple, but (and you're warned) extremely addictive: you're dropped into the world, and you need to survive against hordes of enemies for as long as possible. In between rounds, you can use the gold you earned to upgrade yourself. There are power-ups, unlockables, treasures to find, and more.
Ultrakill
A Love Letter For Quake And Doom
No one can deny that games like Doom and Quake still have their charm today, and it's why it's interesting that even newer titles like Ultrakill are taking inspiration from that janky, retro style to deliver an incredibly fun experience. Ultrakill is pretty much exactly what the name implies: carnage.
You fight against hordes of demons and other hellish creatures like you're the Doom Guy, and their blood allows you to heal yourself. The maps and enemies all have a wonderfully old-school look that any long-time FPS game fan will be able to recognize. It's bloody, it's bright, and it's vibrant, and its action-packed gameplay won't leave you wondering why it doesn't look like a modern triple-A game.
Crow Country
Leaning Into Old-School PS1 Graphics
Another trend that's becoming bigger and bigger in recent years is going for retro graphics on purpose, either because they convey nostalgia or because they're meant to convey the uneasiness that came with older games. This is particularly effective in survival horror games, and it's in part why Crow Country became so big. It has all the elements of an early PS1 horror game, akin to Silent Hill or Resident Evil.
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You go on to investigate a spooky, abandoned theme park, which just sounds like something straight out of Silent Hill 3. Even as someone who didn't get to play console games during this era, I can see why players find this game an explosion of nostalgic joy. It also helps the story's rock-solid, peppered with some really cool puzzles.
RimWorld
Simple But Effective Graphics For A Super Fun Colony Sim
RimWorld's sprites have become somewhat iconic in video gaming throughout the years. Most players, whether they've played the title or not, will probably recognize the characters and their cylinder-shaped bodies with heads attached.
Simple, right? The environments are like that, too, a 2D procedurally generated world where you manage your brand-new colony and decide its path forward. There's a simple yet effective charm in the art style, and because of the highly addictive and unpredictable nature of where each playthrough might take you, it doesn't need something more advanced.
Terraria
Vibrant 2D Pixel Goodness With Personality
Terraria's art style is absolutely one of its strongest points, guaranteed to charm a lot of players who like the retro RPG pixel art look. It's a very simple game with a ton of small details baked into its textures, the character models, and the hundreds upon hundreds of items you can come across. It's essentially a 2D Minecraft, except characters aren't bound by block textures, and it pushes a bit further into the whole RPG aspect of gameplay.
You're dropped into an open-world sandbox, and from there on, it's really up to you what you'd like to accomplish. Build a house, room the game's NPCs, discover and fight the game's eldritch-tier bosses... Terraria is all about the player making their own path, and because of that design choice, it has stayed popular for a long time.
Undertale
Its Quirky Art Style Is As Unforgettable As Its Story
If you were around for the era of RPG Maker titles that were popping up over fifteen years ago, you might find some similarities with them and Undertale. It's an indie title through and through, simple on the outside but extremely deep and layered at its core. The art has its own quirky handwriting to it, the sprites are absolutely charming, and a testament to a time of RPGs that is long gone.
While a lot of people do adore Undertale's wacky, 2D style, the real deal is the gameplay and story. Do not let the game fool you. There's a lot going on beneath the surface, as your choices have lasting and important effects on each playthrough. Even combat has a degree of freedom that isn't easily found in a lot of modern games, allowing you to resolve conflict without ever killing anyone. It challenges a lot of known tropes and themes in RPGs, and is a must-play for any video game enthusiast.
Project Zomboid
The Sims 1's Retro Charm Is Hitting Extra Hard
Part of the reason why I got my eyes on Project Zomboid was its art style. I'm not much of a zombie survival fan at all, with games like Dying Light being "just okay" in my books. Project Zomboid, though, instantly charmed me with its isometric POV and old-school color palette. It really does take you back to the days of games like The Sims 1, and even the fuzzy character models are oozing with beautiful nostalgia.
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More than that, though, it's such an addictive game that lets you define exactly the kind of zombie apocalypse experience you want. The world is genuinely massive, with loot randomly generated in each run, so you won't know exactly what to expect in each run. Your job is to survive for as long as possible against hordes of zombies. Given the flexibility the sandbox has, it's definitely a game that nailed its gameplay loop to perfection.
Return of Obra Dinn
Colorless, But Fully Engaging And Packed With Mystery
We've seen a lot of very retro and simple graphics and art styles so far here, but let's take it a step further and say there's no color in this next game either. That's Return of Obra Dinn for you, and that alone might make some players turn away from it, but it's another example of a game that is so incredibly well-made that it doesn't need to impress you with graphics. Or, maybe you find its unique style perfect for you?
Your job is to investigate what happened to the merchant ship Obra Dinn, which disappeared some time ago and has now returned to its port of origin. There's a hefty dose of mystery involved, and you'll really have to use your wits to get to the bottom of things. Overall, it's the perfect experience for anyone who loves puzzles and wants a good challenge, but not something overly long. Just be warned: once you finish it, you'll definitely wish you could replay it blind from the start again. That's how good it is.
Caves of Qud
Low-Resolution, Immense Gameplay
What could be more retro than the retro green UI of Caves of Qud, and its extremely pixelated, low-resolution textures? This is as simple as graphics can get, and the best thing is, it still manages to deliver an absolutely incredible roguelike RPG experience that keeps charming people. Now, word of warning, it's not a game that holds your hand, but it is a game with a procedurally generated open world that feels alive and dynamic.
A living and breathing realm, where you'll find all the basic elements of a successful RPG, with quests and points of interest to explore, as well as a surprisingly deep layer of lore. The game is as complex as its graphics are simple, and with a pretty diverse character creation, you won't be bored with this game for a long time.
Baba Is You
A Fresh And Challenging Puzzle Game That Keeps It Simple
As a Finnish gamer, I couldn't finish this list without shouting out Baba Is You. This game will drive you a bit insane as you progress through its multitude of levels, but it introduces some fresh gameplay elements that keep things interesting. It's all about manipulating your conditions of victory, but changing the blocks of the level to see how they all interact with each other, until you solve it all.
You'll need a hefty dose of patience, but there's nothing quite as rewarding as Baba Is You. And of course, the art style: it's a mix between the super low-res style of Caves of Qud with a quirkiness I've seen in Undertale. That distinctive, hand-made quality is what makes it super charming and almost cute, and it's a throwback that will remind you of old Pac-Man titles.
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