Summary
- Open-world games with cel-shaded visuals stand out and offer unique player experiences.
- Games like Ultimate Spider-Man or Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot immerse players in a virtual comic book.
- Visuals, like those in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, can make a game timeless and engaging.
Open-world games need to do something special to stand out, instead of fading into obscurity with the many other middling titles in this genre. Something as simple as a striking art style goes a long way in making the game look like a million bucks.
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Given how visually distinct comic books are, it's easy to see why games that evoke this art style are all the more notable. The open-world games that utilize cel shading and look like comic books end up being all the more notable, as a result.
Games will be ranked based on their overall quality.
6 Ultimate Spider-Man
An Open-World Game That Players Like A Virtual Comic Book
Ultimate Spider-Man
- Released
- September 22, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T // Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Treyarch
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PS2, Xbox (Original), GameCube, PC, Nintendo Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS
Ultimate Spider-Man is perhaps the most overlooked game featuring the titular webhead. Most Spider-Man games didn't have a good reputation before Insomniac got the opportunity to develop a Spider-Man game, which is perhaps why Ultimate Spider-Man didn't get the time of day.
Given that this was made by the same developer as the lauded Spider-Man 2 game, it's easy to see why fans will still have a great time if they give this title a shot. Despite some wonky combat, swinging in Ultimate Spider-Man still feels great and is a huge part of what makes this game so special.
5 Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
Respects The Manga's Art Style With Its Cel-Shading
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
- Released
- January 16, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- CyberConnect2
- Platform(s)
- Stadia, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Fans who want to step into the shoes of their favorite Z Warriors and take on countless threats will love what Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot brings to the table. Players start from the very first arc in Z and eventually reach all the way to the end of the Buu Saga.
It's no coincidence that a game that is based on a legendary manga looks strikingly similar to Toriyama's art style. Beating up lowly villains and unlocking powerful transformations in fights never gets old in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot.
4 Borderlands 2
The Comic Book Visuals Make Every Game In The Borderlands Series Stand Out
Borderlands 2
- Released
- September 18, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
Borderlands 2 is the best game in the series for many fans. The writing is at its peak in this title, with the cel-shaded visuals looking better than ever.
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Screenshots of Borderlands 2 look straight out of a comic book at times, with the hyper-stylization being a key component of what makes this such an unforgettable experience. Teaming up with other players and taking out enemies with a mix of firepower and unique abilities never gets old and makes Borderlands 2 a special, must-play game for fans of co-op FPS games.
3 Need For Speed Unbound
The Cel-Shading And Hyper-Stylized Visuals Make This Look Like A Speedy Comic Book
Need for Speed Unbound
- Released
- December 2, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen
- Developer(s)
- Criterion Games
- Genre(s)
- Racing, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Given how most racing games were looking a bit too similar to each other, Need for Speed Unbound took a bold approach and decided to implement stylized cel-shaded visuals. The end result is a beautiful racing game that is a blast to play through, even if the gameplay can be a bit too grindy at times.
Players must avoid the cops at all times on high heat and win as many races as possible to make bank and acquire better cars. It's a slow and arduous process, which is why players appreciate that the visuals do their best to stand out and keep fans engaged as they go through the weekly grind and strive to make progress in the story.
2 Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch
The Ghibli-esque Visuals Help This Game Stand Out
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
- Released
- January 22, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling
- Developer(s)
- Level 5
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3
Ni no Kuni is one of the most beautiful video games that comes packed with a heartbreaking story. It helps that the cel-shaded visuals lend a comic book vibe to the game and allow players to get immersed in the title's beautiful narrative.
Seeing Oliver head to an entirely different world to revive his mother makes him an easy character to root for, with the game's combat being simple yet fun to play through. Wrath of the White Witch is pretty much the complete package for fans who love charming JRPGs, and it's a shame that the sequel failed to emulate the first game's brilliance.
1 The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker
The Charming Cel-Shading Is A Huge Reason Why This Game's Visuals Are Timeless
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
- Released
- March 24, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
While the modern Zelda games also incorporate a cel-shaded art style, Wind Waker is considered by many to be the title that truly emulates the style of a comic book. Toon Link divided fans back in the day, only for Wind Waker to age gracefully compared to other titles in the series.
Exploring the high seas as Link, completing dungeons, and making progress in the story feels great as the protagonist slowly but surely gets stronger after tackling each ordeal. Fans who want to check out the best classic Zelda experience will find Wind Waker to be right up their alley.
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