Summary
- Some video games replicate the art style of comic books to immerse players in unique visuals.
- Games like Ni No Kuni 2, Dark Cloud 2, and Odin Sphere use cel-shading to create a comic book-esque look.
- Titles such as Persona 5 and The World Ends With You feature hyper-stylized visuals inspired by comic books.
Comic book art styles are always going to be eye-catching, especially if used outside the medium in other avenues. A huge reason why the Spider-Verse movies have been so popular is because of the painstaking work that has gone into making every panel in the movie look like a page out of a comic book.
8 Best JRPGs Of The 90s, Ranked
Between the Game Boy and the PS1, the 90s were a golden age for RPGs, and these were some of the era's best examples of the genre.
This sentiment translates to video games too, where some titles have gone above and beyond to make it look like players are rifling through an interactive comic book. This is especially true in the realm of role-playing games, with these unique art styles playing their part in immersing players.
Games are ranked based on their overall quality.
8 Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom
The Charming Cel-Shaded Visuals Look Straight Out Of A Comic Book
Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom
- Released
- March 23, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Just like its predecessor, Revenant Kingdom's beautiful cel-shaded visuals lend a dreamlike quality to this RPG that fans can't get enough of. The story may be a step below that of Wrath of the White Witch, but the sequel excels in other aspects.
For starters, the combat is improved considerably to make battles more involving and entertaining than the first game. The addition of kingdom management also adds another layer to mess around with, letting players be wowed by the visuals over and over again as they explore the many gameplay pillars of Revenant Kingdom.
7 Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
Follows The Story Of The Manga And Looks Pretty Faithful Too
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
- Released
- January 16, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is a bit of a mixed bag, but there's no denying that the developer had a ton of love for the source material. Akira Toriyama deserves all this respect and then some, with many people still mourning the loss of a man who was taken before his time.
Players who want to enjoy the story of Dragon Ball Z once again in an interactive format will love what Kakarot brings to the table. Despite the battles being easy and the leveling feeling tacked-on, every frame of Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot makes it look like a page straight out of the manga, letting players relive the nostalgia of being glued to their screens as they saw their favorite characters reach new heights of power.
6 Dark Cloud 2
The Comic Book-esque Visuals Look Great
Dark Cloud 2
- Released
- February 17, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Dark Cloud 2 is one of the most underrated JRPGs that more fans need to check out. While Level-5 may be known for their work on the Professor Layton puzzle games, they've also developed their fair share of excellent role-playing games that are a joy to play.
10 Best JRPG Series With Overarching Stories That Last Multiple Games
The JRPG genre has some of the longest-running franchises in gaming but shockingly few feature overarching stories that last multiple games.
Dark Cloud 2 is no exception and will whisk players on a grand (if somewhat clichéd) adventure. The cel-shading has helped the visuals remain fresh to this day, making it worth checking out for fans who have the means to play this rare title.
5 Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir
Styles Itself Like A Storybook With Visuals, Akin To A Comic Book
Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir
- Released
- June 7, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
The whole schtick of Odin Sphere is that it's structured like a book, with every novel revolving around a certain character. This may lead to a disjointed story, but it gives the art style of the game a clear focus that makes the title feel more unique than ever.
The entire game looks like a picture book come to life with its bright colors, letting players enjoy a childlike sense of wonder. It helps that the combat is pretty engaging, and the unique leveling mechanic will compel players to eat more food than they ever have in a video game.
4 Eternal Sonata
A Beautiful RPG That Takes Place In The Dying Mind Of Frederic Chopin And Is Dreamlike
Eternal Sonata
- Released
- September 17, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Cel-shading is an easy way to give games the look and feel of a comic book, and Eternal Sonata is no exception. This is just one of the many draws of a game that takes place in the dying mind of composer Frederic Chopin.
The game's unending charm makes for a one-of-a-kind JRPG that is in dire need of a re-release. The unique combat system and fun story will keep fans coming back for more in a role-playing game that is full of quality tracks.
3 The World Ends With You
The Hyper-Stylized Visuals Make For An Excellent Art Style
The World Ends With You
- Released
- July 27, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
One look at The World Ends With You will make its comic book inspirations clear as day. The game's character designs have Tetsuya Nomura written all over them, with players exploring modern Japan and trying to follow fashion trends to beat their enemies in combat.
8 JRPGs Where Every Class Feels Unique
The following JRPGs do a great job of making each of their classes feel distinct.
The pins that players use can make or break their performance in combat, coupled with an epic story that deals with a twisted killing game. As Neku, players must uncover the conspiracy at the heart of the game while dealing with several tough enemies along the way.
2 Metaphor: ReFantazio
Cel-Shading Is A Surefire Way To Make Games Look Like Comic Books
Metaphor: ReFantazio
- Released
- October 11, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
Atlus made major strides in the JRPG industry with the development of an engine that has paid major dividends for them. The developer could've rested on its laurels with its established franchises, but it was clear that there was no better time than now for a new IP in the JRPG genre.
This marked the entry of Metaphor: ReFantazio, a beautiful JRPG with a mature story and tone, where players must win over the hearts of people all over the United Kingdom of Euchronia. Even with the game's slow start (a common occurrence across most Atlus games), the amazing art style will keep fans entertained as they power through one of the best modern JRPGs of all time.
1 Persona 5
Atlus' New Engine Shines Bright With The Best-Looking Persona Game
Persona 5
- Released
- September 15, 2016
- ESRB
- m
There aren't enough words to describe just how important Persona 5's release was for Atlus. The new engine meant that the game experienced several delays before it met Atlus' quality standards.
The result is one of the most visually striking video games ever made, which makes the entire title look and feel like a comic book with both action and slice-of-life elements. Even the most mundane actions in Persona 5 take on a personality of their own courtesy of the visuals, with the combat being more action-packed and feature-rich than ever.
6 Great JRPGs That Have Too Much Dialogue
JRPGs tend to pack a lot of text into their experiences, although some can go a little overboard.