10 Best Games With Tim Burton Vibes

It’s quite likely that you’ve watched a movie either directed or scripted by the prolific Hollywood director, Tim Burton, in your movie-watching experience.

The guy’s been making feature films since the 80s, and many of them are certified bangers.

In both his live-action projects such as Beetlejuice and Mars Attacks, as well as his animated films including The Nightmare Before Christmas, there’s an unmistakable quirky atmosphere that sets them apart, either through their storytelling or visual style.

Every time you watch a Burton movie, it’s guaranteed to leave you puzzled with curiosity, and then grinning playfully.

Some video games share a similar aesthetic to that of Tim Burton, featuring eccentric character designs and slightly macabre themes, either intentionally or unintentionally.

10. Lost In Random

Time To Roll The Dice

Have you ever given a detailed examination to a board game? With oversized character tokens, traversing a world with unusual dimensions, solely driven by unpredictable events; it might seem peculiar to analyze something so ordinary in such depth, but this type of narrative is right up Burton’s alley. It’s also precisely what you encounter in Lost in Random.

In the game called “Lost in Random,” the territories are governed by a cruel queen who subjects everyone to the unpredictable outcomes of her magical die throw.

In a unique scenario, our young protagonist Even, who possesses the last set of dice globally, must navigate through the six cities called Random, by rolling the dice, in order to vanquish the queen and rescue her abducted sibling.

The cities of Random all look like increasingly elaborate board games brought to life.

Commencing with Onecroft, its dilapidated dwellings crafted from thimbles and teapots, you journey through inverted settlements, battle-scarred trenches, and various other peculiar landscapes.

9. Flipping Death

Friends On The Other Side

In many of Tim Burton’s creations, themes of death and the unknown beyond are frequently present, with movies such as Beetlejuice and Corpse Bride serving as notable instances. Although it may not be a cheerful subject to ponder, speculating about what lies beyond that veil can certainly be intriguing.

One entertaining twist on this theme is the game called “Flipping Death,” where “the beyond” or “the afterlife” could also be fitting descriptions.

In the game Flipping Death, the Otherside is situated on the opposite side of our everyday reality. It’s like a mirrored version of the world of the living, inhabited by its spectral counterparts.

Following Penny’s unexpected passing, she secures a temporary role assigned by Death. This unique position allows her to navigate between two worlds, utilizing the spirits of the living as a conduit. Although the theme may seem somber, the experience is quite whimsical and light-hearted.

With her ability to influence others, Penny can subtly guide people’s movements – think controlling arms and legs – and even decipher their deepest thoughts. To pave the path for advancement, you might need to orchestrate some extraordinarily peculiar events.

8. Alice: Madness Returns

Classic Burton Territory

In 2010, Tim Burton was the director of the live-action version of Alice in Wonderland, a movie adaptation that has become quite famous and is still recognized as one of the best live-action portrayals of the tale.

Choosing Johnny Depp for the role of the Mad Hatter underscored his aptitude for the character, and at the same time, demonstrated Tim Burton’s deep comprehension of Alice in Wonderland as a narrative.

For a game with a similarly twisted depiction of the old tale, we have Alice: Madness Returns.

Hey there! If you’re a gaming enthusiast like me, let me tell you about Madness Returns, the thrilling sequel to American McGee’s Alice. No worries if you haven’t played the first one, you can still jump right into this captivating adventure!

The game offers a more somber perspective on Wonderland, exploring it as seen through Alice’s troubled mind. The scenery is marred and twisted due to the harrowing experiences and malevolent individuals she has met along her journey.

As a gamer, I’m no pushover. With my trusty Vorpal Blade and mighty Hobby Horse at hand, I can clear out these unwanted invaders from my gaming realm, restoring Wonderland to its rightful, enchanting glory.

7. Psychonauts

We All Go A Little Mad Sometimes

In a more casual and understandable manner, Burton’s animated movies such as Frankenweenie often stray from the conventional human shape. Why stick to uniformity when you can create an array of peculiar, irregular characters instead?

Experiencing an amusing juxtaposition as unusual-appearing characters exhibit ordinary behaviors is quite common in the various characters of Psychonauts, giving it a unique charm.

In Psychonauts, each character is unique and distinct; some have spindly, elongated limbs while others carry oversized heads adorned with exaggerated characteristics.

In the universe depicted, nothing appears out of the ordinary; indeed, all characters share similar appearances. This includes our main character, Raz, who has a somewhat peculiar figure, characterized by small feet and plump fingers.

Engaging with this game transports you into unique mental realms populated by beings that are remarkably strange, adding a striking contrast to your experience. You know, it seems the creators have a knack for making abstract concepts like mental health appear… somewhat surreal, in a good way.

6. Have A Nice Death

Bureaucracy Is Scarier Than Death

Regarding the topic of life beyond our own existence, movies such as Beetlejuice shift the emphasis from the usual fear of death itself, and instead highlight potential horrors or unfavorable circumstances that might follow.

In Beetlejuice, the character found himself trapped in an office waiting room, while in Have a Nice Death, he’s stuck within the very office, dealing with stacks of paperwork.

Or, more casually:
In Beetlejuice, the character got stuck hanging out in an office waiting area. In Have a Nice Death, he’s stuck doing boring paperwork right inside the office itself.

In “Have a Nice Death,” the very embodiment of death, who’s been swamped with work since the beginning of time, chooses to ascend the corporate ladder of Death, Inc., seeking formal leave by asking for some vacation time.

Regrettably, our company’s entire structure seems chaotic, as if aimless spirits are roaming freely within its walls.

In simpler terms, “Have a Nice Death” is a game where you’ll experience numerous deaths, each time finding yourself back at the stack of documents waiting on your desk.

In a Tim Burton movie, that’s the sort of afterlife portrayal you would find: a comically stifled existence due to the red tape and inefficiency of bureaucracy.

5. Don’t Starve

Pointy And Scratchy

Almost every enchanting movie I’ve admired from Tim Burton’s portfolio carries a handful of familiar themes, regardless of whether they are animated or live-action masterpieces.

Characters in this game sport quirky, spiky features and wear strange outfits. The backdrop boasts a rough, pencil-like texture. A game that incorporates these distinctive designs is Don’t Starve.

Don’t Starve doesn’t give us much in the way of story, at least off the bat.

Essentially, what’s crucial for you to understand is that you’re a small figure in a vast, dark setting, with no companions or weapons. If you don’t take action about the latter, your chances of survival are slim, and they might even lead to dire consequences, possibly much worse than starvation!

When you’re not preoccupied with satisfying your basic needs, you can truly appreciate the game’s visual charm. From its distorted trees and varied landscapes to the peculiar, round-faced, gap-toothed inhabitants that mysteriously inhabit this world. Just because it might not be a pleasant place to reside doesn’t mean it can’t have an appealing aesthetic.

4. Little Nightmares

Burton Characters To The Extreme

Burton isn’t often involved in producing or managing traditional horror films. In essence, one might say that he prefers to create an atmosphere of suspense and eeriness rather than being intentionally cruel.

In a hypothetical scenario, if Burton removed the restraints on his creations and aimed for maximum fright factor, one might expect results similar to the game Little Nightmares.

Little Nightmares shares the peculiar proportions and twisted aesthetics reminiscent of a Tim Burton production, yet lacking the glimmer of hope that usually underlies his works.

In this perilous and unsettling environment, our hero Six finds himself almost helpless against the monstrous beings resembling humans that inhabit it.

Or, more casually:
In a world that’s downright scary and dangerous, our character Six is nearly defenseless against the freakish human-like creatures lurking around.

Both sentences convey the same meaning but with slightly different tones.

One effective technique that Little Nightmares employs to emphasize its intricate world and character designs is strategically keeping them partially hidden or shrouded in mystery.

At first sight, it’s clear that these beings aren’t human; they often appear bent or with their backs turned. However, if you manage to catch a clear view of them, chances are they’ve already started pursuing you.

3. Contrast

Life In The Shadows

As a devoted admirer, I’ve always been captivated by Burton’s knack for orchestrating light and darkness in his cinematic masterpieces. He skillfully plays with the intensity of colors and shades to create a mood and transmit the intended atmosphere. Shadows, even those we cast ourselves, hold immense potential, and that potential is brilliantly demonstrated in the film “Contrast”.

Comparing contrast to a 1920s vaudeville show can be rephrased as: Contrast is similar to an over-the-top, vintage variety performance from the 1920s; although it may seem odd and exaggerated, there’s still a coherent narrative hiding beneath its surface.

Much of this tale unfolds using the techniques of darkness and outlines, with our main characters, Didi and Dawn, being the only clearly defined figures, while all others appear merely as shadows cast by lamplight.

In a more concrete manner, Dawn can interact with light and darkness by merging herself with the two-dimensional shadows that surround her. She can then handle these shadows as if they were real objects. This allows her to navigate through the narrative while also casting light on it.

2. Voodoo Vince

That Voodoo You Do

Virtually every corner of the globe harbors unique, peculiar, and mystical elements that can enrich and broaden your narrative tapestry.

As a gaming enthusiast, I can surely say that Burton’s knack for uncovering the bizarre is second to none – or perhaps even creating it himself! If ever he were to craft a movie set amidst the shadowy corners of New Orleans, I’d wager it would bear a striking resemblance to Voodoo Vince.

As a captivated admirer, I’d say that Voodoo Vince masterfully paints the enigmatic tapestry of New Orleans – from its quirky alleyways to its mystical swamps. The game’s depiction is a delightful blend of the strange and fascinating, brought to life through warm, vibrant hues with subtle splashes of multicolored enchantment.

Although the game may seem to stretch the truth about authentic voodoo practices, this actually makes it simpler for Vince to carry out a variety of distressing actions towards himself and provoke retaliation from his adversaries.

Could you share if you’d be uninterested in a Tim Burton film featuring a tiny voodoo doll causing mischief and harassing unpleasant characters?

1. Grim Fandango

One More About Death

Is there room for another game themed around death and the afterlife on this list? Absolutely! If we’re adding one, let’s make it Grim Fandango.

Burton’s movies with a focus on death, particularly Corpse Bride, exhibit a hint of determinism. Even though a life might end, it doesn’t imply the cessation of living; this concept is creatively demonstrated by Grim Fandango.

As a gamer, I’d say Grim Fandango offers a somber perspective on the afterlife, particularly the intricate underworld of the Aztec realm. Here, recently deceased souls embark on a challenging four-year odyssey to eventually reach the heart of eternal repose.

Nevertheless, numerous characters, such as our main character Manny, often found themselves trapped in a stagnant phase, even standing idle at the very beginning.

In the realm of Grim Fandango, characters strive to find meaning post-life, largely driven by apprehension and ambiguity about what lies beyond. The world is vividly depicted and brimming with individuals seeking a semblance of existence.

Instead of being overly theatrical, the game actually possesses a subtle sense of humor. Regardless if you’ve passed away, you’d still have your day job to attend.

2025-03-30 21:42