Best Open-World Games With Cel-Shaded Graphics

For years, video game designers have argued about whether games should look realistic or use bright, colorful styles, and open-world games are no different. Many players enjoy exploring vast worlds that feel like real life, such as in games like *Grand Theft Auto* or *Red Dead Redemption*. However, there’s also a strong appeal for open-world games that are more imaginative and cheerful.

Cel-shading is a surprisingly helpful technique that’s allowed game developers to create games with bright, colorful visuals. The open-world genre, in particular, has really benefited, with many excellent games featuring huge, beautifully rendered maps thanks to cel-shaded graphics. Here are some of the best examples.

Borderlands 4

The Latest Entry In The Series Embraces Its Open-World Roots

The *Borderlands* series is famous for its unique, cartoon-like graphics, which set it apart from most other first-person shooter games. While earlier *Borderlands* games had large, explorable areas, the newest installment, *Borderlands 4*, is a truly open-world game, and that’s a major reason why it’s so popular.

Even though the game has some performance problems, particularly on computers, the world of Kairos is visually impressive and full of life, with large, detailed environments and memorable characters. The new, more cartoonish art style in *Borderlands 4* complements the game’s famously quirky humor, which has been improved from *Borderlands 3*, making it funnier and more enjoyable.

The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker

A Colorful Sea-Faring Adventure That Still Holds Up

The *Legend of Zelda* series has always been known for its fantastical look, but it didn’t use cel-shading – a technique that makes games look like cartoons – until *The Wind Waker* came out in 2002. When it was first released, this art style was very divisive. Many fans hoped for a darker, more realistic look for the first *Zelda* game on the GameCube. However, the game is now widely loved, and its unique graphics are a big reason why.

With *The Wind Waker*, players met a new, cartoon-style version of Link, now known as “Toon Link,” who quickly became a fan favorite. The game is famous for its expansive ocean world, filled with charming water and unique creatures. Interestingly, despite being originally released on the GameCube, the game’s graphics still look good even today, and it was even remastered in HD in 2013.

Breath Of The Wild / Tears Of The Kingdom

The Wind Waker Influenced The Two Biggest Zelda Games Ever Made

Even though some fans were initially surprised by the art style of *The Wind Waker*, Nintendo clearly enjoyed it and continued using it in later games, most notably *The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild*. While characters in *Breath of the Wild* look more realistically proportioned, the game still features a bright and visually striking world.

Both *Breath of the Wild* and *Tears of the Kingdom* offer incredibly immersive open-world experiences. *Breath of the Wild* redefined the genre with its captivating gameplay and stunning environments, influencing many games that followed. *Tears of the Kingdom* builds on this success, expanding the world and adding even more visually striking locations and characters, all while maintaining the same beautiful art style. These games are ideal for anyone looking for a vast, open-world adventure with a unique and memorable aesthetic.

Ultimate Spider-Man

One Of The Few Spidey Games That Actually Feels Like A Living Comic Book

I’ve played a lot of Spider-Man games over the years, and lately they’ve been going for a really realistic look. But honestly, for me, the best one is still *Ultimate Spider-Man*. It’s based on the comic books, and it just nails the feel of those classic stories. It really stands out from the others!

This game captures the exciting, open-world feel of *Spider-Man 2* but presents it with a vibrant, comic book-inspired art style. Not only does Spider-Man look fantastic, but so does the playable character Venom, and all the classic villains you’ll fight, such as Rhino and Carnage. It’s a must-play for any longtime *Spider-Man* fan.

Okami

A Beautiful Adventure With An Art Style Inspired By Classic Japanese Paintings

When people think of video games with stunning cel-shaded graphics, *Okami* is often the first that comes to mind, and with good reason. The game is celebrated for its gorgeous, colorful art style, which draws inspiration from traditional Japanese paintings and truly shines.

The visuals in *Okami* are stunning, with a unique cel-shaded style that perfectly complements the game’s story and atmosphere. Every character and creature, from the heroic wolf Amaterasu to the fearsome enemies, is beautifully designed. Though its open world isn’t as massive as some newer games, it’s still a joy to explore as a mythical white wolf, and that’s what truly matters. Fans are hoping the next installment will learn from *Breath of the Wild* and offer even more freedom and open-ended gameplay.

One Piece: World Seeker

Perfectly Encapsulates The Bouncy Art Style Of The Original Manga/Anime

As a gamer, I’ve noticed that most anime and manga games go for that cel-shaded look – it just makes sense to stay true to the source material’s art style. *One Piece* is famous for being super colorful and wacky, and a lot of its games have looked great because of that. But honestly, *One Piece: World Seeker* is the only one that really lets you explore a huge open world, which is pretty cool.

In this game, you play as Monkey D. Luffy after he and his pirate crew land on the enigmatic Prison Island. You’ll get to use all of Luffy’s famous rubber powers to explore a huge world and battle powerful enemies and bosses. *World Seeker* is the most ambitious *One Piece* game yet, and it successfully captures the adventurous spirit of the series (even with a few small issues). If you’re a *One Piece* fan who enjoys open-world games, this is definitely one to try.

Genshin Impact

An Open-World Gacha Game With A Distinct Anime-Like Art Style

Inspired by the success of *Breath of the Wild*, *Genshin Impact* became a huge hit itself, fundamentally changing how gacha games are made. It features a large, explorable open world and a vibrant art style that’s impressive for a free-to-play game. Regular updates have continued to expand the world of Teyvat, adding diverse and interesting new areas.

The main draw of *Genshin Impact* is its large roster of characters that players can unlock-often by spending money-and the game’s anime-inspired art style really makes these characters stand out. It’s important to know that *Genshin Impact* is a free-to-play game that uses a ‘gacha’ system. You can explore a lot of the open world without paying, but if you want to avoid a lot of repetitive gameplay to level up your characters, you’ll likely want to spend some money.

No More Heroes 3

Santa Destroy Never Looked So Good, Nor Felt So Alive

Game director Suda51 is famous for creating games with distinctive and memorable visual styles, and *No More Heroes* is a prime example. The series is known for its bright, cartoon-like graphics, combined with edgy humor and extreme action. However, *No More Heroes 3*, the newest installment, is the only one that truly feels like a vast, open world game.

Earlier *No More Heroes* games were often criticized for feeling empty, so *No More Heroes 3* makes a clear effort to address that. It features six distinct, interconnected areas, each with its own unique style and feel. Players can quickly travel between these areas on Travis Touchdown’s motorcycle, and each one is filled with interesting characters and optional side quests that add depth to the gameplay. Thanks to modern console technology, the game also delivers the most visually impressive version of Santa Destroy yet, and hopefully, players will be able to revisit it in future games.

2025-09-28 19:05